Announcements:
- Boys & Girls Club Blue Door Bash is Saturday March 2nd. The Club has a table of 10. If you are interested in attending please contact Scott Johnson.
- Looking for host families for Saturday March 2nd starting at 5PM (including dinner) through Sunday morning 8AM (including breakfast) for outbound student exchange get together that is happening this weekend.
- Lager ‘Lympics – Saturday, June 15 at NewBo City Market. You will soon being hearing updates from committee chairs on sponsorships so start thinking about who you could ask to support this awesome event!
Speaker:
Mark Busch (He, Him, His) is the Director of Education at Iowa Safe Schools. He is excited to empower educators and school leaders across the state to learn about marginalized communities and develop welcoming classrooms through Iowa Safe Schools’ professional development opportunities. A proud graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Mark earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry Teaching in 2011 and Master of Arts in Science Education in 2018. With over six years of teaching experience in rural, suburban, and international classrooms, Mark designed meaningful curriculum to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Iowa Safe Schools provides safe, supportive, and nurturing learning environments and communities for LGBTQ & Allied youth through education, outreach, and advocacy. Mark shared some statistics and outlined the challenges for our LGBTQ youth even with antibullying programs and legislation. LGBTQ youth have higher rates of depression and suicide.
This year Iowa Safe Schools will be advocating that Iowa become the 16th state to ban conversion therapy, which is proven to have long term harmful effects on children and should be considered child abuse.
What can we do to help? Learn the stories of LGBTQ youth in your communities, advocate in your communities, and talk to your legislators.
They have several upcoming events:
April 1st 14th Annual Governor's Conference will be held in Des Moines. This is the largest LGBTQ youth conference in the nation. For more details go to www.iowasafeschools.org
April 12th from 12-3 in Des Moines is the LGBTQ Career Expo "Let's Get Hired". A networking reception and mini workshops will be offered. Participants can build skills and network with Iowa's leading employers, colleges, and universities. RSVP for free at bit.ly/LGBTQCareerExpo
July 15- 19, 2019 they will be hosting Pride Camp for youth ages 14-18. Find out more and register at www.pridecamp.org
Patty wanted to give a BIG THANK YOU to Aaron Loan who donated the clicker for the projector!! Thank you Aaron!