SFO Meeting Recap August 30, 2010

Thanks to everyone who came to our first meeting!  We had an awesome time with you guys, especially all the new members we just met!
Things for next meeting: 

  • Our next meeting is NOT this upcoming Monday (Labor Day); it will be held Monday, September 13 at 7pm in the UC Rodeo Room 264.  
  • We’ll be making posters for our upcoming “Debunking Myths about Feminism” event, so please bring any art supplies or extra posterboard you have!  
  • Be thinking about the long term goals you want SFO to accomplish this semester.  
  • If you’re interested in being in charge of planning social events for SFO members, please let us know!


I (Andrea) took minutes for this meeting; here they are, if you weren’t able to attend, or if you just want to be reminded of what we talked about!


Icebreakers:  Some common themes we listed were 

  • defying stereotypes
  • having concrete objectives
  • coalition building with other organizations
  • internal education within SFO about issues
  • dispelling abortion myths
  • recruitment
  • bake sales and fundraising
  • being proactive versus reactive
  • dedication
  • approaching things differently
  • and having lots of FUN!


Mission statement:  We reworded our mission statement to be, “Our mission is to inform and educate students about women’s rights, women’s issues, and feminism.  As feminists, we critique patriarchy and offer an alternative for the benefit of all.”


Officer Appointments:

  • President: Amanda Williams
  • Vice President: Andrea Platt
  • Secretary: Lizzy Brignac
  • Historian: Dulce Islas
  • Publicity Managers: (working together) Ariadna, Lisa, Tananda, Boby
  • Social Planner: Still sort of up for grabs; if you’re interested LET US KNOW!  Matt, Lisa, and Paula said they could help out with this one on an intermittent basis.  This person helps plan social events for SFO members to hang out together outside of school and meetings, like movie nights, etc.

Fundraising Ideas:

  • Bake sales: last semester we raised funds this way; attach condoms and SFO info to baked goods for increased sales!
  • T shirt sales
  • Music Shows (Paula May, maybe Anatomy of a Soul)
  • Get donations from restaurants/businesses/organizations

Campaigns and Issues:

  • September:
  • Debunking Myths about Feminism: this is a great recruitment event
  • Body Image Public Service Ads
  • National Sex Ed Week of Action: condom passout
  • Begin work on Vagina Monologues
  • This weekend: Mercury Phoenix Trust Fund event: get info from Katie
  • October:
  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month event
  • Domestic Violence Awareness Month event
  • Love your Body Day (October 21)
  • Continue work on Vagina Monologues
  • November:
  • Abortion workshops
  • Vagina Monologues publicity and performances
  • Other ideas:
  • Sex Trafficking Awareness Week event (we are finding out the date on this one)
  • Fundraiser party for NARAL Texas in Austin
  • Work with younger girls, high schools
  • Work with GLOBAL
  • Write letters to our congresspeople

Other thoughts:

  • Susan brought up a good question:  What if someone considers him or herself a feminist, but doesn’t agree with one of the main principles of our organization, and still wants to participate?  Our response to this (at least my own personal response) is that we as an organization are truly committed to several principles and issues, and we organize our events and energy around those issues.  We welcome all viewpoints in our meetings wholeheartedly, and we believe in the power of individual choice.  If there’s an issue that someone doesn’t agree with/want to work on with SFO, they are by no means required to do so in order to stay a member.  :)
  • Marianela brought up the point of “uniting principles,” those issues which we as a group are committed to supporting.  So for our next meeting, be thinking of some uniting principles you’d like to see SFO stand behind.  Examples are reproductive freedom, pay equality, etc.