October 2006
In this issue:
- Intro – Jessica says goodbye
- What’s new at MAP – Vote! & MAP’s Annual Report
- This month’s volunteer opportunities – Core Training &Tuesday Niters
- Upcoming volunteer opportunities – Tuesday Niters
- Did you know? – U.S. volunteering stats
- Education Corner – HIV and pregnancy
- MAP staff recommends – MAP AIDSLine Community Health Educator DeAndrea Hillary-Lynch
Intro
Jessica says goodbye
Jessica Franken
at Oscar Night® 2006
This is a sad newsletter for me to write, as it will be my last as MAP’s Volunteer Coordinator. My last day at MAP will be October 6. Leaving was such a tough choice, and I know what I’ll miss most is you. MAP volunteers really are a special group, and I feel lucky that I got to know so many passionate and unique people. There may be a month or two without a newsletter before the next Volunteer Coordinator is hired, but my email and phone messages (612-373-9160) will be checked regularly. Volunteers really are the heart of the Minnesota AIDS Project, and I want to thank you for all you do for us.
~ Jessica
Note From the Executive Director, Lorraine Teel
First let me say how much MAP appreciates having Jessica as our Volunteer Coordinator! Jessica did so much to improve our communications with all of you, most notably through introduction of this newsletter! Other innovations to our volunteer system put in place by Jessica include new ways for us to collect feedback from you including quarterly check-ins and on-line surveys as well as work on re-tooling the database so that we can contact you in a more efficient way. We all wish Jessica well in her new pursuits!
In the interim, please feel free to continue contacting us with any questions or concerns to Jessica’s email address or phone—as Jessica indicated those will be regularly checked. However, if there is an urgent request or question you might have, do not hesitate to contact Ryan Ceresnak, Special Events Coordinator. He can be contacted via email at rceresnak@mnaidsproject.org or by phone at (612) 373-2409.
We will be working to fill Jessica’s job over the next few months—so stayed tuned for updates! And let me take this opportunity, along with Jessica, to thank you all for what you do on behalf of the Minnesota AIDS Project. Without you we would not be able to work towards our mission of stopping HIV in Minnesota—Jessica is correct, you are the heart of the Minnesota AIDS Project.
What’s new at MAP
Vote!
Since there may not be a November newsletter, I wanted to remind you to vote on November 7. You have until October 17 to pre-register. You can stop by MAP and fill out a voter registration form at the front desk, and we’ll submit it for you. Or you can pick up extra forms for friends, neighbors and family who might not be registered. Feel free to drop those off here for us to mail them in, but remember that there are time restrictions to get those in once they’ve been dated—so check at the front desk for details. Better yet, check our website at:
Even if you miss the deadline to pre-register, you can register at the polls on Election Day with your ID (and a recent utility bill labeled with your name and address, if different from the address on your ID). Again, check the MAP website for details. The results of this election will have a direct impact on your life, so please go to the polls and do your part! For more information check out the MAP Public Policy page. You can find your polling place here: pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us
MAP’s Annual Report online
2005 was a busy year for MAP, and you can read about all the highlights in our annual report. It includes HIV statistics, the month-to-month year in review, our strategic plan, our financials, and a donor list. Just click on the Annual Report on our home page for all sorts of delicious MAP tidbits!
This month’s volunteer opportunities
Core Training
One of the best ways to join our fight to stop HIV is to talk to people in your life, and share accurate HIV information with them. Do your friends know when they should get an HIV test? Do your teenage siblings, nieces or nephews know the basics about safe sex? Do the kids in your life know that HIV is not transmitted through casual contact? To break down the stigma of HIV and reduce infections, we need lots of educated advocates out in the community. You can learn all the facts at Core Training on October 18 from 6–9 p.m., here at MAP. The training is led by MAP Executive Director Lorraine Teel and MAP AIDSLine Community Educator Becca Robinson.
Here’s what some past Core Training participants have said:
- “Lorraine’s presentation was extraordinary. A terrific speaker and lots of very good information.”
- “Comfortable setting and nobody was put on the spot—easy to ask questions.”
- “Although I have had HIV education in the past, this training was very informative & more detailed.”
- “Really gives people a chance to ask what’s on their mind.”
- “I am better prepared to volunteer.”
To sign up, email us!
Tuesday Niters
Last month, Tuesday Niters assembled a mind-boggling number of red ribbons for upcoming health fairs and special events. This month, we will be putting together our (very large) Friends of MAP mailing, as well as safer sex kits for the lobby. Tuesday Niters runs from 4:30–7 p.m. on October 10, come when you can & leave when you need to. RSVP for a great way to help out while meeting other fabulous volunteers.
Upcoming volunteer opportunities
Tuesday Niters
We will continue meeting on the second Tuesday of each month, so mark your calendars for November 14. Tuesday Niters is a great way to start volunteering at MAP, or to get back involved if you’ve been away for a while. Email or call 612-373-9160 if you have any questions about this program.
Did you know?
MAP Volunteers
U.S. volunteering stats
The United States has 65.4 million volunteers who donate the economic equivalent of almost $150 billion dollars in services each year. On a national level, 65.4 million or 28.8 percent of American adults volunteered in 2005, an increase of nearly six million volunteers since 2002. Congratulations on being a part of this important movement! You can find more information on this study:
www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=399
Source: Volunteering in America: State Trends and Rankings,
Corporation for National and Community Service
Education Corner
HIV and pregnancy
If a pregnant woman is HIV-positive, will her baby be HIV-positive for his/her whole life?
No. If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with HIV early in her pregnancy, and begins antiretroviral medications, the rate of perinatal (mother-to-child in utero) transmission drops from 25 percent to 2 percent. Even that percent can be lowered further by the mother undergoing a Caesarian section (C-section).
Learn more about HIV transmission at:
www.mnaidsproject.org/learn/transmission.htm
MAP staff recommends
This month’s recommendations come to you from the newest addition to our MAP AIDSLine staff, Community Educator DeAndrea Hillary-Lynch. Remember that the MAP AIDSLine staff is here to answer your questions about HIV from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on weekdays. DeAndrea recommends:
Book
What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage
The book that I like the best out of all the books that I have read is What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage. This book is about a woman that has just found out that she has HIV. She returns home to her small town to tell her family, and then deals with the fallout.
Movie
Last Updated:
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
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