February 18, 2009 Meeting

Hello everyone.

Here's what happened at our meeting.

We discussed the Vagina Monologues and the OXFAM event. Feel free to ask about those. I'm not really going to go into detail here.

We'd like to remind you to bring in the NARAL petitions for the Reproductive Health Act that Sue handed out the other week. If you don't have one and would like to sign it or have others sign it, you can find it here: www.prochoiceny.org/getinvolved/alerts/00705221.shtml. If the link does not work, please e-mail Sue or let me know.

We also discussed the possibility of doing a NARAL Campus Challenge action, which is either a campaign, event or program in which we get the word out on Emergency Contraception (EC). We haven't decided anything yet but the event should be for March. Start thinking about possible ideas that you may have! We'd love to hear from people!

Also, March 25th (which is a ways away so I will post a reminder once the day nears) there is teh NYC Day of Action with NARAL where people stand outside subway stations all over NYC and hand out condoms and information about EC. You can go to www.prochoiceny.org to find out more information or e-mail Sue.

There is also a volunteer event coming up this Saturday with ACT (Against Child Trafficking), a student group at NYU. They will be sorting clothing for the girls of GEMS (Girls Education and Mentoring Services), which GEMS received from their clothing drive. This is a great event and a time to meet people from other clubs and do something to help out girls from NYC that are victims of human trafficking. It's this Saturday (Feb. 21) from 12-4 at 298B W. 149th Street, New York, NY 10039 (Just east of the corner of 149th and Fredrick Douglass Blvd--Go to www.hopstop.com for train directions). Please try to bring hangers!!! Feel free to contact Ebony Rentas, Chair of GEMS Volunteer Committee. Tell her Chanelle told you about the event.

Last, but certainly not least, is our exciting event for this coming Friday. Julie sent an e-mail over the listserve but here it is as a reminder: NOW-NYU presents: “Are We Global Citizens or Not? An interactive evening with author, activist and NYU leadership professor Irshad Manji”How many times have you been told that “you can’t comment if you don’t represent?” How many times have you said that to fellow activists, believing that we shouldn’t stick our noses in other people’s business? In an interdependent world, is there such a thing as “other” people?Irshad Manji says no; we’re all in it together. That’s what it means to be global citizens. She makes the case in her internationally best-selling book, The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith. Since then, Irshad has joined NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service, where she serves as Director of the Moral Courage Project — a leadership program that mentors students to speak truth to power, even at the price of personal backlash.Her motto: Courage is not the absence of fear; courage is the recognition that some things are more important than fear!In that spirit, Irshad and NOW-NYU invite you to join a vibrant conversation about changing the world. On Friday evening, Feb 20, we’ll screen Irshad’s Emmy-nominated PBS film, “Faith Without Fear,” which chronicles her journey to reconcile Islam with human rights. The film raises questions about freedom, rights, responsibilities and, above all, courage. Irshad will then open up a discussion with all of us. Bring your voices with you.WHEN: Friday, February 20th, 5:30 - 7:30 pmWHERE: Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, NYU; 295 Lafayette St (at Houston), Rice Conference Room; Come to 2nd floor reception and one of the organizers will be on hand to lead you to the room. PLEASE RSVP TO JULIE KILGER (e-mail on the left-hand side of the screen). We need to know how many people plan to attend this event.

Support our lovely lady (and others) at the TBNYU! Occupation!

Love,
Sarah