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AGM 2008
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Annual General Meeting 2008

The Centre
November 9, 2008
Start time: 12:45 pm
End time: 3:30 pm
Location: Peterborough Public Library

Attendance: 21 persons (refer to sign up sheet for names).

  1. Introduction and Welcome- by Sara and Meagan.
  2. Presentation by Lindsay Adams- presenting her witnessing of shifts of the discourse and policy of a women's center. Shift to Trans inclusion and accessibility- beyond sexism talk about racism, colonialism, and different forms of oppression. Recognizing that various forms of oppression connect and reinforce each other. Keep principle on an anti-oppression framework. Trans-phobia is one of sexism's most advanced forms, this is why it should be included in the center's agenda. Second wave feminism has historically excluded trans-gendered and trans-sexual individuals. The anti-oppression framework challenges this by presenting power relations as fluid and constantly changing. Most forms of excluding trans individuals is not only sexist, but also racist. Encouraging everyone who is involved to challenge their own privileges and position within power relations. Revising policies focusing on using inclusive language, expanding resources (library), expanding workshops (trans 101 workshop is mandatory), there has to be a position on the collective at all times who is focused on trans issues, and change of name.
    Name change: to reflect where the center is going- something that was not reflected in the previous name. being identified with second wave feminism was restricting the center. Members found the change scary and with anxiety. The center still continue to be space for women who need a refuge from patriarchal oppression, it just expanded t be a place of refuge to various forms of oppression. Rules about who can staff the center also changed. At least one female identified person has to be there at all times (this presents the acknowledgment of the center to remain to be a safe place for women, but with expansion). Another important issues is to question who is the center serving? Is it serving all women, or not providing support for women of color or Muslim, women? The center is not identity based organization but support identity based issues by having groups that are identity issues focused (issues regarding women of color for example). WOCG (Women of Color Group) is still conservative on having a women identified only space. They consider trans men or anyone who looks like a man to be threat. They believe that having a man on the collective would change the dynamics. Members of WOCG seemed to identify with second wave feminism in a way that the organization in general does not. The reluctance to include trans inclusion is a move for addressing issues of racism within the center. Members from WOCG said that even though the center has changed the name and the language to move away from white dominated discourse and to be more inclusive, but they see moving towards anti-oppressive language to be a means to obscure power dynamics that still occur- so changing the language does not necessarily mean changing the politics and mentality of the center. Official policy to boycott non-trans inclusive organizations- the Trent Women's Center has to be careful with such boycott policies because those who propose it are mainly white, middle class feminists who portray other organizations (mainly of Women of color) are backwards organizations who are not tarns-inclusive. This expresses class and political ignorance in general. Take in account that while the center needs to encourage trans-inclusion, it should realize other groups serve certain populations and stand within certain financial and funding limitations.
  3. Trans Needs Assessment by Kira Allenye- TCCBE project. Kira took the project for the Trent Women's Center (focus on trans inclusively in the Center). Methodology: used a survey method. Result: there was a need for the Center to shift from second wave feminist framework to a more inclusive framework (in terms of language, events, staff and steering collective membership). Received inputs from 8 individuals. Primary concern: general climate of ignorance and trans-phobia in Peterborough and Trent University. Lack of trans-inclusive knowledge production and how to address that. Trent Counseling services and health services unprepared to deal with trans issues- forms have stating male or female- washrooms are not tarns inclusive. People harassed on way home after events like Drag shows. Lack of experience and sensitivity in the work places in Peterborough and Trent. The surveyed individuals stated that they access their information about Trans issued from resources such as books and the Internet. Kira recommends the expansion of resources in libraries and organizations like OPIRG. Advocating for mandatory anti-oppression training in the ISW and within all organizations on campus and in community, having a preferred name option for student cards, creating a resource binder in the Alternative Library, running a radio show in collaboration with the Older Women network. At this pint, the Trent Women's Center has showed effort in shifting towards a trans inclusive atmosphere (2002 film festival, in 2006 events became opened to women and trans people and people who are not identified with a certain gender). Last April in AGM the steering collective approved of including a trans position within the hiring at the Center. Recommendation: the space at the Center was very "woman-y" working within a second wave framework. A change of name will reflect the public awareness of the center to be an inclusive space. Changing the letterhead and the logos of the centre. All staff and volunteers should have a mandatory anti-oppression and trans 101 workshops. Collaborations with other centers like the UFT center, York Center and Guelph Center, who are becoming progressive in this sense. Suggested name: The Center for Education on Gender Based Discrimination.
  4. Focus Groups- Name change, Mandate, and Policy
    • Revamping of the Mandate and the Mission Statement- Facilitated by Tania
      Revising the services the Trent Women's Centre provides.
      What is a mandate: identifying the purpose of an agency. Articulating what is mandatory and what is agreed on and to carry on responsibilities of an organization. What is the politics of this organization. What is the organization about and for whom?
      Revising the existing mandate (which needs to be changed). Using the flip board for suggestions:
      • The exclusive focus on gender equality should be changed to an anti oppressive framework.
      • Recognizing that different forms of oppression are cooperative/intersecting.
      • striving towards being inclusive, Process acknowledgement
      • Mandate: gender equality, reclaiming equity, decolonize gender inequality, Language: gender justice.
      • For whom are we a Center? Community membership- should we define? People who identify with/ agree with out common goals/politics (intersect in learning).
      • Recognizing broader community, not just students.
      • Trying not to group people based on identity/ affiliation with an ideal/politics.
      • Should state what is an open space --- open to all genders.
      • from the mandate: state services/ support provided/ who are the people we work with (more detailed). Through website, pamphlets, etc…
      • Changing of the use of terms like mandate or mission statement, which originally come from a patriarchal, colonial language. Accessible language. Using a term like "basis for unity" instead of "mandate". "Who are we", "Our Goals". Something more politicized "like using a manifesto".
      • Changing the sentences and names should not be a rushed process. Today we give our individual input and then assign task forces for change. Perhaps appointing another membership meeting before the next AGM in the end of March.
      • Changing the name should be the last thing to be done. The name will be based on the revised policies that will be changed.
      • Tasks forces can have several focus groups and meetings. Including students and members of the community. Policy change should be a process.
      • Up until then, we can still continue to do what we want to do in a more progressive way. Start the change through the events.
      • Take the existing mandate down from the website and replace with "under construction" until the new one is formulated.
      • Working on a general statement about the mandate being changed. Reflecting on Kira's report. From there, the task force will be able to take what the progressions that we reach. We should not take a linear process for change, but a circular one acknowledging that things are constantly changing. Something that would hold us accountable that the change process is taking place.
      • Once we form task forces they can start open forums.
      • Initial statement until we achieve the change:
        "The Center's membership has agreed that it will restructure and reorganize its space, services, resources and language to reflect a more trans and gender inclusive and anti-oppressive framework. A task force has been form to review the Center's policies, mandate and name and propose changes. We are currently implementing changes that may not be reflected in the current mandate and policies we value. Any inputs, suggestions, questions and ideas are actively welcomed. Please contact us via email at info@trentwomencentre.com or drop by the Center."
    • Also including the trans committee email address.
    • Sign up sheet passing through the room for forming a task force.
    • Session closed.
  5. Regroup: Discussion
  6. Any Other Business
  7. Adjournment

 

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