Herland Sister Resources

lake eufaula state park, checotah, ok
october 24 – 26, 2008
  
It’s almost time for another great retreat weekend!  This time we’ll meet at Lake Eufaula State Park (formerly Fountainhead) on October 24 – 26, 2008.  As usual, the weekend promises to be full of relaxation, great conversation, good friends, good music, and lots of fun. 
On Friday night, Kara will be leading a fun meet and greet event, so that we can all get to know each other a little better.  The Saturday Night Concert will feature a duo from Tulsa known as Karma Sultra, with Lara covering the vocals and Ondrea on piano.  Karma Sultra is a blues/jazz/cabaret band that mixes torch classics and modern masterpieces for an unforgettable show.  You can check them out on myspace at                   http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=409668664.
On Saturday, our featured workshop will be “Self Esteem & Body Image” led by Dawn Singleton, Ph.D.  Dawn’s workshop will focus on learning how to better love and accept ourselves where we are right now.  If you can’t come for the entire weekend, consider coming at least for Saturday, as Dawn is an extremely talented and insightful woman, and promises to lead an unforgettable workshop.
In conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness month, Jeanne will be leading some exciting and fun craft/costume events at the retreat.  The costume contest will be inspired by the Krewe of Brassiere, a small but hilarious parade that precedes Rex at Mardi Gras in New Orleans.  Start thinking now about how creative you can get with bras!  There will be several categories to enter after spending time together decorating and designing costumes revolving around what else…bras!  If you want to join in the festivities, please plan on bringing an extra bra or two (thrift stores are a good cheap source), a t-shirt to attach them to (unless you want to kick it up a notch and be closer to nature!), fabric, hats, gloves, shoes, stuffing (socks, tissue, bags of birdseed etc.), and anything else you think may make a great addition to your costume.
Jeanne will also be coordinating a pumpkin carving contest, with one of the categories being “best breasts”.  Bring your pumpkin and any carving materials you have, and help lend a little levity to this serious issue, supporting all the women we know and love, affected by breast cancer.
Your registration fee includes lodging in a cabin, a light dinner on Friday, scrumptious breakfast/brunch on Saturday and Sunday mornings,  Saturday evening Potluck Dinner (bring or plan on making a dish to wow your fellow campers), all workshops and group camp activities, and the Saturday night concert.
Unfortunately, because of a minor incident at the last retreat, we have to revise the dog rules.  Dogs of all shapes and sizes are welcome, but we ask that if your dog “doesn’t play well with others” or shows any aggressive tendencies towards people or animals, please leave them at home with a sitter.  Everyone attending the retreat with a dog must sign a waiver stating that they are completely responsible for any injury or damage caused by their dog.  We hope that this promotes a more relaxing atmosphere for everyone.
If you have any special needs, please be sure to include them on your registration form, or call one of the numbers listed below, and we’ll make every attempt to accommodate you.
Please send your registration as soon as possible.  When we receive your registration form, about a week before the retreat, we will mail you a packet which has the retreat schedule, a list of items you may want to bring, details about the weekend, and a map to Lake Eufaula State Park.  Deadline is Oct. 17 in order to receive information packet before retreat, but may pay at the retreat if necessary.  If you plan to pay at the retreat, please call (405) 550-2312 to pre-register.
The Herland Retreat is whatever we make it.  Let’s make it great!

Don’t miss this opportunity to drum with the best at Herland on Friday, October 3, from 7:30—9:30 pm (or later).  Just bring your drums and we’ll provide drinks and snacks for this 2+ hour workshop with drummer extraordinaire—Wahru.
Wahru Cleveland is the founder and director of the Ohio—based multicultural women’s drum, song, and dance group, Sistah Ngoma and was the 2003 National Women’s Music Festival’s “Drum Mother.” She has taught and conducted the National Women’s Music Festival Drum Chorus since 2003, and was a member of the Columbus women’s jazz group, Moxie for over 5 years. Wahru is a drummer for Pat Funderburg’s AfroRhythyms, and is the percussionist for Rhythm Enrichment, a Columbus based Rhythm, Blues, and Jazz group. Wahru is considered an accomplished drummer on the Djembe’, bongos, congas, and dunun. She has facilitated drum circles for many Columbus festivals, including Comfest, the Ohio LBA, and Hot Times. Wahru is the facilitator of the Columbus Community Drummers and the instructor/facilitator of the Columbus Women’s Drum Chorus.
Wahru just finished the Ohio Lesbian Festival where she did a workshop and her group opened the night stage.  Later, she, Judith Casselberry, and Juca played a number with Bitch and Ferron. 
Suggested donation for the workshop is $15.

by Amazon Grace

Okay, if you think the upcoming election isn’t important, or if you have some carefully thought out reason why you are going to stay away from the polls, I’m not going to argue with you. Otherwise, it’s time to get up off your butt and make sure you are registered to vote. Or, stay seated if you prefer, go online, and go to some of the links provided below.
According to the Oklahoma State Election Board, Friday, Oct. 10 is the last day to register to vote if you want to vote in the Nov. 4 general election. You can download a registration form at www.ok.gov/~elections/vrfrmshl.html.  Or, we have included it on pages 5-6 of the Herland Voice. 
You may mail your voter registration application to the State Election Board.  After you complete the application, enclose a copy of your identification if needed.  Fold it and place it in an envelope.  Affix postage and mail it to:

OKLAHOMA STATE ELECTION BOARD
P.O. BOX 528800
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73152-8800

Lists of Oklahoma statewide candidates and ballot measures are available by following links from the main site, as is information about how to find your polling place.
For more information, you can check out www.ok.gov/~elections/voterreg.html.

As Herland celebrates its 25th anniversary, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and ask you to continue to help us serve the womyn’s community.  Herland’s mission is to  provide resources for the women’s community to strengthen, enrich, and support women, and to promote a world free of prejudice, oppression, and exploitation.  Herland is a womanist organization and, although it has a strong lesbian focus, all women are welcome.
Herland is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization operated entirely by volunteers.  There is no paid staff.  We publish a monthly newsletter, operate a bookstore and lending library, and host a wide array of social and educational activities and services.
Herland’s annual operating expenses total approximately $11,000.  Our income is derived from newsletter sponsorships/subscriptions, retreat registrations, fundraisers, and, most importantly, individual donations.  We think it is important for Herland to continue and hope you do, too.  We need your help in order to keep the doors open and continue to serve our community.  Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Herland in celebration of our 25th anniversary.  A pre-addressed envelope is included with this month’s Voice.  Your gift is very much needed and will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
The Herland Board

It’s time for a celebration, reunion, and just plain reminiscing.  Herland is turning 25 and everyone is invited to help celebrate.  Mark the date on your calendar: Saturday, October 4, 2008. Location: 2312 NW 39th, OKC. 

As part of our celebration, we’d like to invite you to send us your favorite Herland memories to become part of a 25th Anniversary scrapbook.  Please include your name only as you would be comfortable with everyone that comes in to Herland having access to read it.  We will edit as necessary to protect privacy (and reputations!) and the stories won’t be posted on our website.

Our plan is to put together a scrapbook with pictures and stories sent in by you, the Herland community.  Then, on the night of the celebration, we’ll ask some of you to share your stories at our gathering.  This will be a smaller, more intimate celebration than our 20th anniversary and the focus is on bringing people together and sharing. 

So type up your favorite Herland memory and send it to us by September 27 at: herland@herlandsisters.org or regular mail at Herland, 2312 NW 39, OKC, OK 73112.  Include a couple of photos, if you like, but only if you’ll let us keep them.