Recap - Fall 2009

After our first semester, I am excited to look back at what the Michigan Proud Allied Wolverines Conference Planning Team (M-PAW CPT) has been working on in preparation for the 2011 MBLGTACC at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. M-PAW has made substantial progress in all four critical areas of conference planning: Programming, Logistics, Development and Finances, and Marketing and Communications.

Before describing progress in each of these areas of our effort, I would like to recognize and thank those who have contributed this semester:


Thank you to all of the student members of M-PAW. Thanks for already getting so much done; thanks for being funny, exciting friends; thanks for your continued dedication to the MBLGTACC and the social justice organizing it represents.


Thank you to Gabe and Lauren and all of the staff, interns, and volunteers of the University of Michigan Spectrum Center. Your advice as well as your hard work on projects has been invaluable. Thanks for challenging us to work harder and think more deeply about the structure and impacts of the 2011 conference.


Thank you to Vice President for Student Affairs Royster Harper and the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Michigan. You have been an absolutely fabulous institutional family to collaborate with. Thanks especially for you vision and inspiration.


Thank you to the students attending the 2010 MBLGTACC at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Thanks for contributing workshops to the 2010 conference program; thanks for invigorating the University of Michigan presence at the 2010 MBLGTACC.


Thank you to all of you who have supported the conference in less visible ways. House-mates, friends, and colleagues – you have offered support, a new perspective, and a source of innovation on many occasions.


Programming Update
The core programming committee is currently working on scheduling keynote speakers and professional entertainment for the 2011 MBLGTACC. The programming committee is on the verge of confirming parts of the speaking program for the 2011 conference!


Logistics Update
The core logistics committee has conducted a thorough overview of space requirements for the conference. Reservations for key spaces, including rooms in the Michigan Union and Michigan League have been booked. The committee has followed through on space reservations with walkthroughs and discussions with professionals on use of spaces for the 2011 MBLGTACC.


Development and Finances Update
The core development and finances committee is working closely with the Division of Student Affairs Development in efforts to build a strong foundation for the 2011 MBLGTACC. The committee is also drafting the first complete budget for the 2011 conference. The committee is in communication with the 2008 and 2009 conference planners in order to build on past experience and grow capacity for the 2011 MBLGTACC.


Marketing and Communications Update
The core marketing and communications committee is collaborating with the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and is working hard to build a multi-level marketing presence. The committee is finalizing plans for tabling and advertising at the 2010 MBLGTACC at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. The committee is collaborating on logo development with the University of Michigan chapter of the American Institute for Graphic Artists (AIGA).


With the 2010 MBLGTACC coming up on February 19, 2010 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, there is just over a year left before the 2011 MBLGTACC! On January 6, 2010 at 5:00 PM in the Spectrum Center, M-PAW will be meeting to schedule meeting times during Winter term. All returning and potential members are welcome!


Keep up the hard work on ongoing projects. I look forward to moving ahead with renewed energy in the new year! Until then, Happy Holidays! Happy New Year! and try to get a little sleep.

And we're off!

     I have been to two MBLGTACC's in the past two years, and it is invigorating to think that U of M will be hosting it next year. There is a unique excitement to being able to plan an annual event that is attended by college students from all over the mid-west. We have the chance to bring people together, offer educational opportunities, and have a ton of fun.



     Part of my role in all of this planning is web development, and that includes getting this blog up and running. Chris Armstrong summed up the purpose of the blog well: "I see the blog as being an aspect of in-depth communication among multiple arms of the conference. I think that this would serve mostly as a way to record progress on certain projects and garner feedback on what people should be doing." In the future, you can expect posts about what the CPT is working on, new developments in conference planning, and updates on exciting decisions that are made.

     Before you leave, check out some of the other pages on the site. Check out who we are working with on the affiliates page, see what the conference is all about on the about page, find our email addresses and mug shots on the contact page, and you can follow our twitter feed by clicking on the bird. Check back soon to hear from different people involved in other areas of the conference. Get excited!

Affiliates

About

MBLGTACC is an annual regional conference fo LGBTQ and Ally-identified college students. events include workshops, plenary speakers, entertainment, and peer and speaker-led workshops. The university of Michigan has never hosted the MBLGTACC and the conference would serve as a "kickoff" to the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the University of Michigan Spectrum Center.

Our conference theme is "Justice or Just Us?" - reflecting the interplay between diverse generations, identities, and the intersectional experience within the LGBTQ and Ally movement for equity in every respect.

Contact

Mical Degraaff
M-PAW Team Leader
degraaff@umich.edu





Sean Collins
M-PAW Team Leader
smcoll@umich.edu





Melissa Coppola
Conference Development
melcop@umich.edu





Chris Armstrong
Speaker Outreach
charmstr@umich.edu





Colin Roberts
Online and Multimedia Communications
colinr@umich.edu





Gabe Javier
Spectrum Center Assistant Director
javiergc@umich.edu