since July 7, 2004.On Monday, Dec. 8, the Women’s Resource Center presented an addendum to its original proposal that requested funds from the S&A to send delegates to the March for Freedom of Choice and related activities in Washington, D.C. next spring.
The group’s efforts paid off, as the Board granted the full $3,000 amount requested.
"We excited and proud to represent The Evergreen State College (during) the two days of educational events to save women’s lives," Krystal Wolf and Kira Canny said jointly, following the presentation.
However, the road to full funding was a rather rocky one that involved much planning and research, plus presenting WRC’s plan to the Board, after which presenters had to endure a question-and-answer session before the Board went into deliberations. It was then that issues were raised, debated and eventually decided upon.
The addendum, for example, was a result of the Board’s uncertainty of awarding funds without the security of travel insurance, upon WRC’s initial presentation. The group then had to – by a specific date – research insurance companies, make a decision, write the addendum and have it submitted by the end of that week, though it wouldn’t be presented till the following Monday.
WRC’s travel insurance is secured through World Travel Insurance and includes such coverage as $100,000 per person flight accidental coverage as well as emergency medical and dental expenses, just to name a few. Cost is $48 per person and was not factored into the funding request. In fact, throughout both presentations the presenters reiterated that they and other delegates were willing to front the money needed themselves; likewise, now that funding has been awarded, delegates will match the Board’s contribution with monies gathered by fundraising.
Again, issues of housing and the event’s context were raised during the addendum presentation. The presenters explained that securing their housing reservations was “contingent on if they get money,” as making early reservations takes spots away from other groups attending the event. The context issue resided in the fact that the event will involve not only the march but speeches, workshops and volunteer work as well as documenting the day’s activities for a future campus presentation; several Board members had expressed hesitation with funding a group to attend a march that is merely a protest rally or demonstration, unrelated to the college and provided no learning experience prior to the presenters’ clarification.
During deliberations, the discussions centered mainly around what types of groups and/or events the Board should fund and their attempts to classify WRC’s event. One Board member felt this could be "a can of worms," and if they (the Board) funds pro-choice (groups), then they would be expected to fund the opposite. Another Board member countered with, "There are two sides to every argument, and that shouldn’t be a relevant issue;" otherwise, (the Board) would be saying, "I don’t want to fund the people who might come up."
The issue of protests was raised, comparing the event to demonstrations or rallies. The countering opinion was that it’s about women’s rights and their decisions to do what they want and (the event) shouldn’t be compared to that kind of protest (such as WTO). This, of course, came on the heels of the argument: fund this, and we’ll have to fund all protests. Emphasis was stressed – by the aforementioned countering opinion – on understanding the parameters of why they’re going, that they’re representing this institution and funding the purpose of that.
Designating this both a political event and issue, one Board member felt funding should not be awarded, based on past decisions. However, another member countered that "(the Board) should not make decisions based upon past decisions. It (the presentation) should be judged based on its merit, what’s in front of you."
The remainder of deliberations was spent distinguishing the event between demonstrations and marches versus educational situations.
Copyright © 2003-2004, Talia M. Wilson
published in Cooper Point Journal, Jan. 15, 2004
since July 7, 2004.