PLAY DATES WITH A PURPOSE™ 

What are Play Dates with a Purpose™?

Play Dates with a Purpose™ are regular play dates transformed into opportunities to get other parents engaged in the effort to defeat the Minnesota marriage amendment.

How can I transform my regular play dates into Play Dates with a Purpose™?

 You can transform your regular play dates into Play Dates with a Purpose™ by using these opportunities to spread the word to other families and friends about why Minnesotans must VOTE NO on the marriage amendment on November 6, 2012. It’s also a great way to talk to them about getting engaged – ask them to talk to their friends and family and maybe even sign them up to volunteer!

Coordinating Play Dates with a Purpose is Easy!

Who: Friends, Family, Co-Workers, Faith Community, School Community, Neighbors, soccer team, dance team, chess team.

What: Organize a BBQ, a movie night, a picnic at a park, pool party, or any kind of time where you would have fun with a group a families. This can be a really simple potluck or catered event. The point is to have fun and make sure that people leave knowing the Who, What, When, Where, and Why’s about the Minnesota marriage amendment and “Adopt-A-Shifts” volunteer opportunities.

When: Give yourself and your guests enough time to save-the-date and make plans to be able to attend but not a day more. We don’t have much time to change the hearts and minds of Minnesotans – every day counts!

Where: The type of event you are having will dictate the space needed. Spaces that might be a good fit could be a local park, your place of worship, a community center, a public library, your backyard, a friend’s house, a restaurant, a local museum, etc.

Why: These play dates will provide a fun space for you to build community as well as to raise awareness about the constitutional amendment, how it will impact families across the state, and why it is so important to make sure it is defeated.

Spread the word to your play date attendees about how the Minnesota marriage amendment hurts families.

• MN is home to thousands of same-sex couples and their families. According to the 2010 Census, there are more than 13,700 same-sex couples living in MN. Of these couples, at least 2,370 are raising approximately 4,740 children in the state.
• On November 6, 2012, Minnesotans will be asked to amend the MN State Constitution to ban marriage for same-sex couples by defining “marriage” as “a union of one man and one woman.”
• Amending the MN State Constitution is unnecessary because state law already prohibits marriage between same-sex couples in MN.
• A majority of Minnesotans oppose a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Current polls show that 55% of Minnesotans oppose a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, while only 39% favor amending the constitution.
• Marriage matters to our families for similar reasons that they matter to other families.  LGBT families work hard to ensure that our children grow up safe, happy, and healthy. Marriage is a way to demonstrate our love and commitment for one-another and our children. One of our primary goals as parents is to ensure that our children feel safe and secure and that they know that their families are respected, validated and protected. 

Sign up your play date attendees for family-friendly “Adopt-A-Shifts.”

Throughout the next several months, there will be numerous volunteer opportunities for those who’d like to get engaged in the fight to defeat the anti-family marriage amendment.  Family Equality Council will be working with Minnesotans United for All Families to coordinate “Adopt-A-Shifts” – which are family-friendly environments that will provide FREE childcare at select phone banks. There will be games, activities and snacks for kids of all ages so that parents will be free to volunteer and help educate Minnesotans as to why they need to VOTE NO on the marriage amendment in November 2012!  

Please check our website (www.familyequality.org/minnesota) frequently to find a list of volunteer opportunities and “Adopt-A-Shifts” schedules. We will need volunteers to make calls and educate voters about the real impact of the MN marriage amendment, but we will also need your help to recruit other potential volunteers, identify supporters, and provide administrative support. The volunteer opportunities are endless!

Ask the families at your play date to volunteer with you at “Adopt-A-Shifts.” Then, contact our Midwest Region Senior Manager Mel Rexroad at 612.516.4404 or mrexroad@familyequality.org

Mel can help you to coordinate your chosen “Adopt-A-Shift.”

Spread the word to other parents about how to transform their play dates into Play Dates with a Purpose™!

Don’t wait – transform your play dates into Play Dates with a Purpose™ TODAY! Now is the time to engage fully in this campaign so that one day you can tell your children and your grandchildren that YOUR family helped make the difference for marriage rights in Minnesota!

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