MISSION:
The MSM HIV/STD Task Force supports and guides ongoing effective and comprehensive prevention responses to HIV and STDs among MSM in the Seattle area.
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The Who, What and Hows of Taskforce activities
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Who we are:
The Gay Men's HIV/STD Taskforce began as an action item from the final report of the Seattle Gay Men's Health Summit that was held on World AIDS day December 1, 2000. The action item included establishing a broad-based GBM HIV/STD prevention coalition to standardize educational messages, examine and disseminate community norms, develop emotional health resources and develop fundraising strategies.
What we do:
The Gay Men's HIV/STD Taskforce is a coalition of community individuals, leaders and service providers dedicated to supporting and addressing the prevention and health needs of Gay and Bisexual men in Seattle King County. The Taskforce is open to all interested individuals. Members have various backgrounds and community experiences in gay and bisexual men's health issues. The Taskforce strives to be inclusive of all of the various opinions and philosophies related to eliminating the spread of HIV and STDs in the community while also improving the overall health outcomes of Gay and Bisexual men. We also endeavor to coordinate prevention messages and provide up to date HIV and STD information to the community.
How we do it:
Gay Men's HIV/STD Taskforce meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 3:00-4:30 pm at the Lifelong AIDS Alliance, 1002 East Seneca, Seattle. The meetings are facilitated and coordinated by staff from Public Health - Seattle & King County. There are a number of sub-committees, which do the bulk of the work in deciding the work and activities of the taskforce. This includes the Steering Committee, People of Color Committee, Substance Abuse Committee and the Ad Hoc Manifesto/Evaluation Committee.
Membership:
The Task Force eagerly welcomes people who want to contribute to our efforts in any number of ways. There are many ways for you to participate, from adding your presence and your voice to any of our meetings, to numerous projects. If you would like to talk with a Task Force member about ways you can contribute to our work, please contact Quinten Welch at quinten.welch@kingcounty.gov or 206-205-8671.
- New members must attend three consecutive meetings to earn voting privileges; voting members who miss two consecutive meetings lose their privileges, but can earn them back at the second meeting attended after the absence.
- Voting privileges are conferred on individuals, not agencies or organizations.
- A quorum equals 50% + 1 of the currently eligible voting members.
- Decisions are passed by 60% of a quorum.
Resources:
The MSM/HIV/AIDS Taskforce began as an action item from the final report of the Seattle Gay Men's Health Summit that was held on World AIDS day December 1st 2000. The action item included establishing a broad-based GBM HIV/STD prevention coalition to standardize educational messages, examine and disseminate community norms, develop emotional health resources and develop fundraising strategies.
The MSM HIV/STD Taskforce is a coalition of community individuals, leaders and service providers dedicated to supporting and addressing the prevention and health needs of Gay and Bisexual men in Seattle King County. The Taskforce is open to all interested individuals. Members have various backgrounds and community experiences in gay and bisexual men's health issues. The Taskforce strives to be inclusive of all of the various opinions and philosophies related to eliminating the spread of HIV and STDs in the community while also improving the overall health outcomes of Gay and Bisexual men. We also endeavor to coordinate prevention messages and provide up to date HIV and STD information to the community.
Timeline:
- December 2000 - Taskforce convened
- Spring 2002 - Syphilis advertising campaign initiated.
- August-October 2002 - Taskforce on hiatus.
- November 2002 - Taskforce reformed.
- May-July 2003 - Development of Manifesto.
- October 2003 - Presentation of Community Manifesto.
- October 2003 to present - Evaluation of Manifesto, introduction of Ad Hoc Manifesto/Evaluation Committee, People of Color Committee
Committees, structure, goals
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Steering Committee
The goal of the Steering Committee is to provide overall direction for the taskforce. This includes supplying guidance for the facilitator on crucial taskforce business and providing leadership for taskforce activities.
The Steering Committee reviews work plans for the Taskforce, sets meeting agendas, makes recommendations, reviews and replies to press and communications regarding the Manifesto and assists in the coordination of all Taskforce activities. The Steering Committee is open to all participants of the Taskforce but only voting eligible members of the taskforce are allowed to vote on proposed recommendations. The committee meets once a month.
Manifesto Ad Hoc Committee
The goal of the Manifesto Ad Hoc Committee is to coordinate activities for the evaluation, editing and reconsideration of themes and language related to the Community Manifesto.
This group will develop an evaluation strategy, implement the plan, analyze the data and produce a report based on the collected information. The committee will also make recommendations to the general taskforce on the efficacy of the manifesto as a continuing prevention strategy to engage the community on safer sex norms and behaviors. Meets once, sometimes twice a month. Locations and times vary check with facilitator for times.
Substance Abuse Committee
The goal of the Substance Abuse Committee is to provide coordination, direction, and information to the taskforce on issues related to substance abuse in the gay and bisexual men’s community.
This includes activities related to analyzing and researching local strategies involving crystal and other drugs, suggesting prevention strategies and programs, developing a resource list for substance abuse issues, exploring the idea of a media plan to target certain issues and researching resources that could possibly fund certain initiatives. Meets once a month. Locations and times vary check with facilitator for times.
People of Color Committee
The goals of the People of Color Committee are to a) Increase the relevance of the MSM Task Force to people of color and to the organizations that serve them b) Increase awareness among members of the MSM Task Force of programs serving people of color.
Ongoing activities include compiling a list of programs by agencies to increase general knowledge and awareness of MSM Task Force members, special events to be updated monthly and announced at MSM Task Force meetings, presentations from agencies to introduce and describe programs targeting MSM of color. Meets once a month. Locations and times vary check with facilitator for times.
Other Committees
There will be many opportunities for the introduction of new committees for the taskforce that will be based on the need and interest of taskforce members to address future and ongoing issues related to the health and well being of men who have sex with men in our community.
The syphilis campaign was a broadly targeted two-tiered media campaign. Its first goal was to grab the attention of MSM in Seattle and raise syphilis awareness. The second goal was to provide an incentive for MSM in the community to take action on this issue. This was followed up by a plan to coordinate consistent syphilis prevention messages through the work and activities of the MSM HIV/STD Taskforce. Active members included prevention providers, community individuals, leaders and service providers of the coalition dedicated to addressing this prevention and health issue for men who have sex with men in Seattle and King County.
The designated partner and facilitator of this process at this time were Lifelong AIDS Alliance. In this process Lifelong coordinated the development and implementation of the campaign along with the members of the MSM HIV/STD Taskforce.
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