Volume 9, Number
1(Spring 2004)
ssss Articles
sssssssBi
Definition Goes Virtual
sssssssAnnual
Membership Dues Decreased
ssssss Group Changes
ssssCalendar
ssssColumns
sssssssBi
The Editor
ssss
Disclaimer
Bi All Means! is a publication of Bi Definition, a bisexual social, support and activist organization in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Tojoie simply fill out this form.
Opinions expressed by writers in BAM are not necessarily those of the editors, publisher, advertisers nor the philosophy of Bi Definition. Any reference made to any individual or organization should not be construed as an indication of the same's orientation.
The unauthorized use of the ‘Bi Definition’ name is strictly
prohibited to members and nonmembers alike, except when written permission
is received from the current organizational leadership.
Vision Statement
Bi Definition shall provide a social, support and
activist organizational resource for bisexuals, people who do not like
labels and their allies residing in and visiting metropolitan Milwaukee,
WI. It shall work for equal rights and the liberation of all area bisexuals
and others who refuse strict heterosexual and/or homosexual personal identification.
Bi Definition will also collect and distribute information
on bisexuality.
Governance Statement
In order to insure that all minority opinions are
considered at business meetings, Bi Definition will use the consensus process
of decision making for governing.
Format Changed at Annual Meeting To Meet Volunteer Needs
On Tuesday, February 17th 2004, Bi Definition had its annual meeting to discuss Bi Definition’s future. After discussing various possibilities the group voted to change Bi Definition to an on-line group.
The meeting was attended by Angel, Deb, Deirdre, Geri, Leslie, Marty, Nikki, Scott and Wes. We started with a review: Our treasury balance is $402.16 and our paid members total 23. The website and egroups are both running fine. Social events were very well attended last year; regular meetings were not.
It takes a lot of volunteer hours to run Bi Definition. Membership has dwindled leaving all the work to the same people over and over. Something had to change.
Three different options were presented by the members. Option one was to downscale Bi Definition to one meeting a month that would be more social oriented, lower the newsletter to three times a year and let the phone line go. This option would have allowed bisexuals to keep a higher profile in the LGBT community and would have offered a place for people needing support.
Option two was to close down Bi Definition all together.
Option three was to switch Bi Definition over to an on-line group. After much soul searching by all the members, this is the option that won the majority of votes.
There will be no more set meetings. All social gatherings will be organized and advertised on the egroups list only. The phone line will be disconnected, although we will keep our mailbox at the Community Center. This will be the final newsletter. Instead, a group will be researching development of a bigger, better website where newsletter items can be located. Also, the membership fees are being reduced (see below).
If you are not on the egroups list and would like to be,
email John at bidef@hotmail.com or Chrystal at lbtcrystal@aol.com
Annual Membership
Dues Decreased
Bi Definition will no longer be offering regular meetings or a newsletter. However, we will continue to be a community through the egroups list, including planning fun social events like bar night and the annual camping trip (yes, this is still being planned!).
These changes will decrease costs but won’t eliminate them entirely. We will still need a mailbox and we will be looking into upgrading the website which will also cost some. To cover these costs, we will be asking members to pay an annual fee of $15 per email address or $7.50 per email address for low income.
To simplify the accounting, we also are asking people to all start paying
in February every year. If your membership is due this Spring, Summer
or Fall, we are asking you to pay now. If your membership is due
in Winter plan to pay next February.
What we be losing:
Newsletter/Editor
Bi-monthly meetings/group facilitators
Phone line info
Bi Library (will be donated to LBGT Center library)
What we will be keeping:
Egroup accounts with John, Scott and Crystal as moderators
Email bidef@hotmail.com
Website http://www.netwurx.net/~bidef/
Bank account with Scott as treasurer
Reduced annual membership fee, $15 regular and $7.50 low income
Mailbox at the LGBT Center, 315 W. Court St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
What we will be adding:
We hope to add a bigger, better website that will give us more flexibility
and a place to post articles, photos, stories, poetry and other shared
Bi items
Bi Definition was there when I needed to know I wasn’t the only one whose sexuality is “different.” It was there when I needed support as I explored what it means to be me.
I have met many different people through my years with this group and I have made many wonderful friends. I’ve met people who shared of themselves and who thus enriched my life. I am stronger, more open minded and more open hearted because of my time with Bi Definition.
I am sad this same support now won’t be there for others; I am relieved that my Bi Definition volunteer time and energy will be freed towards new projects; and I am excited by the possibilities a new website opens up for reaching out to more people.
Thank you and best wishes to all.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nikki
For information or confirmation on any Bi Definition event listed,
contact Nikki at (414)299-9612
or write: Bi All Means!/Bi Definition
c/o Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, Suite 101, 315 W. Court St., Milwaukee,
WI 53212 .
