Members Update 20th May
Inspiring Women – Role of Group
Background
Inspiring Women has already been in existence for more than two years. It is not time-limited and was not established in response to any particular funded project – it exists to provide a forum for feminist women to come together to discuss issues concerning women in Scotland (and beyond).
Members
Inspiring Women comprises Engender members who work or have a specific interest in equalities. Members are feminists who come together on an informal basis to consider and discuss women’s issues in Scotland.
Group members offer their time, energy, experience and expertise. They share information, ideas and reflections on the issues affecting women in Scotland and together provide a feminist analysis of each of the equalities strands and the intersections.
Membership of the group is fluid in that a ‘contacts list’ is held and managed by Carol. She will email out all ‘Inspiring Women’ communications to the group members who in turn are responsible for responding as appropriate. The group sessions and events are posted on the website (news section) and often included in mail outs so any Engender member (or someone interested in becoming an Engender member) can get in contact with Carol and join the group.
Aims
The broad aim of the group is to operate as a ‘think tank’ for Engender:
To develop a Scottish feminist perspective on equalities and any other issues affecting women.
The aim of the sessions is:
To facilitate an open space for Engender members, Board and Staff to meet as equals and to ground our work in ‘lived experience’ and understanding of feminism in Scotland today.
Project Work at Engender
Inspiring Women sessions may very powerfully link to current project work at Engender.
It is envisaged that specific sessions will provide an opportunity to reflect on the work and progress arising from the communities of interest involved in the EHRC funded ‘Equality Counting’ project. This will be in the context of the Local Government Concordat, Single Outcome Agreements as well as national and international policy. The discussions will generate learning that can be applied to policy work at Engender and shared as learning briefs.
There will also be links to the Esmée Fairbairn funded ‘Who Counts?’ project in terms of the issues raised by women campaigning on gendered poverty issues and holding public authorities to account.
It is, however, important to note that Inspiring Women sessions are not led by the project work but will operate in tandem with projects and add value and essence to all issues raised. Members of the Inspiring Women group are always encouraged to suggest topics for discussion.
Accessing Inspiring Women on Engender website:
• www.engender.org.uk
• Select ‘members’ from left hand panel
• Select ‘Login’
• Enter Username and Password. Username is your first and second name in lower case with no spaces (i.e carolflack). Password is your second name in lower case
• Under ‘Inspiring Women’ you will see meeting dates and by clicking on the title you access further details and a link to the summary of the meeting if it has taken place
To start or join a debate on an Inspiring Women topic (or any other topic) enter the members’ forum on the members’ page.
Dissertaion Research - Can you help?
I am looking for people to participate in my dissertation research. The project is called "Reflections on non-consensual and unwanted sexual experiences: beyond the consensual sex/rape dichotomy", and will investigate heterosexual sexual experiences, with a focus on (lack of) consent, choice, control, wantedness, and more. Edinburgh and Lothians Racial Equality Council
I am organising a women-only focus group (I tried organising one for men but didn't receive enough responses) in the week between the 25th and the 30th of May: if you would like to part-take, please get back to me asap, so I can arrange/communicate the details!
I am also looking for people to be interviewed on a one-to-one basis: this will happen in JULY (in Edinburgh).
Again, please get in touch if you would like to talk to me about your ideas/knowledge/experience on the topic!
You can participate in either the focus group, the individual interviews, or both. Remember: there will be cake!
To participate, you need to be between 18 and 30(ish) years of age, and ideally have had some kind of heterosexual sexual experience.
I can be contacted at missaligalli@yahoo.co.uk , A.Galli@sms.ed.ac.uk, or on my mobile at 0750/734 7222.
Of course I'll be happy to provide more info on the research too. I hope to hear from many of you : ).
Jobs
Post of Community development assistant (until 31 December 2010)
Full Time, based in Edinburgh
SJC AP2 £18,813 - £19,890
This post is funded by the Big Lottery Fund. The post holder will work alongside another assistant and Community Development Officer and assist with the development and implementation of ELREC's Local Development Project enabling black and minority ethnic (BME) individuals living in East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian Councils to form local action groups and formal focal points where voluntary and public organisations can involve, gather views from and consult with BME people. You will have an understanding of community development and community engagement. You will have experience of project and event management, and ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
See full details and download application pack here
Closing date 12 noon, Friday 4 June 2010.
Interviews to be held on w/c 14 June 2010.
