My internship at PPRSR

I am in panic-mode this week; fall classes at Nazareth start up Monday, August 27th. I cringe at the dreaded words “summer is over.” But friends, do you know what is worse than summer ending? (I know what you’re thinking- how could anything be worse that that?!) It gets worse. School starting up again means my time as an intern for the PPRSR marketing department has to come to an .

Let us have a brief moment of silence in remembrance of the beautiful memories made here at the PPRSR University Ave. building.

My experience as an intern here cannot- and dare I say will not- be replicated. Interning at PPRSR has solidified my allegiance to the work that Planned Parenthood does for the rest of my life. Not only is it what Planned Parenthood stands for, it’s the people I have met here and what they stand for. Never in my life, so far a short 21 years, have I met so many genuine, kind, hardworking people. I made friends here: real friends.

Speaking of “real,” today’s brief post is not all sad news and goodbyes. I get to still be actively involved in the young professionals group, REAL (Rising Educators Advocates and Leaders) for Planned Parenthood. REAL for Planned Parenthood is a board of young leaders throughout our Rochester and Syracuse communities devoted to getting more people involved in the Planned Parenthood mission. I am proud to be apart of this group’s Steering Committee and am thankful the end of my internship does not mean the end of my involvement with Planned Parenthood.

It’s been a life changing experience here at PPRSR. I know that I’ve not only gained skills for the work-world, but wisdom, too, for all of the other extraneous events life throws at us. I’ve learned that it’s important to know yourself, what you stand for and what you believe in. That said, as I continue to grow as a student and as a woman, I know I’ll bring the motto “it’s about health and safety” with me everywhere I go.

Elise
Marketing Intern 

           

State Fair Fun is On the Way!

Free condoms, free buttons, and a whole lot of important information: it’s almost that time of year again, time for the great New York State Fair! Beginning on August 23rd, the fairgrounds (located in Syracuse, NY) will be filled with people from all walks of life enjoying the hundreds of attractions that the Fair has to offer. Of course, the attraction that should be on the top of your list is visiting the Planned Parenthood booth in the Center of Progress building. Let me tell you why. 

As a native of Syracuse, NY, I have been attending the Fair for as long as I can remember- Planned Parenthood themselves have been seen at the Fair for decades. Throughout those years my experience of the fair has transformed. The days of showing up with a group of hoodlum friends dressed in band tee-shirts and neon knee-socks have passed. And, I admit, it’s nice to no longer attend just to ride as many rides as I can with some boy I met at the homecoming game. As I have grown up, my vision of the Fair has grown up, but two things have stayed constant throughout time: eating as much Fair food as I possibly can, and always visiting the Planned Parenthood booth. Whether it was to get cool buttons for my L.L. Bean monogrammed backpack, or today, to pick up pamphlets and contact cards- and let’s be real, free condoms- the Planned Parenthood booth has always been a favorite of mine.

So, it’s fitting that during the last summer I will ever enjoy (after graduation, POOF there goes what’s known as a “real” summer vacation) I get to spend a few days working at the very booth I have come to know and love. I’ll be at the Planned Parenthood booth from 10AM to 4PM September 1st-3rd, and it’s overwhelming just thinking about the things I will encounter. It’s inevitable that I’ll feel a touch of nostalgia when people stop to pick up some free stuff, but I’m really looking forward to engaging in meaningful conversations with those who have had life-changing experiences thanks to the work of Planned Parenthood. I’m positive that there are many.

My dad, as well as many other adult figures in my life, always told me “you learn something new every day”. No matter what kind of information it is, you have more knowledge than you did the day before. Being informed and equipped with knowledge is the best way to assure that you are ready for anything that life throws your way. Visiting the Planned Parenthood booth at the New York State Fair has always acted as a great source of knowledge for me, and has had a great impact on my decision making skills. So please, come visit me this year as I have my own turn at spreading the knowledge Planned Parenthood has to offer!

Photo courtesy of www.nysfair.org

Elise
Marketing Intern

The "Meet Planned Parenthood Series" - Jeff Pier

Some people might see a position at Planned Parenthood highly unlikely for an ex-professional wrestler and two-time golden glove boxing champion, but that’s because they don’t know Jeff Pier, Rape Crisis Service Program Manager at Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region.

Since 2010, Jeff has been working his hardest to make sure that Rape Crisis Service is the place people know they can go to. (So in the words of Notorious B.I.G., “if ya don’t know, now ya know.”)

With five counties in the program- Monroe, Orleans, Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming- Rape Crisis Service is the biggest sexual assault service program in the state. Whether he’s grant writing, working on re-branding or fundraising after-hours, Jeff Pier, father of a four-year old daughter and loving husband, works diligently to assure that the services that Rape Crisis provides are seamless.

I have to admit, the first time I heard that a man- not to mention one who still looks like he used to be a wrestler- was in charge of Rape Crisis Service at PPRSR, it was a bit shocking. That’s because of gender stereotyping. This happens in society every day when it comes to victims of sexual assault, and Jeff realizes that it’s a serious problem.

Always giving it to people straight, Jeff tells me “it’s not like a Lifetime movie,” a common misconception portrayed by the media. Sexual assault should never be taken lightly, but the process of coping with and/or coming forward about a sexual assault can be very difficult, sometimes even a “long, daunting process,” Jeff said.

That’s why trained counselors are available 24-hours a day, seven days a week to provide information and support. “My job is to make sure our clients are treated appropriately” he tells me, stating that Rape Crisis Service is here to make the system easier, not more complex. I know this must be true, because talking to Jeff himself was a very easy, natural experience. The other employees representing Rape Crisis Service are no different, making it ultimately a warm and welcoming place.

Still, it’s not just Jeff and the other employees at Rape Crisis Service that dedicate their lives to helping victims of sexual assault. Volunteers are always needed and are an integral part of how the program functions: without them, there would be no 24-hour crisis hotline. “The hardest thing to do is come forward,” Jeff tells me. “When women (or men) can tell their story, only then can we battle the violence against them.”

* If volunteering with Rape Crisis Service is something that interests you, please do not hesitate to visit www.pprsr.org for more information.

Elise
Marketing Intern

With Liberty, Justice and Health Care for All

As the fourth of July fireworks started exploding in the Wednesday night sky, I had a true reason to celebrate; the upholding of The Affordable Health Care Act. This monumental victory for the health of women and families happened earlier last Thursday, June 28th, and set the stage in my heart and mind to have enjoyed a true independence day. Calling the Affordable Care Act "the greatest advance in women's health in a generation," Planned Parenthood said the law will provide access to birth control and cancer screenings without co-pays, guaranteed direct access to OB/GYN providers without referrals, and an end to discriminatory practices against women, such as charging women higher premiums and denying coverage for "pre-existing conditions." Now that’s what being an American means to me.

As a 21 year old female college student, there are two parts of the Affordable Health Care Act that I am especially grateful for: one being that starting in August, birth control will be treated like any other preventive prescription under the Affordable Care Act, and will be available without co-pays or deductibles, and secondly, I can now stay under my parents insurance until the age of 26 if need be.

Women, just like you and me, who come into our Planned Parenthood health centers often struggle to decide whether to pay for birth control or pay for textbooks, groceries, or gas for the car. The money women will save on birth control each year is equal to five weeks of groceries for a family of four, nine tanks of gas in a minivan, or one semester of college textbooks.

College graduation is slowly sneaking up on me, and while I hope it doesn’t take me more than six months to find a job, the reality of the situation is not necessarily on my side. Finding a job takes real work itself these days, and finding one that includes benefits, well, calling that a rare situation is an extreme understatement. I am no longer scared to graduate thanks to The Affordable Health Care Act.

But the upholding of The Affordable Health Care Act isn’t just about me. It is about all women across the nation, and how it will help them in their daily lives. This is so much bigger than ever imagined, and will literally change the face of Health Care as we know it. I encourage all of you to learn more about how The Affordable Health Care Act will positively affect you at: (http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/healthcare-overview), and to share your unique story on how on August 1st, you will have the tools to start leading a healthier life.

-Elise
PPRSR Intern

"Meet Planned Parenthood" Series: Rick Bartell

For almost 19 years, Rick Bartell has been making sure the Planned Parenthood educational programs are alive and in working order. As the Director of Education and Outreach, Rick oversees the non-clinical programs such as Rape Crisis Service, In Control, and Real Life. Real Talk.

In addition, Rick makes sure that there are educators out in the communities and in schools talking to kids and teens about sex education. These are services our society needs more than anything. Today, America is on par with third world countries when it comes to birth rates and sexual health education. Although this is now known as fact, members of our nation still refuse to talk about it, let alone do something to reverse it. Rick is seen through my eyes as what today’s “model citizen” should act like; doing everything in his power to get the job done and to serve the community with the best of his ability, no matter what.

Rick is first and foremost a creator. He didn’t waste any time after joining the Planned Parenthood team; within his first two years In Control was set into motion. In Control is a teen pregnancy prevention program, and also one of Rick’s most fulfilling accomplishments.

Today, In Control has grown into a thriving community of urban youths and is recognized as “Rochester’s most official teen program.” At In Control, teens have the chance to get involved in something they love, whether it’s fashion, music, or art, and will also receive accurate information about sexuality, abstinence and birth control.

The program site serves as a place where teens can talk openly and honestly about sex and relationships in a supportive atmosphere. There is a strong emphasis on education within the program, as students set goals for themselves, have access to tutoring and are even taken on local and national college tours! The individual programs at In Control are designed to increase self-esteem, confidence and leadership skills among youth, while at the same time uplifting lifting our community as a whole.

It sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well, this place is real, and they know the secret to success; it doesn’t matter what background one comes from, but rather how motivated one is to use the tools they are given. It matters whether or not a role model is present in a teens’ life, not how much money a family has to send them to college. For kids and teens involved in the program, living in an urban community is no longer a disadvantage. They know it doesn’t matter where they are from or what material possessions they have or don’t have, because In Control will meet them where they are - whether it be in their home, on the street or inside the classroom.

This is only a sneak peek into the work that Rick Bartell does for our Community. On a daily basis, he tackles the issue of talking about sexual health from all angles. In fact, if he had one important thing to get across to our society it would be to “not be so repressed when it comes to talking about sexual health.”

When outside of the work environment, Rick enjoys gardening, writing and literature. It’s easy to see why, when he creates and helps to grow so many positive parts of Rochester’s young community

-Elise
PPRSR Intern

The "Meet Planned Parenthood" Series: Jennifer Cook

Planned Parenthood is an organization many of us cannot imagine living without. After my first few weeks here in the office, I realized that Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse region wouldn’t be what it is without all of the wonderful, passionate and supportive employees working behind the scenes. My next few blog posts here on “Sex. Justice. Change.” will hopefully allow you to become more familiar with the friendly professional advocates we have working at our University Ave. location in Rochester, NY.

One woman that all supporters should know about is Jennifer Cook. Jen is not only a professional, but a true activist inside and outside of the work place. Her down-to-earth personality and positive attitude are just a few of the many things that make her the perfect fit for her job as Community Affairs Coordinator. On Monday, Jen spent her day with a few volunteers phone banking for the Women’s Health Act. Half way through the day, Governor Cuomo’s mailbox was full of messages from supporters just like you! I sat down with Jen to find out more about her daily life, and how one person really can make all the difference.

Elise: How long have you held your position as Community Affairs Coordinator?

Jennifer Cook: I’ve been working as the Community Affairs Coordinator for the past year and a half, but I also volunteered at Planned Parenthood for 14 years.

E: Briefly describe a day in the life of your work.

JC: There is no typical day! I monitor legislative action, both good and bad, that could affect the work that PPRSR does, as well as helping to facilitate any community outreach work. I also help run the VOX chapters, which is our college outreach program.

E: What is your most fulfilling accomplishment, work related and non-work related?

JC: My most fulfilling work related accomplishment is the time that I spent in Mississippi, working on a ballot initiative based around personhood. My time spent there re-energized me to continue making people aware that the issues in Mississippi are not just in Mississippi. As for a non-work related accomplishment, I think just being able to feel like I have come into my own self. Figuring out that the little things don’t always matter as much is an accomplishment. Now, I feel like I can get through anything.

E: If you had one message to send to the public, and you knew they would listen intently, what would it be?

JC: Keep an open mind. Understand that you are not the only person on the planet, and that we need to care about each other no matter what.

E: Besides your work here at Planned Parenthood, what are you passionate about?

JC: My passion led me to my work! Trying new things and trying to experience as much as I can.

-Elise
Marketing Intern

Period is Not a Dirty Word

I’m on my period this week. Is this what you would call a TMI moment? This week I am also on a mission to change the meaning of TMI. from “too much information” to “talking menstruation in-depth” (ensuing laughter). But seriously, talking about menstruation and vaginal health in general has become somewhat of a taboo topic within our society. With all of these new products coming out that claim to help women “be desecrate” about their period or make it so “no one will ever know,” I became interested in finding out why periods always need to be so hush-hush. 

Tampons should not be confused with candy. They are not glow sticks. They should not make your lady-flower actually smell like a field of fresh-cut roses. So why do all of the commercials out there insist that tampons and pads should look or smell like these things? Because it seems like that’s what women want. In a poll done by Kotex, 67% of women don’t want anyone to know that they are on their period. 84% of those women said they feel the need to hide their tampon or pad while on the way to a public restroom. If this many women feel the need to hide something that is not only overwhelmingly common, but just plain natural, there is something askew. 

Although the Kotex poll stated that well over half of women feel the need to hide their feminine products in public, 70% of women wish society would change the way it talks about vaginal health, menstruation in particular. Here’s the kicker: most feel like they can’t do anything about it. Contrary to popular belief, we can do something about it: be open to talking about it! The more we talk, the more comfortable society will become with the topic. Chatter is the way to reverse the shame and taboo bound to period-banter. 

Rachel Kauder Nalebuff would agree. At only 18 years old, Rachel Kauder Nalebuff took matters into her own hands by writing My Little Red Book, an anthology of first-period tales. Yes, this actually exists. The stories in her book are from women of all ages, from all around the world. Kauder Nalebuff even got big names like Meg Cabot and Gloria Steinem to tell their coming-of-age story. The proceeds from My Little Red Book have helped current and past health programs like the Planned Parenthood program Real Life. Real Talk., which taught parents how to have open and honest conversations with their kids about sex. We should be able to talk openly and honestly about having our periods too. 

I understand that as women we don’t need to announce the fact that we are on our period, or hold our tampons up like golden staffs leading the march to the restroom, but we should not feel ashamed or embarrassed anymore about having feminine products on our person. In high school, I used to shove a tampon in the waist of my jeans, cover it with my shirt and sprint to the bathroom in fear of being discovered. Now, I’m a hero to a friend if I’ve got an extra one in my bag. We can all be looked at as strong, hero-like females, but the first step is to be confident and unashamed of who we are, periods and all.

Elise

Marketing Intern

Elise’s Guide to Summer Sexual Safety

The lazy days of summer are upon us. Finally the time to relax, have fun and travel is in full swing. But for many teens and young adults, summer can also be a time to turn off the thinking skills demanded of them during the school year. This week, I want to share with you how to enjoy some summer lovin’ while keeping those thinking skills on.




Stay Focused and Aware

It’s no secret that alcohol lowers inhibitions, and that includes inhibitions about engaging in sexual activity. Although risk taking doesn’t discriminate, alcohol related risk taking is the greatest threat to people ages 18-24. According to a government survey, in 2010, 400,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 reported having unprotected sex due to alcohol consumption. Having unprotected sex is an activity that shouldn’t be on anyone’s summer-fun list. Failing to use a condom will increase the risk of contracting an STD, as well as increase the risk of pregnancy. But the risks don’t stop there; alcohol consumption increases the risk for sexual assault and date rape as well. 100,000 of those 400,000 students reported that at they were too intoxicated to remember if they consented to sex at least one time. These numbers are shocking. Take every precaution possible to not be part of the statistics. Be smart, be safe and always be in control of your choices.

Safety Tip: When going out this summer always carry a condom and always stick with friends. If you’re around people that care about you, your chances of going through with a bad decision are lower.

Stay Out of the Water

If you’re going on a tropical vacation or simply sitting poolside in the backyard, summer can make couples have the urge to get “adventurous.” Fantasies about making love under a waterfall or having a steamy session in the hot tub may sound wonderful, but the condom sliding off or breaking isn’t quite so romantic. When using a condom for sexual activity in water, any water-based or even natural lubricant will be washed away, making friction a bigger issue. If there is not enough lubricant, the condom is at a greater risk of breaking; making you or your partner at greater risk of contracting an STD or becoming pregnant. In addition, if at any point water seeps in between the condom and the penis (which can happen if the penis loses erection even for a second), the condom could slide off and you may not even be aware of it. So lip-lock in the ocean all you want, but make sure to take it to shore when it gets hot and heavy.

Safety Tip: Using a condom is better than not using one at all. If you and your honey are stranded at sea from a terrible boat crash this summer, take extra precautions: put the condom on outside of the water and use a silicon based lubricant.

Don’t get Lazy

They don’t call it the “lazy days of summer” for nothing. When the weather is hot, it’s easier to make excuses or cancel appointments to go outside instead. In order to stay on top of your sexual health, get to the gynecologist or your family physician sooner rather than later. Get tested and stock up on condoms or birth control pills before you leave for that three week vacation. If you can’t afford protection, your local Planned Parenthood has got you covered, literally.

Safety Tip: Write a to-do list and make getting tested and having protection number one. Cross it off when you’ve done it and then have a safe, fun, memorable summer!

Elise
PPRSR Marketing Intern

Why we should love our lady bits rather than cut them up

A new trend entering into the mainstream takes body image to a whole new level. Cosmetic Labiaplasty, known in medical offices as “labia reduction and beautification,” is a new surgical procedure that “fixes” asymmetrical or misshapen labials. Although there are risks- include bleeding, scaring, and infection- women across the world are continuing to sign up to snip skin off. What’s wrong with this picture?

The Labia Minora are the inner lips of the vulva. These two flaps of skin fold to protect the vagina, urethra and clitoris. The Labia Minora varies greatly in appearance between women; some look smaller and tucked in, while others are longer and protrude from the outer lips, or Labia Majora. Both are normal. In fact, no matter how your Labials look, they are normal. This is because no two labia look alike; they are each unique, just like how no two faces look exactly the same. So, although there may be a societal “standard of perfection,” I hate to break it to you ladies, but there is absolutely no such thing as the perfect vagina.

Believe it or not, I’m not the only one who is passionate about loving my genitals the way they are. A 2008 documentary titled The Perfect Vagina explores the phenomenon of women being so unhappy with the appearance of their lady bits that they turn to surgery. Throughout the journey, host Lisa Rodgers tells us why we should love our lady bits rather than cut them up. “It's consumer society's use of the perfect image to sell us everything” she says. “If your boobs are perky and big you'll be happy, if your hair is long and blonde you'll be cool, if your vulva is small and pink you'll be attractive." It's the ultimate sales pitch – complete [bull], but as a society, we've fallen for it.”

It’s not only women who feel passionate about the issue either. British artist Jamie McCartney dedicated five years to his piece titled “The Great Wall of Vagina.” The piece, which consists of 10 panels, holds casts of 400 women’s vaginas. There are casts of both old and young women, including vaginas of transgender and pierced women. McCartney hopes to show women through “The Great Wall of Vagina” that neither society, nor men should be the source of genital insecurities. “For many women, their genital appearance is a source of anxiety and I was in a unique position to do something about that” McCartney says.

Let’s not leave the entire challenge McCartney and Rodgers. These advocates have paved the way for all women to do something about it, but ultimately it is our job to encourage others to learn about why they should exude confidence no matter how their labials look. Vaginas have been worshiped and revered for millennia, and that isn’t going to change anytime soon. As women, we need to realize that the ones who should be worshiping our genitalia are ourselves. We only have one life to live, with one body to live it in. So relax, and believe in your vagina… you will enjoy yourself more.

For more encouragement and endearing vagina advocacy, visit: http://www.greatwallofvagina.co.uk/home
To watch the 58 minute documentary “The Perfect Vagina” for free online, visit:
http://documentaryheaven.com/the-perfect-vagina

Elise
Marketing Intern, PPRSR

*Editor's Note: This piece refers to cosmetic labiaplasty. Image via www.greatwallofvagina.co.uk/home.

Amendment One

When I opened my eyes Wednesday morning of last week, I was relived to be waking up a resident of New York State. Why, you ask? Tuesday night, North Carolina passed Amendment One, an amendment that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Although North Carolina was a state which already held a law banning gay marriage, Amendment One securely slams the door on the issue, going one step further in including a ban on same-sex civil unions.

However, members of the LGBT community are not the only ones who should be saddened by this decision; the “marriage-plus” amendment could potentially affect straight couples in civil union. Jeremy Kennedy, campaign manager for Protect All NC Families, a campaign against Amendment One, is concerned about the future of health benefits for domestic partners, gay or straight. There is also the fear that Amendment One could disrupt protection orders for unmarried couples, making it difficult to file for domestic abuse cases if a person is living with their significant other.

Amendment One is clearly a discriminatory act, which not only threatens the relationship status of the LGBT community, but also the security of quality health care and human rights for all. I encourage all people in favor of equal marriage laws, as well as those in favor of basic human rights, to stand up for what you believe in. There are many who hold reservations as to how long the amendment will survive, and for good reason. We are the future of the United States, and only our generation, young and informed, can stand against inexcusable amendments like Amendment One if we let our voices be heard.

Today, I am not only proud to live in a state which allows marriage equality, but am proud to be involved with an organization like Planned Parenthood. I know that if Amendment One does affect access to health care benefits for those in the LGBT community, Planned Parenthood will be there to offer quality health care for those who need it. With the help of others, especially those of my own generation, I hope to someday be proud to wake up in a place where love is not restricted or defined.

Elise
Marketing Intern, PPRSR

Image via www.hrc.org.

College Week of Action: a recap

Last week was the first College Week of Action, an effort spearheaded by Planned Parenthood along with Family Planning Advocates of New York. The purpose of the College Week of Action this year was to get college age people to advocate for and support the Reproductive Health Act (RHA). The Reproductive Health Act is a comprehensive policy designed to protect personal decisions regarding reproductive health and implements a different perspective regarding abortion.

Three years before Roe v. Wade, New York State took a progressive step as one of the first states to decriminalize abortion. The current law framing abortion outside of criminal contexts has not been integrated into overarching New York State Law, however, so it has no security and abortion is still a crime in the penal code. Furthermore, the current law neglects the idea of the fundamental right to make private medical decisions as well as how abortion care is provided. In this context, New York has lagged behind – current laws are technically unconstitutional, and it is the only state that still regulates abortion as a crime.

Even considering the current outdated and narrowly-defined law, New York State can make another progressive step with the Reproductive Health Act. RHA not only guarantees the right to use or refuse contraception for everyone, but also ensures the right to abortion in the case of endangered health and takes abortion out of the penal code which means abortion would be treated as a matter of health – exactly what it is.

Seven other states have already passed laws like the Reproductive Health Act. At the same time though, several states passed abortion restrictions within the last year and over 450 bills restricting or banning abortion have come to several different state legislatures, each threatening Roe v. Wade. If this law is passed in New York, reproductive rights would be protected even if Roe v. Wade were overturned.

For more information about RHA, check out these sites:
NYCLU
NARAL Pro-Choice New York
NOW NYC

Jeri
VOX Student Intern

GYT!

We’re well into April, or as we know it, National STD Awareness Month. You may already know that many STDs may have no symptoms, and that untreated STDs can lead to other health problems like infertility and cancer. Statistics show that of sexually active youth, about half contract an STD by age 25, about half of all new STD cases are among people age 25 and younger, and only a minority of people report using protection during oral sex.

Interject the GYT Campaign! The Get Yourself Tested Campaign is targeted to college-age youth to encourage people to talk openly about getting tested for STDs with their health care providers, partners and even friends and acquaintances. Since young people have higher risks for contracting STDs, and rates continue to increase among the 15-24 age group, GYT and STD awareness are highly important on college campuses and among groups that fall in this age range.

STDs are 100% preventable and as we are working toward increased awareness for prevention, we cannot forget awareness for testing. You owe it to yourself to take care of yourself, and getting tested for STDs is another basic aspect of staying healthy and knowing yourself. Once someone becomes sexually active in any way, including oral sex or even mutual masturbation, getting tested should be incorporated in routine health checkups, or more often as needed.

Those of us with the most knowledge and awareness surrounding these matters become the spokespersons for such campaigns. If you want to get the word out in your community or on campus, you can organize an event as simple as tabling with information. If you want to try something different, you can expand to tabling at another event like a health fair or speaking engagement or even a drag show!

Last year, a step team at Buffalo State College performed a step routine just for the GYT campaign in the student union on campus. Another effective method of getting the word out is “guerilla” posting – gather flyers, tape, stapler and push-pins, then go around campus posting GYT messages like those on the GYT website (www.gytnow.org) wherever you can!

Jeri
VOX Student Intern