World AIDS Day.

Just to let people know, World AIDS Day (December 1st) will be commemorated by a candle light vigil at the SUNY Oneonta Hunt Union (Waterfront) from 5-6pm.

In short:
Where: SUNY Oneonta, Hunt Union, Waterfront Room.
Time: 5-6pm
Date: December 1st.

The Hunt Union, is the big building at the top of Bugbee Rd. They have a visitor parking area in the back of the parking lot.

Look forward to seeing people there.

Next meeting 11/14/10

Next meeting will be on 11/14/10, at 4:30 at the Methodist Church on the corner of Church St. and Chestnut.

Agenda:
Working with GSRC on providing Diversity Education Programs in Local High Schools
Report on working with City Commission on Human Rights
Discussion on World's AIDS Day and working with Positive Connections
Any other topic or concern people wish to discuss

Report on working With Positive Connections and SUNY Oneonta GSRC.

Currently, we are in talks with Positive Connections - a new, local AIDS/HIV support/advocacy group that is headed by Bill Pharr - in order to create an event on World AIDS day, which is Wednesday, December 1st. Also, the GSRC, headed by Robin Nussbaum will also be working on an event.

Everything is in the planning stages right now, so I don't have a lot of details to offer up.

Currently we are looking for speakers, so if anyone knows anyone or is willing to speak on the issue of AIDS/HIV email us at otsego.pflag@gmail.com.

Furthermore, we are also in talks with the GSRC about the possibility of bringing Safe Space/Diversity training programs to local high-schools.

As it currently stands, the GSRC already has several programs that it's developed in order to promote diversity in area high-schools. I personally believe that it is in our best interest to work with them on this issue and try to do our best to support their programs, rather then trying to develop our own, competing programs. However, I would to like speak with people at the next meeting and have more input on the matter, before any final decisions are made.

Report submitted by Jeremy Redlien.

Human Rights Commission Meeting

Report on City of Oneonta Commission on Community Relations and Human Rights on 10/28/2010

At this meeting, a discussion was held on the purpose of Commission, which was following from last weeks meeting with Mayor Richard Miller.

According to Chairwoman Joyce Miller based on that meeting, the purpose of the commission is as follows:
1) Educating the public on Human Rights Issues
2) Advocating for the advancement of Human Rights
3) Advising the Mayor and Common Council on Human Rights Issues

The next discussion was on creating a panel in order to fulfill #1, educating the public. It was brought up that this could be held at the high-school, most likely in February. I (Redlien) offered to be a part of any panel as a representative of Pflag.

Another suggestion was put forth regarding having articles in The Daily Star regarding diversity issues to further fulfill #1 and raise the profile of the commission.

Further discussion also took place regarding possibly changing the purpose of the commission that was placed within the city code.

It was also brought up, that the commission had not been invited to submit a budget request in order for the commission to receive funding from the city.

The next meeting of the commission will be December 2nd.

Report submitted by Jeremy Redlien

Meeting This Sunday (10/10/10) @ 4:30pm

We will be meeting this Sunday (which just happens to the 10th day of the 10th month of the 10th year of the 21st century) at the United Methodist Church on the Corner of Church St. and Chestnut.

On the Agenda will be:
-Working with the GSRC on providing the Pflag program, Shelter From the Storm, in local high-schools.
-Oneonta City Commission on Community Relations and Human Rights Report.
-Future efforts at fundraising.
-Anything else, that people feel is important to discuss.

The meeting is open to anyone interested in supporting our cause. Look forward to seeing people there!

The Oneonta Commission on Community Relations and Human Rights

We recently decided that it was in our best interest to try to work work with the Oneonta Commission on Community Relations and Human Rights.  This is a report on what we've done so far.

At the August 27th meeting we petitioned the commission to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the first item of their purpose which currently reads on their website: Foster mutual respect and understanding among all racial, religious, age and nationality groups within the city"

At the September 23rd meeting, (which was attended by Mayor Richard Miller) the situation was revealed to be much more complicated.  As it turns out the Official Charter for the commission and the website for the commission have a couple of discrepancies.  The most relevant one for us being that charter in place of the above quote, instead states: "Foster mutual respect and understanding among all citizens, groups and visitors within the City;"

During the discussion, Mayor Richard Miller agreed that the website and charter needed to be reviewedin order to determine why the discrepancies had come in to exist in the first place.

Report submitted by Jeremy Redlien

Meeting this Sunday @ 4:30pm. Methodist Church at Corner of Chestnut and Church St.

We will be having our monthly meeting at 4:30pm. this Sunday (9/12) at the Methodist Church on the corner of Chestnut and Church St.

On the Agenda will be:
-Working on getting Safe Spaces program set up in local high-schools.
-Working on providing Diversity Trainings on LGBTQA people for local Employers.
-Working with the Oneonta Government Commission on Community Relations and Human Rights.
-Events people would like to see done for the coming year.

This event is open to all members of the public interested in helping our cause.  Hope to see people there!