| From: "Reis, Elizabeth" < http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=1> |
| Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 12:13:46 -0800 |
| To: "'SAFE SCHOOLS: post to \"IMPORTANT NEWS\" list'" |
| Subject: IMPORTANT: thank you's to donors & belated October meeting minutes |
Dear Safe Schools Coalition members and friends:
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to these individuals and families who have donated to the Safe Schools Coalition over the last several months:
Catriona Mackay
Cris F. Elkins
Carol Brandt
Lotus
Mary and Roy Sebring
Sue Ablas Jackee Knudson
Roberta Adams
Ric Weiland
Katharine Pearson
Duncan H Gibbs
Linda and Tom Baker
Bernard Haggerty
Tracy Flynn and Sheri Simonsen
Joe Varano
Rosemary Brodie
Charles Fay
Y'all rock!!!!
And to these wonderful agencies that have already renewed their membership in the Coalition for 2006:
Odyssey Youth Center
Scouting for All
School Nurse Organization of Washington
The Bush School Gay-Straight Alliance
Washington State University's Gender Identity/Expression and Orientation Resource Ctr.
King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
Washington Gender Alliance
Thank you for saving your partners in the Coalition from having to invoice or track you down.
OCTOBER MINUTES (November minutes will follow at a later date)
10/18/05, 4-6 p.m.
Chairing: Beth Reis; Recording: Airen Lydick
Present: Chris Johnson, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center; Frieda Takamura, Washington Education Association & SSC Co-Chair; Heather Murphy, SSC Intervention Specialist; Kristina Armenakis, SSC/LGBT Community Center and Justserve Americorps; Marsha Botzer, National Lesbian and Gay Task Force, Ingersoll Gender Center and SSC Co-Chair; Penny Palmer, individual; Sarah "Status" Carson, individual; Airen Lydick, LGBT Community Center; Kathy Kaminski, individual; Beth Reis, Public Health - Seattle & King County; Dr. Eddie Moore, Bush School
The meeting was convened at 4:01 p.m. by Beth Reis, the meeting's facilitator.
Lisa Confehr and Chris Beahler are Co-Secretaries. Today, Kathy Kaminski volunteered to take on the role of 3rd Co-secretary, serving on the Leadership Team along with Co-Chairs Frieda Takamura, Marsha Botzer and Beth Reis. Thanks to Chris, Lisa and Kathy!
(2) INTROS
All individuals in attendance self-introduced. First time attendees and visitors were welcomed. Beth reminded attendees to sign-in via the sign-in sheet.
(4) FUNDRAISING/DEMOCRACY PROJECT COMMITTEE - Marsha/Kari, Frieda/Joyful, Beth, Kristina
Background: We're doing fundraising now, since about a month ago we were on the verge of insolvency. We're on a very small budget (miniscule among the "nationals"), about $20.000 cash flow, with about $150,000 in-kind donations. We haven't had a grant in about five years. (As an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff, we've not had volunteers or member agencies offer to grant write.) This was going okay until this last year or so when Public Health King County started asking for money for a few hours of the staff time they contribute (most of Beth's position). Also, for a year or so, we had to pay a contract person to manage the speakers bureau - not anymore since Kristina's Americorps position is paid by the Seattle LGBT Community Center. Our excess has dwindled to next to nothing, so we're fundraising now.
a) house party ... report, needs?
NEEDS: smaller venues, smaller projects, more spaces
bigger team working on this
someone to do invitations
currently only two people on this team
If you want to join, write Marsha at
http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=15">MBotzer@BotzerConsulting.com.
WHAT'S INVOLVED: What we do is get folks to a small party with a little entertainment and food and then
do a brief pitch for donations. What's CRITICAL now is to get save-the-dates and invitations to folks who
are CAPABLE OF GIVING. It's usually expected that attendees will bring a check of $100 or so. Last party
there was a challenge of "I'll give $500 if someone else will, too," for example. Let Marsha know who she
might invite, i.e. help build the list, even if you can't join committee
b) mailing ... report, needs
These are solicitation mailings. Frieda and Joyful are looking at the next SCC meeting as a potential date (during or after) for a stuffing party. Between AFSC and WEA, we will get the mailing out. Beth will bring pizza to whoever can stay and help with the mailing party. Beth will send out an e-mail to the listserve to let folks know about the mailing party, IF it's not going to be here next meeting at 6 p.m.
c) Kristina and Beth staffed an SSC table at the King County employees' workplace giving fair. Thank you, Pride Federation, for the invitation.
d) YOUR HELP NEEDED: If your place of employment is engaged in a charitable giving campaign right now, PLEASE consider designating Safe Schools Coalition. Usually, you can do that EVEN IF WE AREN'T LISTED!!! Ask your charitable giving folks how to do that. Our Federal Tax ID # is that of our fiscal sponsor, Lifelong AIDS Alliance: 91-1215715
Now is the time to designate SSC.
e) Thank you to recent individual donors: Bernard Haggerty, Linda and Tom Baker, Duncan Gibbs
>From now on, everyone who donated since last meeting will be officially thanked in meeting. It's what you get for your dollars - that and a sense of deep satisfaction!
f) Seattle Public Schools GSA's planning fundraisers for SSC? Lisa?
This is an exciting project that a GSA can do when looking to make a difference...keeping the SSC website alive!
g) website sponsors ... YOUR HELP NEEDED: Judy is willing to manage this effort with a partner ... want to help out?
This is a drive to get organizations to join the coalition or do the website....anyone in Washington State who can partner with Judy? It's really about calling an organization, like national PTA or The Task Force or National Association of School Social Workers or National Assoc. of School Counselors, to work with them to get them to sponsor the website or join the Coalition.
Sponsoring the website is $35 a month for member organizations (non-profits). So far, we only have youth guardian services, GSBA, and AFSC. The cost to run website each year is about $12,000.
h) Set a fundraising committee mtg date
We had a 3 p.m. meeting today, and only three folks could make it. We need to schedule another. This will be scheduled at the end of the meeting today by Marsha, Beth, and Frieda.
(5) MEMBERSHIP
a) RENEWALS: Odyssey Youth Center (liaison: Ramon Alvarez, Laurel Kelly), School Nurse Organization of Washington (liaisons Mary Paradise, Samra Hoag, Sandy Polzhin) ... welcome back to both organizations!!
b) NEW MEMBER APPLICATIONS: none this month
c) Other membership news?
There have been few issues about things not showing up in the database. Piper and Tad will be in touch with Jason about this.
(6) SPEAKERS BUREAU - Kristina
a) Maitri is stepping down after several years of amazing volunteer service. Thank you so much!! Kristina will be serving as solo speakers' bureau manager. Contact Kristina to schedule a speaker: (206) 324-0698,
http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=3, or
http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=9
b) We provided:
i) training this week with National CASA Association
ii) training for CityYear Oct 28
iii) student workshop for Bush School
iv) training at Home Alive for their new cadre of trainers
c) We trained a bunch of energetic new speakers 9/25 - thank you Ingersoll for use of the space
d) We canceled a WSAME training when only 4 folks registered - and WSAME failed to notify the registrants!! - Frieda, can you deal with WSAME about it?
Frieda will do it. REPORT Dec 22: It turns out that some people just showed up without preregistering and that's why they didn't get notified of the cancellation. It wasn't WSAME's fault!
e) Other speakers' bureau news From KRISTINA:
* Currently working on bringing more youth into trainings and bringing in physical movement, maybe theater of the oppressed, dance, etc. The ultimate goal is that it will be easy enough to pass on for youth to train GSAs.
* Working on infrastructure of scheduling, record-keeping, etc. and completing trainer's report to get numbers reached and types of audiences reached.
* Working on retention and offering supplemental trainings (Trans 101 & 201)
* About to start working on making monthly contacts with all speakers in bureau, finding out what they need and providing that
* Just now kicking off outreach efforts to POC communities and communities of faith. Working toward folks in communities of color seeing themselves in curriculum and in trainers.
(7) INTERVENTION SERVICES
a) King County Sexual Assault Resource Center update
They agreed to be the new phone line, so Heidi and Beth went to do a training for the phone staffers for KCSARC. But when SSC stared advertising the phone number as a way to reach SSC, the KCSARC marketing folks got concerned since their number, 1-888-VOICE, is "branded." Since SCC has put lots of money into this, Heidi has been working with them. Latest word is that SCC might be able to grab another of their numbers...though it makes SSC look a little flaky to change it again...so, if they don't agree to give us a different toll free number through the same dispatchers longer than a year, it might be time for us to get our own number. Heidi would be willing to be the phone line, if that's necessary. The concern was expressed that it wouldn't be exactly a 24-hour live line again, as Heidi has to occasionally go to a movie and turn off her phone and it sounds like a good way to burn out a single volunteer. Beth agreed to talk with Mary Ellen Stone (E.D.) Beth and Heidi will report at the next meeting. What about buying our own 800 number that funnels to KCSARC? Beth will follow up with Heidi.
b) Got a few hours a month to make a real difference? Volunteers needed for the Safe Schools Coalition's Intervention Team
YOUR HELP NEEDED: Probably the most important role the Safe Schools Coalition serves is to advocate on behalf of individual students and families and educators, when they are experiencing harassment or violence at school because they are -- or someone thinks they are -- gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Donate one day per week on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday to be "on-call" (check email and be available to a phone) and actually spend an average of 1-4 hours per month providing crisis support, problem-solving, referral and other creative support (contacting someone's principal or superintendent with or for them; sitting with them while they make a police report; arranging a training through the Coalition's speakers' bureau). QUALIFICATIONS: B.A. in education, counseling, social work, or equivalent. Age 21+. Prefer experience working in schools, but that's negotiable. INTERESTED? Contact Intervention Team Chair Heidi Rettke-Bischoff: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=16 or 206-849-5513. People of color, transgender people, and gender variant people encouraged to apply.
(8) PUGET SOUND COMMUNITY SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT
A group of 4 youth is doing a project to show "what gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people look like," where each photo subject will sign a release form and we will post the photos to the web site. They may also do a photo exhibit as a fundraiser for SSC!! Contact person: Deb Schaack, deb@pscs.org
Beth sent them two release forms, one for adults and one for parents of minors.
(9) GROUNDSWELL
Exodus International (promising "freedom from homosexuality through Jesus") is coming into the area on October 27th. Apparently, their registration is very small, since they've moved to an office for the meeting. It will only be 10 people or so, but they're already working media. Media's been contacting us for "the other side." Robert, Beth, Judy Hoff, and others have been working on this.
See the planning committee and speakers list: Italicized folks have been contacted by not prepped for media. Bolded folks are prepped and ready to go. People to the left are speaking at press conference.
Beth can talk with folks about how to talk with the press. If you want to talk with the press, connect with Beth to set up an hour or so prep session. She got good info from GLAAD on how to do this. Media advisory went out yesterday on Monday the 17th. Additionally e-mails went out today.
a) Update on press conference:
i) 11 a.m., 26-Oct, Plymouth Congregational Church, 1217 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101; 206-622-4865; info@plymouthchurchseattle.org;
ii) Robert will be working with the site on table size/skirt, mikes,
iii) Kathy K. is making name-tags
iv) Beth is finishing press packets, following up press packet stuffing party.
v) Kathy S. is working on prepping Daniel, Lisa, and Stephen
vi) Beth will prep Sarah and maybe Darlene and Dave
vii) We have an American flag
viii) First press: "'Ex-gay' effort aimed at teens" - By Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times, 10/14/05 Link to the article and more at: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/RG-exgay.html
ix) Others' input?
The idea is that this will be a national model so that we can send it out to others when GROUNDSWELL GOES THERE.
Concern: Being on the east side is being very separate from Seattle, so that what happens in Seattle might not be perceived as relevant to the east side, with students over there not necessarily feeling the support from in Seattle. If this gets bigger, is there a contingency plan? Several folks have agreed to call press people on the 24th to get them to turn out for the press conference. Beth will make a note to call east side press herself specifically. Can someone talk with east side GSA's? Even just get them aware of the media coverage, if they cannot speak? Check with individuals who would know of friendly news contacts on east side. What about The Source, the Church Counsel of Greater Seattle's paper? Beth will e-mail Peggy tomorrow for connecting with the upcoming conference call.
b) Interest from GLSEN Los Angeles re: using our groundwork when NARTH (National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality) comes to town, Nov 11-13.
We'll be sending our stuff to GLSEN L.A., but Beth will be inviting people to start coming to our conference calls on Wednesday afternoons at 4 p.m.
(10) IDAHO/BOISE CHAPTER of SSC
A couple of months ago, Beth did a Safe Schools training in BOISE. A group of educators there wants to form a chapter of SSC. She told them that SCC is very flexible about forming a chapter, but that the group must be comfortable with these three philosophical perspectives of the Coalition:
* Every student should feel safe, including LGBTQ and those with LGBTQ parents;
* We're partners with schools, not in opposition to them; and
* It's wrong to compare oppressions.
We'd want them to join the group by conference call for meetings as often as possible. They're going to look into it.
(11) SHALL SSC ENDORSE APA LEGISLATIVE DAY?
George Cheung made the request. Also, "Any financial contribution is also greatly appreciated!" Should we endorse Asian Pacific American Lobbying Day? Normally, we investigate to see if any group is homophobic or otherwise inappropriate, but since George Cheung from ERW asked, it was consensus that we feel fine about it. Besides, we endorsed them last year. Marsha moves to endorse. Peggy seconds. No discussion. No objections. Passes unanimously. We're endorsing but not contributing financially. We can add to our website and listserv where folks can make donations to this effort.
(12) KOMO TELEVISION PSA - Via KOMO television's "Northwest Afternoon"
This was not discussed, since Fetish and Joyful are not here to talk about it.
What it is: Bring people to be in the audience, and you get a 30 second PSA on Northwest Afternoon. Tabled for a future meeting.
(13) COPYRIGHT PERMISSION
We gave Oregon Safe Schools and Communities Coalition (OSSCC) permission to use the articles titled "If These Were Racial Slurs, Teachers Would Be Stopping Them...Three Activists Object", "An Educator's Guide to Intervening in Anti-Gay Harassment", A Student's Guide to Surviving Anti-Gay Harassment and Physical Assault", "A Family's Guide To Handling Anti-Gay Harassment" in their resource notebook developed for youth and school advisors. This notebook will be distributed at OSSCC workshops, presentations and conferences.
(14) CONSULTATION - Beth
a) Provided a little technical assistance re: enumerating forms of harassment in laws & policies to the MN School OUTreach Coalition.
b) Provided a little technical assistance re: WA safe schools regs to Courtney Joslin at Nat. Center for Lesbian Rights
(16) LGBT TOBACCO COALITION - GRANTS AVAILABLE
Doris has been representing SSC on this queer coalition helping to spend the state money (for higher-tobacco-addiction populations) on behalf of queer folks. She will send info to SSC for November, in case there is a group that might want to apply for a grant; look at the different categories of grants and apply. DORIS WILL SEND IT TO GABI. This group meets once a month and talks about what the requirements. It's coming around again, and she'll be sending it out. Get in touch with Doris ( fieldofswans@juno.com ) if you're interested and she'll hook you up with Erik of Verbena to get the info.
(17) UPCOMING MEETINGS
Tuesday Nov 15th 4-6 (Frieda chairs - Frieda.; Chris B. records)
Tuesday Dec 20th 4-6 (Marsha chairs - Marsha; Lisa C. records)
SHARING
(18) CHALLENGING HOMOPHOBIA: this web-based tool by Duncan Gibbs is for middle and high school teachers, staff, and providers. Users draw on their own experience and the information provided here to strengthen their skills for intervening against homophobia in the classroom. This interactive workshop takes you through a discussion of what constitutes prejudice and how it manifests against the Lesbian/ Gay/ Bisexual/ Transgender community. Exercises help you think through your own experience with homophobia and come up with personalized strategies for intervening against homophobia next time you encounter it. Web site: http://www.challenginghomophobia.net
(19) Revisions of all our well-loved "GUIDE TO..." publications are now on-line, with both national (U.S.) and Washington State versions now available for free downloading. Go to www.safeschoolscoalition.org, click enter and then, on the bar on the left of your screen, click on print/read SSC reports ... and then on each separate category. Beth just revised all of these this month.
(20) 7TH ANNUAL WHITE PRIVILEGE "YOUTH, A CALL TO ACTION" CONFERENCE: April 26-29. Dr. Eddie Moore from Bush school asked folks to save the date. More about it at www.whiteprivilegeconference.com . It will be held at the UNIV of MISSOURI in ST. Louis. Eddie's working to let Seattle folks know more about the conference. The conference will be a comprehensive look at issues of privilege and oppression. Get it on your calendars, especially if your institution is looking to do some educational development. You can also barter for a waived registration fee. For more information or to volunteer, go to the website. It will be good for professional development or student leadership development. Contact Eddie to get the PDF file of the save the date poster or the save the date e-mail. 206.326.7731, Eddie.MooreJr@bush.edu
(21) THE TURNING INSTITUTE does caregiver support; Doris brought a newsletter.
(22) CREATING CHANGE still upcoming! Kristina will attend on behalf of Safe Schools Coalition (Marsha actually Co-Chairs both SSC and the Task Force, so she is a link as well, but will be busy with Task Force responsibilities at Creating Change).
----------------------
About this Listserve
To SUBSCRIBE to the Safe Schools Coalition's IMPORTANTNEWS List, which averages 2 messages/week including only: urgent messages, action items, SSC meeting minutes
To SUBSCRIBE to the Safe Schools Coalition's NEWS List, which averages 2 messages/day including THOSE SAME THINGS plus: events (conferences, courses, rallies, TV specials, activism opportunities) , resources (books, DVDs, scholarships, curricula, and more), jobs and volunteer and internship opportunities, news digests
To UNSUBSCRIBE or
To SWITCH LISTS (from NEWS to IMPORTANT NEWS or vice versa) or
To CHANGE your address, if you are already a subscriber,
GO TO http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/listsub.asp
About Safe Schools Coalition
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
Got a problem at school with anti-gay harassment?
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 email us contact us through our web form.
For non-emergencies:
Questions
Speakers’ Bureau (student/community workshops, professional training)
Membership
Publications and Listserve
Website
For donations: "Safe Schools Coalition" c/o Lifelong AIDS Alliance, 1002 E Seneca, Seattle, WA 98122-4203 (or call 206-957-1621)
Co-Chairs:
Frieda Takamura, Washington Education Association, 253-765-7062
Beth Reis, Public Health - Seattle & King County, 206-296-4970
Marsha Botzer, Ingersoll Gender Center and The Task Force, 206-601-8942
Listserv Managers:
Beth Reis, for action items, resources, jobs and events messages
Chris Beahler, for news messages
Gabi Clayton, for legislative and fundraising messages
Buy cool Safe Schools T-Shirts & Gear:
This message has been distributed as a free, non-profit informational service, to members of the Coalition and others who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. Please do not publish or post in a public place on the Internet, copyrighted material without attribution. Forwarding of this material should not necessarily be construed as an endorsement of the content.
This message was sent by Public Health - Seattle & King County, which belongs to the Safe Schools Coalition. We invite you to use our clinical services. If you are eligible for medical coupons and don't already have one, we can help you apply. Our services are confidential and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, the presence of a sensory, mental or physical disability, or the ability to pay.