Service learning "let's Talk about sex"

. Activism: 
  Let's talk about sexwas an event to educate people about safe sex and then to  raise money  for VOX. It was really fun, and I even brought my boyfriend to the event who had a lot of fun helping out. I thought it was fun to check IDs when people came into the door since I've never been a bouncer before =3



We handed out raffle tickets, and raised a lot of money for VOX that way.
People seemed a little less interested in taking our literature about safe sex, but I made sure to hand out a lot of them anyway.

The free condoms were great so that in itself might have brought people in.

2. Reflection: 

On the macro level, it reminds me of what we read in class about the Men Acting for Change. There were so many men there that it made me happy to see they want to be/are educatedabout safe sex like girls.

 

 How have the week’s events influenced way you view feminist activism and women’s issues?  

This week makes me realize how much fun feminist activism can be

 

 

What do you believe is your community partner’s view of these issues? This is your opportunity to reflect on the impact yor activism is making—on you and on the community.

 

I think they are happy about all the publicity and money we've raised them for their great cause.

 

 Connect what is happening to your growing academic knowledge in this course by incorporating the evidence from the text using MLA citation style.

 

MAC has stated that through their work "we take control of our future and 

 generate the skills and perspectives we need to make it a better and safer place for both men and women" (John Stoltenberg, 285).

 

 

3. Reciprocity: Remember that Service Learning is not a one way street.You are not simply giving something to the community partner. Think about what you personally are getting in return. How might this be defined from a feminist perspective?

During this event, I felt like I was being educated about safe sex as well as the other people who didn't help plan the event. So that is something I got in return.

*Make Sure to include a works cited!

Campus engagement Tuesday 4/16

Today we talked about bullying in middle schools. It's a problem that happens to a lot of kids, which affects their self esteem, resulting in the possibility of children internalizing these problems for the rest of their lives. This has recently become an epidemic that needs to be stopped, or at least addressed a lot more than it is.

We talked about a few specific cases in which students were bullied in school, and the kids (both boys and girls, but the focus seemed to be more on girls) who were brave enough to speak out about it were ridiculed by their peers

Then we talked about possible solutions to this problem that seems to be growing, especially with cyberbullying through interfaces like facebook or twitter, or even myspace, AIM, tumblr, reddit, etc.

campus engagement Thursday 4/12

The panel about inequal  pay for women was really eye opening and upsetting. There was a panel of women who all had experiences with being paid less than their male counterparts in their lifetimes. However, Nicole's mom's story really touched me the most when she was talking about raising Nicole and her brother and at some point got divorced. I just thought to myself that if that woman was being paid less than men at her job, that's so ridiculously unfair and sad.

It made me think about my mother and how she raised both my sister and I as a single mother, and that perhaps she could have been getting paid unfairly, which makes me sick, because we grew up pretty much in poverty.

I don't have a solution to this problem except that people must speak about it and educate each other about how women get paid less and work just as hard...It's just not fair, and it's a very sad situation.

service learning first week of March

1. Activism:

 This week for VOX I helped table, and then two days later I helped with holding signs promoting womens' rights to their choice for getting abortions, which was fun. Like every week I table with them, I talked with new people who stopped by the table outside the student union. It's interesting to talk to people with different viewpoints, even if they disagree with the mission of VOX. It just seems like a good thing to get the information out there, whether people are going to agree or disagree with it. Some people just stopped by for free condoms and then you always have the others who laughed and just kind of walked really quickly past. So that was interesting.

2. Reflection: How does the activism you’ve done this week relate to the chapter we are reading this week; to women's lives on macro level?  

 The week's events just encouraged me more to be an activist for feminist causes. Even though some people might get mad or hate those people who oppose "choice", I find them motivating. Yes, they are  annoying, but the more stupid they are, the better it is for people who work for women's issues.

 What do you believe is your community partner’s view of these issues? This is your opportunity to reflect on the impact your activism is making—on you and on the community. 

I think my community partner's view on women's issues is that women's choices should always be kept very personal to each individual woman. So holding signs that say things like "My body, My choice" - that isn't just an act of holding a sign; that's making sure that the 'other side' is put out there. Maybe there are people who see the anti-choicers and they've never put thought into the issue before, and then they see me with a sign that's saying anti-choicers are full of crap, and that person thinks to themselves that next time they will vote for women to keep their right to get an abortion. I love when people on the fence about it want to talk to me and I can get them on my side, too. That feels like the whole act is worth it.

Connect what is happening to your growing academic knowledge in this course by incorporating the evidence from the text using MLA citation style.
* This is the part where you do service learning-- as opposed to volunteer work or philanthropy. To do so, you must use at least our course texts and possibly outside research you are doing. Remember critical reflection + service!

3. Reciprocity: Remember that Service Learning is not a one way street.You are not simply giving something to the community partner. Think about what you personally are getting in return. How might this be defined from a feminist perspective?

 I get a lot out of tabeling and sign making/holding. I get to talk with like-minded people (not just people in the same vox club- some people stop by and chat) , who teach me things I didn't know, so that I can pass on that information to others. I personally get satisfaction from feeling the support of knowing a community of progressive people actually exists.

proposal

February 2, 2012
Meredith Tweed
Wst 3015- 002

Contact information:
Title of proposal: VOX service learning community partners, spring 2012.
Name of community partner: VOX
Group members: Erika S, Lydia H, Scott V, Kelsey G
Community partner profile:
Name: VOX, Voices of Planned Parenthood
Contact: Alexa Nelen
Community partner mission statement: “Vox: Voices for Planned Parenthood-UCF chapter exists to educate the University community about reproductive health and rights, to translate increased awareness into pro-choice activism on campus, and to serve as a coalition partner to state, national, and international reproductive rights efforts” (VOX UCF).
Political/and or social basis for organization: VOX strives to obtain equal reproductive justice for women. VOX works with Planned Parenthood to help achieve this goal. Equal reproductive rights for women are being threatened by a number of political initiatives in which Planned Parenthood is opposed to. Some current concerns that will be addressed this semester are: birth control refusal under the affordable health care act, pro-life protests at the Planned Parenthood clinics, general access to sex education and contraception.
Community partner needs: Many of Vox’s activities are reactions to things that are going on politically therefore, the organizations needs may not be known that far in advance. Some of the organizations immediate requests include:

•       People to solicit donations for the “Lets Talk About Sex” event. This is a benefit event that has a lot of raffle prizes, games, and music. We have been asked to go to businesses and ask for donations for the event.

•       Clinic escorting-We will be helping patients safely enter Planned Parenthood when protestors are present. Training is necessary for this and VOX will provide this later on in the semester.

•       Tabling outside of the student union- A table is set up in which members of VOX inform students who approach the table about safe sex, current reproductive issues, any questions they may have. VOX also has condoms readily available for students.

VOX is a pretty active student organization so more events are likely to come about as the semester progresses.

Plan Proposal:

VOX, as Voices for Planned Parenthood (VOX) they are primarly concerned with helped college-aged students with
Action: We have met with Alexa Nelen, the president of VOX at UCF. She is aware that we are available for service learning and has made some requests in regards to getting donations for “Lets Talk About Sex.” We will continue to attend meetings throughout the semester and respond to needs as they become apparent.
Timeline: Again, new needs will arise as the semester progresses, so a full timeline is not possible at this time. Some presently known events include:

•       “40 Days of Life,” a 40-day sustained nationwide protest targeting Planned Parenthood clinics, will last from February 22nd through April 1st. There will be a recurring need for clinic escorting throughout this event.

•       A training session for clinic escorting will occur “in the coming weeks,” according to meeting notes from VOX’s Facebook group.

•       “Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby,” which will happen “sometime in March” according to VOX’s website.

•       Tabling will occur throughout the semester.

intro post

Hi, I’m Kelsey Gowen, I’m a senior at UCF, I’m a sociology major and I’m about to declare my minor in women’s studies. I grew up in Melbourne Beach where I noticed a lot of gender bias/discrimination in school, amongst my peers, in my relationships and even in my family.
My life experiences make me so appreciative of where I am now, where I can surround myself with other feminists and I can help out organizations whose goals are making it possible to break gender stereotypes.
I’m taking this women’s studies as a result of my degree requirement and to raise my GPA, although I was originally interested in taking the intro class because I like being around like-minded feminists (sadly some turned out not to be).
I’m not exactly a closet feminist; I’m involved with women’s rights advocacy activities outside of class, and I’ve taken a bunch of other women’s studies classes. I’m involved with Voices for Planned Parenthood at UCF and I table for NOW every Wednesday outside the student union which I see as activism. I’m also in EQUAL which is a group advocating gender equality.
Gender is important to me because it’s a large part of my identity. I like being girly, and being a feminine feminist is really important to me. In addition, I’m passionate about advocating on the behalf of people who are not being accepted by society for their gender and the way they express it.

I understand the syllabus and agree with it.