LGBTOUT: Queer CommunityGeneral Meetings
General Meetings (GMs) are the way LGBTOUT makes decisions, discusses policy, and organises events. All members of the U of T community are welcome to attend and be a part of our decision-making process. Guests from outside the U of T community are also welcome, although they will not be able to vote. During the school year, GMs are held approximately every two weeks. They usually take about an hour and a half, but may take longer if there is a lot on the agenda.
We try to keep our meetings efficient, and discussions on-topic, in order to respect the time of everyone present. But we also try to keep things light, friendly, and as fun as possible. We often go out for coffee, drinks or food after the meetings, and everyone is encouraged to join in this social time to get to know the other members and have some fun after the 'hard work' of making decisions!
Meetings begin with a call to order by the person chairing the meeting (usually one of the LGBTOUT Coordinators). Next, we go around the table to introduce ourselves. We also take this opportunity to tell the group what pronouns we prefer to be addressed by (he, she, him, her, or gender-neutral). This is a way of respecting those among us who are trans-identified or genderqueer.
Next, the Chair will briefly review the decisions made at the last meeting. Then, the LGBTOUT Coordinators and committee chairs will present brief reports on LGBTOUT activity since the last GM. After each report you are welcome to ask questions about what you have heard. This is a great way to stay aware of all the many activities LGBTOUT is involved with and to get involved as a volunteer.
The real 'business' of the meeting comes next. There will be a series of "motions", which are action items, or questions for debate or decision. Any LGBTOUT member can have an action item placed on the agenda by contacting the Internal Coordinator in advance of the meeting. After a motion is read out, the Chair will moderate discussion on the question at hand. Once discussion has ended, there will be a vote.
After all of the motions on the agenda are dealt with, if there is time, any member present may propose new action items to be discussed and voted upon. If there is not sufficient time, these items will be carried over and placed on the agenda for the next general meeting.
Finally, the meeting concludes with announcements of upcoming events and activities, and the date for the next meeting will be set.
To read minutes of previous meetings, check out our Records & Publications page.
Edited April 3/2005.
Technicalities
In order for a general meeting to be considered valid, the following conditions must be met:- the GM must have been advertised at least one week in advance
- at least 3 of the LGBTOUT Coordinators must be in attendance
- at least 6 members (including Coordinators) must be in attendance
In order to be eligible to vote at a general meeting, you must be a full- or part-time student, faculty, staff member, or alumni of the University of Toronto.
In addition, eligibility to vote is based on attendance.
- If you have attended a previous GM which has occurred during the current academic year, and within the previous two GMs, you are guaranteed voting rights.
- If you have attended at least one previous GM during the current academic year, you may be granted voting status by the Coordinators present at the meeting if you ask before the GM is called to order.
Even if you don't have voting status, you are still welcome and encouraged to participate in our discussions.
Our parliamentary authority is Roberts Rules of Order.