Courtney Cogburn (President):

         Welcome and let’s eat first!

Thank you to Sharon for making the huge contribution to making scor diverse and helping us as we go.  Sharon is presented with a gift certificate to Bellanina Day Spa.

Thank you for coming today, we are going to have a very important discussion.

Individuals groups discuss the following points:

What are our past experiences in SCOR and what are some constructive ways to move forward

· Why build such coalitions? Are we a coalition on are we just a group of allies?

o In my opinion (Courtney), we can’t afford to not act as a coalition -- We are facing a political environment in which it’s necessary

· Can we adequately meet the needs of all communities involved in our organization? Ideal v. Best – what would each of these look like?

· What do we need in the “space” of SCOR to build a coalition?

· What do we mean when we say “of color” … is that term helpful, hurtful, impact varies?

· Many of us have never been a part of such a coalition and may not elect to be under any other circumstance

· All of us are not politically motivated, socially motivate – our needs from the organization vary widely – so how does an organization address those diverse needs – and how do you get your needs met?

· Often when discuss and think about diversity we take on the role of teaching others – today, we will set the stage for teaching and learning from each other and ourselves, address diversity within and across our communities and what we need in order to build a coalition across those communities

Whole Group 1 (History, Challenges and Benefits)

History

· What have we inherited?

· Part of our ability to use SCOR as a medium through which we develop coalitions is founded in our beliefs about the purpose/function of the organization.  From your perspectives, what is the purpose of SCOR?

· SCOR is a dynamic organization that changes from year to year.  What has been your experience with the organization in terms of your relationships and/or interactions with other individuals/groups?

· How is this history impacting our ability to form strong coalitions?

o Points that come up:

§ Issues regarding safe space

§ Feeling respected in SCOR space

§ Incidents of being offended, overlooked

§ Feeling supported, safe, included

§ Introduction/Role/Use of caucuses

Challenges

· Building a coalition across multiple racial/ethnic/cultural groups certainly has its challenges – both ideologically and practically.  What do you believe to be some of the challenges we face as an organization – both ideologically and practically?

· Interpersonal v. structural challenges related to coalition building?

o Points that come up:

§ Never worked with other groups before

§ Respecting, Involving unique experiences of our various communities

§ Balance between structure/interpersonal – personal responsibility v. organizational responsibility v. group responsibility

Benefits

· At a minimum, we have the advantage of having an organization through which to address these issues. Some may say that a coalition across our communities is a powerful concept and SCOR creates a vehicle for developing a concept into action – that’s a start.  What are some other strengths/advantages to SCOR?

· What do we stand to gain from a coalition of this nature?

o Points that come up:

§ Concentrated impact

§ Direct connection to Rackham

§ Expanded community

Small Group Facilitation (Solutions & Strategies)

Identifying strengths and weaknesses of SCOR as well as acknowledging our History provides a foundation for moving forward … so what do we do about it?

· How do/should we address negative experience with the organization in the past/present? 

· How can SCOR facilitate the building of bridges between our communities? What does a “bridge” look like in this instance?

· How can SCOR address the varied needs of our communities?

· Intervention can take place on multiple levels: structural (general meetings, caucuses, E-Board, events, etc), interpersonal – community, individual, etc… So how do we intervene on multiple levels?

· There are multiple actors in involved in the “state” of our organization. Who are these actors? How can they each be involved in the growth of the organization?

o Points that come up:

§ Ways to create a safe space – necessary for reaching our goals, for having these discussions

§ Maintenance – maintaining commitment to change

Whole Group Overall thoughts and important points:

Main points discussed in the groups:

       -Most of the groups got stuck on defining exactly what the purpose of SCOR

       is.

                   -Are we facing a common threat?  If so how do we define this threat?

                   -How can we broaden inclusion without devaluing or alienating core

                   members.

                   -Is one group privileged within this organization?  If so how do we work on

                   this?

                   -Everyone agrees that we need to more clearly articulate the political goals of SCOR.

                   -Numbers is not the most important thing, and active core is.  However we want to make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable here.  Who exactly is the core of SCOR?

                   -Multiculturalism creates homogenization in which groups compete over oppressed status.  We need to recognize oppression effects groups (and individuals) differently so the important thing is to recognize a common beneficiary of all of our oppression.

                   -If we are going to use SCOR as a teaching forum about each other we need to know that something tangible will be done with that information.

                   -A good place to start with all of this is really getting to know each other and forming bonds which is often easier to do within smaller groups.

                   -Is there a lack of empowerment or a problematic power structure in SCOR?  (This initiates some heated debate on both sides)

                   -On the positive side, something is obviously working that we can get together and have this conversation at all.

Closing Comments

· Summary/strategies from today’s discussion will be available in next month’s newsletter

· Our work is continuous and does not end with this discussion – OUR commitment to moving forward

· Mike GEO president announces: 1-5 and 1-7 Sat/Sun will be phone banking for the anti-prop 2 effort, bring your cell phones if you can.  On 11/7 GEO office as headquarters for getting the word out to vote no on 2.  Tomorrow 11/4 GEO/SCOR Fundraiser for One United Michigan at Arbor Brewing Company in the taproom.

· LGBT caucuses potluck next 11/11. 

· Mixed Posse caucus meeting Tuesday 11/7 at 6:30. 

· Sanjay: Run for Rackham student government!  Will get an email re Rackham building’s use. 

· Conference committee meeting 11/5 at 2:30 at the Amer’s on State.