SIG History: Kathleen Sideli reviewed the history of the Lesbigay SIG and
asked members to stand as the conference at which they first joined was
mentioned.
Getting to Know You: Louis Meucci led an ice breaker during which all
people in attendance introduced themselves by name, where they were
from (not their institutions) and a memorable piece of information about
themselves. We were excited to learn that among those present were a
massage therapist, a knitter of socks, a semi-professional volleyball
player, collectors, pet enthusiasts, gardeners, and cooks (lentil soup and
coconut cake were mentioned specifically). We were diverse not only in age
and gender, but represented various regions of the United States as
well as other countries.
The web address is:
www.indiana.edu/~overseas/lesbigay
Information for the homepage on advising, in particular, was requested
from the membership.
Rainbow Sticker: Peter Voeller discussed the meaning of the rainbow
sticker which he and Kathleen had been giving out. He stated that wearingit
increases awareness about the SIG and about gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender issues.
Marie Cox, Bill Gaskill, Kim Killingsworth, Bo Keppel, Frank Ploener,
Justin Shelton and My Yarabinec.
A member suggested that the SIG's name should be made more inclusive by
adding the term 'transgender'. A short discussion ensued and it was
decided this issue should be handled by the steering committee.
Bob Erickson announced that Saeeda Wali-Mohammed would serve as the SIG's
new representative to the NAFSA Diversity Committee. He also
announced that positions at the national level would be opening up and
that members of the SIG should consider running.
My Yarabinec announced that the new SECUSSA publication on study abroad
may have included sexual orientation issues in its section on
diversity.
Brian Buchiarelli who is leaving the field was thanked for his
contributions to the SIG, given a round of applause and wished well in his
new position as full time massage therapist at a hospital in New York
City.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20.
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Vancouver, BC, Canada
May 21, 1997
Submitted by Bo Keppel
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:05 by co-chairperson
Peter Voeller. He and co-chair Kathleen Sideli introduced themselves.
Peter read the SIG's mission statement.
The minutes from the previous year's meeting were accepted as
read.
Kathleen Sideli passed around the notebook she began in order to document
the history of the SIG. Included in the notebook were pictures of the
SIG's Names Quilt panel. Kathleen expressed her appreciation that NAFSA
had twice published photos of the Names Project quilt panel
commemorating NAFSA members who had lost their lives to HIV disease and
which had been made at Phoenix. Kathleen reported that she had
traveled to Washington, D.C. in October to submit the NAFSA panel. She was
photographed with Archer Brown, the Deputy Director of NAFSA
and this photograph appeared on the cover of the February 1997 NAFSA
newsletter.
Kathleen described the Rainbow listserve. Information on signing up for
the listserve was printed on the meeting agenda and also printed on the
board. She also reported that the SIG website, designed by Jay Tomlin at
Indiana University, had been launched and was linked to the NAFSA
homepage almost within 24 hours of the information being sent to NAFSA!
Kathleen and Susan Carty had presented a standing-room-only workshop for
Region VI entitled, "Taboo Topics: Sex and Sexual
Orientation--Incorporating Discussion Into Student Orientation
Programs" which won the Best of Region award. They were to present it
again in Vancouver on Friday the 24th. Peter Voeller reported that he was
slated to chair a panel entitled, "Exploring Personal Prejudices"
on Friday, May 24th in the late afternoon, not the most ideal time.
Speaking on the panel are to be Bob Erickson, Frank Romanowicz, Parandeh
Kia and Theresa Harrell.
The group was encouraged to consider submitting proposals for the up and
coming conferences.
Peter and Kathleen encouraged everyone to sign up to become a member and
to pay an activity fee, five or ten dollars being suggested. They
spoke of the need to cull the current mailing list so as not to send out
mailings which would be returned. The original mailing list had 269
individuals but only 78 people had officially turned in forms under the
new system of requesting that people confirm their membership status. An
envelope was sent around to collect membership sheets and activity fees.
The official distributed report showed $645 in income for the 1996-1997
year, expenses of $375.78 and a balance of $259.22. However
additional expense is being incurred at the conference for refreshments at
the two informal receptions held at a local gay-owned bed and breakfast
at which the SIG leadership is staying.
Costs: The SIG's main expenditure had been incurred in the production,
reproduction and mailing of the newsletter. Susan Carty reported that last
year when she agreed to take over as newsletter editor, everyone had
agreed to write and send articles to her. That had not occurred and she
and Kathleen had had to write many of them! She begged the membership to
send information, articles or suggestions of topics to cover in the next
one. She suggested that abstracts of current research would be most
welcome. The submission deadline would be circulated on Rainbow
frequently.
Members in attendance reported on research they were currently carrying
out. Nadine Kato is looking into the needs, desires, goals, etc. of
international gay, lesbian, gay and transgender students studying in the
U.S. Tony Ogden has developed a staff development training model for
campus and community members on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
issues and on sexual orientation as a culture. Julie Triempe, although not
in attendance, had informed the SIG that she is researching the
experiences of lesbian, bisexual and gay students studying abroad.
As Kathleen Sideli had served as co-chairperson for two years, nominations
were held to select one co-chairperson. Bo Keppel was nominated by
Scott King, but had to decline, as she was unsure of her continuation in
the international education area. Upon request by the membership, Kathleen
agreed to serve for another year. Discussion ensured as to the value of
activating a steering committee, as mandated by the by-laws. The
membership agreed that a steering committee could lighten the work load
for the co-chairs, as well as enhance the sense of involvement among
members. Seven members volunteered to serve on the steering committee:
Peter Voeller announced plans he had made for the evening's social
activity at Delilah's Restaurant.
Steve Johnson gave a plug for attendance at the 50th anniversary
Washington, D.C. conference. He also distributed copies of the call for
papers, due August 1, 1997.
Indiana University Office of Overseas Study
Copyright 2000, The Trustees of Indiana University
site url: http://www.indiana.edu/~overseas/lesbigay
Comments: NAFSA: Rainbow SIG