Events:

UW-Oshkosh Black History Month Film Series

Please join us for the first movie in the series:
A Patch of Blue

February 12, 2008
Moderator: Professor Michelle Kuhl
Halsey Science Center, 107
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

A Patch of Blue is a 1965 Academy Award winning film directed by Guy Green about the relationship between an African American man, Gordon (played by Sidney Poitier), and a blind white female teenager, Selina (Elizabeth Hartman), and the problems that plague their relationship when they fall in love in a racially divided America. Made in 1965 against the backdrop of the growing civil rights movement, the film explores racism from the perspective of "love is blind." Shelley Winters won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in this film.

Sponsored by the History Department, Black Student Union, and African American Studies

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Circles of Support for Offenders returning to the Community

Each year, hundreds of offenders return from state correctional facilities to their homes in northeast Wisconsin. They face a variety of barriers as they attempt to reenter their communities. Volunteers are needed for the Circles of Support whose mission is: “To restore citizenship to newly released offenders by linking them to services specific to their needs, encouraging positive relationships within the community, and promoting law-abiding behavior.” Community volunteers help the parolee transition from "offender" to "citizen." The goals are to reduce recidivism and make our communities safer.

The Corrections Concerns Committee periodically offers training for new volunteers. Training includes information about the Division of Adult Institutions (prisons), Division of Community Corrections (parole) and the Circle of Support (referral, safety, Plan for Success, meetings, etc.). In addition, attendees will learn about the Circles’ strength-based approach (motivational interviewing, reframing, credibility, citizenship, etc.) We ask that volunteers commit to one year with the Circle, attend Circle meetings, and support the mission statement.

Please contact Ann Schoen for more information or to sign up for training.

Phone: (920) 231-4010, ext. 2803 E-mail: Ann.Schoen@Wisconsin.gov

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New GLBT Family and Friends Group inOshkosh

PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Gays and Lesbians) of the Greater Oshkosh Area, Inc. has established itself as a local chapter of the national PFLAG organization. Regularly scheduled meetings will begin February 12, 2008 at 6:30 pm. Meetings will take place at First Congregational Church, 137 Algoma Blvd. in Oshkosh. Monthly meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at the same time and location. All meetings are open to the public.

The Greater Oshkosh Area Chapter wishes to communicate to the people in our communities that we are Parents, Family and Friends of those who are GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered). As parents, family and friends we believe we have a responsibility to be a parent, close to our family, and to be a friend. Those are proactive terms. We will work to help those who need help, encourage those who need to be encouraged, inspire those who need inspiration and protect those who need some protection. That is what parents, family members and friends do. We ask for and want your help.

Dr. William McConkey will serve as the chapters first president. Dr. McConkey graduated from Illinois State University in 1964 and 1965 with B.S. and M.S. Degrees. In 1989, at the age of 47, he enrolled at Florida State University to obtain his Doctorate and did so in 1994, at the age of 52. He has worked for several federal and state government agencies and has owned his own research and communication business for over 30 years. He has taught several courses at the college and university level, has made presentations and conducted hundreds of seminars at conferences, conventions, and meetings and has been recognized as an outstanding teacher. Dr. McConkey filed a law suit against Wisconsin's amendment to ban gay marriages and civil unions for all people, in 2007. He is straight, Christian, married and the father of seven.

PFLAG supports GLBT people, their families and friends through local PFLAG chapter helplines and support group meetings and locally and nationally produced resources. PFLAG educates families and provides public education on sexual orientation, gender identity and GLBT issues. PFLAG chapters educate their communities through a variety of local projects and nationally PFLAG continues to provide fair and accurate information about GLBT people and their loved ones. PFLAG also advocates for equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. Locally, PFLAG activists work for change in their communities. Nationally, PFLAG staff and volunteer leaders lobby for fairness and acceptance. PFLAG of the Greater Oshkosh Area, Inc. invites all who are interested to attend our meetings. Each chapter meeting will include a guest speaker. The February 12th speaker will be Dr. McConkey speaking on the law suit he has filed. There will be time for questions for the speaker and a time for those looking for support and education.

PFLAG of the Greater Oshkosh Area, Inc. would like to speak to your group or organization about who and what we are. For further information go to our website: www.oshkosh-pflag.org and go to the "Contact Us" page. The website is new and we will be adding links and additional support materials in the coming weeks.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is the nation’s foremost family-based organization committed to the civil rights of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender persons. Founded in 1973 by mothers and fathers, PFLAG has 200,000 members and supporters in more than 500 chapters throughout the United States. To learn more, please visit www.pflag.org.

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Race Panel Discussion scheduled for February 19 at UW-Oshkosh

The Race Panel is intended to bring people together and discuss aspects of race from a variety of perspectives and disciplines. The panel discussion will take place on Tuesday, February 19 from 8 pm - 9 pm in Reeve Union 227. The discussion will focus on defining race, exploring if race truly does exist, the social implications of race and suggestions for creating a more inclusive campus and community. Video clips from the documentary "RACE the power of an illusion" will be shown to kick off the event. More information on the documentary can be found online: http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm

Event: Race Panel Discussion
Date: February 19, 2008
Time/Location: 8:00 pm Reeve Union 227
Panelist: Donna Altepeter, Dale Feinauer, Judith Hankes, Susan Reed, Juyeon Son
Fee: Free to UWO Students and General Public

The University Speaker Series is coordinating this panel to compliment the Human Race Machine. The Human Race Machine is a booth that will be set in the Reeve Concourse from February 18 - 22nd from 8 am - 11 pm. The machine scans the faces of participants and digitally adjusts them to reflect that person in five different races. We encourage you and your students to participate in these events. Questions can be directed to the University Speaker Series: speakerseries@uwosh.edu

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Oshkosh Diversity Council Meeting

Tuesday, February 12, at noon
First Congregational Church, 137 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh.

Fred Umland, Intake Worker, Winnebago County Department of Human Services Juvenile Services, will be speaking about Juvenile Justice in Winnebago County - A Juvenile Intake Perspective.

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UW-Oshkosh Head Start & the Oshkosh Public Library present: Multicultural

Night Tues., Nov. 20 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oshkosh Public Library Lower level

Join us as we celebrate the many cultural traditions found in the Oshkosh community

• Family Storytime at 5:30 p.m. with Miss Dawn
• See displays of traditional items from the Hmong, Hispanic, African and Native American cultures
• Listen to music from a variety of cultures
• Sample fry bread, egg rolls, cookies and other ethnic food
• Check out books about numerous cultures

This event is free and open to the public. No registration necessary.

Click here for pdf

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Public Service Announcement for immediate release

November 11, 2007

Judy Russell’s column as well as any other special area announcements

From Vicki Moen, Community Outreach First Presbyterian Church Oshkosh

The Interfaith Worship Service for Thanksgiving and Peace, will be held Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at First Presbyterian Church, 110 Church Avenue, Oshkosh at 7:00 p.m.

Participating communities: Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church, Oshkosh Baha’i Community, Bethany United Church of Christ, Christ Lutheran Church, Congregation B’Nai Israel, First Congregational Church, First Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church, Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Wesley United Methodist Church

The offering from this evening’s service will go to the Christine Ann Center.
Click here for pdf format of this PSA

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The Oshkosh Diversity Council
Meets the second Tuesday of each month.
Most months, the meeting location is at the First Congregational Church, 137 Algoma Blvd
(just one block west of Main Street).
There is a brief business meeting at 11:30am followed by a 60 minute program.
The public is always invited and brown bag lunches are appropriate. Coffee and tea is available.

November 14, 2007 CHANGE OF LOCATION - We will be meeting at the new Arc Art Studio and Gallery on Washington, just across (south) from the Oshkosh Public Library (in the former Paul Redemann Real Estate Company building).
This building is located just one and one-half blocks east of Main Street.

November's program will feature
Lea Kitz, Executive Director - Arc- Abilities Resource Center 115 Washington Avenue.
Lea will provide an overview of the services provided by Arc and address issues and challenges faced by disabled citizens in our community. She will also present information about the new art studio and gallery and give participants an opportunity to tour the facility.

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13th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
January 21, 2008
5 pm reception; 5:30 pm dinner
Reeve Memorial Union Ballroom, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Cost: $20 per person
For details, contact Kelli Karpinski at 920-303-2265, ext. 20

One Oshkosh is pleased to present the Celebration of Diversity Award at the 13th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. Click here to find out how you can nominate a deserving individual.
Click here for a history of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration