We hope you've had a fantastic summer and are looking forward to the academic year. We know we are! The Nipissing University Women's Centre (N.U.W.C.) would like to take this opportunity to welcome you back (or welcome you for the first time) to the N.U.W.C., to Nipissing University, and to North Bay.
If you don't already know, the N.U.W.C. is an organization on campus with the main objectives of:
providing a welcoming, safe, and positive space on Nipissing University's campus;
heightening awareness of gendered inequality issues both on campus and within the community of North Bay;
organizing and coordinating events and campaigns that highlight gender equality and social justice issues with priority going to women’s issues;
continuing to actively work towards attaining gender equality;
providing Members with a diverse resource centre and;
refering Members to appropriate resources whenever possible.
If you'd like to get involved/ to continue to be involved, make sure you remain a member on this mailing list. That way you'll receive all of our Meeting Minutes and stay up-to-date with everything going on. (However, if you no longer wish to receive e-mails from the N.U.W.C, please message us your desire to be removed from this mailing list.) You can also attend our weekly meetings. For the Fall semester, meetings are being held on Mondays (starting Sept. 20th) at 10:15am in A244a (right beside the Treehouse Lounge). Help us plan events or volunteer your time whenever possible. If that's not enough, you can also join us on Facebook at the 'Nipissing University Women's Centre' group page, submit something creative for our newsletter the Our Voice, donate resources to our very own Library, or just drop by A244a at any time!
For any additional information: Send us an e-mail at [email protected] Check out our website at http://www.nipissingu.ca/womenscentre (Make sure you check out the Calendar for our listing of events.) or Drop by our office A244a (right beside the Treehouse Lounge)
Mercy Francis is a refugee student being sponsored through WUSC and NUSU to attend Nipissing University. Melissa, the WUSC leader, asked the WUSC members if any of them would be interested in showing her around North Bay and hanging out with her until school starts (she has a sign up sheet). Mercy arrives on the 24th. If any WC members are interested in spending time with her/ welcoming her to the community and letting her know what resources are available, send Melissa a message at [email protected]. You can also add yourself to the WUSC mailing list at the same address.
Hello, I am a student at Western Law working on an international law internship with 'Rural Women Making Change' at the University of Guelph this summer.
I will be up in North Bay to do some research with women involved in the agricultural sector starting next Wednesday May 19th, 2010.
I'm still looking for women who might be interested in speaking with me for this research, and I'm wondering if your organization can help me to find the local contact for the Local Council of Women or for any other women's groups in the area?
Thanks very much,
Heather Alexander RWMC Intern, University of Guelph International Law Internship Program Western Law University of Western Ontario
***Please note that Heather is available to carry out interviews between May 18 and June 5, and that anyone interested can contact me at [email protected] for more information.***
Amelia Rising,in partnership with the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres, is pleased to support the launch of the new Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres website!The website launch recognizes that May is Sexual Violence Awareness Month.
Facts: 51% of all Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of sexual or physical violence[1].And of Canadian girls under the age of sixteen, 54% have experienced some form of unwanted sexual attention[2].Statistics Canada indicates that women are physically injured in 11% of sexual assaults, and an astounding nine out of ten incidents of violence have an emotional effect on the survivor − including depression, flashbacks, sleep disturbances and anxiety[3].Yet while sexual violence affects a large number of Ontario women and girls, few know where to turn to for confidential information on their rights, police reporting options, and how to access emotional support in their community.
It is for all these reasons that Amelia Risingis pleased to support the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) new and improved website.The website, www.sexualassaultsupport.ca , aims to showcase the collective work of Ontario sexual assault centres.
A tour through the new OCRCC website reveals information on sexual assault definitions, common reactions to sexual assault, sexual assault myths, and special sections for teens, parents, survivors, and professionals.There is a resources page showcasing sexual assault information in different languages, as well as pages profiling the activities of OCRCC and its member sexual assault centres.
The website was designed by OCRCC members, and funded by the Ontario Women’s Directorate.
OCRCC works toward the prevention and eradication of sexual assault.Its membership includes sexual assault centres from all across Ontario, offering counselling, information and support services to survivors of sexual violence, including childhood sexual abuse and incest.OCRCC recognizes that sexual assault is experienced differently by different women: sexual violence crosses all boundaries, but women and girls from marginalized communities are more vulnerable.Risk increases if you are elderly or a young woman, non-heterosexual, poor, or a woman of colour[4].
Amelia Rising believes that the new website has great capacity to refer survivors to confidential, accessible help right in their own communities – including the Nipissing region.
[1]Statistics Canada, 1993, "Violence Against Women Survey" [2]Holmes & Silver, 1992 [3] Statistics Canada, "The Violence Against Women Survey, " The Daily, November 18, 1993. [4]Step it Up Ontario!
Thank you to everyone who came out and to everyone who wasn't able to make it! Your involvement this year has significantly helped to shape the NUWC.
This year's award winners were: Most Office Hours - Lisanne Roy Energizer Bunny - Lisanne Roy Most Dedicated New Members - Marianne Van Beek and Sarah Jane Valiquette Human Encyclopedia - Ian Desjardins Person with the Most Non-Existent Friends - Christine Clarke Best Greetings - Kris Kelly Most Popular WC Name - The Sarahs - Sarah Ash, Sarah Calder and Sarah Jane Best Mitten Fixer - Alexandra Archibald Most Passionate Public Speaker - Alexandra Archibald Most Dedicated in General - Lisanne Roy Junior Member Award - Sierra June Most Globally Aware - Bonnie Talbot Mother Hen - Marianne Van Beck Ray of Sunshine - Amanda Cole Best Blogger - Christine Clarke Best Self-Promoter - Dylan Tallest Person - Amanda Cole Happiest Person - Lisanne Roy Ruler of the Universe - Alexandra Archibald Miss WC Queen 2010 - Ian Desjardins bell hooks Award - Laura Mayer and Bonnie Talbot
and last, but not least..... the Nipissing University Women's Centre Annual Achievement Award goes to ....... ALL OF OUR DEDICATED MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS for their continuous, and much appreciated, involvement in the NUWC. !!!!!!!THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Election Results: Executive Director: Lisanne Roy Assistant Director: Sarah Jane Valiquette Secretary: Jami McFarland Treasurer: Celine Roy Male Issues Rep.: Matt Smale
Total of 40 votes and 1 spoiled ballot.
Congratulations to all newly elected Executives! Thank you to all candidates for running! Thank you to all who took the time to vote!
Girls vs. Guitars Tonight at Urban Café (101 Worthington? Check Facebook group) 7-10pm Fundraiser for the Gateway Roller Derby Team. ($2 proceeds)
Spring Equinox Sunday, March 21st 1-3pm At Vinyasa Yoga Studio Check Facebook Event.
Lad’s N Lashes 8PM Friday, March 26th At Cecil’s Possibly Sold Out? May be a few left at the door.
Pride End-of-Year Saturday, March 27th 7PM at The Moose Pay your own way.
End-of-Year Friday, April 9th We have the rooms from 5pm-10pm. Supper will be served at 6pm in H131 (this meeting room) Festivities will be in H131 and H102 (Owl’s Nest). Wii and karaoke will be setup. Bring any/all board games. Food is: BBQ (+Vegan option available) Bring Tupperware to bring food home!!!!!
Execs need to go award shopping! Nominations for awards accepted until Friday, March 19th.
Meeting of the Minds for New Execs?:we’ll talk. No more meetings for the year. Good luck on essays and exams. See you all at the party!
Elections -restarting -issues of transparency, accountability, tampering -previous ballots are void -accusations of multiple votes -unsupervised
New format: -Same nominations -Third party will supervise ballot box after hours (Erin Dokis; in Aboriginal Services) She will match # of student card #s to # of ballots (to make sure they match) -You may only vote at certain times -Daily designated Exec
When you come to vote -you present your student card, we record student # -you are given a voting ballot (+ blank ballot(s) to nominate for awards) -votes will be tallied at meeting (in front of all) -just ONE week -all Nip students may vote (they all pay our fees) - Voting schedule: Wed: (Emily) 12:30-3:30 Thurs: (Ian) 11-3 Fri: (Lisanne) 11-3 Mon: (Alexandra) 11-3 Tues: (Bonnie) 11-3.
Voting is in the WC.
*Temporary, Constitution should be changed for next year, asap.
March 15th Movie
7pm - Screening of You Can't Beat a Woman (1997) in H106.
End of Year Party Bring board games Wii Karaoke Catered by Aramark Vegan choices + trying to get sundae bar (BYOBanana) Friday, April 9th (6-10pm) Owl’s Nest + H131
Flashlight Flash Mob Tomorrow, 6:30pm Thursday, March 11, 2010 Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm Location: Nipissing University Student Centre Be there or please donate if you can! J White Ribbon Campaign Ian, Matt and Dennis -elimination of violence against women -international campaign -re-introducing on campus and in North Bay -materials are to be ordered -partners: AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area -only supposed to be 1 week/year…..looking at making it a full year -starting Sept. 2010-03-10
Drag Party THIS Saturday, March 13th 2pm, Weaver (B200) 2$ entrance fee (going to AIDS Committee of North Bay and Amelia Rising) IS BEING BROADCASTED BY CANADORE AND COGECO!!!J Must fill in the audience! If others still interested in competing, please fill in forms ASAP. Will be a Gender Bending station for those who won’t be competing. Audience can dress up WC judge: Bonnie Other judges: Victoria (Pride), Trina (NUSU), Marie (Amelia Rising), Dennis (ACNBA) and a past inner).
March Up Close March 15th-17th 12:30-1:30pm Information Fair…..volunteers for table Display board + pamphlets. Contact Rosemary for table asap.
International Women’s Day Information Fair at ACNBA went well
TRC Looking for volunteers for this weekend E-mail Ian [email protected]
Movie Night Monday, March 15th You Can’t Beat A Woman (satirical documentary of spousal abuse worldwide) H106
Our Voice Will happen Still accepting submissions
Elections Voting ends March 10th 11am. Neutral execs will count ballots. New execs revealed at 11:30am.
Nominations for End of Year Awards Can be serious or funny. Complete blank ballot by ballot bag by March 10th.
End of Year Volunteer Appreciation Night Partners Bowl April 9th 5-10 Wings & Things
Drag Party March 13th -2pm – Weaver B200 Possible waxing station 2$ entrance fee for audience Free for contestants Next meeting: Founders 11:30 this Friday Self-Defense Looking to bring back for next year Interest level is: 50/50 Suggestion to really advertise in Rez
White Ribbon Campaign Good to go. Next year: Year-long project Packages going to be ordered Working with ACNBA Dennis Chippa will be Community Liaison for White Ribbon Campaign
Exec meeting Friday, March 12th 2pm at Euphoria on Main St. (This year's execs) Date Meeting of the Minds will be determined after elections. (Meeting for ALL current and next year's Execs.)
Attendance : Sarah Jane, Sarah, Christine, Katie, Tanya, Victoria, Tracy, Elizabeth, Kris, Matt Celine, Emily, Michelle, Ian, Bonnie, Lisanne and Jami, Vikki, Marianne and Sandy
Elections – speeches :
Lisanne is going for Executive Director. Has been involved with the WC for 2 years now. Has a lot of experience and contacts to offer. Has attempted to share all of this through the conception of the new website. She loves to be a part of the WC and has the time needed to devote to its projects.
Sarah is going for Executive director. She promises that everyone will be able to swim in the Bath Tub Project pool full of Jell-o. She is very compassionate, enjoys the WC space and spends a lot of her time there. She has made many new friends. She would like to bring more people in. What she lacks in experience she has in compassion and dedication. And she has cowboy boots.
Emily is running for assistant director. Her majors are gender and English. In the Womens centre (this year) she was the secretary. She has contributed to many of the programs this year. She thanks previous members (Sandi, Ian, Lisanne, and Bonnie). She would really like to see safety issues addressed next year.
Sarah-Jane is running for assistant director. She thanks everyone for accommodating her daughter's presence at meetings and providing them with a comfortable and accessible space. She is pursuing a business marketing degree, is from North Bay and has traveled a lot. She participated in the organization of some of the WC's events this year namely: the Funk dance, Take Back the Night and the Walk of Silence. She has many aspirations for next year including 4 main event ideas: a special year-end retreat, a Glamour Project, Pro-Choice awareness campaign and a human trafficking awareness campaign.
Celine Roy is running for treasurer. She has participated in some of the events that the Womens centre has held. Unfortunately, has not made any meetings due to schedule. She has a lot of experience with managing money and is also pursuing a business degree. She is the manager at Harvey's and Swiss Chalet. She wants to bring in her real life experience as well as her education as assets to the womens centre. She plans on building spreadsheet templates and introducing new programs to organize the WC's finances. She volunteered a lot before University and would like to be more involved again. She wants to participate more in the community.
Michelle is running for treasurer. She began as an English major, but realized her passion for gender studies. This is her first year in the Womens centre, but she wants to continue to participate. She was part of the student council in high school and volunteered at the library. She is capable of using spreadsheets and other such stuff. The womens centre has meant a lot to her. She is very passionate about this program. She wants to be more involved. Due to her health problems in previous years she has been unable to wholeheartedly participate. She has been a treasurer before.
Matt is running for male issues representative. He knows womens issues, not necessarily male issues, but he is interested in including as many people as possible. Although he is the only person running, he wants you to choose him because you want him there wholeheartedly. He is very passionate about the issues concerning the womens centre. He is interested in being driven for the right reasons. He would like to contribute.
Jami is running for Secretary. In love with the gesj program. Enjoys the WC and it has been a great experience. Interesting in learning more and learning with everyone. Go-getter. Doesn’t want to be measured by her marks but by how she participates. Pick her for her skills and not just because.
*The little red bag will be in the tree house. JUST VOTE ONCE. Be Honest. The voting will occur for the next two weeks (Voting ends at 11 am March Wednesday, 10)*
IWW:
People can still submit works to the Our Voice Magazine. They are hoping to put out an issue next week during IWW.
The launch party for Our Voice will be held next Tuesday from 5-9. The food will be bought from Aramark and it will be vegetarian finger food. It will be held at the Owls Nest
End of Year Party- it will be catered. Wings and Things $10.35* per person
Combination of pizza, wings, lattice fries, nacho chips, veggie platter. AND Pasta Buffet from $10.25* per personPasta Bar with Meat, Tomato, Alfredo sauce
(Meatballs, chicken cachatorie, veal parmasian, please inquire, costs vary). This will take place at 5 on April 9th, 2010.
Outside News: everything will be included in the March Calendar...
Also:
Shine a light campaign w/ WUSC
Looking for volunteers
+ date is not set
7ish
This Saturday, Average Joe GETURFREAKON 8:30pm
Roadhouse (open mic, etc)
Proceeds going to ACNBA + Gay organizations in Haiti
