Tag Archives: Meeting

Meeting Notes: 11/12/2015 General Meeting

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OUT at Illinois
General Meeting
Thursday, November 12th
5:30pm, Illini Union Rm. 213

AGENDA:

  • Welcome, Introductions, and Fellowship
    • New faces in the room, small crowd.
  • Programming and Budget Ideas
    • Consider a speaker. Possibly in collaboration with Black History Month and with BFAPA (Black Faculty and Academic Professional Alliance)
    • Monthly social to have, at least, appetizers sponsored at different locations.
    • Lots of programs and activities happening, maybe develop an online calendar?
    • It would be nice to create some kind of mentorship programming model
    • Pronoun buttons are possibly being ordered, but it would be nice to have some kind of “OUT at Illinois” sticker, button, or other signifier that is not a t-shirt.
  • Meeting Locations
    • The SDRP is available
    • Champaign and Urbana Public Libraries (to be in the community)
    • Possibly the Career Center
  • Leadership Opportunities/Positions
    • By-laws need to be created – Will likely convene early next semester to draft these.
    • Formal “officer” roles will also need to be in place: President, Secretary, Treasurer and other Charis, as needed.
    • BFAPA has Faculty & AP Chairs, Professional Development, Community Engagement, and Social Engagement.
      • Nathan can assist with Treasurer and developing by-laws
      • Susan can assist with creating a MeetUp group or other social/community engagement opportunities.
    • IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE INVOLVED, PLEASE LET US KNOW!
  • Digital Resources
    • We have a pretty active listserv, and the Wiki Page.
    • Are going to be make sure information goes across lots of media that might be missed via email and Wiki
      • Website created to archive shared information, go.illinois.edu/OUT
      • Creating a Facebook page too! Coming soon….
    • Open Floor
      • Beyond Visibility Luncheon, 12/08 at 11:30am Alice Campbell Alumni Center
      • Working to expand gender-inclusive bathroom signage on campus. Knowing any places that might qualify?
      • There is a Housing-wide LGBT group for students, you can contact Nathan Runnels for more information.

November Meeting – 11/12 at 5:30pm, Illini Union

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Greetings, 

Thank you to all who were able to join us at our social last month at Radio Maria, it was a great turn out. We’ve had some great LGBTQ programming and events in/around campus recently. But, I wanted to make sure that we also had time to meet as a group. Below you will find my agenda for the evening, but I welcome others to bring other items as they see fit. 

I look forward to seeing everyone next week. 

-Manuel

AGENDA:

  • Welcome, Introductions, and Fellowship
  • Programming and Budget Ideas
  • Meeting Locations
  • Leadership Opportunities/Positions
  • Digital Resources
  • Open Floor

http://illinois.edu/emailer/newsletter/83788.html

7/13/2015 – Meeting Notes

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LGBTQ Employee Affinity Group
Meeting 7/13/2015
Hessel Park

Introductions: Welcome from Manuel Colón
Business Items:
–What should our name be? It’s a wise decision to adopt a formal name for the group to have more of an identity and help with branding ourselves and our efforts. Note cards were passed around for everyone to contribute. Here is a small sampling of what we received:
*QueerWorks
*HomoHangout
*Illinoise
*QueerPros
*Illiance
*Queer-I
*Out @ Illinois

–What other activities would everyone be interested in? We want to be cognizant of the different interests of others, so notecards were passed around for everyoen to contribute their dieas. Here is a small sampling of what we received:
*Pumpkin/apple picking/Curtis Orchard
*Game night/board games
*Sports games/tailgating/homecoming event
*Kickball/rollerderby/other sports
*Movie night
*Speedmeeting (like speed dating, but just to know others)

Announcements:
-Manuel: Equality Illinois is creating their “Out and About: Good Business Network“. If you own a business or know a business that qualifies, considering nominating.
-Liz: Should we considering participating in the Champaign Pride Parade? Manuel: Yes! It would also be nice to also join forces with other higher educatioin institutions in the area (Parkland, EIU, ISU, WIU, etc) and have a join “Out in Higher Education” contigency. If interested in organizing this effort, contact either Liz (ethw@illinois.edu) or Manuel (macolon2@illinois.edu)
-Devon: As the Asst. Director of the LGBT Resource Center, they wanted to introduce themselves to the group and encourages everyone to learn more about their operations and consider ways that they could collaborate or work together.
-elizaBeth: As a graduate student and representative of the Graduate Employees’ Organization, wants to remind people that graduates are employees too and are also open to different opportunities to collaborate with our group and mutual support one another.

Miscelleanous:
-Every person has affiliated themselves with the group for a variety of reasons and it’s time that we capitalize on everyone’s individual interests, desires, and strengths. At our initial meeting in the spring, three “sub-committees” were proposed to allow people to engage in the capacity that they would be more interested.  For more info navigate to https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/7199565
-Cites Wiki, there is a Wiki page for any LGBTQ related news, resources, materials, etc. that everyone (with a netID) is welcome to browse and contribute. The hope is a create a centralized knowledge bank of different LGBTQ related information that is community-driven and crowd-sourced. Check it out at go.illinois.edu/lgbtqwiki 

05/04/2015 – Meeting Notes

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LGBTQ Employee Affinity Group Meeting
Monday, May 4th 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.
  • 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 6th at 6:0pm, Hessel Park for BBQ
      • Need to reserve location
      • Purchase food
      • Purchase BBQ materials
    • Monday, August 3rd at 5:30pm, Illini Union Rec Room for Bowling
      • Need to reserve location
      • Have a “registration”

 

Upcoming Events

  • Lavender Congratulatory: Wednesday, May 6th  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 18th 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 20th , 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 28th. 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.

4/06/2015 – Meeting Notes

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LGBTQ Employee Affinity Group
Monday, April 6, 2015
Rm. 405, Illini Union
5:30pm

Introductions

Announcements

  • From the last meeting, we have adopted some different tools and media to create spaces outside of a physical meeting that we can still share information and communicate.
  • Campus Conversations on Diversity. Last week, Wednesday, April 1st Manuel was asked to speak on a panel for Faculty and Staff regarding this conversation and represent voices and conversations he has heard in his work on the Chancellor and Provost Committee on LGBTQ Concerns and with the Affinity Group.
  • First Mondays of the month are going to be the consistent day that we are moving forward with to schedule either formal meetings of the group or some kind of activity with those interested. Next meeting is Monday, May 4th at 5:30pm in Rm. 209 of the Illini Union.
    • We’ll continue to host something throughout the summer, but preferably outside and a place where food can be ordered. We do encourage partners, children, allies, or other family members who are interested to attend.
      • Possible suggestions included lunch on the Quad, The Bread Company, White Horse, and Crane Alley. Still open for suggestions as well.

Upcoming Events

  • Richard Blanco Poetry Reading event: Tuesday, April 7th, 7pm at Alice Campbell Alumni Center.CLICK HERE for full info.
  • Graduate Student Appreciate Week, LGBTQ social event: Friday, April 10th from 5-7pm at Silvercreek in Urbana.
  • “Turn it UP 2015” hosted by the UP Center of Champaign: Friday, April 10th from 7pm-10pm at Guido’s Bar and Grill in Champaign. $7.50 in advance, $10 at the door. CLICK HERE for their Facebook event.
  • Equality Illinois Advocacy Day: Wednesday, April 15th in Springfield, IL from “morning” to 4pm. Social to follow afterwards. CLICK HERE for full info
    • HB217/SB111 in the Illinois General Assembly proposes to ban “conversion” therapies in Illinois. CLICK HERE for petition State Legislators
  • Midwest Crossroads Volleyball Tournament: Champaign-Urbana is hosting its first-ever North American Gay Volleyball Association (NAGVA) tournament on April 18th and 19th. Volunteers are still needed (student welcome), CLICK HERE if you’re interested. Several social events are affiliated, they are as follows:
  • Lavender Congratulatory: Wednesday, May 6th at 5pm, program starts at 5:30pm at llini Union Rooms A&B. Graduating students have until April 24th to register, CLICK HERE.
    • LGBTQ Awards in nine categories are also currently being solicited for nominations, due Friday, April 17th at 5pm. Categories are Distinguished Service, Faculty/Staff Leadership, Emerging Leader, Ally, Unsung Advocate, Student Organization, Outstanding Student Research, Bridge Building, and Catalyst. For more information or nomination, please navigate to go.illinois.edu/lgbtqawards.

Open Forum

  • Third Annual LGBT Research Symposium: May 7-8th, $30 registration. CLICK HERE for full information.

03/02/2015 Meeting Notes

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Couldn’t make it to the March 2nd meeting at 2pm? Feel free to provide your feedback via this WebTools form by Friday, March 13th at 5pm. Thanks! https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/3818275

LGBTQ Employee Affinity Group
March 2, 2015 2pm
Illini Union, Rm. 404

Agenda:
-Introductions
-What is an employee affinity group/employee resources group?
-Discussion
-When are we meeting next?
Thursday, March 5th @ Krannert Center for “Uncorked” at 5pm to 7pm
Thursday, March 12th @ Joe’s Brewery at 11:45am for lunch

Discussion Points:

1)      What brings you here?

-Looking for “my people” + +

-More connections +

-Creating more resources for staff

-Improving the transition experience for new Queer staff and their partners

-Free Food

-Share resources/opportunities (such as Rainbow Book Bag and LGBT Equality Institute)

-Creating a Queer inclusive campus community/climate +

-Where are the Queers in STEM?

-To be more active on campus

 

2)      What is your vision for the group?

-Be loud and seen, creating visibility for ourselves

-Make it fun! +

-Social events

-Lobbying for issues, such as chosen name preferences

-Create a space for more than just a professional profile

-Mentor capacity for students

-Share information

Forum spaces, NO Box, Cites Wiki? Listerv? Facebook? – all and many!

-Re-explore issues from original Beyond Visibility Luncheon and see where progress is/where we should work for

 

3)      How would you like our group structured?

-No membership dues

-Open enrollment (if you’re Queer, you’re in)

-Make sure the structure is representative of the diversity of the group

-Maybe we can use “meet up”?

-Create some consistency (every month, first x-day, same times, etc.)