Director's Column: A Look to 2009
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank. Writer (1929-1945)
It is the beginning of 2009! A new year- this offers each of us multiple chances for new beginnings, friendships, collaborations, and change. What will each of you do with your many chances to create the life, world, or society you have always wanted or dreamt to be possible? There are many ways we can as individuals become part of the larger good and help create a better world.
Not unlike other nonprofits, the LGBT Resource Center for the Seven Rivers Region depends on donations, individual memberships, corporate memberships, and volunteers to meet its mission and do the work we do. It is a true collaborative effort that comes from a diverse group of individuals that share collective vision- equality for all members of our community. It is an honor for the Center to work with each of you as we move forward in 2009.
We will continue to be a voice and strong advocate for our service area: Allamakee and Winneshiek Counties in Iowa; La Crosse, Jackson, Monroe, Trempealeau and Vernon Counties in Wisconsin; Houston, Fillmore, and Winona Counties in Minnesota. It is a goal for 2009, to reach out to communities throughout our service area to build our membership, expand our reach, and ensure that more people are aware of the Center and our services.
If you have never stopped in the Center please make it a personal goal to do so this year. We have a small cozy office that is a great place to come find resources, a great read, and two computers with internet access, Wi-Fi and more. We are your Center, come see what we have to offer you.
As it often happens with the start of a new year, resolutions are made, goals are set, and hope is reborn. So it is only fitting that the Center makes some resolutions, goals, and shares our hopes for 2009, here they are:
- We resolve to stand firm in our belief that all individuals deserve equal rights.
- We resolve to be a strong ally to those that are out and those that cannot be.
- It is our goal to become more visible in the community and welcome new allies.
- It is our goal to speak up, speak out, and demand discrimination stop based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
- We hope for an inclusive ENDA (Employee Non Discrimination Act).
- We hope for the right to marry and have our relationships recognized.
- We hope to make the world a friendlier place for LGBT people so we can all live out and proud.
In solidarity and with hope for a phenomenal 2009!
Peace & belief,
Rosanne St. Sauver
Executive Director