Minutes of last mtg

Grandmothers of Steel Meeting
Monday, March 19, 7:00 pm
West Hall, Sts Peter and Paul Church
Members present- Anne Philpot, Theresa Randles, Barb Benjamin, Jan Lukas, Mary Dayman, Joan Field, Heather Johnston, Georgina Hewitt, Ruth Pearson, Diane Keesmaat, Leslie Wiens, Mary Beech, Bithika Raychaudhuri, Eileen Benson
Regrets- Jessie Kaye, Martha Paynter, Shelley Porteous, Lisbie Rae, Shirley Routliffe, Mane Arratia, Rosemary Aswani, Patricia Reid
Meeting started with a jewelry/scarf sale.
Anne introduced the first speaker: Nancy Lemay of the Public Health Department (STD Clinics and Sexual Health Services) who did a power-point presentation on HIV/AIDS. Key points dealt with basic HIV/AIDS information (definitions, how HIV can and cannot be contracted, testing, rapid testing, prevention, risk factors, disclosure and pre-natal screening)
Anne then introduced the second speaker: Irene Banda-Beer, a guest from Zambia. Key points from her talk include an explanation of the two types of HIV: Type 1 being prevalent in South Africa, Zambia, Lesotho and Botswana, and Type 2 being a slower strain. She discussed a project proposal that she is submitting to the SLF, requesting funds for such things as training counsellors, lobbyists, lawmakers, support and treatment personnel. The focus is on providing help for girls ( as young as infants) who are rape victims of male adults. She explained that men believe sex with a virgin will cure them of sexually-transmitted diseases. Though police in Zambia are trained to be empathetic to the problem, and civil societies such as the YWCA do counselling, home visits and hospital care, they are limited by financial restraints and ignorance. The main problem is lack of political will, though punishments for the crimes are becoming more severe. She also fielded questions about mother-to-child spread of HIV and pointed out that women, because of their poverty, have no choice but to nurse their infants thereby spreading the disease.
Anne presented the speakers with card-sets in thanks for their presentations and the meeting began.
The disc with the card-designs is ready and requests are coming in from Grandmother groups across Canada. Information about the cards has been posted on the listserve.
Anne has been invited to Waterdown Notre Dame Sisters on April 18- Ilana and Julie from SLF will be present. Perhaps another cheque from the Grandmothers of Steel could be passed on at that time.
Anne had masters of the Grandmothers of Steel brochure and 1-pager. She identified a cost involved in printing these on good quality card-stock. It was suggested that money from jewelry/ scarf sales etc. be used as a slush-fund to cover these types of costs. The group agreed with this suggestion.
No news regarding Theatre plans.
Financial report- In February there was a balance of over $1,000.00 in the account, and $700.00 was brought in at the meeting.
Anne said there had been no further response from the AIDS organization re. Grandmother participation in the Walk for Life. Anne suggested that on Grandparents Day (Sept. 9) a march in Ottawa for the intent of education and lobbying might be an idea worth pursueing.
There was a report on recent presentations. Lisbie had presented to the Strabane Women's Institute in February and had submitted a $135.00 donation from them. She has also been asked to present to the Women of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Freelton on September 18. Theresa is presenting to a group at Christ Church in Flamborough on Sunday, March 25. Anne will be presenting to the Zonta club in the fall. She also suggested that some members might contact schools/Boards for education opportunities. Diane mentioned that the Retired Women Teachers Org. would be a worthwhile group to present to and that the opportunity might come Oct. 10-17. Jan suggested that student-council presidents should be spoken to now in order for them to plan fundraising events for the fall. They will be meeting in May. Jan will find out more details.
We will have a table to sell cards and prints on May 10 at the Oomama presentation of Stephen Lewis. Anne, Jan and Theresa are attending. Georgina is also getting a ticket.
Anne said that there has been no response from Christine Magill about our request to book Stephen Lewis.
Anne told the group about plans to have prints made of some of the drawings. At this point they will be proofs, and will be presented to the group at the next meeting before they are sold anywhere else. They will be signed and sold for $40.00. The more popular images will then be printed as limited editions.
Materials have come from the SLF: The uncut version (90 minutes) of 'The Man Who Wouldn't Sleep', and the book 'The Dawn of a New Movement', are available from Anne to book or borrow. The women and orphan DVD's are yet to come.
Sunday, Apr. 22 is the next Toronto and area Grandmothers meeting. Theresa is going to try to get more information and go. If anyone is interested in going, let her know.
Barbara has made a donation to Grandmothers of Steel for the SLF as a wedding gift. Jan suggested we put this idea on our blog. We also discussed how members should let Theresa know about such things as member illnesses or family deaths so that a card could be sent on behalf of the group.
Members are asked, if they are willing, to send brief bios to Theresa to add to our membership records. This is meant as a way to identify the resources within our own group. Also members are asked to let her know if they would prefer to be 'Active members' or 'Friends' of Grandmothers of Steel. An Active member would be anyone who wants to be involved in activities, meetings etc. A Friend would be anyone who wants the information that comes from the SLF and to be kept abreast of things, but cannot be actively involved.
Theresa is going to try to find out about the May 11 event in Toronto with the visiting African Grandmothers.
We are looking for a venue to present the Orphan DVD release on Mother's Day. The AGH is being looked into. Barb suggested the Sky Dragon. The Spectator was also mentioned. Jan suggested we find someone to make us a banner for screenings. Anne will contact the person who printed the cards for possible contacts.
Once events are planned, it is hoped that members might be willing to write articles. Two possibilities are 'Too Good to Miss' page in the Hamilton Spec which is for non-profit and fund-raising events. Another is the OpEd page in the Hamilton Spec. Jan mentioned Evelyn Myrie's writing.
Jan asked members for support on Mar. 30, at 10:30 am. There will be a protest against cuts made to such programmes as Outreach, Status of Women. The protest will take place at the Fed. Government Buildings, across from Copps Colisseum.