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<p class="MsoNormal">Good afternoon!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am excited to announce the launch of a monthly <b>2SLGBTQIA+ Virtual Affinity Meetup</b> group. This meetup group is for library workers employed, volunteering or seeking a library job in Oregon that identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit,
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and/or not listed as it pertains to sexual orientation, romantic orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression). An affinity group, as defined by the
<a href="https://nyslibrary.libguides.com/dei/affinity" target="_blank">New York State Library</a>, is a
<i>“group of people linked by a common purpose, ideology, identity, or interest. Affinity Groups play a vital role in ensuring an inclusive environment where all are valued, included, and empowered to succeed.</i>” This space is intended to be an opportunity
for 2SLGBTQIA+ library workers to share resources, give and receive support, network, converse, and to create a sense of belonging with one another.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first 2SLGBTQIA+ Virtual Affinity Meetup will take place on Tuesday, February 18th from noon-1pm; meeting details can be found<span style="color:#4EA72E">
</span><b><span style="color:#215F9A;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#215F9A;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%"><a href="https://www.cognitoforms.com/StateLibraryOfOregon/_2SLGBTQIAAffinityMeetup"><span style="color:#215F9A;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#215F9A;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%">here</span></a></span></b>.
These meetups will not be formally facilitated, nor will there be a set agenda. This group will be specifically focused on promoting safety, support, and confidentiality of those in attendance. To that end, if a point of contact for this group is not identified
by 2/18, <b>I will be in attendance for the first couple minutes of the meeting</b> to turn over host privileges to one or two attendees
<b>before recusing myself from the meeting space</b>. If you are interested in being a point of contact for this group, please reach out to me directly. If you are uncomfortable with my being present at the start of the meeting, please
<b><span style="color:#78206E;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#78206E;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%"><a href="https://forms.gle/RPp4pijVjUwUDBqLA"><span style="color:#78206E;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#78206E;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%">provide
feedback anonymously here</span></a></span><span style="color:#78206E">.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For this first meeting, I am also asking that any 2SLGBTQIA+ workers who supervise and/or manage other library staff refrain from attending. If you are a 2SLGBTQIA+ supervising staff member and a space like this is needed, feel free to
reach out to me, or <b><span style="color:#78206E;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#78206E;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%"><a href="https://forms.gle/RPp4pijVjUwUDBqLA"><span style="color:#78206E;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#78206E;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%">provide
feedback anonymously here</span></a></span></b>. If you are interested in seeing an affinity space created for another marginalized, minoritized or racialized identity falling outside of BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ library workers, please
<b><span style="color:#C04F15;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#C04F15;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%"><a href="https://forms.gle/Lua4iaeiQBTdQkFk8"><span style="color:#C04F15;mso-style-textfill-fill-color:#C04F15;mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha:100.0%">share
your interest here</span></a></span>. </b> I will be looking at how to expand these spaces to other identity groups as time, ability and capacity allows. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please let me know if you have any questions. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:5.0pt">Warm Regards, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:5.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Ericka Brunson-Rochette (she/her/hers)
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">State Library of Oregon</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><a href="mailto:ericka.brunson-rochette@slo.oregon.gov"><span style="color:#467886;mso-ligatures:none">ericka.brunson-rochette@slo.oregon.gov</span></a><span style="mso-ligatures:none">| 971-375-5126<br>
</span><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries"><span style="color:#467886;mso-ligatures:none">www.oregon.gov/library/libraries</span></a><u><span style="color:#0563C1;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries"><span style="color:windowtext;mso-ligatures:none;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="323" height="43" style="width:3.3666in;height:.45in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DB6CC2.F0E58330" alt="Logo for the Library Support & Development Services division at the State Library of Oregon"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><b><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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