[Viva] Fwd: OK here are my thoughts

[James and Ally Keating]

I too agree there are things they do well and would never take that from them and there are things that we do very well. I also agree we are very different organizations. They work with positive women and are "member responsive" (however they see that) and we ARE positive women and are directed by our members. With that said we do have some common gorund. But is this enough....I don't know. Glad to see a dialogue happening. The more we question...the clearer we are....Ally
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Denise Becker 
  To: viva 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 12:31 PM
  Subject: [Viva] Fwd: OK here are my thoughts


  I have forwarded my email to Margarite to you, since Ally also wrote.


  I have come to recognise that there are some things that PWN does well - they are good at gathering information and disseminating it to women regarding latest news on HIV Positive issues that are female related.  In addition, they have funding for programs and already have a history with the HIV community.  These things cannot be ignored.


  On the other hand, ViVA has a good, solid base of positive women who are a community and who know the facts about being female and living with HIV, it incredible pressures and (sometimes) even its rewards, as no other people can.  We support each other and I have never felt that in any other positive women's organization to the same extent as with ViVA.  I think if I had to put it into a few words it would be "we get it!"


  Rest assured, I am not trying to join the two organizations but I feel that it is important that we recognise that we each have our fortes and I want to work on learning and moving forward.


  Denise


  ---------- Forwarded message ----------
  From: Denise Becker <dbecker106 at gmail.com>
  Date: Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 12:23 PM
  Subject: Re: OK here are my thoughts
  To: Margarite Sanchez <margaritesanchez at gmail.com>


  I think that before I talk to PWN about anything, I would like to get a sense of ViVA's AGM.  I didn't ever think I would be speaking for ViVA at all but at this time in my life, I feel I have to forgive (not forget) but just let go of some things that are holding me back in life.  I definitely will not be information sharing with them about Viva but may do on my own account since I have left things unsaid for too long about how I feel that positive women were treated in my time with them.  That all depends if I do choose to go ahead and talk to them.


  Denise



  On Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 10:39 AM, Margarite Sanchez <margaritesanchez at gmail.com> wrote:


    Hi Denise,
    Shell forwarded this to me. Just so you know the topic of PWN didn't come up at the AGM and actually very little over the weekend. Although I did hear more stories of dissatisfaction with them.
    At this point I feel that if you want to talk to them for yourself, that is fine, if you want to speak representing ViVA then we need to be united and clear about what you are going to say.
    At this time, I think ViVA not engaging with PWN (ie "information sharing") is more valuable for poz women than engaging. My reason is that by staying clearly separate and critical we are acting as a witness from outside of the agency and I think they need to know that they are not meeting the needs of all their members. 
    That is my feeling right now.
    To be continued,
    ox
    ps we really did miss you.:(



    On Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 12:08 PM, shelly tognazzini <shetognazzini at gmail.com> wrote:

      as requested 
      xo

      ---------- Forwarded message ----------
      From: Denise Becker <dbecker106 at gmail.com>
      Date: Fri, Dec 2, 2011 at 6:30 PM
      Subject: OK here are my thoughts
      To: shelly tognazzini <shetognazzini at gmail.com>


      As everyone knows I have not been happy with Positive Women's Network and their work with positive women - empowering them.  However, I think we may have made a valuable point already.  So here is my take on it: 


      I can talk to Positive Living - i.e. Marcie and Janet.  I will tell them frankly we have many women interested in Viva and why.  Then I suggest we truly forget the past and start over because this is a time when we need to move on and yet keep our identity.  I think there is a way we can work together using each other's resources but working closely with Positive Living BC too and that is key.


      We need them to realize that HIV+ women don't want to be belittled or told they are not part of the equation when they are the key part of the equation but maybe there is a little door open right now and we should see if we can reach through and educate.


      Denise










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