Meeting Schedule

All meetings will be held in the Womyn's Centre, 190 Helen Glass Centre, unless otherwise posted.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact the centre.  If you are unable to attend the meetings, but have an issue that you would like the collective to discuss, please contact the centre.  Minutes are posted with the most recent ones at the top.

Meeting times are now alternating between Wednesdays at 4pm and  Tuesdays at  noon.

Next Meeting = Tuesday, November 24th @ Noon
Meeting Minutes for Nov. 2009

Nov. 18th Collective Meeting

Present: Lauryn, Pilar, Jenn, Kaitlyn, Julie, Andonia, Raeanne, Kelsey


Collective Poster

  • Lauryn “have it by the door, so people know what we're about”

  • Brainstorming?

  • People are confused about “what we can do here?” = Anything – this challenges people

    • You can participate as much or as little as you'd like, you can meet people with similar interests, hang out, it's a vehicle for being able to put your ideas into reality – a way to actually do things, organize events, no limitations, with a whole collective of women to support you

  • Lauryn will pass ideas around on listserve


Collectivism

  • Lauryn “concerned that we aren't running as a collective, people are busy, and that's ok, but decisions still need to be made” not speaking = silent consent

  • Jenn: providing people with time to answer is fair

  • Kaitlin: how do we get more people to participate?

  • Jenn: we want people who are here to be happy

  • discussion not to be negative towards what is already happening, because what is already happening is good, but can always be improved

  • get people to talk to classes

  • tell our friends

  • table in UC

  • Pilar: people walk in and feel uncomfortable

  • maybe we could have calendars posted – give people something to do


Dec. 6th Ideas

  • documentary (on UMSUvision)

  • order food – where to get it from

    • Degrees? Special Functions?

    • We could contribute baking

  • screen doc in Engineering bldg room

  • workshop on ending violence in your community

    • what does this look like

    • Organizations to contact – CopWatch (to facilitate), Elizabeth Fry Society

  • Pilar: could have a workshop on non-violent crisis intervention

  • honorarium for speakers?

  • Ask them to table at the event? - can't guarantee turn out, wouldn't want to waste organizations' time

  • screening in morning, in Eng. Bldg & on UMSUvision

  • lunch event in UC

  • workshop

  • Arts Lounge?

    • Contact ASBC to play movies on violence against womyn theme

    • brainstorm films – Monster, Sleeping with the Enemy, Finding Dawn

  • postering for the event

  • Jenn will contact ASBC to inquire

  • are we focusing on women in Canada or women globally?

    • Globally? Could contact Amnesty to see if they have any suggestions

  • do we want a candlelight vigil?

  • Engineering is having a vigil, perhaps we can collaborate

  • GOSA display – in the week leading up to Friday


Where is the $200 (for Gendered Spaces Doc) coming from?

  • We have $200 in the budget for Transgender day of Remembrance – we have nothing planned – suggestion to donate it to Rainbow Resource Centre

    • Or should we reallocate funds?

    • RRC does get funding already

    • anonymous donations maybe not good use of funding

    • money going off campus but Student fees paying for it

    • doc would cover transgender issues as well

    • Could take $100 from Trans day of Remembrance budget, save $100 for Trans issues on campus if funding needs come up

    • Could take $100 from “community development (= $500)” part of budget


Ideas for Feminist Discussion Group

  • people want to attend, but can't make time slot

  • vote on Doodle for time slot

  • we may alternate times

  • next term, everything changes anyways!

  • Topics

    • women in education; indigenous sovereignty and aboriginal issues; sex work; pornography; masturbation; women in religion; christianity?; body issues

  • two discussion groups a week?

  • Will people come?

  • Discussion of magazines

  • is feminism still progressing? Or are we stagnant?

  • We need to poster more

  • visibility difficult – posters get ripped down, people can't see them, overtaken by other posters

  • anyone coming to Open Mike Night?


-Kelsey: everyone invited to UMSU meeting

    • protesters at anti-abortion speech at McGill

    • Two men from St. Pauls want a motion to condemn protesters' actions on basis that women were impeding freedom of speech

    • we can't vote, but can show support
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Meeting Minutes for Oct. 2009

Minutes from Oct 27th Collective Meeting
Present: Lauryn, Maria, Kaitlin, Pilar, Sabrina, Jenn P, Kelsey


Dec. 6th Planning

  • Postering campaign – including Canadian stats on violence against women to advertise Dec. 6th as National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women in Canada including info on Klinic's Evolve program as a resource for those experiencing abuse in a relationship

    • Kelsey, Jenn & Sabrina to draft and have finished posters by Nov. 10th

    • Lauryn to email stats & Klinic contact info to Kelsey, Jenn & Sabrina

  • GOSA gallery show = the small wall will be covered by images of women who've gone missing over the last 20 years (Lauryn to contact Sisters in Spirit) – do we want to do a call for submissions of art focusing on violence against women? - to be discussed at next art planning meeting – this Thursday @ 4:30

  • Student speaker needed for Dec. 6th event re: violence against women, what's happened in the last 20 years

    • Lauryn to email listserve asking for speaker

  • Events on campus for Dec. 4th (since Dec. 6th is a Sunday)

    • candle light vigil in the morning – we already have candles @ womyn's centre

    • lunch reception w/ speaker (Lauryn to email catering menu to Jenn, estimating 50-75 ppl coming)

    • Maria mentioned showing the video made about Dec. 6th – Jenn can burn a copy from her computer

    • Anna to possibly have handprint banner on display


November Events Calendar

  • Tuesdays @ noon and Wednesdays @ 4pm good times to alternate between for collective meetings

  • Every second Friday = Feminist Film Fridays @ 5pm – starting Nov. 6th

  • Button making days – Nov. 12th & 13th 10am-4pm

  • Henna Tatoo Day – Nov. 16th from 10am-4pm

  • Crafting Days w/ knitting, hand-sewing, collaging, etc. Nov. 26th & 27th – 10am-4pm

  • Open Mike Night @ Degrees – Nov. 27th

    • Lauryn to book.


International Womyn's Week

  • everyone was fine with having Indigenous Women's Issues as theme for the week – making sure focus is only on women's issues

  • possible speaker = Jessica Yee, bio at http://www.ywcatoronto.org/women_distinction/2009/wod2009_young.htm

  • ask that everyone look into possible speakers – will need to book in advance to make sure they can come


Creating Resources for Student Mothers

  • need to buy parenting/mothering books

    • suggestions = What to expect when you're expecting; What to expect in the first year; What to expect from toddlers

    • Lauryn will ask listserve for book suggestions

  • buying resources like coloring books or toys needs more discussion

    • one problem that may come up is if too many kids are in the centre, it would no longer be a quiet space comfortable for studying

  • possibility of organizing a "parenting support night" to create community for student parents, ask what resources would be helpful for them on campus

    • would need to be held outside of the womyn's centre so that fathers would be welcome as well



Meeting Minutes Sept. 2009


Sept 22nd, 2009

Present: Raeanne, Stef, Lauryn, Jenn, Bonique, Pilar

Decorating Ideas

  • Polaroids of people who frequent the Centre “This is What a Feminist Looks Like”

    • What if someone doesn't identify as a feminist?

    • “This is What a Woman Looks Like” instead?

    • On one of the yellow walls?

  • We want to create a non-exclusionary space

  • clouds on blue wall in the safe room

  • fluorescent lights in safe room not helpful

  • Furniture arrangement

    • a rearrangement is in order

    • Structure and operation of space should be taken into account ex. Info section where you first walk in

  • Get rid of the pamphlet rack? Or move it?

    • Put it behind the zine crates?

    • Move it to where the kitchen area is now?

  • Let's continue to decorate in later weeks

  • Body molds – to be hung up in main space?

  • We could have a breast casting day to decorate

  • More lamps so overhead lights are not so bright

    • full spectrum lights

    • red lights (warmer)

    • could get different fluorescent tubes (currently have bright white)

  • Should we change the colors of the space? Tone it down?

  • Clean the fridge

  • ask for donations – lamps, fridge, art materials, feminist books

    • on our website

    • from Freecycle



Library Catalogue (not on agenda)

  • Digitalize the library?

    • Spread sheet

    • computer in the free room could have catalogue?

  • Don't forget to check the request list

    • Feel free to add books to request list

  • We can poster for donations to library outside of Womyn & Gender Studies office


Burlesque Fundraiser

  • Performers?

  • look/ask around for dancers

    • Bonique and Pilar to ask around

    • Call burlesque teachers/instructors

  • Should we have more of a variety show?

  • How does burlesque fit into feminism workshop

  • Should the fundraiser be about performance? ex. Drag Kings!

  • Gio's sponsorship, venue?

    • Bonique can ask

  • Feminist performance – plays, bands, etc.

  • Partnership w/ UofW womyn's Centre?

  • Length of show? ex. 6X15minute acts = 1 and ½ hours

  • More purposeful than a burlesque show

    • ask a proff to do an intro?

    • Or speak between acts re: feminst performance?

    • History of drag – ex Stonewall riots

  • Could collaborate with RPM

  • Actions for this week

    • Decide what the fundraiser will be about and what we want from it

    • EX. Why feminism & gay rights are important – fundraiser for political workshops


Dec 6th Gallery of Student Art Theme/Title

  • Lauryn is waiting for confirmation of booking

  • Do we need to submit a proposal to GOSA?

  • Could use the body/breast casting molds

  • Send out an email asking for more pieces

  • Dec. 6th = National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

  • Collage of 17 girls missing in Winnipeg

  • Fourteen and Not Forgotten was mentioned as a title

    • What about 14 + all missing & murdered women since Dec. 6th 1989 and Not Forgotten?

    • Where to get statistics? Lauryn will gooogle

    • How many women are missing in Manitoba?

  • Could have stations at the exhibit

    • Missing women station

    • domestic violence

    • Trafficed women

  • Chalk outlines of bodies in University Centre & Engineering Building to raise awareness of the event

  • Was pointed out that Engineering has the lowest female enrolement

  • Have an info/placard explaining the outlined bodies

  • Could write Dec. 6th in the outlines

  • Halloween Police tape areas off

  • Will have to be cleared with University admin – Lauryn will take care of that

  • Dec. 6th is a Sunday – do it on the Friday instead


International Womyn's Week

  • a big conference? (collaborate with UofW?)

  • Funding?

  • Will need an outline by mid october re: Grant Applications

  • Speakers, events throughout the week

  • On campus = free access to rooms

  • Open to the whole city

  • “Gender Bender” bar night

  • Calls for speakers

    • Aborigional Students Association

    • Amnesty group

  • UMFM – could have more women on the radio that week

  • Dream speakers – Margaret Cho, Alix Olson, Carol Leigh (the Scarlot Harlot)

  • Probably would cost $1000 each (ish) to bring in bigger speakers – plane ticket, accomodation, honorarium, etc.

  • Have a local bands/musicians night – Tandem, others?

  • Dream musicians – Romy Mayes, others?

  • Kareoke night w/ discs of Feminist music

  • The LoPub could be a venue – Jenn to ask Jack

  • Have a film event

    • Canadian Feminist Film?

    • One of the filmmakers could come out to speak

    • Rent out a venue

    • Have a workshop on filmmaking?

  • Actions

    • Brainstorm via email for next meeting

    • Start separate planning group


Workshop series on Political Action/ “Speak Out” Workshop Series

  • Lauryn to ask Laura Blakely re: Editorial Workshop

  • Sarahs (Granke & Paquin) might be interested in doing one

  • Radio Training Workshop (would need to book in the studio)

    • station has to coordinate session

    • only 4 people at a time

    • 45 minute training sessions

    • Would need to sign up

    • Workshops could be run by Eve's Third Wave hosts

  • Have a different workshop once every 2 weeks/ once a month?

  • Topics =

    • zines & editorials – connected as getting written word out

    • make a news letter for womyn's centre

    • proposal writing

    • legal – changing laws, making laws, navigating the legal system, rights with police officers

    • Politics – ask Jenny Gerbasi

    • Organizing grass-roots movements


Men's Roles at the Centre

  • welcome in for an evening or a day?

  • Excluding men may be giving the wrong idea about feminism

  • would publicize well when men would be allowed in centre

  • Why would they come?

  • Would change the dynamic

  • Change the atmosphere and people's comfort

  • Maybe we need a sign about “rules” or how the centre is run

  • Maybe men should be invited to discussion group

    • maybe every second week

    • what about moving discussions men are invited to to a different venue?

  • Would men come in as a “joke”?

  • Could have a forum to talk about men's roles in feminism (that first discussion group)

  • What about women who are parents? ex. Allowing male children in the centre

  • more discussion next meeting


Sensitivity Training

  • opportunities for whoever is interested

  • being aware of the language we use ex. Connotations of words – speaker isn't always in control of the interpretation of what they say

  • intentions of language – being conscious of how what we are saying may offend/hurt someone else

  • “insensitivity training” so that we are self-protected from others' comments

  • point is to remain women positive!

  • Everyone's point of view is important and we don't want to censor anyone

  • Want to be non-exclusionary!

  • Dynamics change when you have personal relationships

  • Should we go through peer counseling training at peers w/ feminist counseling perspective?

    • Further discussion

  • The peers social worker could come train us so we could offer feminist counseling services

    • these could be skills to put on a resume, to take with you from your work w/ the centre

    • would have drop in times for counselors

  • could do feminist counseling training for counselors already on campus.





Sept. 15, 2009
Who was there... Lauryn, Kelsey, Raelene, Jennifer, Nadine, Anna, Candace (sorry for any spelling mistakes!)

Take Back the Night
·    Decided on meeting at the Womyn's Centre at 6pm to take the bus.
◦    60 Bus leaves at 6:11 or 6:20
◦    Catch the 11 going West on Portage, Burnell is the street past Arlington
◦    Go North on Burnell to Orioles Community Centre!
·    Bring Your Own signs and noisemakers – there is one “We want safe streets” sign at the centre
·    Anna will be bringing her banner that men have signed & handprinted pledging not to use their hands in violence against womyn – cool!

Burlesque Fundraiser
·    Talked about happening mid-October
·    Need everything – venue, performers, etc.
◦    Does anyone know any burlesque performers to ask, or venues to use? Suggestions please!
·    Also thought it would be good to have a discussion on where/how burlesque fits into feminism. The question of whether or not it objectifies womyn was brought up. Nadine mentioned Catherine Donatelli might be able to speak to that.

December 6th Memorial
·    Want to book the GOSA gallery for the week leading up to Dec. 6th – Lauryn will email.
·    Thought of making a call for submissions to display in GOSA, but need a theme or title first. Please send in your ideas before next meeting (next Tues. @ 1) or bring them up then.
◦    Good place to poster for submissions would be the Fitzgerald/Art building
◦    Other postering/promotion ideas?
·    Anna said that she could do a documentary-style film on people's thoughts of Dec. 6
◦    There is also a film making student group who might be interested – Anna has contact info
◦    If a film was made, equipment could come from UMSU to show it in University Centre
·    Can also do “body taping” on the floor of University Centre, as well as a few other buildings (like the way police do chalk outlines of bodies)

Men's Roles at the Centre – Thoughts that came up
·    It is super important to us to have a womyn only space on campus, and to have womyn only spaces in general, however it is almost more important to include men in feminism.
·    We thought it might be possible to allow men in the centre one day a week, or one day every two weeks, to make a space for male feminists on campus so we can work all together.
·    It would be very important to make sure at these times no one dominated the discussion.
·    Really important to make sure/clear that if we decide to welcome men in the space at certain times, it is not done to appease anyone, but done in recognition of the importance of male feminist role models.
·    A cool idea was to ask some of the feminist guys on campus to put together a brochure of what it means to be a male feminist, to expose people to the idea that they're out there too :)
·    We recognized that this is something that needs lots of discussion before a decision is made.
·    Decided we could talk about this again at future meetings, and at the first discussion group – Oct. 1.

Feminist Discussion Group
·    Decided to have them weekly, on different days, at different times to be sure everyone has a chance to come.
·    First one to happen October 1st – 11am re: Men's roles in feminism/masculinity.
·    The idea behind it was to have a space for people to discuss not only what is coming up in Womyn & Gender studies courses, but also have a group open to women who are not taking these courses but are interested in discussing feminist ideas.


Keeping the centre womyn positive & a safe space
·    It came up that there's been some talking in the centre that hasn't always been womyn friendly. We talked about how we can sometimes internalize judgment of “ditzyness” or being stereotypically “blonde” and so we wanted to recognize the effort it takes to be conscious of our words, and to be sure that everyone is reminded to make that effort. It's a really awesome space, so we want to make sure to keep it safe, womyn positive and welcoming to all women, not just those who identify as queer or feminist.
·    One idea that's been talked about in regards to making the space more welcoming is to have an analogue Feminist-Facebook type thing up on the wall, where if you are comfortable with it, you can have your picture up and a little blurb about what you are interested in – kind of a good way to see who you might collaborate with, with a title on top “This is What a Feminist Looks Like”.
·    When we are redecorating next week, we talked about making a poster of “Groundrules in a Safe Space” these are the ones we came up with so far (please add more!)
◦    Respect people's opinions, even if they are not your own
◦    Use inclusive language
◦    Speak & listen in a non-judgmental way
◦    Be aware of who is speaking, and how much, trying not to dominate discussions.
◦    Keep the space womyn positive

Consensus decision making & our Cuntstitution
·    We didn't get to this one... we can go over it next meeting – it's just a good idea for everyone to be on the same page in our understanding of how consensus decision making works, and what's written in our Cuntstitution. (if you're interested in reading it over when you're at the centre, there are copies tacked on the bulletin board in the yellow/futon room)