November 4, 2018

November Meeting Spruce Grove GSA Youth Action Committee
 
Names/Pronouns
 
Honour First Nation’s Métis and Inuit
 

• I am very excited to welcome our special guests from SAGA for the evening! They will be hanging out with us and telling us all about the amazing things that they do within their organization!

 
What’s Happening!

• The 7th annual GSA conference is coming up on Saturday November 17th. There will be 8 youth representing our GSA. This is a huge honour. I will have letters for your guardians where we will meet  IF you need a ride into Edmonton.
• Our GSA was also approached by SOGI 123 to take part of a video that will be airing on YouTube in the New Year. SOGI is and acronym for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. SOGI 123 is currently expanding across Canada. They help educators make schools inclusive and safe for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities. If you think your school may be interested please have them connect with me and I will give them the information. To learn more about SOGI 123 please go to this link - sogieducation.org

• On the last Wednesday of the month in Stony Plain the Parkland QSA meets from 6-8pm in the Stony Plain Public Library! This is nice and close for anyone who can get to the Stony Plain Public Library!

 
Attendance/Volunteers

• A few kids have reached their 6th visit to the GSA from the date we started ACTUALLY recording attendance. We began officially recording attendance at our 5th month, in June.
• Our Key chains and Dog Tags will also be available for purchase on our website for $15. Plus shipping.
• I also have a list of the hours you have volunteered, if you are interested in knowing your totals for scholarship application purposes, I have those totals available.  
• We are searching for volunteers ages 16 and over. These volunteers can be youth, friends, or family. We are looking for people to work bingos on specific dates, but we are also looking for someone to form a fundraising volunteer committee to benefit the LGBTQ community in Spruce Grove.

 
GSA Leaders/Other Organizations/New Business

• Other Organizations  

As a Society our goal is to ALWAYS support other GSA/QSAs and organizations, whether they have 2 members or 200. As a youth within our GSA your job is to always speak of other organizations with respect. I have spoken about this with other schools and organizations and their views are in line with the Spruce Grove GSA Society’s. 
 

• New Leaders  

We have had a vacant position for two leaders for some time, and I would like to take this time to nominate two amazing individuals. You are looked at as a leader in the GSA and at school. You are expected to be a friend and ally, and help youth within your community. 
 
 
T-Shirts/Hoodies?

• Is anyone interested if I started pricing out clothing items? What type of things are you interested in?

 
NEW TOPICS: Because of our Halloween Party, we didn’t get to topics!

• Respecting Pronouns
• Pronouns Matter. Pronouns are also very personal. When you introduce yourself with your pronouns, you are giving a piece of your identity. Sometimes not everyone is ready to give their pronouns. We have to respect everyone’s pronouns and the right to use them or not. Never mock or ridicule someone over their pronouns. Pronouns matter.

 
TOPICS (old topics)

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Homework Stress
• Friends/Family

 
Important Phone Numbers!!!
RCMP
911
780-962-2222 Spruce Grove 24 hours
780-968-7267 Stony Plain 24 hours
 
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
Kidshelpphone.ca
24 hour, anonymous phone counselling for children and youth, 100% confidential and they do not trace calls, they do not have call display, and you do not have to tell them your name. You can connect by phone, mobile app, or through the website.