Brief Meeting Notes from 10/13
Notes taken by our wonderful Michelle Russell (she/her) with IRC! Thank you Michelle!! Shortened for blog; extended version available upon request.
Q-CECI Meeting Notes 10.13.23
“q-sessy”
Intros:
- Q-CECI a collective to have orgs, artists, community groups that are queer-affirming to come together, identify gap. Many nonprofits but many of same type of nonprofits, making it hard to find gaps until someone requests support or info that isn’t available. Wants to support truly queer-affirming organizations.
o Don’t have to be queer yourself but has to be queer-affirming.
o Aiming for this to be a collective, shared space rather than directed by any individual.
Securing safety of group:
- Respect gender and each other
- Be polite
- If anything is shared that you want to be anonymous or not recorded, say so and we can ensure safety and privacy.
Mission/Vision/Opportunities:
- Collaborative initiatives:
o A collective and can be whatever we all want it to be. Active request for feedback and suggestions on increasing inclusivity. Open to assistance with website.
o Virtual will always be an option, some participants are in Charlottesville and Hampton Roads.
o Collaborative space welcome to anyone to join. Website has collaborators section with info about collaborators and links. Directory-style and up to date.
o Primary goal is to see what gaps there are, what needs are not being met, find way to make that happen.
- Network building and inclusivity:
o Trying to find resources throughout all of VA. Want to create community space that isn’t just in person when we’re here but space to make sure we have different resources to cover needs of LGBTQ+ community.
§ Current resources: dentists, hair stylists, businesses, food and drinks, sober resources, mental health. Want to continue collecting resources for all needs.
o Angelica will work to be very on top of goals, objectives, timelines to ensure that progress continues to be made but also respect each individuals capacity and commitment.
- Visibility and education:
o Not a capitalist collective – wants to see if you have these spaces and services what can be shared with others within the collective, what’s compatible. Highly suggest to put value into exchanges between organizations for support, services, promotions. Wants to have promotional network sharing one another’s orgs and work, as well as sharing resources/relationships to avoid those that are not queer-affirming.
o Angelica does queer staff trainings and business consultations to help organizations become safer and more inclusive.
- Professional development:
o Donations space on website to pay for website and events – if receive enough could provide compensation or pay for trainings. No budget at this time.
o If become nonprofit can look at grants, etc.
Meeting scheduling:
- Collaborative meeting quarterly
- Trainings or other connections monthly
- Discord channel for continued engagement
- Having events twice a year broader than our collaborative group, for community at whole, “speed-dating” style to folx can connect, meet, engage, find resources
o Focus on planning event next meeting
- Reminder to all be mindful of own time, prioritize own space and mental health
- Collaborator role doesn’t come with requirements of participation, meeting attendance, etc.
What do we want to get out of collective:
- Establish deeper relationships with people in community
- Partnering with other nonprofits for events (public letter writing, book clubs, teambuilding/service sharing connections)
- Building deeper community, share resources, have strong/healthy/healed community, have fun
- Learn more about third space (not home or work)
- Offer organizing as healing spaces
- Collaboration opportunity, finding ways to work with other queer orgs on physical experience design (functioning and presence of building)
- Offer what we have to folx searching for queer-affirming service, being able to recommend safe spaces to friends – spaces that are queer-affirming, gender-affirming, race-affirming
- Collaborative opportunity to get to know other businesses, people, etc.
- Find resources, make connections, serve colleagues/client/self, build relationship that isn’t just focused on what we can exchange but that are truly welcoming
- Make resources more well-known and safe to people who want to seek out, esp. when living in family dynamic that isn’t accepting
- See positive things and meet people who are trying to do something right
Q-CECI Inaugural Gathering Agenda 10/13
Queer Affirming Community Engagement and Collaboration Initiative
Introduction to Q-CECI
Securing the safety of the group
Mission/ Vision/ Opportunities
Showcase Carytown Teas & Point 5
Sharing: 30 sec-1 min elevator pitches
Discussing: What are we all looking for (in the meeting, group, community)?
Gathering: Tea time
Closing: Express one thing you'd like to get out of the collective or an idea you'd like to see come to light
Free Time: Feel free to spend some time wrapping up informally with others and engage in conversation! Exchange info, collaborate, whatever feels right to you!