TMC Administration Notes - December 2011 / January 2012

Letter from the Chair

When a man shows up at TCMC for the first time, his focus is usually on himself. He wants to cope with a personal crisis, get through a major life change, or just improve himself in some way. And most men do exactly that. But if he sticks around, he'll discover something unexpected and at least as rewarding - TCMC is a great place to meet and learn from some extraordinary men, men who not only have a wide variety of amazing life experiences, but are also happy to share these experiences with other men.

Hank Bruns is one of these extraordinary men, and even before you finish reading this column, I strongly encourage you to read Dick Madigan's excellent interview with Hank in this issue of Men Talk. It is no overstatement to say that Hank and his wisdom, enthusiasm, and dedication to TCMC touch everyone who comes through our door. From the TCMC Board, to our support groups, our outreach efforts, and our Anger Management Program, Hank has influenced them all.

The opportunity to meet and learn from a man like Hank is a great fringe benefit of being involved with TCMC. But the incredible thing is that there are many such men here. Come to a support group, a Wednesday presentation, or just visit our office some afternoon, and you can't turn around without bumping into a man with some amazing stories to tell. Even more incredibly, a lot of these men get together in the same room once a year.

Which is a not-so-sneaky way of reminding you that our annual meeting is coming up on January 7th at 9 am. Hopefully after reading this far, you're eager to attend, but maybe you're not sure. If the opportunity to meet and learn from extraordinary men isn't enough, you also get to have a say in the future direction of TCMC and hear about our plans for 2012. But maybe the best reason to attend is to give other men the opportunity to meet the extraordinary man that is you.

Joe Szurszewski
Board Chair

Library Corner

–– Jim Heaney, Librarian

We have a unique and extensive collection of books on men's and general topics which can be checked out by members of the Men's Center. Our periodicals include:

  • Fathering Today
  • Men's Health
  • Men's Journal
  • Lavender
  • Transitions
  • Voice Male.

RECENT ADDITIONS:
THE OASIS GUIDE TO ASPERGER SYNDROME, Advice, Support, Insight and Inspiration. By Patricia Romanowski Bashe & Barbara L Kirby.

12 EFFECTIVE WAYS TO HELP YOUR ADD/ADHD CHILD, Drug-Free Alternatives for Attention Deficit Disorders, By Laura J. Stevens,M.S.

WHEN THE BODY SPEEKS ITS MIND, A Psychiatrist Probes the Mysteries of Hypochondria and Munchausen's Syndrome. Berney Goodman, M.D.

THE HOMO HANDBOOK, Getting in Touch With Your Inner Homo. A survival guide for lesbians and gay men by one of America's most outspoken and "out" comics. By Judy Carter.

A HANDBOOK FOR HEALING, ADULTS CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS. By Patty McConnell.

THE JOURNAL OF MEN'S STUDIES, A Scholarly Journal About Men & Masculinities. (Nine volumes were added this month). The Journal of Men's Studies is a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal devoted to providing an interdisciplinary forum for the critical discussion of issues involving men and masculinities and for disseminating new knowledge about men's lives to a broad audience that includes scholars, practitioners, researchers, policy makers, and students.

The Journal of Men's Studies publishes the best research--both theoretical and empirical--in the emergent men's studies field, recognizing the varied influences of class, culture, race, and sexual orientation on defining men's experiences. The journal's cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural character disseminates material by men's studies scholars from various perspectives (political, social, cultural, and historical) as well as various disciplines (anthropology, sociology, history, psychology, literature, theology).

The Men's Center Staff and Volunteers

OFFICE STAFF:
 Office Manager -- Randy Genrich
Anger Mgmt Director-- John Hesch
Office Volunteers -- Rick Charlson, Dick Madigan, Bill Bambenek
Librarian -- Jim Heaney
Donation Pick-up Volunteers -- See chart in kitchen area

BOARD:
Board Chair -- Joe Szurszewski
Board Vice Chair -- Tom Weaver
Board Secretary -- Norm Petrik
Board Treasurer -- Rick Charlson
Board Member -- Malik Holt-Shabazz
Board Member -- Ken Knoll
Board Member -- Jim Heaney
Board Member -- Andy Mickel
Alternate -- Dave Webb

MEN TALK:
MenTalk Editor -- Bill Dobbs
MenTalk Production -- Bill Dobbs, Rick Charlson
MenTalk Here/There -- Andy Mickel
MenTalk Advertising -- Bill Dobbs
MenTalk Mailing Coord -- Scott Benson
MenTalk Labels/Database -- Scott Benson

PROGRAMS:
Program Committee, Chair -- Norm Petrick
Wednesday Present Coord -- Andy Mickel
Wednesday Present Publicity -- Rick Charlson

FINANCE:
Finance Committee, Chair -- Rick Charlson
Finance Committee Chair -- Rick Charlson
Fin Comm Grant Writer -- Malik Holt-Shabazz
Fin Comm Memberships -- Andy Mickel

OUTREACH:
Outreach Committee, Chair -- Rick Charlson
Pride Festival Coord -- Ken Knoll
Media Publicity Coord -- Rick Charlson
Outreach Booth at Shows -- Randy Genrich, Andy Mickel, Malik Holt-Shabazz
Librarian -- Jim Heaney
Web Site -- Bill Dobbs, Andy Mickel, Ken Knoll, Joe Szurszewski
E-mail Responders -- Scott Benson, Rick Charlson, Bill Dobbs, John Hesch, Andy Mickel, Joe Szurszewski

ANGER MANAGEMENT:
Anger Mgmt Director -- John Hesch
Anger Mgmt Grant Writer -- Bob Anderson
Anger Mgmt Publicity -- John Hesch
Anger Mgmt Steer Commit -- Bob Lundberg, Gerald Obremski, John Hersch, David Giancristforo
Anger Mgmt Facilitators -- Tom M, Michael K, Jim K, John H, Art H, Bryce K, Pat G, Dean G, David E, Hoske R, Cory C, Michael I, John C, Lee C, Gerald O, Hank B, Norm P, Bob L, Bob A, Harry G, Herb J, Howard B, Tom F

SUPPORT GROUPS:
Support Group Coord -- Norm Petrik
Support Group Database -- Dave Webb
General Men's Issues -- Randy G, Jerry O
Addiction Busters -- Tommy J
Gay Issues -- Pat K, Bruce K, Ranslow Z
Transitions --Scott, Richard S.
Divorce/Uncouplng -- John M, Greg D, Gerry W
Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse -- Peter C, Paul O
Northside General Men's Issues -- Malik H
Bi-Men & Gay Issues -- Leo P, David W
Healthy Sexual Boundaries -- Bobby S, Tom J
Healthy Sexual Boundaries East -- Bobby S
Retirement -- Norm P

WE ALWAYS NEED VOLUNTEERS. PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING OUT.
Call our Office Manager at 612-822-5892 and ask how you can help.
We have been a vital part of the Twin Cities community for decades,
and almost all of our services have been provided by volunteers like you.