Minutes of last mtg

GRANDMOTHERS OF STEEL MEETING
Tuesday, April 17, 7:00
Michael DeGroote Centre of Learning building, McMaster
Members present- Anne Philpot, Georgina Hewitt, Jan Lukas, Bithika Raychaudhuri, Shirley Routliffe, Kay O'Sullivan, Sue Hanna, Maureen Godden, Mane Arratia, Heather Johnston, Ruth Pearson, Barb Benjamin, Mary Beech, Jessie Kaye, Eileen Benson, Shelley Porteous, Rose Janson, Theresa Randles, Amita Raha, Aditi Raha
Regrets- Martha Paynter, Maggie Thomas, Judian Shardlow, Lisbie Rae
Pre-meeting scarf/jewelry/print sale
Anne introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Basanti Majumdar.
Key points of Dr. Majumdar's presentation on Empowerment: -the women are very active, creative and industrious in Africa, so the focus of strategies for Income generation is local business women.
-empowerment in terms of primary health care involves providing basic knowledge about major diseases (signs, symptoms), malnutrition, infection
-the impact on women is improved nutrition, increased assets, household stability, improved intra-family relationships and increased social status
-HIV/AIDS can't be considered in a vacuum. Biological determinants are one thing, social determinants are another. Poverty (which often connects to war), education, access to health care, depression, women's status all have a strong co-relation to HIV/AIDS
Dr. Majumdar then showed slides of Income generation and Health and Lifestyle from Zambia and South Africa.
The rest of the meeting mostly dealt with updates and information.
-a reminder that the production of Half Life in Waterdown on April 26 is a Grandmothers of Steel fundraiser and could generate $4,000.00+.
-Theresa spoke to a group at Christ Church in Flamborough, and received $96.00 in donations plus sold 6 sets of cards. She also held a scarf/jewelry fundraiser at her school and raised $246.00. She, her daughter and Barb made a banner that was presented to the group. Proofs of some of the drawings were also presented to the group.
-Anne offered to have any interested members put their names into a draw for the May 11 premier of "A Generation of Orphans" in Toronto. Since we will be having a showing of the DVD in Hamilton, Theresa and Anne will go to the premier.
-Anne reminded the group that Stephanie Nolan is speaking at the AGH on Monday, April 23. She encouraged members to send letters and petitions to the government re. Bill C9.
-Anne then showed the group the package she has produced for Canada-wide distribution of the card design discs (for grandmother groups interested in producing cards for fundraising). These will be available at the price of $20.00 which covers the cost of making and sending them.
-She will be speaking to the Retired Women Teachers on Oct. 17. Jan offered to sell cards at this event.
-There are plans in the making for a Grandmother March in Ottawa on Grandparents' Day, Sept. 9. More information will come from a meeting of Toronto and Region Grandmothers on Sunday, April 22. One member from each group is asked to attend. Theresa is going.
-Plans for the Mother's Day showing of 'A Generation of Orphans' is set for the Sky Dragon at 1:00, May 13. Theresa has tickets made, at $10.00 for members and $20.00 for public. Barb gave background information about the Sky Dragon. Leah Campbell has agreed to host, and since she was involved with the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign at the SLF, has indepth knowledge. Barb has volunteered to help set up and attend door. Shelley has agreed to help Theresa sell tickets through OPIRG at McMaster.
-Shirley gave a financial update and announced that a second cheque for $2,500.00 has been given to Anne to present to Julie and Ilana tomorrow. She and Theresa will meet them at Sisters of Notre Dame in Waterdown.
-Ruth mentioned an article about Canadian Grandmothers' support of African Grandmothers in a recent CARP magazine, and will look into getting permission to reprint the article.
-Our next meeting is May 16. Location to come. We will be viewing the uncut version of 'The man who wouldn't sleep'. Anne mentioned that Liz Marshall got copies of this DVD for all grandmother groups. All grandmother groups have also been given a DVD of the Gathering in August 2006. (80 minutes long).
-Tentative date for the June potluck meeting at Theresa's is June 14.
-Rose asked the group to use the coming election time as an opportunity to push for Canada's unmet promise of .7%.
-meeting adjourned