Subject: IMPORTANT: help needed items and meeting minutes
From: "Reis, Beth"
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:06:17 -0800
To: "SAFE SCHOOLS: post to main list" , "SAFE SCHOOLS: post to \"IMPORTANT NEWS\" list"

Dear Safe Schools Coalition Members and Friends:

<<Minutes JAN 2010.pdf>>

Minutes 1-19-10, 3-5 p.m. PDT
Safe Schools Coalition Meeting
Facilitating: Beth Reis; Recording: Heather Carter

HELP NEEDED items are in RED.

In attendance:  Frank Couch (Science and Management of Addictions Foundation-intervention team), Stephanie Taylor (NW Network for Youth), Michael Profitt (Seattle University student), Shannon Perez-Darby (NW Network of bi, trans, lesbian and gay survivors of abuse), Penny Palmer (Intervention team chair), Matt Munson (Planned Parenthood-leadership team), Kyle Rapinan (Casey Family Programs-leadership team), Jill Van Glubt (Washington Education Association), Heather Carter (Youth Suicide Prevention Program-leadership team), Emily Harris-Shears (Jewish Family Service), Beth Reid (Public Health -- Seattle & King County-Leadership team)

By phone: Gabi Clayton (Safe Schools Coalition, Families United Against Hate, Youth Guardian Services, PFLAG Olympia)

INTROS … welcome new faces/voices

(1)     SSC LEADERSHIP TEAM
a)      BIG CHANGES:
ˇ       Co-chair Marsha Botzer is stepping down from an active role to become “Co-Chair Emeritus” of the Coalition. We are extremely grateful for her service all these years, especially given her constantly growing activism elsewhere including her recent election as Co-Chair of the Board of the Task Force. Congratulations to Marsha and to the Task Force.

1       Co-chair Stefanie Fox is leaving her job with King County Community Organizing Program to accept a position with Jewish Voice for Peace. She will need a couple of months to sort out which of her SSC responsibilities, if any, she can continue as a volunteer, now that it won’t be a part of her job. Laura Edwards has graciously agreed to take over for Stefanie as a liaison from the King County Community Organizing Program. Congratulations to Stefanie and to Jewish Voice for Peace … and thank you, Stefanie, for all you’ve been doing for SSC these last few years.

2       HELP NEEDED: Stefanie may also have to step back from her other roles in the coalition so please think about helping out with the anti-racism team and/or the media swat team

3       Matt Munson, of Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest, is continuing as Co-secretary of the Coalition but stepping down from his role as a Listserv Staffer. More about that in the Listserv report.

b)      15 minutes of SHARING TIME:

(2)     NOTRE DAME’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER CARTOON – Beth
a)      A recent editorial cartoon in Notre Dame’s student paper asked "What is the easiest way to turn a fruit into a vegetable?" "No idea." "A baseball bat."

b)      Apparently, student editors claim they felt they cleaned up the cartoon as the original cartoon used the word "AIDS" instead of "a baseball bat."

c)      To quote our colleagues at HeartStrong, “Neither is acceptable.”
d)      DECISION: Frank will draft a letter to Notre Dame.  Kyle, Gabi, and Frank will edit.  Shannon will check in with a contact at USSA

(3)  SEATTLE CITY PARKS PROPOSED RULES – Beth
a)      See the proposal: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2010/01/14/2010797534.pdf It would ban, among other behaviors, “Entering restrooms designated for persons of the opposite sex (except children accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult, or to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability)”

b)      Please send emails with concern over this to sandy.brooks@seattle.gov
c)      HELP NEEDED: someone to write a letter on behalf of the coalition to explain their stance on this issue? Please get in touch with someone from the leadership team if interested: beth@safeschoolscoalition.org

(4)  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT INTERVENES IN STUDENT’S BULLYING-RELATED LAWSUIT – Kyle, Beth
a)      The United States of America has, for the first time since 1998 when Clinton was in office, intervened in support of a gay student who is suing his district, Mohawk Central School District and some individual employees of the district (Superintendant, former Principal, Title IX Compliance Officer) over their not protecting him. The lawsuit alleges these individuals and the district discriminated against the student on the basis of sex and gender identity, in violation of the sex discrimination provisions in the Title IX amendment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for not having provided him equal protection from “known incidents of persistent and derogatory name-calling, threats, physical assaults, and harassment of a sexual nature.”

b)      On January 15, 2010, on behalf of the Safe Schools Coalition, Beth Reis wrote to thank the Justice Department. For information about how your agency or school or Gay-Straight Alliance could do the same, contact Beth Reis, mailto:beth@safeschoolscoalition.org

c)      The government’s intervention in this case was first reported by Ari Shapiro, whose NPR story will be available online Friday evening: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122620723

(5)  SSC’s MEMBERSHIP IN THE HEALTHY YOUTH ALLIANCE – Beth
a)      DECISION: SSC will renew its membership
(6)  LAW & POLICY WORK GROUP REPORT – Beth for Jennifer and Lonnie
a)      New, improved WA State bullying bill … HB 2801, will be (has just been) introduced by Rep. Marko Liias. Bullet point list of provisions can be found at the end of these minutes.

b)      A statement from SCC on this matter:
c)      The Safe Schools Coalition, a broad network of youth and education related organizations who work to support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning youth is in support of HB 2801.  Passage of this bill will strengthen anti-harassment strategies to protect all public school students.  Though we rarely endorse legislation, it is our belief this bill will help tighten school district policies to help improve school climate and create respectful learning environments in all of Washington's public schools.  Though we are disappointed no funding will be available for anti-harassment training for staff and administrators, this bill will help make our schools safer for all the students and staff who enter the classrooms, playgrounds, libraries and athletic facilities. We urge support of HB 2801.

(7)  LISTSERV REPORT – Beth
a)      Current Listserv Staffing:
ˇ       EVENTS: Lauren Mehl

b)      Welcome to new subscribers, since July, from:
ˇ       St. Peters, Australia

(8)     WEB SITE REPORT – Gabi
a)      In December 2009, 32,140 visitors (13,320 unique IPs) in 108 countries utilized the web site.
b)      The majority self-referred, but of those who reached us via a search engine, the top 4 search engines were google, yahoo, aol and askjeeves

c)      The top 7 search terms people used to find us were: “gay scholarships and grants,” “another word for so [gay],” “safe schools coalition,” “lgbt scholarships and grants,” “safe schools,” “lgbt youth,” and “harassment in schools”

(9)     a)      MEMBERSHIP REPORT – Gabi
a)      HEY ALL! Renew now!  It’s easy to do online!! http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/members_join-renew.html
b)      Gabi is looking into an online database to house donors, members etc
c)      Recent renewals: Lake Washington Education Association
(10)    INTERVENTION TEAM REPORT – Penny
a)      If you receive an intervention request directly (rather than through the usual channels in the next bullet) please contact Penny so she’s aware of it, where they’re coming from, and can track it-thanks!

b)      To reach the intervention team: intervention@safescgoolscoalition.org or call 877-SAFE-SAFE
c)      Reminder to Intervention Specialists: fill out form after an intervention - thanks!
d)      Report of Interventions from Mid-December 2009 through mid-January 2010.
ˇ       There were several requests from out of state again but the team also helped answer several local requests. A nice update and thank you was received from a mother who had been very worried about her son’s safety at school.

1       12/16  Request for help finding a safe kindergarten for student with 2 lesbian moms. Recommendations for help in that area were given

2       12/17  V.P from local middle school requested information/talking points on harassment and bullying. He got the help he needed from the website.

3       12/30  A very nice letter was received from a mother in Louisiana thanking us and giving us an update on the progress that had been made keeping her son safe. Beth, Gabi, Sherry and Amy all worked on this one.

4       1/4/2010  A question regarding our website from someone using the Alabama SSC. Gabi answered her questions.
5       1/12/2010  A HS counselor requested information on the Mathew Shepard Law and how it applies to schools. She also had some questions regarding the law and policy section on our website. Tara answered her questions regarding the Mathew Shepard Law and Gabi  responded regarding the website.

6       1/13/2010  A mother called about her son being bullied.  He is a 5th grader who has been bullied for the last 3 years because he likes to wear pink and purple. - ongoing

7       1/13/2010  A concern from a sister at a local HS over discrimination aimed at 2 female students holding hands. The discrimination has been going on for 2 years and directed at other students also. The request is for support and feedback. -on going -

8       1/14  A student was assaulted by 2 fellow teammates in an out-of –school hockey league. The students were from another school district. The caller had reported the incident to their school district and the school district called us for technical assistance.

9       1/14 An advisor requested help from SSC because their admin. was not allowing their GSA to print t-shirts. Technical assistance was given and the advisor was successful in getting  the t-shirts to be printed.

10      1/15  A caller requested information regarding SSC organizations around Winter Haven Florida. Gabi answered
(11)    SPEAKERS BUREAU REPORT – Briana, Joyful
a)      Speakers Bureau and training team:
ˇ       GLSEN Summit: Beth Reis 30 people, Beth & Kyle Rapinan 25 people, Janet Bogle 10 people

b)      Outreach tabling:
ˇ       GLSEN Summit Barb Clark-Elliot;
1       Upcoming outreach tabling: Bellevue College  2/9
c)      AFSC Panels:
ˇ       King County Youth Workers Forum 1/5 25 people, Roosevelt High School 1/15
ˇ       Upcoming: Odyssey High School 1/28
d)      SPECIAL EVENT! 

(12)     FISCAL REPORT -- Beth
a)      HELP NEEDED: Michelle Munro has agreed to organize the web part of an online auction for the Coalition. We need 3 volunteers, anywhere in the world, to work with her on acquiring auction items. Contact her mailto:michelle@safeschoolscoalition.org 

b)      HELP NEEDED: You don’t need to plan the event, just come participate. This joint event with Delta Lambda Phi, “Inclement Sprint,” and is a 5K run/walk around Greenlake in Seattle, January 31: http://inclementsprint.com See you there!!!

c)      HELP NEEDED: We did 2 phone banks, last week and this and they were very successful. We will be calling on those who subscribe tot eh listserv to join ones coming up in the next month.

d)      Thank you SO MUCH to recent donors:
ˇ       §       Nancy Chapin and Leah Shafer
1       Mary Dispenza and  Mary Ann Woodruff
2       Grethe Cammermeyer and Diane Divelbess
3       Linda and Tom Baker
4       Carl Clausen
5       Elizabeth Saewyc
6       Josh  Friedes
7       Marilyn Cass
8       Brett Niessen
9       Adam  Tenner
10      Gil Rich, who works for Starbucks, participated in their matching program (volunteer hours matched by corporate dollars) generating, besides 25 hours of volunteer time, matching dollars from Starbucks of $250. Thank you Gil and thank you Starbucks!!

11      NOTE: Those who have donated on or since 1/19 will be acknowledged next month. 

(13)    Gabi won the design contest from Pride Foundation and donated the winnings ($250) to Safe Schools Coalition!!!!!!!

(14)     MEDIA SWAT TEAM (AMELIA EARHART BRIGADE) NEWS – Stefanie, Hanna, Brandon
a)      Retreat planned in the near future to delve into the book, News for a Change: An Advocate's Guide to Working with the Media by Lawrence Wallack, Katie Woodruff, Lori Dorfman, and Iris Diaz. The team will apply this information to proactive work in the media on behalf of SCC.  If you’re interested in this contact Stefanie@safeschoolscoalition.org

(15) Don’t forget to check out: queeryouthspace.com: A group of youth, with leadership from Kyle Rapinan, is trying to create safe space for LGBT youth that is led by queer young people and their allies.

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UPCOMING MEETINGS … contact the chair if you have agenda items to suggest or if you need instructions about attending (in person) or calling in (by conference call). All are welcome - you do NOT need to be a Coalition member to attend.

Feb 16th, 3-5 pm, Pacific Time. Frieda facilitates, ___ records. Frieda: questions@safeschoolscoalition.org
Mar 16th, 3-5 pm, Pacific Time. Kyle facilitates and Matt records. Kyle: 206-322-6711 ext 32190; KRapinan@casey.org 
April 20, 3-5 pm, Pacific Time. Stefanie facilitates (???) and Heather Carter records. Stefanie: Stefanie@safeschoolscoalition.org

BILL DRAFT - Anti-harassment strategies in public schools          Rep. Marko Liias
Washington State HB 2801

ˇ       Directs the OEO and OSPI to convene an ongoing anti-harassment working group to develop, recommend, and implement strategies to improve school climate and create respectful learning environments in public schools, and:

ˇ       Consider whether additional disaggregated data should be collected
1       Examine procedures for anonymous reporting of incidents
2       Identify curriculum and best practices for improving school climate
3       Recommend best practice for informing parents
4       Recommend training for district primary contacts

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Or mail this form with your check made to "Safe Schools Coalition":
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The Safe Schools Coalition is a public-private partnership of 80+ organizations (government agencies, schools, community agencies, churches, youth/student groups, gay/lesbian groups, human rights groups) and 400+ individuals working to help schools become safe places where every family can belong, where every educator can teach, and where every child can learn, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Safe Schools' website: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org
Safe Schools' blog : http://safeschoolscoalition.blogspot.com/
Join SSC's group on Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=43732067796
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SSC’s Myspace page : http://www.myspace.com/safeschoolsintervention
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Got a problem at school with anti-gay harassment?
In Washington State:
1-877-SAFE-SAFE (1-877-723-3723) 24 hours a day - the phone line is answered at the Sexual Assault Hotline and they will have a Safe Schools Coalition Intervention Specialist volunteer get back to you within 24 hours. Or contact us by email: Intervention: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=10

For non-emergencies:
Questions … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=8
Speakers’ Bureau (student/community workshops, professional training) … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=9

Membership … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=5
Publications and Listserve … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=7
Website … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=11
Co-Chairs:
Frieda Takamura , retired from the Washington Education Association
Elizabeth “Beth” Reis, Public Health - Seattle & King County, 206-296-4970
Kyle Rapinan, University of Washington student
Heather Murphy, Ph.D., school psychologist
Stefanie Fox, community organizer
Listserv Managers:
Beth Reis , for action items; resource messages (books, films, curricula, etc.); and help needed by reporters/authors, researchers, and member orgs … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=4

Tanya McNeill and Robyn Walters for NEWS messages … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=28
Kyle Rapinan for OPINION messages (blogs, editorials, letters to the editor) … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=40

Maya Troll for RIGHT WING WATCH messages … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=25
Lauren Mehl for EVENT messages … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=22
Shannon Cuttle for JOBS messages … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=27
Beth Reis for PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL messages ... http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=14
Gabi Clayton for LEGISLATIVE / ELECTIVE and Fundraising* messages … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=2

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