Meeting Minutes 10/17/06, 3-5 p.m. PDT
Safe Schools Coalition Meeting
Chairing: Frieda Takamura; Recording: Kathy Kaminski
Help Needed in Red

BUSINESS

1. INTROS … welcome new faces/voices

Present:  Sara Eisher; Jaime Biava; Kristina Armenakis, SSC Speakers Bureau Manager; Jessica Britten, Seattle University; Roxanna Farnsworth, Seattle University; Alison Hofferber, Seattle University; Danie Eagleton-Barron, Lake Washington Technical Academy in Lake WA Technical College;

Frieda Takamura, WEA; Joyful Freeman, AFSC; Kathy Kaminski; Judy Hoff, PFLAG National; Danielle Yamada, Seattle U/Mariner HS; Beth Reis, Public Health - Seattle & King County

(2)     YOUR HELP NEEDED – serve on the SSC’s Leadership Team

The Coalition’s Second and Third Co-secretary positions are now open. Could you record minutes just 4 times a year? It also means serving on a 6-person leadership team that doesn’t meet separately from the monthly SSC meetings but does occasionally make decisions by email or phone, if an urgent issue comes up between SSC meetings. If you would consider volunteering, please contact us here!! – NOTE: Beth made recruiting calls to Wendy Wartes and Joyful Freeman. Neither could serve as co-secretary at this time. Can you? Beth and Frieda offered to step down from co-chair position into co-secretary if anyone is interested in the co-chair position.  Contact Beth if you are interested.

 

(3)     MEMBERSHIP - Piper and Tad
a)      Thank you to the Safe Schools of Wyoming and PFLAG National for renewing their memberships
b)      New member applications- None
c)      Other membership news- Think about other groups you belong to who might be interested in becoming a member of the coalition: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/members_join-renew.html

(4)  INTERVENTION REPORT – Kristina, Stephen Schlott, Heidi
a)      Plan for marketing the intervention team’s availability to youth- Kristina reported that Partners in Design has taken on a project to redesign our intervention posters pro-bono.  Stephen, with Partners in Design and Kristina brought posters and took comments on the overall message of the posters and the poster design.  The posters were designed with the young people as the audience, not the entire family.  Poster #1 was of a pair of hands doing the “cats cradle” with a string that has a rainbow scheme.  Poster #2 was of fuzzy characters, with unusual shapes and colors (called “perfect children”), with speaking bubbles.  The message of poster #2 was “yeah, I’m different”.  Poster #3 was more of a bullying focus with an ominous bully shadow character with the message “Help me!  I’m being Harassed! Stop bullying at our school.”  Poster #4 was a symbolic person/cartoon with a rainbow extended from the arms, with the message “You are not alone.”  Stephen and Kristina took comments and suggestions about the poster themes.  There was concern about the bully figure in poster #3.  There were also comments on the message of “yeah, I’m Different”.  Some people thought kids gravitate towards that message and others don’t want to feel different.  They will take all comments into consideration as they move forward.

The posters are beautiful and a big thanks goes to Stephen from the entire coalition!!!

b)      Other intervention team news

i)  There was a long conversation with the principal of a Yakima HS about his canceling of a performance of the Laramie Project.  The intervention specialist made clear that she was not calling to pressure the school, but to provide resources and training to the school.  The principal felt like there was enough push back from the community that he needed to lay down some groundwork before they were ready for the performance. He knows we can help in the meantime.

ii)  There was an anonymous report that Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas is allowing a church to meet on their campus.  Stephen Baldwin is going to be speaking on campus and there is concern because he as made anti-gay statements in the past.  Beth contacted PFLAG and GLSEN in Nevada.  We spurred some local groups to express their concerns to the school administration. 

(5) SPEAKERS BUREAU REPORT – Beth, Kristina
a)      CONGRATULATIONS to Kristina and the speakers’ bureau. In the last year since we began tracking training numbers, Safe Schools Coalition volunteers have provided trainings to nearly 4,000 people in 13 Washington cities and 4 other states. Thank you for all your hard work!

b)      SSC presentations at Respect for All Workshops tonight and tomorrow
c)      SSC presentation and tabling oppty at Bush School diversity events this week and next (and also Nov 28, Dec 8, Jan 12, Jan 18, Feb 7, March 15) Interested in helping? Contact Kristina at training at Safe Schools Coalition.

d)      Tabling oppty at Seattle Public Schools’ LGBT Families Dinner this Thursday
e)      Sydney, with Bellevue PFLAG, asked to partner with SSC for the WA PTA 3-day convention on May 4-6, which will be near SeaTac.  If you are interested in tabling with Sydney on behalf of the Coalition, email her at hammerquist@comcast.net … let her know you are with the Coalition. Please cc Beth .

(6)  FISCAL REPORT – Beth

d)      Where we are financially: Income so far in 2006 = $24,919. Expenses so far in 2006 = $19,274. But for most of 2006, we didn’t have to pay for our speaker’s bureau contract. So now we are going to head the other direction unless giving and joining picks up. Bottom line: We will conceivably run out of funds before the end of 2007.

i)      Please, please if you haven’t donated, now is the time. What is the Coalition worth to you?
ii)     And if you have donated in the past, now is the time to jack it up. Maybe it’s time to join the elite group that lets us debit your credit card for some reasonable amount every month.

iii)    This is workplace giving time in many places. If you see the “Pride Federation” listed in your employer’s workplace giving options, then you have a unique opportunity to help many LGBT organizations. When you select the Pride Federation you are choosing to have your dollars support twenty LGBT community organizations all at once. OR you can designate SAFE SCHOOLS COALITION, specifically.

iv)     Please don’t let the Coalition die!!! Go to: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/donate.html
v)      Kristina offered to help plan a house party if someone is interested in hosting.  The Seattle University students at the meeting are interested and will follow up with Kristina.

f)      Thanks to the wonderful folks who have donated recently: Mark Houser, Janet Bogle, Linda Baker, Gretchen Harmon, Mary Paradise, Jason Kuo, and Julia's Restaurant, as well as those who did so anonymously.

(7)  FUNDRAISER – Beth
i)      Comedy Show at the Comedy Underground, December 19 to benefit the Coalition! SAVE THE DATE! Come laugh with us! The price is $10 in advance; $12 at the door and youth tickets are HALF price.  Sherry Simonsen designed the tickets.

ii)     YOUR HELP NEEDED: It would be great if each member agency that’s headquartered in Seattle, or has a chapter in Seattle, would take responsibility for selling at least 10 tickets. If you can do that, please contact Tracy Flynn for your packet of 10 (let her know if you want 10 youth tickets -- 21 and under, 10 adult tickets, or some combination): laughOUTloud_benefit@safeschoolscoalition.org .  Note:  The coalition gets more of the profit from the ticket sales if we sell them ahead of time, because those who buy tickets and do not make it to the show are pure profit.

iii)    Plans for publicity. Reminders of tasks people agreed to.
iv)     More here: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/LaughOUTLoud-SSC_Benefit.html (Download a poster for your school or office!)

(8) BULLY POLICE call today – Beth

There was a conference call the day of the meeting and the topic was “how to get anti-bullying laws in your state or school policy”.  The Bully Police recommend that policy should not specifically list types of harassment.  The view of the SSC is that each type of harassment does need to be listed.  If you are interested in participating in these calls contact Beth.. 

(9) NATIONAL SAFE SCHOOLS ROUNDTABLE update – Beth, Judy

Judy reported that the steering committee was going to have a conference call on the 18^th.  The end result of the first meeting with all members was that they have agreed to coordinate safe schools work across the country and support each other.  Long term, they would eventually like to fund an organization that would provide services to all of the organizations.  There are going to be two meetings a year, one with just the members (GLBT advocacy groups), and another that also included other groups like counselors, nurses, coaches associations, etc.

(10) What’s the Matter with Henry? OFFER --  Beth

This is a children’s book about a 3-legged critter with the message that even when you may think that no one will like a critter like you, people may fall in love with a critter just like you.  There has been an offer from a donor who knows the author to buy 1,000 copies of the book for the Coalition.  There is some concern that in the book Henry has two moms, but it describes the two women as best friends who live together.  There was a suggestion that we look at other books, but the donor has a connection with the author, which is part of the reason he made the offer.  There is also the possibility of pairing the book with other books.  There was the suggestion to write a lesson plan to be used with the book. Help Needed:  If you are interested in helping write this lesson plan and possibly partner with other organizations (maybe the Respect for All project or the All Families Book Project) on this project, please contact Beth..  Jaime also offered to look into this more.

(11)     Keith Haring Foundation OFFER -- Beth

The foundation contacted us and said they liked our work and offered the use of their art.  We could use it for next year’s posters or greeting cards and will let them know that we will contact them in the future.

(12)     IT SHOULDN’T MATTER CAMPAIGN – Beth

Influencing norms – so that it isn’t cool to harass LGBTQ and gender variant peers -- is the campaign’s bottom line. We need a team to discuss and plan for the campaign’s direction.  What do we want to do with the new posters?  There was the idea that GSA’s could nominate a group or individual to receive the shirt.  This will be tabled until next month.  Help Needed:  If you are a GSA member and are interested in this project, please attend or call into the next meeting.  Sarah also offered to help with this project.

(13)     Distance Learning

A father, who has a child that was being harassed at school, wrote us about an online school for kids who have dropped out.  Public schools are concerned about kids not being in face-to-face schools, but it’s also important for kids to know all of the options.  Help Needed:  Would anyone be willing to put together some information and links for our website re: on-line high schools, including pros and cons and possibly quotes from kids in the programs?  Contact Beth if interested at http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=1.

SHARING

(14) Exodus International has a new campaign, “We’re Allies, Too” for the week after GLSEN’s Ally Week.   We want to remind folks that are planning Ally Week that we should send the message that you can be a person of faith and be GLBT.

(15)  The GLBT National Help Center marks 10^th anniversary and has extended their services and hours.
(16)  GLBTHistoryMonth.com Rocks!!  Thank you, Equality Forum!!  They are adding new stuff every day.
(17)  PRIDE Foundation scholarship applications are now available.
(18) SSC gear- Check out the website with cool new T-shirts and other new gear.
(19) A School Employee’s Guide to GLBT Issues, from the NEA is now available online at www.nea.org/takenote/glbtguide06.html

(20) The leadership team decided to endorse GLSEN”s Days of Action.  Check out www.glsen.org for more information.
(21)  QueerSpawn, a sort of secondary school companion film to “That’s a Family!” but specifically told from the perspective of children with LGBT parents and guardians played at the GLBT film festival last weekend.

18.  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)



Nov 21, 2-4 pm. Beth chairs and Chris records
Beth. 206-296-4970.Beth.
More below …

Dec 19, 3-5 pm. Marsha chairs and ____________ records
Marsha 206-601-8942; ">

Jan 16, 3-5 pm. Frieda chairs and Kathy records
Frieda 253-765-7062.
Kathy: 206-767-0760, 847-421-7009; kathykaminski@yahoo.com

Exciting next Safe Schools Coalition meeting, November 21 (3-5 PM, Pacific time -- come or call in)
        (1a) Seth Kirby of the Washington State Human Rights Commission will speak

The Commission is implementing the state's new sexual orientation and gender identity non-discrimination law. They want to provide outreach to LGBT advocacy groups. Our law specifically covers areas of public accommodation, including public schools. Seth Kirby will be at the meeting to talk with Safe Schools about ways to collaborate and address harassment and bullying in public schools.

(1b) Mike Courville of the California Safe Schools Coalition will call in

The California Safe Schools Coalition is doing exciting work with national implications. Come -- or call in -- and learn more and find out how you can get involved.

(1c) We'll have tickets and posters there for the Dec 19 comedy benefit for SSC, "Laugh OUT Loud"

We are hoping that every Puget Sound area SSC member organization will buy/sell a block of 10 seats. Come get what you need and let's laugh together!!

(1d) See the WONDERFUL documentary Queer Spawn (very appropriate, its controversial name notwithstanding, for high school audiences)

It was a resounding hit, recently, at the Seattle LGBT Film Festival. Now YOU can see it FREE (Donations graciously accepted) at a Safe Schools meeting!

Who? Everyone is welcome -- students, school employees, parents/guardians, community agencies, and individual community members. ALL AGES WELCOME. You don't need to be a member to attend a Coalition meeting. It's not a "board" meeting; as always, it's an everybody meeting. 

Where?  We meet at Planned Parenthood of Western Washington, 2001 E Madison, Seattle, WA. All are welcome. Please RSVP to Beth Reis or Frieda Takamura or http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=15">Marsha Botzer so we can prepare their security folks for our meeting and explain our parking agreement. When you RSVP, please let Beth or Frieda or Marsha know your name, your organization or school or personal interest in LGBT youth safety, and your location and contact information. If you are from outside King County and you need overnight housing for a meeting, let us know; we will be glad to hook you up: 206-296-4970 (Beth Reis)

How can I join a meeting by conference call? The meeting is now also accessible to those who wish to join in by conference call from anywhere in the U.S. If you want to join us for the meeting, please RSVP Beth Reis or Frieda Takamura or http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/contact/?id=15">Marsha Botzer. When you RSVP, please let Beth or Frieda or Marsha know your name, your organization or school or personal interest in LGBT youth safety, and your location and contact information. They will reply with information about how to call in. If you give us your email address, we’ll get you an agenda.

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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. 

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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 contact us here.

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Beth Reis, Public Health - Seattle & King County, 206-296-4970
Marsha Botzer, Ingersoll Gender Center and The Task Force, 206-601-8942

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