Response: to more events.
Posted by: "chris@..."
chris@...
Sun May 24, 2009 9:33 am (PDT)

Here's a great message from one of the co-managers of Strength In
Numbers - New York City. Chris sums up one of the main goals of SIN, to
get poz guys involved in their own community planning their own events
whenever and wherever possible. When the AIDS crisis first started,
HIV+ gay men banded together in cities all over the US and beyond to
organize social events so they could support each other during a time of
great fear and stigma. Over time, the non-profit agencies created to
respond to AIDS then took on running some of these events, but over time
the agencies treated these social events more like clinical "programs"
and frankly the events stopped being fun.

There's a number of factors facing us all in the HIV community today.
One, funding for HIV services have been or will be cut dramatically over
the next few years, first because of the previous Administration and now
because of the worst economy seen since the Great Depression. Second,
treating social events like yet another clinical service to be provided
by a bureaucratic professional entity like a large local AIDS service
organization is not effective, since we usually feel like we are being
treated like a number or patient rather than being treated like a friend
or even a human being at times. Lastly, the innovative tools that are
available via the Internet these days make it much easier for regular
folks to organize events quickly and effectively without the need of a
central physical office, paid staff or restrictions to satisfy federal
or grant funding.

Simply put, if poz guys anywhere want to have social support, to develop
more friendships with other gay men who fully understand what it means
to live and thrive with HIV, rather than feel isolated and unsure about
our health status, then the responsibility to plan social events or
create social spaces is in our hands. Chris, David and the other active
members of SIN New York City have shown that the steps that Chris wrote
out do work incredibly well. SIN NYC has over 1500 members and a
diverse schedule of events all week long.

That said, your social group can prove to be just as effective by simply
meeting at someone's house for a private potluck or going to a movie
together if even just once a month. Such an event, a chance to meet
other HIV+ gay men, could literally change the life of a guy who thinks
that he's completely alone, unwanted, stigmatized. Trust me, by helping
get more events going in your local HIV community, you will not just
help others but you will be changing your own life for the better with
just a few hours a month. Thanks to Chris for this great message.

Have a great Memorial Day and celebrate it by kissing a sailor...or a
soldier...or a Marine, heck even the Coast Guard!

Bryan
Founder, SIN

Chris' Message about organizing events:

Hi guys,

I want to respond to this email because this is one consistent
request and comment that is sent to the group: "can we have more
affordable events". SIN is unique that it is a social group that
is totally run by its members. No one is paid, there are no
committees, and we do not vote on or organize any specific event.
We are fortunate in NY to have so many people that have stepped
up to organize inexpensive afternoon outings to more extensive
overnight weekend get a ways in other cities. Every person has
dedicated their own time to organize the event and make it a
success. So the answer is yes we can and will have more of the
affordable events, but it takes participation and people to
organize the events. If you have an idea of an event here are
some steps that will help you to pull it together.

1. Choose an event

2. Pick a date

3. Post a poll to gage the interest (everyone has access to
the poll on the Yahoo Site, and if you need help let m know).

4. Pick a place to meet.

5. Send out an announcement with details

6. Post event on calendar

The success of the SIN is based on the participation and the
effort that everyone puts into the group. So get busy, think of
events, post a poll, and get active. We can have as many events
as there are people to organize events.

Have a great summer!

Chris