Minutes: 09/04/02
Minutes by Tim Reinhart
~Meeting began at 6:07pm in 362 Student Union~
-We had a few new faces again, so we went around with introductions to start.
-We discussed and formed rules for the Fall 2002/Spring 2003 school year:
Since our old sign was worn, and difficult to read because of the variety of color
in it, we are going to make a new, big and bold sign stating the rules for the club.
Until they are physically posted, the rules are as follows:
UB LGBTA Fall '02/Spring '03 Rules:
1.Clean up after yourself
-We know that one of our busiest times during the day is lunch time, and as such,
wrappers, bottles, and other excess from eating amongst other things get left around
somewhat methodically in the office, and after awhile it begins to smell. Aside from
this, at best, we have a very small bin in our office to use as a garbage can at any
given time, which usually doesn't last the duration of a single meal, so please take
your garbage out to one of the larger cans in the hallway before you leave. Aside from
food and such, please keep the small things in mind as well, such as putting a magazine
that you've taken out away when you are finished with it.
2.Be welcoming to all new people
-The first trip to the LGBTA office is often an intimidating experience for many
people, and we want all people who are interested in our club to feel welcome without any
awkward silence or feelings of being excluded from the group as a whole. When new people,
or any people for that matter come to the office, please be kind and welcoming to them.
On the other end of the extreme, please don't bombard people with questions, etc., since
having the focus of every eye in the room can be just as or more intimidating as the opposite.
3.NO sex in the office
-This should go without saying, but this rule extends to some lesser forms of public displays of affection as well. When simple affection becomes too visual and too public, it can be unnerving for on-lookers and people who perhaps came to the office simply to talk about an LGBT related problem. Aside from this, it must be said: There is absolutely NO sex of any kind, on any level, at any time allowed in the office.
4.Respect everyone no matter what
-We like to think we are an open minded group of people, but at times, conversations regarding controversial subjects do come up, and often, they do prove to be quite controversial indeed. As such, please try to keep an open mind towards the opinions of others, at least while you are in the office or attending an event where we are being represented. In addition to this, even if one says something only as a joke, someone new, who may not understand the personalities of everyone in the office may not catch that sarcasm, and may become offended. Please try to stay politically correct, and again, keep an open mind.
5.Keep the gossip to a minimum
-In the past, we have attempted to ban gossip from the office, but it has not worked out well. We understand that it will happen from time to time, but many of the problems we experience internally as a club is due to misinformation spread around as gossip at first, then rumors. Aside from that, people are entitled to their lives, and should not be forced to make their affairs public if they do not wish to. Please keep the level of gossip within and regarding the organization down as much as possible.
6.Confidentiality!!!
This is a very important rule. Often times, we meet people who come to the office as a place
where they can be "out" without having to worry about the pressures of being out in the real public.
Our office acts as a safe space. Some do not wish to be out at all, while others don't mind either
which way. In either case, regardless of how comfortable it seems a person is with being known publicly
as gay or otherwise, do not "out" anyone you have met through our club in public.
-We are still looking for people for our advertising committee. So far, almost noone has expressed interest in it, and regardless of how many intricate events we plan out, they require advertisement to really put into motion. If you are willing to help out, please let an officer know as soon as possible.
-Mansex and Sirens, the Male and Female sex discussion groups will most likely be starting soon. The date for Sirens to begin is still unknown, but Mansex with most likely start on Friday, September 13th around 7pm in the office at 362 Student Union. Please email an officer, call, or come to the office as the date comes closer to confirm.
-On October 8th, at 8:30pm (as decided as of this point) our Coming Out Day events will begin with our "Miss Gay UB Pageant." Formerly known as the Amateur Drag Show, this pageant will as usual, be open to anyone who wishes to perform as a Drag Queen or Drag King. As a pageant, this show may contain more sections than was previously in the Amateur Drag Show, but as before, there will be prizes for the winner(s), and the person who wins first place will perform at the professional drag show on October 10th in the Student Union. We may also have a fashion show during the intermission of the pageant.
-On October 10th, starting around 11am or so (TBA), we will have our Coming Out Day drag show in the Student Union with the queens from Club Marcella and the winner from the Miss Gay UB Pageant. We usually draw a very large crowd for this, and it is probably the single biggest time of the year where we are acknowledged as a group.
-On October 11th, we will have a workshop of some sort, as this is the official Coming Out Day (we were unable to reserve the Student Union for use on the 11th). We are looking for ideas for activities to hold at this workshop. So far, things such as skits, a visit from gay friendly religious figures, a GRASP type presentation, and having various speakers come in have been sugested.
-Our new weekly meeting time has been scheduled for Thursdays at 8pm.
-We still need a SISH council representative to attend meetings with our President. The first of which will be held on Tuesday, September 9th.
-T.J. (me) is our new secretary.
-Kenny is our new gardener. We will be buying some plants for the office soon.
-Info on community service opportunities to fulfill our service requirement is soon to come via list-serve.
-Sean, our coordinator for GRASP, Gender Roles and Sexuality Program, took a moment to explain the current situation with the GRASP program for this year.
GRASP is essentially a sort of interactive discussion in groups where we have been asked to attend that aims to disolve stereotypes, predispositions, and other such things regarding issues of sexuality and gender. Sean has been our coordinator in the past, but is now looking for two new people to be trained and to take over for this year. These people would need to be dedicated to holding their positions for the year. We already have our first GRASP seminar scheduled for September 17th at Kimbal Hall on South Campus.
-The black board above/next to the desk in the office is meant for officers to post news. Unless there is a sign up on something of that nature on the board, please do not write on the board.
~Meeting ended at 6:39pm in 362 Student Union~
Please contact an officer or myself if you have any questions about anything covered in the meeting.
Timothy J Reinhart
University at Buffalo
Student Association
LGBTA
Secretary
