Elderberries Library: 2010-10-03 Meeting

LGBT Elders Social Committee : Minutes - October 3, 2010

Present : Anita, Dan, Hal, Lynn, Nick Regrets : Hugo

Heather regrets that due to time demands of her new Community College course, she can no longer stay on the Committee

1. Welcome

2. Approval of the agenda

3. Minutes of the last meeting unavailable. Note : They were e-mailed October 4, and will come forward for approval at the November meeting.

4. Programs :

October 17, Sunday, SpencerHouse, 2.00 - 5.00: Tuma Young speaks on wills and inheritance : 30-45 minutes followed by Q&A. Potluck.
November 21, Sunday, Spencer House, 2.00 - 5.00: Being Single - round table. Some members prefer a speaker followed by a social to the time-consuming round table format. Discussed : however, (a) this is a minority opinion, and (b) two of the next three socials are in other formats anyway, so we will leave the November program as is. Potluck.
December 8, Friday, Sky Lounge: Decided to ask for a donation of $2.00 per person to cover expenses : while grateful for the support of NSRAP, , the Elders group would like to become self-supporting over time. ACTION : Nick will look into availability of dishes etc on site. Costs will include the cleanup fee, also any paper plates, napkins, etc that Nick needs to purchase. Estimated attendance 30-40. BYOB. ACTION : Dan will bring a machine to make music. ACTION : Potluck : at November social we will poll attendees to get a sense of what kind of dishes people are bringing.
January 16, Sunday, Spencer House: Music singalong or music by the members. Norval? Austin? Potluck.
February 20, Sunday, Spencer House, 2.00 - 5.00: Each bring a couple of photos to share from their LGBT past. ACTION : Dan will arrange technology to have photos projected on the wall to share. Potluck.
March 20, Sunday, Spencer House, 2.00 - 5.00: Possible topic : saving money, tax tips, getting good deals, etc. Potluck.

5. Visit to Women’s Council House :

Hal and Lynn visited this space, offered by Leonard Preyra for meetings. Space has seating for about thirty, and would be suitable for a special event. Hal has sent Leonard a thank-you note. ACTION: Anita offered to draft personalized cards which we might use in future for thank you notes etc : will bring drafts to November meeting.

6. Questionnaire re Elders future directions :

Hal presented first draft of questionnaire : discussion. ACTION : Hal will distribute revised questionnaire at October social. Any further revisions will be incorporated and the questionnaire will be sent out to all members. Hal will add questions re transportation, as discussed by the Committee.

7. Name for the Elders group :

ACTION : Anita and other Committee members will bring possible names to the November meeting and Committee will compile a shortlist to be considered by the whole membership at a later date.

8. Other business :

More members for Elders group. ACTION : Nick will write a letter inviting former members of the Over Thirties group to join, and Dan will send it out to their mailing list.

List of friendly churches : this exists in embryo on the GayHalifax wiki, under the heading Gay Supportive Religious Groups. It was decided to update this list rather than start from scratch : details not worked out.

Hal will be sending a request from the NSRAP Health Committee to Wayves, seeking positive stories from the queer community re experiences with the healthcaare system.

NSRAP will hold a meeting, probably October 21 at the Company House (arrangements not yet final) re long-term care. Representatives of Northwood and possiby other long-term care facilities will join members of the LGBT community. They are looking for first-hand stories of problems experienced by LGBT residents, visitors, or staff in dealing with these facilities; also improvements to make re inclusiveness of LGBT persons. All members of the Elders group welcome.

9. Next meeting Monday November 1, 7:00 pm, Lynn’s place. Besides business arising from the minutes, we will discuss how the Elders group can be more inclusive of LGBTs outside Halifax.

10. Adjourned.