February 2007: UPDATE
I want update the membership on the grant that we have applied for from the Department
of Health. The Department of Health is now stating that the grant period
will not start until June 2008. That being the case, it now seems possible that we will
not hear anything until May or even June. What we will be doing in the interim is
continue to look at ways we can improve the management and effectiveness of Rainbow
Seniors. If we are fortunate and secure the Department of Health Grant, we will
have the structures in place to move rapidly to implement our proposed action plan.
We will be looking to improve our budgeting processes, strengthen our committee
structure, and develop a fund-raising strategy. As I stated last month we cannot just
depend on State funding if we are to be successful in implementing our Mission and
Goals. So again, I urge all of you to consider being one of the Rainbow Pioneers by
sending a check to Rainbow Seniors for $50 or more, during this fiscal year which
ends June 30, 2008. This is, of course, in addition to your yearly dues. Please support
Rainbow Seniors.
Some things you can do to take your mind off the winter weather. You can attend the
GAGV Sweetheart Ball, February 16. It looks like it's going to be a good time, and it's
not just for couples anymore. Attend the Rainbow Seniors’ Intergenerational Panel
at the First Universalist Church March 16; this is one of our key events and always
an inspirational time. This year it is shaping up to be another great event. And it’s
not too early to start planning to attend Rainbow Seniors' Spring Dance May 3.
The Empire State Pride Agenda's Equality and Justice (E & J) Day is taking place in
Albany on April 29. The event is a good way to meet with your State Legislators and
let them know your thinking on issues that affect you and other LGBT individuals
across New York State. While Rainbow Seniors, as an organization, cannot lobby the
Legislature, as private citizens you can attend. This year the day before E & J Day,
April 28, the Senior Issues Committee of the New York State GLBT Health and Human
Services Network, of which we are a member, will be sponsoring an educational
Senior Summit about issues affecting LGBT seniors in New York State. This event
will also be taking place in Albany. This would be a great way to meet other GLBT
seniors from around the State. The details on the Senior Summit are still in the planning
stage, but if you were to attend both the Senior Summit and E & J. Day, it would
require two days of missed work. Costs around transportation and lodging are still
being looked at. It may not be easy for many of you to attend these events, but it
would be great to have some representation from Rainbow Seniors. Look at your calendar
and see if attendance would be possible. More details will be provided when
available.
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February 2007
Hi everyone. What a busy February this has been! It was
grant month for Rainbow Seniors and we have been finishing
up our paperwork for our second grant from the
LGBT Health and Human Services Network (The Network)
of Empire State Pride Agenda. As we prepare to
submit a preliminary budget for our third, yes third,
grant, it would be great to hear from the membership as
to how we should use these funds. The Board of Directors
has some ideas, but we would love to hear it from you. Speaking of
the Board of Directors, we have a new board member. Brian Hurlburt
has been voted in to finish a term until June. We are so glad to have him
aboard. Welcome!
So what's up for March? I know the Intergenerational Panel on March
18th is going to be awesome. DeeDee Corcimiglia has been working on
this event for many months and wants you to know it's for the community
at large, so bring your friends, family, co-workers, anyone who
would appreciate a thought-provoking and inspirational timeout from
our busy lives. This is one of those take-time-to-smell-the-roses events
as far as I'm concerned. Check the newsletter for location and time.
Hope to see you there!
And it's not too early to mention RS elections, which take place in
June. If you are interested in furthering the efforts of Rainbow Seniors
by serving on the Board, contact anyone on the Board for more
information.
Happy Wearin' o the Green. We all get to be Irish for a day. Enjoy!
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January 2007
Happy New Year! It's hard to believe we're a month into 2007. I hope this will be an excellent year for each of us and a better year for our struggling government.
Rainbow Seniors has definitely started off on the right foot in 2007, with several exciting changes in the works.
You're reading one big change: this newsletter. Our new editor, Brian Hurlburt, is enhancing and transforming Rainbow Seniors' Voices. I am thrilled to say that he has taken on this project with great enthusiasm and creativity.
Another great news item: We've signed the lease for our own office and drop-in space at DUPC—Downtown United Presbyterian Church. Totally accessible, how cool is that??! We will have actual hours for folks to stop by, space to meet, maybe make that sign language class and/or ballroom dancing class a reality! Endless possibilities.... As of this writing, we will be moving in mid February—early March!
We've got a dynamic Intergenerational Panel coming up on Sunday, March 18, 4-6 p.m. (details in flyer enclosed). DeeDee Corcimiglia is coordinating this yearly community event and has a great group of participants lined up. Please join us for pizza, salad, dessert, and conversation immediately after the panel.
I just read a compelling article in AARP The Magazine January/February 2007, “On The Brain, We're Wired to Connect.” Author Mark Matousek reviews Dr. Daniel Goleman's book, Social Intelligence. In a nutshell, social intelligence includes creating more positive, attentive human connections. Recent research shows that the brain is social, that one person's inner state affects another person. Positive interactions release feel-good chemicals, enhancing our im-mune systems and decreasing stress hormones. Positive energy we project affects those around us in beneficial ways, just as we can drink in the positive energy of those around us.
Even without the snow, the dreariness of Rochester winters can affect us all. Many of us, my-self included, struggle with Sea-sonal Affective Disorder (SAD). One of the symptoms is a desire to escape via sleeping more, eat-ing more, spending more time alone. But like the Matousek article emphasizes, positive interaction with others is a critical human need. I bet calling a friend whom you haven't spoken with recently, just to say hello, will release some of your feel-good chemicals and give your spirit a boost. This is an especially important season to be around those with positive energy.
On a different note, let us know how you like the newsletter, let us know your thoughts in general. We want to know what kinds of programs and services you'd like. Reach us at our Info Line, 585-234-1290, via email at RSWNY@rainbowseniorswny.org, or through our Web site at www.rainbowseniorswny.org. Rainbow Seniors belongs to all of us!
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