LGBTQ Employee Affinity Group Meeting
Monday, May 4^th at 5:30pm
Rm. 209, Illini Union

Introductions

-Check out the queso ice cream at El Oasis in Urbana

Announcements

• Do not forget the communication tools that have been created so that information sharing, networking, and general conversation can take place outside of a “formal” meeting time and location.
  • Cites Wiki (need netID and password to log in)https://wiki.cites.illinois.edu/wiki/display/lgbtqemployee/LGBTQ+Employee+Affinity+Group+Home
  • Listserv, lgbtq_eag@lists.illinois.edu à if folks are having trouble getting on, Manuel can add you as well.
  • Who can post to the Wiki or Listserv? Anyone! They are both open access to post and share once you become a subscriber or log in.
  • What should I post? Information that you think would be relevant to the LGBTQ community here at Illinois – events, resources, meetups, etc.
• GEO member, elizaBeth Simpson, shared about the opportunity to work more closely with Graduate students who are employees of the University and potential collaboration. elizaBeth will send out more information across the listserv later.
• Ally Network Training Committee eliciting feedback
  • You are welcome to send a message to Devon Guidoux (dguidoux@illinois.edu) with any questions, suggestions, or comments to improve the Ally training(s) that the committee does. Devon will also follow-up to the listserv regarding a form to provide feedback.
• Summer Meeting Locations (Locations tentative, dates and times firm)
  • A budget of $100 for each meeting has been secured for nominal costs.
  • Monday, June1st at 5:30pm, White Horse Inn
    • Need to reserve location
  • Monday, July 6^th at 6:0pm, Hessel Park for BBQ
    • Need to reserve location
    • Purchase food
    • Purchase BBQ materials
  • Monday, August 3^rd at 5:30pm, Illini Union Rec Room for Bowling
    • Need to reserve location
    • Have a “registration”

Upcoming Events

• Lavender Congratulatory: Wednesday, May 6^th  at 5pm in Illini Union Rms. A & B. An opportunity to recognize students (undergraduate and grads), also there are campus and community awards. A good time to have a presence for Queer professionals that the students can see.
• “A conversation about our Common Future”: Monday, May 18^th at 2pm-3:30pm in Krannert (Tyron Theatre). The new University President and campus chancellors will have “town hall” meetings. A good opportunity to make see if Queer issues are on their radar and remind them of so.
• LGBTQ Employee End of the Year Social: Wednesday, May 20^th , 5:30pm-7:30pm at Big Grove Tavern. This is a family-friendly event where children and partners are welcome. Meant to be a nice time to socialize and celebrate the end of the spring semester. Facebook event and RSVP, but not required.

Open Forum

• The meetings only draw about 6-10 people, but more than 36 on listserv. How can we expand 1) Who know we exist? and 2) Who comes to the meetings?
• Start thinking of names for the group. “LGBTQ Employee Affinity Group” sounds more like a description and is really bland when we think of identity and community building.
• Any thoughts on what we can do for the 2015-2016 Year?
  • Create some kind of ½ to ¼ sheet paper to be included during new employee orientation so people know about the listserv, the Wiki, and other information that they might need to become involved.
  • Find “Quad Day” like opportunities for Employees that we can have a visible presence at. Possibly the Employee Expo would be a good avenue
  • Consider “rotating” meetings, where different offices host the meetings, so that people can get acquainted with different parts of campus and increase the LGBTQ visibility across units.
  • Local and Regional Pride Festivals
    • Champaign Pride will likely take place when Fall semester comes back into session. Manuel will reach out to the UP Center and offer our assistance or ways that we could collaborate.
    • Chicago Pride parade is Sunday, June 28^th. It might be fun to try and organize a group to go up and watch the parade and/or coordinate efforts with UIS or UIC to march as an Illinois group. Manuel will look more into this.