LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
MEMBERS Notes |
by Beth Cohen |
Following are the comments made by CAMP Rehoboth Development Advisory Board Chair Beth Cohen at the recent CAMP Rehoboth Women's Conference.
It's wonderful to see all of you here at the 2009 Women's Conference. I'm sure it will be a great day of camaraderie, learning, laughing, good food, and good times. Before we leave the main group and break off into our smaller workshop sessions, I want to take a minute to be like Harvey Milk and sayI am Beth Cohen and I want to recruit you. You're probably now asking yourselveswho is this person? I am Beth Cohen and I have the honor of being on the board of CAMP Rehoboth and to chair CAMP's Development Advisory Board. I am honored because I am in awe of the impact CAMP Rehoboth has made on this community in which I now live and I want to be involved in continuing to build for the future. It's why my partner Fran Sneider and I were Founders' Circle contributors, and why we've already signed on to the new CAMP membership program. For me, the value of CAMP, in addition to the wonderful programs, events, activities, etc. is the overall organizing of the lesbian and gay community. According to Fay Jacobs, CAMP Board member and Executive Director of Rehoboth Main Street, in several other communities with large GLBT populations but without an organizing umbrella like CAMP, residents and other organizations are floundering. Unlike here, they don't have a central organizing body to: Be the "go to" spokesperson for local and regional media re: GLBT issues. CAMP Does This Advocate with City, County and State officials on GLBT issues. CAMP does this. Publicize all the events and programs going on for GLBT people. CAMP does this. Intervene to help GLBT residents in discriminatory situations. CAMP does this. Inform newcomers of the diversity and scope of the GLBT community. CAMP does this. Forge relationships with city, county and state legislators to change hearts and minds. CAMP does this. Network with the straight community to build bridges. CAMP does this. Work with the local hospital and other health providers for GLBT sensitivity and inclusion. CAMP does this. Work with local religious organizations for GLBT sensitivity and inclusion. CAMP does this. Make the community in which we live a place with room for all. CAMP certainly does this. We have come a very long way in Rehoboth Beach and the surrounding areas. Couples can comfortably hold hands walking down the street, not as a statement, but because it's a natural thing to do. I personally don't feel like I have to make that decision of whether to come out or not every time I'm in a new situation. The atmosphere here is one where we can be comfortable and just another part of the community. CAMP has been instrumental in setting up the atmosphere. And I for one am most grateful. So what can you do, and yes, this is the fundraising pitch. I ask you to join the more than 300 people who are already members of CAMP Rehoboth. Your annual membership, at the basic level or one of the higher levels if you are able, will go a long way to keep up what's already been built, continue to build for the future, and generally support the important work that CAMP continues to do on our behalf. Watch for the CAMP membership table at all of our summer events, stop by the CAMP Rehoboth office, or visit us on line to become a member. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 19, No. 04 May 08, 2009 |