National Alliance for Optional Parenthood Toledo Area chapter records
Collection Overview
Abstract
The records for the Toledo Area Chapter/Affiliate of the National Alliance for Optional Parenthood date from 1970 to 1982. The collection includes the by-laws of the organization, correspondence, magazine and newspaper articles, newsletters, printed materials and various other documents. These files provide background information on the organization and document some of the activities at the national and local levels.
Dates
- Creation: 1970-1982
Extent
0.69 Cubic Feet (1 legal archives box and 1 half legal archives box)
Creator
Scope and Contents
The records contained in the Toledo Area Chapter/Affiliate of the National Alliance for Optional Parenthood collection date from 1970 to 1982. The strengths of the collection are its correspondence, newsletters, and magazine and newspaper article files. These give background information on the national organization, some insight into the Toledo Area Chapter/Affiliate, and demonstrate the relationship between the two groups. The major weakness of the collection is its lack of documentation on the activities of the Toledo Area Chapter/Affiliate. There is only one copy of meeting minutes from the local group and membership data is scattered. The primary focus of the collection is the national organization.
The majority of the information about the Toledo Area Chapter/Affiliate comes from correspondence records. These are comprised of materials sent to various segments of the Toledo organization from N.A.O.P. and various individuals, as well as outgoing mail from the Toledo Area Chapter/Affiliate. Much of the correspondence from the national organization consists of form letters, and this is a weakness, but these documents do demonstrate the relationship between headquarters and the Toledo group. The outgoing correspondence from the Toledo Area Chapter/Affiliate is the most revealing of local activities, especially the meeting announcements.
Another strength of this collection is its newsletters. These documents originate from N.A.O.P., the Toledo Area Chapter/Affiliate, and various regional chapters throughout the United States. Again, representation from the Toledo organization is weak, with only one newsletter present. The national and regional newsletters, however, provide information on activities across the nation.
The collection has a strong magazine and newspaper article series. While only a few of the clippings deal specifically with the Toledo Area Chapter/Affiliate, the files do provide considerable background information on N.A.O.P. and topics relevant to the child-free lifestyle.
The collection is completed by an assortment of files, such as the organizational by-laws, several reports, pamphlets and brochures, publicity materials, and various ephemeral documents.
Organization History
The National Alliance for Optional Parenthood, originally called the National Organization for Non-Parents (N.O.N.), was formed in 1972. The Toledo Chapter of N.O.N., founded by Tom and Sandra Vogt and Richard and Shirley McDonald, held its first meeting on November 9, 1974, at the McDonald home in Toledo, Ohio. In 1978, the non-profit organization changed its name to the National Alliance for Optional Parenthood (N.A.O.P.).
According to its bylaws, the purpose of the National Alliance for Optional Parenthood was to educate the public on non-parenthood as a valid lifestyle option, support those who choose not to have children, promote awareness of the overpopulation problem, and assist other groups that advanced the goals of the organization. The Toledo Area Chapter/Affiliate was mainly a support group for non-parents. Most meetings featured a speaker or were social gatherings. Membership in N.A.O.P. was open to married and single individuals, both parents and non-parents alike.
In order to qualify for chapter status in N.A.O.P., a local organization was required to have ten national memberships. Groups of lesser numbers assumed affiliate status. By 1977, the Toledo organization consisted of less than ten national memberships, and thus, was an affiliate. Whether 1977 was the first year for its affiliate status is unclear from the records.
The national organization disbanded in 1982 due to financial difficulties. The Toledo Area Affiliate of N.A.O.P. dissolved before that time, but the exact date is unclear.
Conditions Governing Access
No known access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to the Center for Archival Collections in September of 1984 with the cooperation of Darlene Petkwitz.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Christie Batt, undergraduate intern in history, in March 1996.
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the National Alliance for Optional Parenthood Toledo Area chapter records
- Author
- Christie Batt, Madeleine Williams
- Date
- March 1996, December 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin