National Coalition of Free Men
Encyclopedia
The National Coalition for Men (NCFM), formerly the National Coalition of Free Men, is a non-profit educational & civil rights
organization which looks at the ways sex discrimination affects men and boys. The organization has sponsored conferences, adult education
, demonstrations
and lawsuits. NCFM is the United States' oldest and largest generalist men's rights
organization. It professes to being politically neutral, neither conservative nor liberal.
(see the article Men's rights
for a more general overview of topics)
laws). By-laws were formally adopted in July. The four founding members were: Richard Haddad, Dennis Gilbert, Allan Scheib and Allen Foreman. Richard Haddad authored the "Free Men Philosophy" which included 26 items from which he felt men should be freed. These represented options. The first newsletter was named "Options".
This early chapter concentrated on forming "support groups" for men as counterparts to "consciousness raising groups" tailored to women.
Initial national interest resulted from appearances by author Herb Goldberg
, PhD., author of the Hazards of Being Male. By 1980 the Free Men. Inc. organization in Columbia had begun to disintegrate. Nevertheless, undaunted by local circumstance in Columbia, others in different parts of the country began forming groups associated with the Maryland organization. Two new groups formed chapters in Boston, Massachusetts (Headed by Frederic Hayward, founder of Men's Rights, Inc. A strong supporter was Robert A. Sides who went on to represent NCFM on national TV/radio talk shows) and Nassau County, New York
. The strongest of the two was in Nassau County. As a result it received all of Free Men, Inc.’s records as it became clear that the Maryland group was going to fold.
and New Milford, CT
.
On Saturday, October 24, 1981 the Nassau County chapter produced its first conference. It was funded by Adelphi University
and was called "Freeing Men From The Macho Mold: Options For Men In The 1980’s." The conference was followed up the next day by Free Men’s first convention, which was attended by representatives from various groups. Transitions became the national newsletter.
Out of the convention was born the "Coalition." Tom Williamson and Naomi Penner organized the convention, organized the national body and are credited with founding the "Coalition." Tom Williamson was elected President and Naomi Penner was elected Vice President.
Incorporation proceedings were begun and the coalition became official in December 1981. The incorporation was amended in 1982 to further clarify objectives. The original intent was for the governing body to be called, "Free Men." However, after the organization was informed that someone else in New York owned that name the organization considered such words as "Union" and "Association" before settling on "Coalition." The governing body was formally incorporated as "The Coalition of Free Men, Inc."
The word "National" was added in 1990 over frustration with media which kept referring to Free Men as a local group based in a small town. The word National is an informal AKA registered with the IRS for tax purposes, but is otherwise unofficial to this day. The name of the corporation has never been legally changed.
to New York
. In the spring of 2008, the organization changed its name to the National Coalition for Men.
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
organization which looks at the ways sex discrimination affects men and boys. The organization has sponsored conferences, adult education
Adult education
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...
, demonstrations
Demonstration (people)
A demonstration or street protest is action by a mass group or collection of groups of people in favor of a political or other cause; it normally consists of walking in a mass march formation and either beginning with or meeting at a designated endpoint, or rally, to hear speakers.Actions such as...
and lawsuits. NCFM is the United States' oldest and largest generalist men's rights
Men's rights
Men's rights is an umbrella term, encompassing the political rights, entitlements, and freedoms given or denied to males within a nation or culture....
organization. It professes to being politically neutral, neither conservative nor liberal.
Aims of the Coalition
Men's rights
Men's rights is an umbrella term, encompassing the political rights, entitlements, and freedoms given or denied to males within a nation or culture....
for a more general overview of topics)
Foundation
Free Men, Inc. was founded in Columbia, MD in January 1977. The name "Free Men" was used as an imperative (as in Free Men from unfair divorceDivorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
laws). By-laws were formally adopted in July. The four founding members were: Richard Haddad, Dennis Gilbert, Allan Scheib and Allen Foreman. Richard Haddad authored the "Free Men Philosophy" which included 26 items from which he felt men should be freed. These represented options. The first newsletter was named "Options".
This early chapter concentrated on forming "support groups" for men as counterparts to "consciousness raising groups" tailored to women.
Initial national interest resulted from appearances by author Herb Goldberg
Herb Goldberg
Dr. Herb Goldberg, is the author of the book What Men Still Don't Know About Women, Relationships, and Love, previously authored The Hazards of Being Male: Surviving the Myth of Masculine Privilege , related to the formative men's movement...
, PhD., author of the Hazards of Being Male. By 1980 the Free Men. Inc. organization in Columbia had begun to disintegrate. Nevertheless, undaunted by local circumstance in Columbia, others in different parts of the country began forming groups associated with the Maryland organization. Two new groups formed chapters in Boston, Massachusetts (Headed by Frederic Hayward, founder of Men's Rights, Inc. A strong supporter was Robert A. Sides who went on to represent NCFM on national TV/radio talk shows) and Nassau County, New York
Nassau County, New York
Nassau County is a suburban county on Long Island, east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York, within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,339,532...
. The strongest of the two was in Nassau County. As a result it received all of Free Men, Inc.’s records as it became clear that the Maryland group was going to fold.
Growth
The Nassau County Chapter was formed in early 1980. In February 1981 the Nassau County, NY chapter began its own newsletter called "Transitions." By October of 1981 the chapter had been responsible for inspiring and forming other groups in Suffolk County, NYSuffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
and New Milford, CT
New Milford, Connecticut
New Milford is a town in southern Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States north of Danbury, on the Housatonic River. It is the largest town in the state in terms of land area at nearly . The population was 28,671 according to the Census Bureau's 2006 estimates...
.
On Saturday, October 24, 1981 the Nassau County chapter produced its first conference. It was funded by Adelphi University
Adelphi University
Adelphi University is a private, nonsectarian university located in Garden City, in Nassau County, New York, United States. It is the oldest institution of higher education on Long Island. For the sixth year, Adelphi University has been named a “Best Buy” in higher education by the Fiske Guide to...
and was called "Freeing Men From The Macho Mold: Options For Men In The 1980’s." The conference was followed up the next day by Free Men’s first convention, which was attended by representatives from various groups. Transitions became the national newsletter.
Out of the convention was born the "Coalition." Tom Williamson and Naomi Penner organized the convention, organized the national body and are credited with founding the "Coalition." Tom Williamson was elected President and Naomi Penner was elected Vice President.
Incorporation proceedings were begun and the coalition became official in December 1981. The incorporation was amended in 1982 to further clarify objectives. The original intent was for the governing body to be called, "Free Men." However, after the organization was informed that someone else in New York owned that name the organization considered such words as "Union" and "Association" before settling on "Coalition." The governing body was formally incorporated as "The Coalition of Free Men, Inc."
The word "National" was added in 1990 over frustration with media which kept referring to Free Men as a local group based in a small town. The word National is an informal AKA registered with the IRS for tax purposes, but is otherwise unofficial to this day. The name of the corporation has never been legally changed.
Today
As of 2006, the National Coalition of Free Men had 5 chapters from CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In the spring of 2008, the organization changed its name to the National Coalition for Men.