TMC Administration Notes - February/March 2012

Letter from the Chair

As TCMC heads into its 36th year of service to the men of the Twin Cities, I'd like to point out a few things to think about in the coming year.

But hold on, cue the sound of a phonograph needle scratching across a vinyl record, did I just say "36th" year? Because that's an extraordinary thing that neatly illustrates two crucial things about TCMC in 2012. First, demand for our services is as high or higher than ever before. This might seem obvious, but it's worth pointing out that we have busy support groups and full anger management classes because of high demand. Second, TCMC has survived for this long because men who benefited from our services take it upon themselves to make sure that other men have the same opportunity to get through difficult times and better themselves as they had.

And that, in a nutshell, is how TCMC works. Men whose lives have changed for the better decide that the support and resources they found at TCMC are too valuable not to be made available to other men. So they contribute money, time, and energy to make sure TCMC survives to see another year.

For examples of this, you have to look no further than the TCMC board. Vice-chair Tom Weaver and board member Ken Knoll have put together a presentation for other non-profits who may be interested in partnering with TCMC and referring clients to us. If you are associated with, or know of a nonprofit that might be a nice fit with TCMC, please contact Tom or Ken through the TCMC office.

But you don't have to be a board member to make a substantial contribution to TCMC's future. Treasurer Rick Charlson has issued a challenge to everyone who cares about the future of TCMC by including a $2000 grant in the expected revenues part of the 2012 annual budget. Where will this grant come from? Nobody knows yet, but if you'd like to help us meet this obligation, you are encouraged to contact Rick or anyone on the board and tell us that you want to help plan, research, or write a grant.

There are many other exciting things happening at TCMC in 2012, but hopefully you see the pattern - for TCMC to continue to be a vibrant and essential resource for the men of the Twin Cities, it takes men who care, men like you, to step forward to and make it happen. Please join us in 2012!

Joe Szurszewski
Board Chair

Library Corner

–– Jim Heaney, Librarian

We have a unique and extensive collection of books on men's and general topics which can be checked out by members of the Men's Center. Our periodicals include:

  • Fathering Today
  • Men's Health
  • Men's Journal
  • Lavender
  • Transitions
  • Voice Male.

The Men's Center thanks Tom Weaver for his generous contribution of these new additions to our library.

HUG AN ANGRY MAN , and you will see he is crying, by Sean Casey Leclaire.

SUCCESSFUL AGING, by John Rowe & Robert Kahn.

THE FRUITFUL DARKNESS, reconnecting with the body of the earth.

IS IT A CHOICE, answers to 300 most frequently asked questions about gay and lesbian people.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE THUNDERBOLT KID, by Bill Bryson.

THE SEAT OF THE SOUL, a remarkable treatment of thought, evolution, and reincarnation.

TIMES ALONE, selected poems of Antonio Machado, translated by Robert Bly.

A MAN'S WAY THROUGHT THE TWELVE STEPS, by Dan Griffin.

The Men's Center Staff and Key Volunteers

OFFICE STAFF:
 Office Manager -- Randy Genrich
Anger Mgmt Director-- John Hesch
Office Volunteers -- Rick Charlson, Dick Madigan, Travis
Librarian -- Jim Heaney
Donation Pick-up Volunteers -- See chart in kitchen area

BOARD:
Board Chair -- Joe Szurszewski
Board Vice Chair -- Tom Weaver
Board Secretary -- Norm Petrik
Board Treasurer -- Rick Charlson
Board Member -- Bill Baldwin
Board Member -- Jim Heaney
Board Member -- Ken Knoll
Board Member -- Andy Mickel
Alternate -- Malik Holt-Shabazz
Alternate -- Paula Ostrow
Alternate -- Dave Webb

MEN TALK:
MenTalk Editor -- Bill Dobbs
MenTalk Production -- Bill Dobbs
MenTalk Here/There -- Andy Mickel
MenTalk Advertising -- Bill Dobbs
MenTalk Mailing Coord -- Scott Benson
MenTalk Labels/Database -- Scott Benson

PROGRAMS:
Program Committee, Chair -- Norm Petrick
Wednesday Present Coord -- Andy Mickel
Wednesday Present Publicity -- Rick Charlson

FINANCE:
Finance Committee, Chair -- Rick Charlson
Finance Committee Chair -- Rick Charlson
Fin Comm Grant Writer -- Malik Holt-Shabazz
Fin Comm Memberships -- Andy Mickel

OUTREACH:
Outreach Committee, Chair -- Rick Charlson
Pride Festival Coord -- Ken Knoll
Media Publicity Coord -- Rick Charlson
Outreach Booth at Shows -- Randy Genrich, Andy Mickel, Malik Holt-Shabazz
Librarian -- Jim Heaney
Web Site -- Bill Dobbs, Andy Mickel, Ken Knoll, Joe Szurszewski
E-mail Responders -- Scott Benson, Rick Charlson, Bill Dobbs, John Hesch, Andy Mickel, Joe Szurszewski

ANGER MANAGEMENT:
Anger Mgmt Director -- John Hesch
Anger Mgmt Grant Writer -- Bob Anderson
Anger Mgmt Publicity -- John Hesch
Anger Mgmt Steer Commit -- Bob Lundberg, Gerald Obremski, John Hersch, David Giancristforo
Anger Mgmt Facilitators -- Tom M, Michael K, Jim K, John H, Art H, Bryce K, Pat G, Dean G, David E, Hoske R, Cory C, Michael I, John C, Lee C, Gerald O, Hank B, Norm P, Bob L, Bob A, Harry G, Herb J, Howard B, Tom F

SUPPORT GROUPS:
Support Group Coord -- Norm Petrik
Support Group Database -- Dave Webb
General Men's Issues -- Randy G, Jerry O
Addiction Busters -- Tommy J
Gay Issues -- Pat K, Bruce K, Ranslow Z
Transitions --Scott, Richard S.
Divorce/Uncouplng -- John M, Greg D, Gerry W
Survivors of Sexual Abuse -- Peter C, Paula O
Northside General Men's Issues -- Malik H
Bi-Men & Gay Issues -- Leo P, David W
Healthy Sexual Boundaries -- Bobby S, Tom J
Healthy Sexual Boundaries East -- Bobby S
Retirement -- Norm P

WE ALWAYS NEED VOLUNTEERS. PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING OUT.
Call our Office Manager at 612-822-5892 and ask how you can help.
We have been a vital part of the Twin Cities community for decades,
and almost all of our services have been provided by volunteers like you.