Dear Safe Schools Coalition members and friends:  

HELP NEEDED ITEMS IN RED.

 

Meeting Minutes

7/15/08, 2-4 p.m. PST

 

Safe Schools Coalition Meeting

Chairing: Frieda Takamura; Recording: Ethan Blustein

 

In attendance: Arnold Martin, Seattle Counseling Service; Beth Reis, Safe Schools Coalition (SSC) Co-Chair and Public Health Seattle & King County; Ethan Blustein, SSC staff and Solid Ground; Helen Stillman, SSC Speakers’ Bureau Manager and Lambert House; Penny Palmer, SSC Co-Secretary and Intervention Chair; Frank Couch, SAMA Foundation and SSC Intervention Specialist; Yuko Komatsu, UW Social Work; Avry Todd, Q Voices Project; Matt Munson, Planned Parenthood of Western Washington; Frieda Takamura, Washington Education Association and SSC Co-Chair; Linda Baker, SSC volunteer

 

(1)     INTERVENTION TEAM REPORT – Penny, Ann

a)       Recent & ongoing interventions (One recent request was from the mother of a 16 yo gay young man looking for peer support and resources in the Mount Vernon area)

b)       Getting more surveys in from High School Nurses. Hope to involve School Counselors next year, perhaps statewide.

 

(2)     MEMBERSHIP REPORT – Beth, Chris

a)       New org member applications:

o        Shorecrest Gay Straight Alliance – KYLE, we still need 2 OTHER liaisons

b)       Renewals:  If your organization needs to renew for 2008-2009 – or wants to apply to join -- please go to http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/members_join-renew.html

 

(3)     SPEAKERS BUREAU/TRAINING TEAM/OUTREACH REPORT – Helen

Speakers Bureau & Training Team

a)       No Speaking or Training gigs this month

b)       Tabling: Tacoma Pride 7/12 and Bellingham Pride 7/13 Ethan & Helen

c)       AFSC Panels: Casey Family Program 6/18 and Teen Link 6/24

d)       Just had a panelist training for AFSC interns

e)       We are also holding a general panelist training on July 23rd, 12-3pm at Lambert House if folks know any youth who might be interested.

f)         We have the Out Spoken brochures and are working on creating a mailing list so we can send them out in time for the beginning of the school year.

g)    We’re in conversation with folks in Idaho (probably Boise, but TBD) and in the Mt. Baker area about doing speaker training there. If you are interested, contact Helen: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=19 

           

(4)     SPECIAL EVENTS

a)       Pride events around the state – Ethan and Helen went to Tacoma Pride and Bellingham Pride to spread the word about the Safe Schools Coalition and our services. They gave Safe Schools brochures and Intervention bracelets to Planned Parenthood, Camp Ten Trees, the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, PFLAG, and Oasis Youth Center. They also found out that Oasis Youth Center has a new crisis line. For more info: http://www.oasisyouthcenter.org/contact.htm

b)       Angels in America – Save the date for a performance in Seattle on August 2 to benefit the Safe Schools Coalition! More info will follow.

c)       Renton parade – PFLAG will be marching in the Renton Community Parade on Jul 26^th at 10am. Please join them and march in the parade. PFLAG will be wearing our purple T- shirts (or brightly colored ones) and Safe Schools’ members can wear a Safe Schools shirt or brightly colored one. NO POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS messages are allowed! If you would like to, make and bring a sign if you want to carry one, again NO POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS messages are allowed, wear comfortable shoes for the  one mile walk up So. Third Street to Liberty Park.  Please be at the staging area by 9:30 AM on Sat. July 26.... this is between McLendon Hardware. and the old Dunkin' Donuts place on S. 3rd Pl. just off Rainier Ave.  We won't know our staging spot number until that morning.After the parade Linda & Tom (Renton residents and longtime supporters of Safe Schools & PFLAG) are hosting a BBQ at their home about 4 miles from the end of the parade route. You are most welcome to come and enjoy good food, great company and the beautiful garden setting following the march....just please RSVP so we know how many to cook for by emailing  lindabak@hotmail.com We will send you directions at that time.

d)       UW Social Work will be showing It’s STILL Elementary this coming fall. They will also be hosting a Diversity Family Photo Exhibit. If you or anyone you know is interested in donating to either of these events please contact Yoko Komatsu: yokom2@u.washington.edu

e)       Seattle Pride Photos? Please send Pride photos with people’s names to Gabi at gabi@safeschoolscoalition.org

 

(5)     WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATIVE ISSUES – Beth

a)       Generally meets the 1^st Monday of the month, but the next meeting will be Tuesday Aug 5^th from 3:30-5pm at Planned Parenthood of Western Washington on Madison in Seattle. Please contact beth@safeschoolscoalition.org for more info.

 

(6)     IDAHO CHAPTER REPORT

a)       There are 2 new folks taking over leadership. If they are interested in having a conference call with SSC for guidance and support, we will be looking for SSC folks to join the call. If you are interested in helping advise them contact beth@safeschoolscoalition.org.

b)       They recently presented the film “The Bible Tells Me So,” and a Non-Marriage Workshop.

 

(7)     CAITLIN RYAN IN SEATTLE – Beth

 

a)       Caitlin is the ED of the Family Acceptance Project at San Francisco State University. She will be speaking in Seattle at the Youth Suicide Prevention Conference on Sept. 22^nd.

b)       She is also willing to present her amazing research about families and the coming out process to SSC member organizations and volunteers. Potentially on Sunday Sept 21^st. We are in need of funders for this project and someone to chair or serve on a small team to plan the event. Please contact beth@safeschoolscoalition.org to volunteer.

 

(8)     Q VOICES PROJECT – Avry, Hannah

a)       The Q Voices Project is an online, anonymous study for teens ages 14-19 who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or are questioning their sexual orientation.      The project is funded through the National Institute of Health, and is run by a team through the University of Washington's School of Social Work. The survey asks youth about   their experiences being queer teens, everything from; experiences in school, with their families, experiences with religion and their friends. It also asks about what kinds of resources they would like to see created in their community, what resources are currently helpful to them and what their thoughts are about utilizing queer mentors (peer or otherwise). Youth receive a $15 gift certificate as a thank you for their time and for sharing their thoughts and opinions. To learn more about the project team and the study go to www.qvoices.org. The link to the survey is on our website! The survey is available nation wide. Once we've collected as much information as we can, we will compile and send out a "report to the community" containing vital statistics as well as qualitative information to help shape programs and demonstrate a need for future funding for LGBTQ youth programs. We'll have this posted on our website, we'll also send it out to agencies/organizations in WA state that serve LGBTQ youth.

 

(9)     NATIONAL SAFE SCHOOLS ROUNDTABLE (NSSR) REPORT – Beth

a)       On Oct 15-17^th in Washington DC. If interested, someone might be able to join Beth in representing SSC at the convening.

b)       Committees for the Roundtable are: Development, Communications, Anti-Racism, Annual Convening, and Resource Development

c)       National Teleconference on July 30^th for NSSR member organizations will address how you assess the age-appropriateness of curricular materials. This first NSSR teleconf. Is being provided only to organizations that already belong to NSSR; hopefully future ones will be open to all.

 

(10) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SCENARIOS USA – Beth

a)       We provided editorial feedback re: draft masculinity guide to be published soon – more info: Ernestine Heldring, Education and Outreach Coordinator, www.scenariosusa.org, 718.230.5125, ernestine@scenariosusa.org

 

(12) WEB SITE REPORT – Gabi, Ethan

a)       In June, we got 171,589 hits, from over 26,000 visitors. About 74% were visitors from the United States, but they came from 112 countries altogether.

b)       MySpace Page: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=354321056. If any youth are interested in maintaining this page, contact Arnold Martin at arnoldm@seattlecounseling.com

c)       Youth Pages. If you or anyone you know has Queer/Trans youth related links to add to the youth page e-mail Gabi gabi@safeschoolscoalition.org

 

(13) LISTSERVE REPORT – Beth

a)       Welcome to recent subscribers from California, Maine, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Washington DC, and Washington State

b)       From January 1 through July 14, we’ve sent a total of 38 messages to the “Important News” list (about 1-2 per week):

o        6 meeting minutes,

o        11 action alert and help needed messages,

o        8 monthly lesson planning guides [some months were sent were in two parts], and

o        13 other major news items)

and those plus another 180 or a total to the “News” list of 218 (about 7 or 8 messages a week):

o        50 news digests,

o        50 events digests,

o        30 job digests, and

o        50 other items – contests, films, grants, videos, books, etc. 

c)       VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Can you give 1-3 hours a week for a very fun job helping produce the listserve? It’s a job you can do at 2 a.m. in your pajamas from anywhere in the world. And we can teach you how. Interested?

 

(14)  FISCAL UPDATE – Beth

a)       Huge thanks to these recent individual and family donors to the Coalition:

o        Karen Kulm

o        Glenn Bafia

b)       If you haven’t donated so far this year, now is the time to step up. Go to: https://anauel.youth-guard.org/safeschools/donate.asp 

 

(15)  QUEER  QUESTIONING & ALLY ROCK CLIMBING COURSE- Allegra

a)      Passages Northwest invited you to join us for our summer QUEER QUESTIONING AND ALLY summer rock climbing course!  Spend 6 days with 8 other high school youth and 3 rad instructors doing yoga on the beach, rock climbing, camping, and exploring deep questions about identity. 

WHEN: July 16 – July 21^st

AGE: 9^th – 12^th grade

COST: FULL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE! 

Please call Passages Northwest at 206.286.8601 with questions or to register!

You can also e-mail Allegra Guarino at outreach@passagesnw.org

We hope to see YOU this summer!!

Wanna know more about Passages Northwest – check out our web page at www.PassagesNW.org !

 

(16)  ETHAN’S AMERICORPS GRADUATION PARTY!

a)       JustServe AmeriCorps Graduation!!!

WHEN: Friday, July 25th 1:00pm

WHERE: Lincoln Park, shelters 3&4 (look for the JustServe banners)

8011 Fauntleroy Way SW Seattle, WA 98136

BBQ Potluck!  We'll bring hamburgers and veggie burgers.  You bring a salad or desert. 

Come celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of our 2007-2008 JustServe team! 

ALL are welcome, so invite your friends, family, loved ones. 

RSVP to: Caitlin Purvin-Dunn

(caitlind@solid-ground.org; 206-957-4779 x102)

 

 

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.

 

Aug 19^th, 2-4 pm, Pacific Time. Beth chairs and ____________ records
Beth: 206-296-4970; elizabeth.reis@metrokc.gov 

 

Sept 16^th, 3-5 pm, Pacific Time (back to school year hours). Marsha chairs and ____________ records

Marsha: 206-601-8942; mbotzer@botzerconsulting.com

 

Oct 21^st, 3-5 pm, Pacific Time. Frieda chairs and _____________ records … NOTE: A hour earlier for summer
Frieda: 253-765-7062; ftakamura@washingtonea.org

 

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DONATE TO THE SAFE SCHOOLS COALITION:

Click here to make a donation online or mail this pdf formatted form

with your check made to "Safe Schools Coalition":
Safe Schools Coalition

c/o Lifelong AIDS Alliance ~ Attn: Dan Phillips
1002 E. Seneca
Seattle, WA 98122-4203

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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

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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?
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

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
Elizabeth “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, resource messages (books, films, curricula, etc.) and help needed by reporters/authors, researchers, and member orgs

Beth Reis, for news messages
Ethan Blustein, jobs and events messages
Chris Beahler, for professional journal messages
Gabi Clayton, for legislative/elective and fundraising messages

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Ethan Blustein

JustServe Americorps Volunteer

Safe Schools Coalition

1605 12th Avenue

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Seattle, WA 98122

w 206-330-2099

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