PAUR Report

Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources

Friday, April 13, 2007

North Dakota Human Rights News

www.ndhrc.org

Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!

Select individual headings to view specific content. Thank you for reading.

In this PAUR Report:

              Announcements:

                   Special Hate Crime Legislation Update

Events

Reminders

NEWS:

       Native American Nicknames / Mascot News

      Tribal News

      Race & National Origin News

      Gender & Sexual Orientation News

      Disabilities

      Religion

      Miscellaneous

Do you have a Program, Announcement, Update or Resource that you would like shared on our weekly PAUR report? If so, please send an email to HumanRights@NDHRC.org and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Please Note: The NDHRC distributes a weekly PAUR report to inform our members and friends about news, events, and other human rights related information around the state. The opinions expressed within the articles are those of the authors and are not endorsed by the NDHRC.

We need your help and support to make a difference.  Your individual advocacy is invaluable.  Please consider making a monetary donation to help support the NDHRC's work.  Send your donations to NDHRC, P.O. Box 1961, Fargo, ND 58107-1961 or make a donation online by visiting www.ndhrc.org. Free memberships are also available.

New NDHRC members: as a membership benefit you have received an e-mail subscription of our weekly e-mail newsletter, the NDHRC PAUR Report.  If you would like to be removed from the PAUR Report mailing list, please send an email to humanrights@ndhrc.org.

NDHRC Legislative Update: April 3, 2007

NDHRC activity regarding human-rights-related legislation. Includes: Education, Workers' Rights, Human Services, Reproductive Rights, Workforce Safety & Insurance, Tax Proposals, and Human Rights. Visit our Legislative Activity page for updates on NDHRC activity and human rights-related legislation!

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A committee in Grand Forks has been working on establishing a Grand Forks Human Relations Commission. The group is currently seeking allies in the community and drafting an ordinance to present to the City Council this fall. Please join the next monthly meeting on April 19 at the Grand Forks Public Library Meeting Room from 6:30-8:30. For more information, please contact mitchmarr@ndhrc.org. Directions available upon request and through upcoming Action Alerts.

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HATE CRIME UPDATE

NEW: Did you know that current federal hate crime laws don't protect everyone?

     We've had a federal hate crimes law on the books since 1969, and it has never included crimes targeting victims because of their gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

     Congress is about to consider a bill that would change that and ensure all bias motivated crimes based on a person's sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, race, religion, color and national origin are covered. It would also help underfunded law enforcement officials investigate and prosecute hate crimes.

Tell your representative to support this bill at:

http://www.hrc.org/FightHate

     Here's something else that shocked me: one in six hate crimes are motivated by the victim's sexual orientation. And the federal government can't even investigate most of these crimes or help bring the criminals to justice. That's outrageous!

     In past years, right wing groups have successfully blocked attempts to expand hate crimes laws. They're gearing up for another fight now, so we need to make sure our representatives do the right thing and support this landmark law.

Click here to send your message:

http://www.hrc.org/FightHate

     In my mind, there's no question that including hate crimes protections for GLBT Americans in federal law doesn't constitute "special treatment," as some right wing groups would have us believe - there's nothing special about wanting to live safely and without fear of violence. That's something everyone deserves.

Thanks for joining me.

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/fighthate_house?rk=q11ysb41j5AlW

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NEW: Take action against hate crimes!

     Andrew Anthos was a 72-year-old patriot who loved his country so much that he led a one-man campaign to light the Michigan state capitol in red, white and blue every 4th of July. He was also gay. 

     Andrew was riding a city bus in Detroit in February when a man asked him whether he was gay. After Andrew got off the bus, the man trailed him and then beat him on the head with a pipe. Andrew was rushed to the hospital, paralyzed from the neck down. He didn’t recover. Ten days later, on February 23, Andrew passed away from his injuries.

     Hate crimes happen in this country alarmingly often. According to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 1,985 hate crimes motivated by anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender violence were committed in 2005. Nine of those attacks were murders.

     The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc., has been working with our partners at the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights to pass a federal hate crimes law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. We’ve worked hard to ensure that any legislation clearly covers crimes motivated by anti-transgender bias. On Thursday, we’ll proudly be at a press conference on Capitol Hill to applaud the introduction of a Senate bill that matches transgender-inclusive legislation already introduced in the House. The fact that both bills mirror each other signals that Congress is poised to take swift action this year to finally address these heinous crimes.

But it won’t happen without your help. Join our efforts to urge members of the House and Senate to take action right now!

E-mail your Representative

E-mail your Senator

     You can also call your elected officials and tell them to vote for the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative or Senator.

     Please, take action today. The legislation is expected to be introduced in the Senate tomorrow, and the House bill is being heard in committee next week. Now is when your elected officials need to know you care about passing this bill.

E-mail your Representative

E-mail your Senator

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. (“NGLTF, Inc.”), founded in 1974, works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. NGLTF, Inc. is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to NGLTF, Inc. are not tax-deductible.

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NEW: Disabilities Fact Sheet:

On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act, guaranteeing equal opportunity for people with disabilities in public accommodations, commercial facilities, employment, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications.

View the full fact sheet, here, on the NDHRC website. Below, we’ve highlighted a few facts:

* 51.2 million people have some level of disability. They represent 18 percent of the population.

* 10.7 million people age 6 and older need personal assistance with one or more activities of daily living (such as taking a bath or shower) or instrumental activities of daily living (such as using the telephone).

* 2.7 million people age 15 and older use a wheelchair. Another 9.1 million use an ambulatory aid such as a cane, crutches or walker.

* 1.8 million people age 15 and older report being unable to see.

* 1 million people age 15 and older report being unable to hear.

* 2.6 million people age 15 and older have some difficulty having their speech understood by others. Of this number, 610,000 were unable to have their speech understood at all.

* 11.8 million of 16- to 64-year-olds who reported the presence of a medical condition that makes it difficult to find a job or remain employed.

* 56% of people ages 21 to 64 having some type of disability and also employed in the last year. The rate ranged from 82 percent of those with a nonsevere disability to 43 percent with a severe disability. For those without a disability, the rate is 88 percent.

* $22,000 is the median earnings for people with a nonsevere disability. This compares to $25,000 for those with no disability and $12,800 for those with a severe disability.

* 11% is the poverty rate for people ages 25 to 64 with a nonsevere disability. This compares to 26 percent for those with a severe disability and 8 percent of those without a disability.

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NEW: May is Mental Health Month

For a complete calendar, visit www.ndhrc.org, or access directly here.

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More information can also be obtained from the Funding Exchange website, located at:  http://www.fex.org/.

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NDSU Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND) Program Seeking Participants
   The North Dakota State University Extension Service is looking for individuals who want to become part of creating the future for their organization, community and state.
   The Extension Service's Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND) program is accepting applications for its 2007-09 class, which starts in October. RLND is a two-year program for emerging agricultural and rural leaders. RLND teaches participants to be effective leaders with the skills to overcome challenges and guide North Dakota into the future.
   July 1 is the deadline to apply to join the 2007-09 class. Applicants must have been a state resident for at least a year and be able to attend all of the seminars and study tour. Participants will be responsible for tuition of $1,375 for each of the two years. Scholarships are available for part of the tuition. Funding from other sources covers the rest of the $11,000 cost per participant. Those other funding sources include the NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota businesses and organizations, foundations, granting agencies and individuals.
   For more information on RLND, or if you want to apply or nominate someone for the class, visit RLND's Web site at www.ag.ndsu.edu/rlnd, send an e-mail to r-leader@ndsuext.nodak.edu or call the RLND Office at 701-231-5803.

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Legislative Action Alert: North Dakota taxpayers should not pay to defend polluting industries!

   Background: Two bills still pending in state legislature would direct state money toward a litigation fund to protect the industry from environmental regulations. HB

1014 and HB 1093 together would allow the industry to spend up to $2,000,000 of state moneys on litigation.

   While most states are cracking down on polluting power plants, even going up against the EPA over weakened federal pollution rules, North Dakota's lignite industry wants to use taxpayer money to defend itself against such actions.

   The industry would likely sue Minnesota if a carbon cap bill now pending in the MN state legislature passes.  The bill would put a cap on the state's purchases of power from sources contributing to global warming, like ND lignite.

HB 1014 is a budget bill and is pending in the Senate.

   HB 1093 is in a House/Senate conference committee because the House did not agree to Senate amendments giving coal $500,000 for litigation.  We do not yet know what the outcome will be.  The conference Committee: Reps. Weiler, Grande and Pinkerton and Sens. Wardner, Christmann and Tallackson.

   Action: Call your Representatives and Senators and tell them that you do not want your money to be used to defend polluters!  Tell them you object to any and all provisions in HB 1093 (House) and HB 1014 (Senate) giving money to big coal for litigation and they should be removed!! Legislative hotline:  1-888-635-3447

   Using state money to litigate over environmental rules will only allow the industry to continue to pollute, when they should be cleaning up!  If the industry wants to litigate, it can spend its own money---not YOURS!

Terry Schaunaman [mailto:terry@drcinfo.com]

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North Dakota Passes Peace Resolution 

From Senator Tim Mathern, prime sponsor: “Our legislature recently passed North Dakota's own Peace Resolution, a progressive piece of legislation which has thrived in this red state. The resolution calls for the pursuit of peace in Iraq and Afghanistan. It voices support for our troops, urging their return with or without a successful conclusion of their efforts.

The secrets to our success:

1) Public opinion in North Dakota disapproves of the escalation of war in Iraq.

2) The resolution had bipartisan sponsorship, one Democrat, one Republican.

3) North Dakota's peace community rallied around the resolution with all their force and grace.

4) The military community was welcomed as allies in the mutual goal of supporting our troops.

   We made it as challenging as we could for risk-averse legislators to vote their conscience and their hope -- peace in the Middle East.

   In my twenty years as a senator, I have never heard the word peace with such frequency in the legislative halls. This is better than a good start. In the Peace Garden State, this may be the least that we will do.”

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Hate Crimes Bill Introduced in the House of Representatives
    The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R. 1592) was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 20.  This bill gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias motivated violence by providing the Department with jurisdiction over crimes of violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the persons actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
    The National Association of LGBT Community Centers (NALGBTCC) is working actively with a broad coalition of organizations and individuals committed to the passage of this important piece of legislation.  If you would like more information go to www.unitedagainsthate.net or email Terry Stone at terry@lgbtcenters.org to add your name to the growing list of advocates in our Community Center Action Network (CCAN).  The Association will keep you up-to-date as this bill and others move through Congress as well as provide you with important tools to help you make your voice heard.  Become part of CCAN today.

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NEW: Free Forum: Conversations with Legislators
Tuesday, April 17 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
...Each Tuesday during the 2007 Legislative Session...
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Room 113 (basement), Corner of Washington Street and Divide Avenue, Bismarck.
Legislators and ordinary North Dakota folks from around the state are participating. This is an informal, positive, opportunity to visit with lawmakers away from the hub hub of wining and dining. We're the people and legislators would like to visit with us.
Sponsors:
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, North Dakota Center for the Public Good, NDPeople.Org, AAUW Bismarck-Mandan, North Dakota Peace Coalition     ...more sponsors are welcome...
For more information, contact
Cheryl Bergian Executive Director NDHRC, 701-239-9323, cherylbergian@ndhrc.org
Don Morrison, Executive Director NDCPG, 224-8090, don@ndpeople.org
 

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NEW: Yom Hashoah Service

5 p.m., Sunday, April 15^th, 2007

Temple Beth El, 809 11^th Avenue South, Fargo ND

For more information please call the Temple Office at

701.232.0441

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NEW: UND Time-Out Week And Wacipi Set For April 16-22

03/21/07 -- UND News

The University of North Dakota Indian Association (UNDIA) celebrates its 38th Annual Time-Out Week & Wacipi, April 16-22, 2007 ... Each year Time-Out Week is planned, promoted, and hosted by UNDIA, one of the most enduring Native student organizations on campus. Most events are free and open to the public. http://www2.und.edu/our/news/story.php?id=2041

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   For more information please visit www.ndpeace.org or call Karen Van Fossan at 701-258-6667.
 

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NEW: VISTA Volunteers: Interest and Information Meeting

     Please come to an Interest and Information meeting hosted by Concordia College to learn about VISTA volunteers and how your community organization might qualify for one. Presenters will be here from the Minnesota office of the Corporation for National Service and the Minnesota Literacy Council to explain the VISTA volunteer program and the application process for community organizations. They are interested in working with more organizations in our region in the coming years so if you think you might be interested in the near future, now is your opportunity to get the information you need.

      The meeting will be held on Friday, April 20, 10:30-11:30 in the conference room at the Concordia College Riverside Center, 310 14th Ave. S., Moorhead. Parking is available in the lot on the southwest corner. Please let me know if you plan to come so we can be sure we have enough materials. RSVP via email lyons@cord.edu

     AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) provides full-time members to nonprofit, faith-based and other community organizations, and public agencies to create and expand programs that ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty. Visit http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp for more info.

Contact: Chelle Lyons Hanson, Director, Leadership and Service, Assistant to the Dean of Student Development. Concordia College, 901 8th St. S., Moorhead, MN 56562. Ph: 218-299-3640 Fax: 218-299-4312, email: lyons@cord.edu, web: http://student.cord.edu/dept/leadserv

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NEW: An Eye for an Eye: Reflections on the Death Penalty, April 22

Fargo-Moorhead Unitarian Universalist member and North Dakota Human Rights Coalition executive director, Cheryl Bergian, will reflect on Martin Luther King, UU Principles and the debate on bringing back a state death penalty.

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NEW: The “Giant Dialogue” Panel & Disussion: Sustainable Community Stewardship Fund

A nonprofit community meeting scheduled 1-4 p.m., Tuesday, April 24 at Fargodome meeting room #201 (1800 University Drive, Fargo, ND). Free and open to the public.

* How would the community benefit from a sustainable community stewardship fund that would be used for human and social services issues?

* How should such a fund be managed?

* How would we fund this endeavor?

     Attend this meeting to discuss the idea of developing a Sustainable Community Stewardship Fund that would fund human and social service issues.

     This is part of a long-term vision for the community, and the Waking the Sleeping Giant Group is sponsoring this community dialogue to seek the input of area nonprofits and the perspectives of the community.

     The “Giant Dialogue” is open to all nonprofits. We encourage members, constituents, consumers of their organizations to attend. We believe that everyone should have a voice.

Sponsored by “Waking the Sleeping Giant.” For more information, contact People Escaping Poverty Project at 218-236-5434.

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NEW: “REVEALING METH IN MINNESOTA”: Film and Panel Discussion

     The Clay County Attorneys  Office & The Minnesota County Attorneys Association cordially invites you to the community screening of a documentary chronicling the impact of methamphetamine in our state. It will take place 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at Minnesota State University, Moorhead, Science Lab, Room 104 (next to Hagen Hall).

     A panel discussion of the impact of methamphetamine in our community will follow the screening. Panelists include: Ramsey County Attorney Susan E. Gaertner, Moderator; Chief Asst. County Attorney Heidi M.F. Davies; The Honorable Lisa N. Borgen; Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Myers; Chemical Dependency Evaluator Heather Penfield; DEA Task Force Officer, Det. Charles “Chuck” Anderson.

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NEW: The GOD’S CHILD Project is “Celebrating the Children of the World” w/legendary hall of famer Harmon Killebrew

April 27: 6pm social & 7pm dinner at Ramkota Hotel (800 S. 3^rd Street, Bismarck, ND). Tickets are $50/adults, $30/students, available at The Rainbow Shop and Divine Intimacy. April 28: 5:30pm social & 6:30pm dinner at Ramada Plaza Suites (635 42^nd St. SW, Fargo, ND).  Tickets are $50/adults, $30/students, available at all Hornbacher’s locations.

Sponsored by The GOD’S CHILD Project, 721 Memorial Hwy, Bismarck, ND 58504. (701) 255-7956 / www.GCPNC.org

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NEW: “Uniting Our Families”-May 4^th & 5^th in Bismarck at the Comfort Inn.  Hosted by ND Vision Services/School for the Blind & Family Team.  This event is for families who have children with visual impairments.  Contact ND Vision Services/School for the Blind for more information at 1-800-421-1181. 

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NEW: Third Annual Clinical Forum on Mental Health:  Turning Knowledge into Practice!  May 15-16-17, 2007, Pre-Conference, May 15 Seven Seas Inn & Convention Center- Mandan, North Dakota  A preliminary Schedule at a Glance is posted on the Web site.  Updates will be made very soon with more detail.  The Web site is www.conted.und.edu/clinicalforum .  REGISTRATION INFORMATION:  Your complete registration brochure will be mailed to you at a later date.  Registration is available now through our secure server, or you can print a PDF of the registration form, on our Web site:
www.conted.und.edu/clinicalforum

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Fargo Bike/Walk for Cutting Carbon!

12:00 - 01:30 p.m., Saturday, April 14, 2007
Bring your bike or your best pair of walking shoes to take to the streets to to show our local, state, and national elected officials that we care about the future of our planet! DETAILS: 12:00- Gather at Island Park to hear what you can do to curb climate change 12:30- Start out on the Bike Ride/Walk down through the main thorough fares of Fargo-Moorhead (specific route TBA) 1:00-1:15 end bike ride/walk at Island Park If you would like to help organize or spread the word, email FMClimateAction@gmail.com!

Location: Meet at the gazebo in Island Park Near 7th Street and 3rd Ave. S

Directions: Downtown Fargo, ND

     On April 14th, over 800 communities across the country will come together to ask Congress to finally do something about bringing us into a clean energy future. This is the first nationwide rally against global warming. As of today, North Dakota and South Dakota are the only states without events-- help us put ND on the map for a better future! (see www.stepitup2007.org for more info).    If you are able to contribute your talent or contacts in anyway, we would greatly appreciate it. Or, better yet, if you or someone you know is already working on organizing a local action, let's team up! Please respond ASAP to FMClimateAction@gmail.com to let us know how you would like to become involved.

     Please forward this to any other group or individual you think may want to get involved! In Cooperation, Samm Saarion 701.238.2002 & Kim Winnegge (218) 329-1493; FMClimateAction@gmail.com

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Pathfinder Services, ND's Department of Special Education and the ND State Council on Developmental Disabilities will present "Transition: A Collaboration In School and Beyond" on April 13th and 14th, 2007.  The Pathfinder Conference will be held at the Grand International Inn in Minot ND.  Free conference registration is available for parents of children with disabilities.  We also have limited Thursday and Friday evening lodging stipends for parents who must travel a distance of more than 60 miles each way. For more information and to print a registration form, please visit the Pathfinder Family Center website at www.pathfinder.minot.com .  You can also call Pathfinders at 1-800-245-5840 or 1-701-837-7500 and we will mail out a registration form. 

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The Family Connections Conference helps North Dakota families of children with special needs and the professionals who support them to collaborate. The conference will be held at Best Western Doublewood Inn in Fargo North Dakota.  For more information Contact NDCPD at 1-800-233-1737 (toll free) or  701-858-3580, or e-mail at haarstad@minotstateu.edu.

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38^th Annual UNDIA Time-Out Week - "Empowering All Nations: Unity Through Wellness," April 16-22

This year’s focus on wellness will feature one of the seven dimensions of wellness each day. All Time-Out Week events are free and open to students, faculty, staff and the general public. For up-to-the-minute details about Time-Out Week and the Wacipi, visit www.und.nodak.edu/org/undia . For a printer-friendly schedule, visit http://www.und.nodak.edu/org/undia/2%20page%20Time-Out%20Flyer%20March%2022.pdf

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Anti-Racism Tuesdays: Speaker and Video Series - Spring 2007

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Fair Housing of the Dakotas sponsors: Fundamentals of Fair Housing Workshops

Agenda: What is Housing Discrimination? ** The Federal Fair Housing Act ** State Human Rights/Fair Housing Laws ** Complaint Filing & Investigative Process ** Advertising & Applications ** Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications ** New Design and Construction ** Occupancy Standards ** Updated Case Law

Workshops have been scheduled for the following dates and communities for 2007:

       • April 19: 1:00-4:45 PM, Best Western Ramkota Hotel, 1400 8^th Ave., NW, Aberdeen, SD

       • April 24: 1:00-4:45 PM, Best Western Ramkota Hotel, 800 S. 3^rd Street, Bismarck, ND (funding for this workshop also provided through a City of Bismarck CDBG grant)

       • May 22: 1:00-4:45 PM, Airport International Inn, 3601 2^nd Avenue West, Williston, ND

       • June 21: 1:00-4:45 PM, Travel Lodge, 3300 W. Russell Street, Sioux Falls, SD

       • Save the Dates: Check our website (www.ndfhc.org) for tentative dates for Fargo, Chamberlain, Grand Forks, Minot & Rapid City or for updates on continuing education credits. A registration flyer for these workshops will be distributed at a later date.

Attendance is free but advance registration is required to ensure adequate seating and materials. Space may be limited at some workshops. Materials available in alternative formats upon request. Coffee and soft drinks will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact the Fair Housing of the Dakotas: 701-221-2530 or 1-888-265-0907 (toll-free)

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The Legal Advocacy Fund, a program of the American Association of University Women Foundation, is the nation’s largest legal fund focused solely on sex discrimination in higher education.

   On April 20 and 21, 2007 the AAUW is holding their state meeting at the Doublewood Inn in Fargo, ND.  As part of this meeting, a Legal Advocacy Fund plaintiff, Robin Potera-Haskins, a former head coach of the women’s basketball program at Montana State University – Bozeman, will be speaking at a luncheon on Saturday noon, April 21.  The public is invited to attend this luncheon and college students and personnel should be particularly interested. 

   The cost of the luncheon which will be held at the Doublewood Inn in Fargo will be $10 and reservations can be made by calling Julie Garrett at 298-6574 by April 18. 

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An Eye for an Eye: Reflections on the Death Penalty

Sunday, April 22 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fargo-Moorhead on. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The old law of an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.” FMUU member and NDHRC executive director, Cheryl Bergian, will reflect on ML King, UU principles and the debate on bringing back a state death penalty.

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Hjemkomst Voyage 25^th Anniversary: The Dream Lives On - 6-month Commemoration

May 11, 2007: Sail-Raiser (a fundraiser for the HHIC) - 25 years ago to the day the Hjemkomst ship set sail for Norway. Enjoy Gourmet Scandinavian Hors D'Oeuvres, meet Hjemkomst Crew Members, watch the Hjemkomst sail being raised by Hjemkomst Crew Members with Community Members. For ticket information call: (218) 299-5511.

June 19, 2007: Collaborative Event with Scandinavian Festival (TBA)

Tuesday Night Programming (TBA): Topics include Hjemkomst Crew and Family, Scandinavian Immigration, Viking History.

Contact Person: Michelle Kittleson - 218-299-5511 x222

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   Bismarck, ND – March 5, 2007 – Dakota OutRight, a non-profit organization that serves as a community resource and provides gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) diversity education, has announced that they will celebrate their fourth GLBT Pride Fest July 27-29, 2007 at Eagles Park, Bismarck. Pride Fest is a unique time to celebrate unity within the GLBT community and allies in western and central North Dakota. All friends and family of the GLBT community are invited to join in any of the activities during the weekend festival.
   Eagles Park is located north of Bismarck along the historic Missouri River on Highway 1804. The park offers camping for the weekend, and various activities for all ages. For those camping at the campground, there will be a themed campsite decorating contest.
   Pride Fest begins with a Friday night bonfire and entertainment. Saturday there will be various outdoor activities, information/vendor booths, food concessions, a GLBT Pride Award presentation, entertainment, and a dance hosted by Dakota Good Friends. Pride Fest will conclude with a Sunday morning worship service followed by snacks and fellowship.
   Make the journey this summer to Bismarck-Mandan to celebrate your GLBT pride! For updated information regarding Bismarck-Mandan GLBT Pride Fest 2007, visit www.DakotaOutRight.org or email hosts@dakotaoutright.org.
 

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Join the Pride Planning Meetings: F-M Pride has been set for Wed., May 30 through Sun., June 3. The Pride Planning Committee meets every other week and welcomes people to join the meetings. Are you interested in helping plan or volunteer for Pride? Do you have an idea for our event? Please join us for the upcoming meetings. For more information check out our website www.pridecollective.com or email fmpride@pridecollective.com Meetings are held at the PEPP Building.

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AFP and NDANO co-host non-profit conference in Fargo

Creating Common Ground for Growth, an educational conference on nonprofit funding will be held June 3-5 at the Ramada Plaza Suites and Conference Center, Fargo. The conference will feature excellent speakers and educational tracks, as well as opportunities for networking. More than 200 nonprofit professionals, board members and volunteers from throughout the Midwest are expected at the event to gain quality training at a very reasonable cost. Save the dates now.   

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NAACP chapter starting in ND: A group out of Grand Forks has laid the groundwork for a North Dakota chapter of the NAACP.  North Dakota is one of only two states in the United States without a chapter of the organization. Stay posted for notices of future meetings and events. Right now, the group needs members in order to get a charter from the national NAACP. The membership is $30.00, and checks can be made out to, and sent to: Northern Lights Chapter of NAACP, P.O. Box 12142, Grand Forks, ND  58208-2142. The Mission Statement of the NAACP:  "...to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights for all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination."

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Pride Collective & Community Center now accepting Board Member applications
The Pride Collective & Community Center is currently receiving applications for an open position on its board of directors.  Board terms are currently for one year, renewable for a total of five consecutive terms.  Please contact the Pride Collective at info@pridecollective.com if you're interested in completing an application.
 

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Local GLBT Social/Discussion Group
Minnkota Center would like to invite you to participate in our upcoming social/discussion groups offered to men who identify as Gay, Queer, MSM, or Bisexual and to women who identify as Gay, Lesbian, Womyn Loving Womyn, or Bisexual. The men's groups will be meeting the first and third Mondays of each month; and the women's groups will be meeting the first and third Wednesdays. The groups will meet from 5:30-7:30 in the downstairs community room of the PEPP building. These will be open-forum discussion groups that Minnkota hopes will provide people the opportunity to meet others, share ideas, discuss alternative views and empower one another through knowledge and understanding. For more information, please contact Clint or Katie at 287-4636 or toll-free at 1-877-871-4636, or by email at: clinton@pepp.org or katie@pepp.org
 

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Ten Percent Society    www.fmtps.com
Our group provides social activities, support, and education to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered students, faculty and staff and straight allies on the campuses of Minnesota State University Moorhead and North Dakota State University and in the Fargo-Moorhead community.
Rideshare Names & Numbers: If you would like to join us at a meeting but don't have a ride, give one of these nice people a call and you can arrange to meet somewhere:  Abby: 701-541-1605, Nate: 701-388-2075, Justin: 701-400-6429, Nick: 651-380-6741, Andrew: 701-212-2109, Jake: 701-866-8550, Jacob: 701-361-9774, Stacey: 701-318-3347, or Erika: 320-250-1915.
 

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Volunteer or Intern with Planned Parenthood!

“MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  IN HER LIFE.  IN HIS LIFE.  IN YOUR LIFE.”

Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota has provided our community with

education and confidential reproductive health care at an affordable cost for more than 70 years. 

Help us achieve our mission by participating in one of these exciting opportunities: 

Volunteer and Internship Positions:

Reality Checker – Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, Grand Forks

Super Activist - Fargo 

Coffee House Series Committee - Fargo

Public Affairs Administrative Assistant - Fargo

For more information or to apply, contact ajacobson@ppmns.org or 701.526.0726 , or visit our website at www.ppmns.org.

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The Arc of Bismarck & The ND Protection & Advocacy Project staff are collaborating to offer training and support to groups or individuals wishing to participate in the legislative process. For more details or to schedule a workshop that includes information on how a bill becomes a law and how to draft and deliver legislative testimony, please use one of the contact points listed below to schedule an appointment. Please share this in your circles - Thank you! 701-258-7949. joyce@apsimail.com # arcbis@midconetwork.com # tlarsen@nd.gov

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Bismarck: Human Relations Video Series

    The Bismarck Human Relations Committee in partnership with the Bismarck Public Library presents a Human Rights Video Series the 3rd Sunday of each month, 3:00 PM, at the Bismarck Public Library, Room C.
    The series is facilitated by a member of the Human Relations Committee and is family focused with material presented suitable for the entire family. For more information about the video series call the Bismarck Public Library at 250-7600. For more information about the Human Relations Committee please click on Human Relations Committee. Contact Information: contact Daphne Ghorbani. Affiliation: Bismarck Human Relations Committee.

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Nonprofits Assistance Fund Launches Blog
A newly launched blog by Kate Barr, Executive Director of the Nonprofits Assistance Fund, can be found here . The blog focuses particularly on nonprofit organizations, large and small, that must work to raise funds each year. In a weekly one-pager, Kate shares her thoughts and insights on nonprofit management. The subscription is free and you’ll find very practical, relevant information on what all NPO’s face every day to help make your organizations successful.

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The Local chapter of the national campaign for the creation of a cabinet level Department of Peace is looking for a few good men and women volunteers, across the state, to team up to lobby for this bill.  Please contact State Coordinator and District Team Leader Paddy McLaughlin to see how you might become involved with this powerful bill for peace.  Meetings in Fargo at the Center, every 1^st & 3^rd Tuesday of the month, 8 p.m. Call 701-232-0694 for details. www.thepeacealliance.org

Local Peace Circle takes place every Tuesday at 7:00 P.M. at The Center for Peace, 411 11th St. N., Fargo, ND. Please join us as we meditate on, prayer for and envision the conditions necessary for healing and peace on Earth.  Contact Paddy McLaughlin, 701-232-0694

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Lawsuit costs at $315K
Amy Dalrymple, The Forum - 04/11/2007

Salt Lake City-based attorneys representing North Dakota in a lawsuit against the NCAA have billed more than $315,000 to the University of North Dakota Foundation. http://www.in-forum.com/News/articles/162368

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IMUS CONTROVERSY

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