Planned Parenthood Clinic Escort Program

[http://www.ppgg.org/~N_Dye]

	Dear PPGG Clinic Escorts-

	Thank you for your interest in clinic escorting at Planned
Parenthood Golden Gate (PPGG). My name is Nor a Dy e and I am the new Public
Affairs Outreach Manager. I will be coordinating the Clinic Escort program
at all of PPGG's Health Centers.  I know that many of you had to wait to
start escorting due to staffing transitions here at PPGG.  We thank you for
your patience and we are excited to get our escorting program back in gear.

	This email contains:

	1. Updates and information about the Clinic Escort program
	2. An overview of available escorting opportunities
	3. A feedback form that you need to complete to start escorting

	1. The clinic escort program

	Six PPGG health clinics are regularly targeted by anti-choice
protesters, whose tactics range from distribution of anti-choice brochures
and graphic posters to verbal harassment of clients and staff.  Clinic
escorts observe and record protestor activity and act as a reassuring and
calming force for patients and staff as they approach and enter our health
centers.  
	.
	Clinic escorts are expected to commit to escorting at least once a
month for a minimum of six months. Protesters are consistently sighted at
various health centers between 8 am and Noon on Thursday, Friday, and
Saturday.  To be an escort, you must be available during some of those
hours.

	The responsibilities of escorts include:

	1. Familiarity with laws governing conduct of protesters at clinic
entrances, known as Freedom to Access Clinic Entrance Laws, or FACE laws. 
	2. Observe protesters and recording any incidents of harassment or
infringement of FACE laws or local ordinances.
	3. Serve as a buffer between clients and protesters, ask clients if
they would like to be walked inside.
	4. Ask the clinic to call the police if the protesters block
entryways, break laws or disrupt clinic functions.
	5. Observe what the protesters are doing and try and obtain some of
the materials they are handing out.
	6. Wear PPGG's clinic escort vests to publicly identify yourself as
a clinic escort.

	All escorts are expected to fully support the mission of Planned
Parenthood Golden Gate and conduct themselves accordingly. Escorts should
refrain from engaging in dialogue or arguments with the protesters. 
	  
	2. Current Clinic Escort Opportunities

	1. The current clinic escorting schedule is as follows:

	LOCATION: San Francisco
	DAY: Saturdays
	TIME: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm *

	LOCATION: Macarthur (Oakland near )
	DAY: Fridays
	TIME: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm *

	LOCATION: where I live
	DAY: Thursdays
	TIME: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm *

	LOCATION: San Rafael
	DAY: Fridays
	TIME: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm *

	LOCATION: Redwood City
	DAY: Fridays
	TIME: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm *

	LOCATION: San Mateo
	DAY: Saturdays
	TIME: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm *

	*Protestors tend to leave the clinics anywhere between 11:00 am and
1:00 pm.  Escorts are asked to stay at the clinics until all protestors have
left the site.

	3. Feedback Form

	Please copy this form into a new email and then list your responses
after each question and send this information back to me at http://www.ppgg.org/~N_Dye.

	1. Have you been a clinic escort before? Where and when?
	2. Have you completed the PPGG escort interview questions?
	3. Have you been to a clinic escort training?
	4. When and where are you available to escort? (See above list for
available times.)

	Please list in order of preference- for example: 1. San Rafael
Fridays
						             2. San Mateo
Saturdays	

	5. How many times a month are you available to escort?
	6. Can you commit to escorting for at least six months?
	7. Are you interested in being on the monthly Public Affairs
Outreach Volunteer mailing list?  
	(This list will keep you informed of volunteer opportunities
including tabling events, legislative projects, special events and actions.
It's an easy way to learn about all the volunteer opportunities available
from the Public Affairs Department.)
	8. If you're not already on the PPGG Action Alert Network, sign up
now! Its another great way to keep up with the most recent news about
reproductive rights and quick things that you can do to show your commitment
to defending them. http://www.ppgg.org/action/email_action_networks.asp

	We need committed clinic escort volunteers to show the anti-choice
protesters that they will NOT terrorize our clients and staff without a
fight. Although recent laws prevent protesters from the most brutal and
egregious scare tactics, laws don't matter if YOU are not there to defend
them.  Clinic escorting is one of the most important and visible ways to
show your commitment to reproductive rights, and I hope that you will join
our clinic escorts and STAND UP for freedom of choice.

	I look forward to hearing from you soon!

	Thanks,

	Nor a Dy e

.........................................................
Nor a Dy e
Public Affairs Outreach Manager
Planned Parenthood Golden Gate
815 Eddy Street, Suite 300  San Francisco, CA 94109
ph: 415.441.7858  x.7225   fx: 415.776.1449
http://www.ppgg.org/~N_Dye  www.ppgg.org

March for Women's Lives April 25, 2004 in Washington, DC.
http://www.ppgg.org/action/marchforchoice.asp