[Viva] Information sharing with PWN

Thu May 26 16:46:54 PDT 2011

Hi All,
    I too think it is great to see some responses to the PWN letter being put forward by ViVA members and there are some interesting ideas comming forward. Myself, I don't see this situation being as simple as having one or two ViVA members attend a PWN staff meeting to report/share what we are doing. I not only see a history between ViVA members and PWN but also between ViVA itself and PWN that I believe must be acknowledged and dealt with before any such "information sharing" can happen. I believe this with everything I know as a positive woman and an AIDS Activist. If this information sharing is to happen then it must be on an even playing field, the boundaries of which must be laid bare before any action begins...... Weather it is for information sharing or partnering or anything else, both sides need to have a sense of trust in the other and this is something I don't feel we have as yet. 
    I know some of my fellow ViVA members feel differently and that is good. It is important to have different opinions and views...it's what makes us strong. I look forward hearing what others think and to where this issue is going to go. Just as in life...I may not know where this is going but I'll hang on for the ride. Ally  :~)

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kath Webster 
  To: viva at lists.resist.ca 
  Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 3:17 PM
  Subject: [Viva] Information sharing with PWN

  It's been great to read the responses re: PWN's invitation to VIVA to attend a staff meeting. (for those just tuning in..see letters below)

  All opinions and thoughts are valid and when we respect our differences we have a truly supportive community of positive women!

  I want to point out that in reading the letter from PWN, they are inviting VIVA to  "information share" that's all.  Not "partnering" and not creating any formal arrangement.  VIVA does not risk losing any autonomy by simply attending a meeting to share our current activities and perhaps vision (do we have an actual vision statement??  I think so but not sure).   It would be as easy as putting a call out to identify one or two women to attend and report back and then see what comes from it.  My hope is that we can move forward constructively and be open to a dialogue at least. 

  On a related note:

  Since many VIVA members are also PWN members, I want to send best wishes to all women who are attending PWN's 1st Skills Building weekend starting tomorrow!  I see this as a mini Positive Gathering for women -  and positive women have been a part of the planning and will facilitate several workshops over the weekend.  For example:   True Colours (personality/self awareness);  HIV and Body Image;  African Dance.  If the funding comes through for next year, I would love to see this event grow and who knows...possibly involve VIVA as well. 

  Kath

    Wednesday May 11 2011

    Hello Friends

    This note is being sent out from the VIVA working group in order to give the membership an opportunity to give feedback regarding a letter sent to VIVA from Marcie Summers of PWN . You will find a copy of this letter attached. 

    The members of the working group have varied feelings about the letter from PWN and about what is being asked of us. We are bringing this letter to you, the membership, so that everyone can be heard on this issue. Some of what we are hoping to learn from all of you is how you feel about the letter's content and request, what action you would like to see happen...if any and concrete ideas or questions you might want addressed. 

    We want to hear all opinions, thoughts and concerns, so please send them in. In order to encourage all to speak freely, your reply to this e-mail will be going to our vivawomen at gmail.com account, which will be viewed by the working group only. We are asking that you reply within 48 hours. 

    To any ViVA women who also want to have an open discussion about this subject on our listserv, please feel free to reply to viva at lists.resist.ca as well.

                                                                                  Your Working Group

    Funke Ilumoka

    Alexandria Keating

    Margarite Sanchez

    Tami Starlight

    Shelly Tognazzini

    Original letter  PWN:

    Hi Viva Women:

    Several PWN staff heard Tami speak in Toronto at the Women's Ancillary event pre-CAHR and also ran into some of the members at the recent retirement party for Dr. Burdge and Dr. Forbes.  Connecting with VIVA women at these events made us think it would be good to invite VIVA to meet with the PWN staff.  We often have folks in the community come in to share their work and as both PWN & VIVA work closely with positive women, we thought it would be useful to get together. 

    We'd like to invite one or two of your members to attend a PWN staff meeting, (for the purpose of information sharing).  Please let me know if any of these possible dates will work:  

    Wednesday, May 18 @ 10:30 a.m.

    Wednesday, June 8 @ 10:30 a.m.

    Wednesday, June 22 @ 10:30 a.m.

    I look forward to hearing from you regarding this potential meeting.

    Thanks,

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