TMC Administration Notes - April/May 2004

Letter from the Chair

Hey there. Just a quick word on the Men's Center before I share a thought or two. The last board meeting was long and productive. We continue to work on plans to accomplish our annual goals and if we're clever and committed things will happen. Of course the call for volunteers will be coming. Board members are periodically reminded of the nature of group work and how important it is that participants treat each other well. It's the nature of the beast and we are aware that this is an ongoing job. As always, feed-back to board members on Center matters is encouraged.

Now I'll shift gears.

"How are you doing?" Answer, "I'm so busy." or "I'm stressin." Others I hear most often are about being tired and unsettled in some way. To save time I'd suggest that we now just answer with, "I'm so b.u.s.t.ed (busy, unsettled, stressed, tired)." Working with low-income families who've caught the county's attention allows me to mingle with very b.u.s.t.ed people and yet often there's a strength in the home that's stunning. Sure, there are many dads who are 'not in the picture' anymore and what's left of extended family is feeling tapped out big time. But if I ask the question to them I might hear something like, "I'm blessed." Psychological testing used to be my first thought after hearing this but not any more.

What's the opposite answer to b.u.s.t.ed anyway? Could it be something as sappy sounding as, "I feel loved." or some more manly reply like, "I feel strong because I know good people who care." Think about it the next time you ask the question to a close friend or family member. What will you hope they'll be able to say and what can you do to help?

Bob Eng
Board Chair
Library Corner

–– Randy Genrich, Librarian

Using the library is a membership privilege. To check out a book, all you have to do is write your name. phone number, and the date on a checkout card and leave it in the box. Or just come in and browse – you will be surprised at how stimulating it can be to expose yourself to the books in our collection. So come on in and take a look.

We also have many periodicals available for your use, such as:

  • Men's Health
  • Voice Male
  • Lavender
  • Men's Journal
  • Transitions
  • Rainbow Families
  • Bi All Means
  • Wellness Journal
  • The Edge
  • and Everyman
    (The Jan-Mar 2004 issue focus is on Pornography including powerful excerpts from significant books.)

Please be sure you use the library check-out system. And if you have overdue books, please return them so others can benefit from them.

Enjoy your library!

PRIDE Festival 2004 Update

THANKS AGAIN! For last year's successful weekend due to many Men's Center members and friends assisting in the fun and excitement! Last year's After Festival Survey will be applied to the 2004 event held on June 26th and 27th. We will contact last year's booth attendants and we want new participants to share this years event. Our ears are listening for a CO-coordinator recommendation from YOU people. This year, my schedule will not require me to be in Wisconsin and in Minneapolis on the same weekend as Pride Festival. With that alone, I'm looking for more fun this year!

NEWS from Faribault, MN from our (SUPERTRUCK) Operators: A NEW music sound system has been installed on the Men's Center Parade Unit. We are looking forward to having MUSIC BACK in our Sunday Parade! Rich and Mike have spent much time, money and effort to bring to us our (SUPERTRUCK) so, when you see them PLEASE thank them for the visibility they have given to the Men's Center!

Jerry Olson, Pride Coordinator