Notes from meeting of Older Lesbians on the Island (OLI)

Notes from meeting of Older Lesbians on the Island (OLI)

Date: November 25, 2009

Recorded by: Marlene Cust

In attendance: Vikki Sweeney
Sharon King
Shirley Routliffe
braude
Marlene Cust
Regrets
Claire T
Carol S

1. REVIEW

We did a quick review of what we have done so far as an ad hoc committee to look into housing options for seniors. The focus has evolved from looking into senior care facilities and other housing options to - more specifically - home care as being probably the most desirable and affordable option for most of us.

We revisited our original idea of developing an outline for a course dealing specifically with lesbians and home care as an adjunct to an existing program at UVIC or Camosun. The other option which has been floated is offering a workshop to graduates of these programs. In either case, participants would then get a certificate indicating they had taken the course or workshop to add to their qualifications.
There was some discussion about the feasibility of hiring home care workers and possible union and seniority issues. We also discussed the possibility of applying for a grant to assist in the development of our project.

The group agreed, as had been discussed at an earlier meeting, that the Core Process, facilitated by braude, would be a useful tool to facilitate discussion on the topic.
We need:
- to set a date
- to find a suitable venue: wall space, good parking, good seating, ability to have a food break (kitchen would be ideal). Possibilities of venue include CNIB, Church of Truth, James Bay Community Centre, Quality Inn, Sunrise
- to advertise and set up a registration process

braude indicated: The Core Process does not assume anything
Participants will be asked to brainstorm the question: as we age what do we need and want as lesbians? Discussion will then evolve towards setting goals, determining steps towards these goals, and deciding on and assigning specific tasks to willing and volunteers.

2. NAME

Up until now we have called ourselves an ad hoc committee. We agreed it was important to establish our identity as a group totally separate from VLSCS and others. We decided to call our group Older Lesbians on the Island (OLI).

The steering committee for OLI will be limited to those women who have participated in meetings up to this point: Sharon, braude, Shirley, Clare, Mara, Marilyn, Vikki, Carol, Vita, Niomi, Claire

3. WEBSITE
Sharon has taken the initiative to develop a website for our group. Sharon asked for ideas about how the website can help our group. Some suggestions are:
- change name of website to Older Lesbians on the Island (OLI)
- use larger font and darker type
- list details of rentals available or wanted
- link to resources and articles
- put in a disclaimer
- include "about us", steering committee photos and bio
- use for handling email, contacts, communication

4. TASKS

- braude
will find the most suitable venue and book it for Saturday, Jan. 30
will facilitate Core Process meeting
will ask Nici (her daughter in HR at Camosun) to get us a course outline\ for home care program at Camosun
will talk to Marjorie and Carol (professors) at UVIC to attend our project core day

- Sharon
will continue to develop the website
will get more info from/about Plum Living
will keep Kim Dixon (director of James Bay New Horizon who is supportive of our process) informed
will work on advertising the event

- Vikki will cover cost of braude as well as venue/food up to $75

- Shirley will work with Sharon on advertising

- Marlene
will be recorder for meetings
will handle contacts, rgistration and emails
will help maintain the website



5. NEXT MEETING

Wed., Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m. at Serious Coffee (across from JBNH)