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AIDS COMMITTEE OF TORONTO JULY/AUGUST 2010 E-BULLETIN
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This summer: it's time to act!
Dear ACT supporter,
Here are some of the events and new initiatives we are offering this summer at the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT). If you would like more information about the services we offer to people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, or our education programs to prevent HIV transmission, please visit our website at www.actoronto.org
The ACT e-Bulletin is sent out once every two months. If you would like to unsubscribe, please click the link at the bottom of this e-mail.
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Pride 2010
ACT made a splash at Toronto Pride again this year, with
more than 20 volunteers delivering outreach in the bars and on the streets for
more than 15 hours over the weekend.
Through this initiative of the Gay Men's Outreach program,
it is estimated that over 10,000 gay and bisexual men were reached with
condoms, lube and information. In addition, ACT is offering 50 hours of
outreach services in Toronto bathhouses throughout the month.
Photos from the weekend, including our float
and parade contingent, will be up on our Facebook page by the end of the week,
so stay tuned!
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Become a member of ACT 
Are you a member of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT)? Our
members work together to support our vision, mission and values that make a
difference in our community.
As a member, you will be kept informed of ACT events and
activities, and offered opportunities to engage in our work through our
newsletter, e-bulletins, annual report and notices of our annual general
meeting (AGM).
ACT membership runs from April 1 to March 31 annually, and
costs $5. If you are unable to pay the membership fee, this will be waived.
Current memberships should be renewed every year, and new memberships are
always welcome. Please visit www.actoronto.org/membership to join online or to
download a membership form.
Members are invited to attend this year's AGM on Monday,
September 27, 2010. Memberships must be submitted or renewed by Friday, August
27 in order to vote at our AGM.
If you have any questions related to your
current membership status, please do not hesitate to contact Anthony at
416-340-8484 ext. 279 or membership@actoronto.org |
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Be the first to meet the Queen... of the Desert! 
Mirvish Productions is mounting the North American premiere
of "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical" for a three month
run here in Toronto, beginning Tuesday, October 12, 2010.
Join us on Opening Night - Tuesday, October 12 - for an exciting evening of
theatre, fun and fabulousness that will raise funds for ACT's HIV prevention,
education and support programs.
Individual tickets to this event cost $250 and include:
- Orchestra seating for the opening night performance at the
beautiful Princess of Wales Theatre
- Exclusive post-show after-party with complimentary cocktails
and hors d'oeuvres
- Mix and mingle with the cast of the show
- Plus other fabulous surprises!
A limited block of tickets to this exclusive event are now on sale. All
proceeds from the sale of these tickets will benefit ACT's programs and
services.
Hurry - 45% of tickets to this exclusive opening night
fundraiser are sold out!
Click here to purchase tickets! For more
information, e-mail priscilla@actoronto.org |
Strategic planning update 
"ACT's location is central, but work could be done to refurbish/upgrade/change the current [office] space to make it nicer and a more inviting space."
"ACT needs to figure out who it can serve well, and not try and be everything to everyone."
"Continue to be innovative and responsive both to the changing demographics of the populations in need of services, and to new issues that arise that demand more attention."
These are just some of the many things our stakeholders told us in our surveys and focus groups to seek input for our next strategic plan.
We've been thrilled with the level of response! Almost 400 of our clients, community members, volunteers, partner agencies, and people living with HIV/AIDS responded to our call for input.
In addition to this feedback, we have conducted an external environmental scan that will help us consider shifts in the economic, political, health care, social service and funding environments.
The next step in our strategic planning process will be to use this information to develop new strategic priorities to guide ACT's work over the next five years. Our 2010-2015 Strategic Plan will be unveiled at ACT's Annual General Meeting in September.
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Don't just stand there! 
The Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life Toronto raises much-needed
funds for the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT).
For more than 25 years, ACT has
been providing services to people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, while
also working to prevent the spread of HIV in our community.
Funds raised from the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life Toronto
will go towards the health promotion programs and services ACT offers to people
living with HIV/AIDS. Funds will also support our community health education
programs that work to reduce people's risk for HIV infection.
More people than ever living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto and
two people infected with HIV (the AIDS virus) every day in our city, every
pledge makes a difference!
So get registered, get a team together, and start taking
pledges! Most importantly, join us on Sunday, September 19, 2010 as we walk for
life!
Our goal for the 2010 Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life Toronto
is to raise $330,000. We can't do it without you!
After you've walked - Celebrate our success! Join us after
the Walk for big entertainment, fun and an after party like never before at the
Beer Garden.
For more information about the walk, visit
www.aidswalktoronto.ca
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Retreats for people with HIV/AIDS 
ACT offers retreats to men, women and youth living with
HIV/AIDS to provide an opportunity to leave the city with peers while learning
strategies to improve health.
Applications for the Men's Wellness Retreat (August 6-8) are
being accepted until Friday, July 9. Please contact Kate at
kmurzin@actoronto.org for more information.
Applications for the Positive Youth Outreach
retreat for youth under 30 living with HIV (August 23-25) are still being
accepted, but spots are going quickly. Contact Jessica at pyo@actoronto.org for
more information.
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Condom Dispenser Network expands 
As regulars in the gay bars and clubs of Toronto know, ACT
has an extensive network of condom dispensers in many gay community
establishments, including the Black Eagle, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Fly
Nightclub, Play, Glad Day Bookstore, Goodhandy's, HALCO, the Barn and Woody's.
This month, we are happy to announce the addition of
Gladaman's Den and Crews/Tango to our roster of community partners hosting our
condom dispensers.
Twice each week, a team of dedicated
volunteer "condom fairies" restocks these dispensers with condom-lube packs and
sexual health resources. In 2009, our Condom Dispenser Network distributed more
than 200,000 condoms and nearly 150,000 lube packs, reaching more than 120,000
gay and bi men.
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Make an enlightened gift to ACT 
Want to honour a birthday, anniversary, or other special
occasion, while also helping others? Send that special someone an Enlightened
Gift and ACT will send them a personalized card letting them know the difference you
are making on their behalf.
You can choose to provide a gift of nutrition for people
living with HIV/AIDS (the Good Food Box), the gift of knowledge (safer sex
education), the gift of financial stability (Employment Action), or choose from
many other options.
Click here to visit the ACT store and see
what you can offer!
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Take a leadership role at ACT
The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) is seeking community members interested in serving on its board of directors.
ACT develops and delivers innovative programs and services that promote the dignity, health and well being of individuals and communities living with, affected by and at risk for HIV/AIDS.
ACT values its connection to communities impacted by HIV/AIDS and strives to reflect those communities in the makeup of its board.
We encourage people of all backgrounds and skill sets to consider this rewarding opportunity.
ACT is committed to equity at all levels of the organization, and especially encourages applications from people living with HIV/AIDS and communities affected by HIV/AIDS, including gay men, women, trans people, and racialized people.
ACT board members commit to attend monthly meetings. In addition, each board member is expected to participate in at least one board committee. These committees are: Fund Development; Finance; Leadership and Governance; Community Advocacy, Programs and Services. The monthly commitment for a board member can vary, but on an average is between five and eight hours per month.
For more information about ACT or the responsibilities of our board members, please email nominations@actoronto.org.
Submission deadline for nominations: July 16, 2010. |
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