[Viva] Letter from Working Group about ViVA, our Diversity and Solidarity

[VIVA Working Group]

*ViVA: Diversity and Solidarity*


Dear ViVA Members,

ViVA is a member driven HIV+ Women’s Organization and since Voices of
Positive Women closed, it is one of the very few still in existence in
Canada. ViVA is a precious and unique organization and we need to safeguard
it. For our solidarity it is important that we have a common understanding
of who and what we are.



ViVA is a diverse community of woman of all ages, ethnicities, geographical
locations and experiences who share one common thing: HIV. The strength and
foundation of who we are as a community is our diversity. Because of this,
as a group we are able to appreciate situations from differing perspectives.
 It is important that we support each other by acknowledging and having
empathy for each others experiences. This does not necessarily equate
agreement; however the validation of others experiences in turn validates
our own. We can see or believe differently and still support each other. We
each have our own truths and perspectives that are a result of our lived
experiences. At Viva, we honour that.

Differing experiences and perspectives will periodically result in ViVA
members disagreeing with each other. Since we honour our diversity, it is
important for all ViVA members to be heard and to feel safe in expressing
their opinions. All ViVA women are encouraged to participate openly and
honestly in a spirit of goodwill. It is imperative that we be respectful of
each other in our communication.  Using “I” statements (I think, I believe,
I feel) is one good way to take ownership of what we say, enabling us to
express our opinions without undermining each other. It is a goal of ViVA
that we don’t allow our differences to divide us but that we use them to
make us stronger. We should strive for solidarity as it strengthens us as a
group.


   ViVA is a collective in which every member has a voice of equal
importance, administered by the Working Group. The ViVA Working Group is
made up of a committed group of volunteers; any member of ViVA is welcome
and encouraged to join. The Working Group can always use more members and
more help. Any action taken by the working group is taken only after the
membership has had an opportunity to be heard; this is what guides our
actions.  The Working Group’s commitment is to the betterment of ViVA and
its members. The ViVA listserv has the best of intentions and is ever
growing and changing. Let’s continue to work together to build ViVA and
empower each other.


                                                                       Thank
you,

                                                                       The
Working Group




   vivawomen at gmail.com



All the best,

VIVA Working Group
vivawomen at gmail.com
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