Subject: READ ME: Help Needed, November Meeting Minutes
From: "Reis, Beth"
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 10:25:17 -0800
To: "SAFE SCHOOLS: post to \"IMPORTANT NEWS\" list" , "SAFE SCHOOLS: post to main list"

Minutes 11/20/07, 3-5 p.m. PDT

Safe Schools Coalition Meeting

Chairing: Frieda Takamura; Recording: Helen Stillman

HELP NEEDED & ACTION ITEMS IN RED.

PRESENT IN PERSON: Frank Couch, SAMA (Science and Management of Addictions) Foundation; Ellen Kleyman; Marsha C. Botzer, Ingersoll Gender Center and Safe Schools Coalition Co-Chair; Christian Zsilavetz; Heather Carter, Youth Suicide Prevention Program; Helen Stillman, Safe Schools Coalition speakers’ bureau manager; Matt Goldenberg, SSF/American Friends Service Committee; Kathy Kaminski, Safe Schools Coalition Co-Secretary; Frieda Takamura, Washington Education Association and Safe Schools Coalition Co-Chair; and BY PHONE: Piper Sangston, SSC Membership Co-Chair; Ryan Schwartz, Groundspark; Ethan Blustein, Safe Schools Coalition/Justerve Americorps member

INTROS … welcome new faces/voices  

(1)     MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

Tonight in Seattle: Johnson Hall, University of Washington [just east of NE 40th St and 15th Ave NE ]

This event consists of three separate sections:

5-7pm Homotopia in Johnson 102 – A presentation on anti-violence and gender. Marsha will get contact for Homotopia video

7-8pm Remembrance Observance – a candlelight vigil remembering those who have died in the past year.

8-9pm Reception – a transgendered resource fair in the foyer to Johnson Hall 102

Parking is available for $5 in the parking garage under Meany Hall across from Johnson Hall

(2)     ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS AND THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY – Frank

See http://www.soberrecovery.com/links/gayandlesbianresources.html and http://www.gdcada.org/services/hei/01.htm and http://www.bubblemonkey.com (Youth-oriented--add to website) and the site for the Science and Management of Addictions Foundation (SAMA): http://samafoundation.org/. Family navigators free this year through SAMA. Work with families, teachers, and youth 7-25 years old. Also work with teachers. 206-322-SAMA (7262). Funded by private donors.

(3)     MEMBERSHIP REPORT -- Piper, Tad

a)       New org member applications: St. Vrain Valley School District (in a suburb of Denver). Unanimous YES. Welcome, St. Vrain!

b)       Renewal: Safe Schools Coalition -- Idaho Chapter (thank you, Idaho)

c)       YOUR HELP NEEDED: SEE END OF THIS MESSAGE, to determine whether YOUR organization or agency has ever paid your 2007 dues. If not, please do what you can do bring your group up-to-date.

(4)     INTERVENTION TEAM REPORT Heidi & Intervention Specialists

a)       VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Contact Heidi: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=16

(5)     SPEAKERS BUREAU/TRAINING TEAM/OUTREACH REPORT – Helen, Dream, Ethan

a)       We have recently provided professional development at Aurburn MS/afterschool; Washington Assn for Multicultural Education conference; Seattle University, School of Ed, Dpt Counseling and School Psych; Kentlake HS.

b)       We have tabled, in order to publicize the Coalition’s services at the Idealist Non-Profit Career Fair @ Seattle University, 10/17/07; a Seattle School District Career Fair, Seattle School District Office, 10/18/07; Seattle Public Schools’ GLBT Families Dinner, Meany Middle School, 10/25/07; and Garfield Teen Health Fair, Garfield CC, 11/17/07

c)       We have provided youth panels, through the American Friends Service Committee, at Seattle Central Community College and Mercer Island HS

d)       Upcoming events where we may be providing youth panels: Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma and Chief Sealth HS

e)       Helen and Joyful are working on a speakers bureau/training team brochure.

(6)     LISTSERVE REPORT – Beth

a)       Welcome to recent subscribers from around US [CA, DC, FL, MA, ME, NJ, OR & WA (Lake Stevens, Port Townsend, Poulsbo, Seattle, Shoreline)].

b)       At last count, we had 837 subscribers in at least (not everyone tells us where they are from) 11 countries: Australia, Belize, Canada, China, Finland, Pakistan, Serbia and Montenegro, South Africa, United Kingdom, the U.S. and New Zealand.  In Canada, the 5 Provinces we serve include at least Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec. In the U.S., we serve people in at least 42 states (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY) plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Within Washington State, we serve at least 25 counties: Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Franklin, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman and Yakima.

(7)     WEB SITE REPORT – Gabi

a)       In September, we had 181,533 hits (up 24K from Sept) from 23,178 visitors.

b)       People in 106 countries made use of the web site in October, including visitors from places with few of their own LGBTQ youth resources, such as Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Bolivia, Qatar, Belarus and Malawi.

c)       The pages with the most visitors in October were:

i)         Bullying, harassment, school-based violence … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/ RG-bullying_harassment_schoolbasedviolence.html

ii)       Homeless LGBT Youth and LGBT Youth in Foster Care  … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/RG-homeless.html

iii)      Posters, Stickers, Cards … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/RG-posters.html

iv)      Lesson Plans for Elementary, Middle and High School Teachers … http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/RG-lessonplans.html

d)       We now have music on the site that you can actually play in your classroom, GSA, or staff training! Got music recommendations? Tell us!! Go to http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=11

(8)     TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORT – Frieda, Beth

a)       We fielded a number of requests for sample inclusive policies from school districts. These are a few we recommended:

i)         Anti-harassment: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/policies/c/c03-00.pdf or http://www.fwsd.wednet.edu/info/policies/3000/3207.html

ii)       Acts of hostility, defamation or discrimination: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/policies/c/c04-00.pdf or, http://www.philsch.k12.pa.us/offices/otae/discipline/coconduct0607.pdf  (see bottom p 22, top 23)

iii)      Equal Oppty for Employment: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/policies/c/c02-00.pdf

iv)      Equal Oppty for Students: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/policies/h/h34-00.pdf or, http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/offices/eec/pdfs/EECOfficeBrochure.pdf  (top of p 2)

b)       We provided input to the legal section of the It’s STILL Elementary teachers’ guide.

c)       We helped a school to find kids' literature that talks about gender and trans folks in particular.

d)       We helped a school social worker find the AAUW Hostile Hallways report.

e)       I (Beth) spoke with a Columbia Missourian reporter about what she called “faith-based bullying.” I talked about distinguishing between a student's beliefs (not something they can or should be disciplined for if they are expressed in the context of classroom discussion relevant to the subject matter or in, for instance, a school newspaper article, as long as other opinions are welcome there, too) and their impermissible behavior (hostile comments to or in earshot of another student in the cafeteria, the halls, the locker room, as well as assaults and damage to property ... regardless of intent, as long as the behavior feels harassing to the targeted student and they have asked the other student to stop it, or it is obviously going to make the environment scary or intimidating for the targeted child). I made sure she knew that it is important not to paint all religious people with a broad brush and explained that, while some religions do condone and even teach students that it is their moral obligation to try to minister to LGBT youth (which, whether it is intended to or not, sets the stage for bullying and even, sometimes, assault), there are also religions that teach respect for same-sex relationships. I talked about some educators not intervening because, as clear as the line may be between respectful discourse (even with the word "sinner" used) and in-your-face disrespectful behavior, they may fear that their administrators won't support them if they intervene or they may never have been trained in where the line is and how to provide a safe environment. I discussed how a growing body of research says that, while LGBT youth aren't necessarily at increased risk per se, that those who experience this kind of bullying, even if they aren't actually LGBT but are just perceived to be, are at increased risk of alcohol and other drug abuse, suicidal ideation and attempts, skipping school and dropping out of school. And that it is for this reason that it's so important for educators to have unambiguous policies and to enforce them. As for bullying in religious schools, I referred her to Heartstrong: www.heartstrong.org and to the Safe Schools Coalition's spiritual issues page: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/RG-spiritualissues.html

(9)     SPECIAL EVENTS – Beth

a)       Seattle premier of “It’s STILL Elementary” at SSC’s winter meeting and party Dec 18 3-6:30 (see the brand NEW the new 80-page curriculum guide and talk with a couple of the people in the film) Please RSVP to Beth so we know how much food and drink to have: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=4

b)       Seattle gala screening of “It’s STILL Elementary” in Jan or Feb? Who will help write a grant? Who will help organize and staff an event? We can only do it if at least 8 people step up. TO VOLUNTEER, contact Helen: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=9    

c)       Bringing special guest trainers/speakers to Seattle to work with our speakers, trainers and intervention specialists (Stephanie Brill, Caitlin Ryan, Carla Odiaga)? Who will help write a grant? We can only do it if at least 2 people step up to write, besides Beth, Dream and Helen.       Kathy Kaminski, Christian Zsilavetz offered to help. TO VOLUNTEER, contact Helen: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=9

d)       Do we want another Laugh OUT Loud?  Who would do the publicity and tickets? We can do it only if 4 people step up. Kathy Kaminski will help out. TO VOLUNTEER, contact Helen: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=9

(10)  FOLLOW-UP ON SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL’S RESPONSE TO HATE CRIME REPORT – Beth

Apparently the Oct 2007 letter from the Safe Schools Coalition and your emails and letters made a difference in the Seattle City Council’s responding to the LGBT Community Center’s Spring 2006 Bias Crime Report. Thank you all!

Lisa Herbold, Legislative Aide to Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata, let us know on Nov 1, 2007, that Councilmembers have decided to support Recommendations 3 and 4 of the LGBT Community Center’s Bias Crime Report and that Councilmember Clark's office “will be setting up a meeting soon to discuss Councilmember's audit request with the City Auditor.” She added, “It's my sincere hope that by taking this initial step we can set the context that will lead the City towards implementing some of the other recommendations.”

R3: a biennial audit of the investigation and recording of bias attack reports.

R4: SPD to annually publish a report of bias-motivated incidents and crimes, and make it readily available to the public.

The other recommendations that relate to the Seattle Police Department and/or other City Departments which the Council is not moving forward with at this time were these:

R1: Post signage in the communities condemning bias and hate violence and encouraging reporting of bias attacks.

R2: Provide a formal, centralized means for victims of all type of bias attacks - whether motivated by race, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, etc. - to report attacks outside of SPD.

R5: Increase the (SPD) staff time devoted to bias attacks.

R8: Request the Mayor to direct the Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities, The Human Rights Commission, and The Seattle Office for Civil Rights to educate the general public about bias crimes.

R9: Request the Mayor to direct other City agencies (such as Dept. of Neighborhoods) to seek training for their personnel from SPD, SOCR, etc. in understanding the problem of bias-motivated attacks and how to combat them.

(11)  DONATIONS -- Beth

a)       Thank you to Breanna Anderson.

b)       If you can donate to help the Coalition afford to staff lots of tables at educators’ conferences and youth events, to help us provide training for teachers and other school staff, to help us buy ads in high school papers, go right now to: https://anauel.youth-guard.org/safeschools/donate.asp

(12)  WASHINGTON STATE BALLOT MEASURE 4204 – Frieda

This measure, currently passing as mailed ballots are still being counted, will allow a simple majority to approve local school levies, putting kids on an even playing field with things like stadiums and transit.

(13)  COMPLAINT

We got a complaint from Mission America for having attributed hate crimes to the anti-gay group Watchmen on the Walls. I explained, “The truth is, I softened the rhetoric. The email I received actually included the word ‘murder’ and I couldn't find evidence at the Southern Poverty Law Center site that it was WOW per se (and not individuals) who had committed or condoned the murder of Satender Singh. But researchers at Southern Poverty Law Center [SPLC] report, ‘In Latvia, the Watchmen ... are known for presiding over anti-gay rallies where gays and lesbians are pelted with bags of excrement.’ That would be a crime in Washington State where the gathering is to be held this weekend.” In response, Mission America referred us to this web page: http://www.defendthefamily.com/ for a letter from the Watchmen founder to SPLC.

(14)  SEATTLE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR of nonprofit and pub. administration offers students wanting to collaborate with nonprofits

Noreen Elbert mailto:elbertn@seattleu.edu says, “I am a professor at Seattle University. I teach nonprofit and public administration courses to graduate and undergraduate students. Often students are looking to partner with a nonprofit on specific assignments. I am sure you can imagine that the collaboration between nonprofits and students benefits both parties. If you are in need of help with marketing/media relations; strategic planning; or anticipate needing help in some other area, please let me know. Also, let me know if you are willing to meet with students for informational interviews, leadership or organizational audits, etc.). I am happy to try and connect you with students.”

(15)  Gender Spectrum Training -- Matt Goldenberg

Youth 3-19, Stephanie Brill--runs support group for parents w/ gender variant youth. Highlights of training: family dynamics--safe parent, unsafe parent--parents staying on same team, connect w/ positive role model, celebration of coming to identity--transmitzvah. Risks: religious condemnation, parental shame, silence & secrecy. Gender Spectrum wants to get youth project going. Ethan and Matt will meet about this.

(16) Seattle Taskforce Leadership Awards Jan 12th – Marsha

There may be a few seats available for SSC folks or get SSC table together. Interested? Contact Marsha: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=15

(17)  December 7 Ingersoll winter event @ Neighbours in Seattle -- Marsha

$15... possible VIP event before. More info: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=15

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

Dec 18th, 3-6:30 pm, Pacific Time.

**** RSVP’s requested: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=4 ****

3-4 PM - Brief Safe Schools Coalition meeting (Marsha chairs and Ethan records; Marsha: 206-601-8942; mbotzer@botzerconsulting.com)

4-5 PM - Hors d'oeuvres and a chance to celebrate another year in the movement for LGBTQ safety and justice in schools

5-6 PM - Screening of the new film, It’s STILL Elementary

6-6:30  - Discussion with some of the people in the film

Jan 15th, 3-5 pm, Pacific Time. Frieda chairs and Dream records
Frieda: 253-765-7062; ftakamura@washingtonea.org

Feb 19th, 3-5 pm, Pacific Time. Beth chairs and Dream records
Beth: 206-296-4970; elizabeth.reis@metrokc.gov 

----------------------

Ask your organization to join or renew, online: https://anauel.youth-guard.org/safeschools/member-org.asp or by fax or mail: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/membershipform-org.pdf

Is my organization a paying member of the Safe Schools Coalition?! These organizations are paid up members (dues and/or in-kind) for 2007*


 

Ally Action (CA)

American Friends Service Committee

Anti-Defamation League

Diversity Productions

Families Against Hate

Gay & Gender Research (CA)

Gay Straight Alliance Network

Gender Public Advocacy Coalition

GLOBE (Snohomish County GLBTQ youth group)

GLSEN - Washington State

Greater Seattle Business Association

GroundSpark (formerly Women's Educational Media)

Human Rights Campaign

If You Don’t They Will

Ingersoll Gender Center

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center

Lake Washington Education Association

Lambert House

Lifelong AIDS Alliance

OASIS Youth Center/Pierce County AIDS Foundation (Tacoma)

Odyssey Youth Center (Spokane)

Olympia Community School

Oregon Safe Schools and Community Coalition

OSPI (The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington State)

Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG national)

Passages Northwest

Peninsula Pride Alliance (Port Townsend)

PFLAG - Bellevue

PFLAG - Olympia

PFLAG - Seattle

Planned Parenthood of Western Washington

Power of Hope (Bellingham)

Pride Foundation

Public Health - Seattle & King County

Puget Sound Community School

Rainbow Beach at the Center Project (SC)

Respect Sacramento (CA)

Safe Schools Coalition – Idaho Chapter

Safe Schools of Wyoming

Scouting for All

Seattle Counseling Service

Seattle LGBT Community Center

Seattle Public Schools

St. Vrain Valley School District (CO)

Turning Institute

University of Puget Sound

University of Washington - Q Center

Verbena

Vista Youth Center (Kennewick)

Washington Association of School Social Workers

Washington Education Association

Washington Gender Alliance

Washington State University’s Gender Identity/Expression & Sexual Orientation Resource Center

Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation

Youth Guardian Services

Youth Suicide Prevention Program


 

 * IMPORTANT: If you think you paid for '07 or have donated in-kind and should be considered up-to-date, and you aren't listed here, we apologize. Do let Beth know.

These folks, below, DID belong to the Coalition in the past, but have not paid dues for Jan 1-Dec 31, 2007 that we are aware of. If you can remedy that, PLEASE do:


 

Bainbridge Island School District's Multicultural Advisory Council

Benton/Franklin Council for Children

The Bush School Gay-Straight Alliance

Camp Ten Trees

Center for Human Services

Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health

Charles Wright Academy

Committee for Children

Comprehensive Health Education Foundation

Dai Wai Association

Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship - Social Action Committee

Gay Lesbian or Whatever (G.L.O.W.) at Lakeside School

Gay Parent Support Group (Honolulu)

GLSEN: The Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (national office)

Hate Free Zone Washington

Home Alive

Idaho – Safe Schools Coalition

Kalaheo High School Gay Straight Alliance

Kitsap County Health District

Kitsap Safe Schools Network

Lake Washington Technical Academy in Lake WA Technical College

League of Women Voters of Washington

Lifespan Education Services

Mountain View High School GSA

Multifaith Alliance of Reconciling Communities

National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC)

Norup School (Michigan)

Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation Social Justice Committee

PFLAG - Bellingham/NW Washington

PFLAG - Bremerton/Kitsap County

PFLAG - Ellensburg

PFLAG - Eugene/Springfield

PFLAG - Everett/Snohomish

PFLAG - North Olympic Peninsula

PFLAG - Spokane

PFLAG - Vancouver/SW Washington

PFLAG - Yakima/Yakima Valley

Planned Parenthood of Central Washington

Providence Sexual Assault Center (Everett)

Rainbow Center (Tacoma)

Rainbow Families of Puget Sound

Ravenna United Methodist Church

School Nurse Organization of Washington

Seattle Academy of Arts & Sciences

Seattle Black Pride Committee

Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities

Seattle Education Association

Seattle Office for Civil Rights

Shorewood High School

Spokane Public Schools

Stonewall Youth

Teaching Tolerance (a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center)

Teen Line (Washington State)

Washington Association of Churches

Washington Education Association's GLBT and Allies Caucus

Washington Education Association's Women's Caucus

Yakima Education Association

Youth Eastside Services


 

--------------------------------------------

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