TMC Administration Notes - August/September 2004

Letter from the Chair

Summer's flying by and I must confess that it's tempting to let certain duties slide at bit until the weather cools (A/C doesn't count). Why is it that time seems to fly faster under pleasant skies. I am reminded yet again how the work of the MenÕs Center is sustained by the quiet and saintly volunteers behind the scenes (A plug for willing volunteers if I ever heard one).

This issue's subject is on relationships and it has occurred to me that this key area of human endeavor also falls victim to periods of careless disregard and semi-attentive water-treading. Case in point, I recently attempted to discuss and rather serious converation with my significant other while frantically rushing through traffic between appointments. It became apparent, as the frustration level rose, that my lack of attentiveness was insufficient to grasp every subtlety between every word. I would guess that we all go out of focus when we're around those most important to us. On the other hand perhaps you've experienced the feeling of being completing disarmed by another's rapt attention on you. Of course it can't be done in each instance someone wishes it but it certainly has a value and raises the quality of life. It's worth making a high priority even in sunscreen season.

Peace and long life,

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, (current and archive copies) such as:

  • Men's Health
  • Voice Male
  • Lavender
  • Men's Journal
  • Transitions
  • Rainbow Families
  • Bi All Means
  • Wellness Journal
  • The Edge
  • and Everyman
    (The Apr-June '04 issue focus is on War and Peace -- good stuff.)

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 Booth Volunteers Excite Crowds

Our booth goals were met in this year's 2004 GLBT Pride Festival on June 26th and 27th: # 1 Distribute more information, and # 2 Continue to attract festival visitor's into the booth with our Home Town Ribbons and leave with Men's Center knowledge of our services. Men Talk was easier to hand out this year because of our Front Page article "Twin Cities Pride Festival" headline. Challenges surfaced in keeping the front of the booth clear for people to view into the booth and handing out Men Talk to a passerby along with inviting visitors to come in and sign our Ribbons. You guessed it, it took a minimum of two volunteers at any given time to take on these activities simultaneously.

None of the activities would have been possible without the efforts of Steve Larson organizing the following volunteers: Paul B., Dick M., Jim W., Mike C., Mike M., Jerry A., Kevin D., Thomas N., Louis C., and Bobby S. who offered hanging plants to those signing up as new Men's Center members during the festival. Steve Larson and myself also enjoyed booth volunteer time, all in the name of Men's Center Outreach. THANKS GUYS!!!

Jerry Olson, Pride Coordinator