To all of the members of Queers and Allies-
This is the beginning of my last semester here at SCAD. As of June 1, I will no longer be a student here, and while I will never truly leave any of you, I will, at that moment, be leaving my position in this group, and handing it over to someone new. It breaks my heart to know there will be no more weekly meetings for me, no more Gender Bender planning committees, no more post-meeting smoking circles. These are memories I will cherish, because this group, and all of the people who make it, mean the world to me.
Those of you who have been active in the group know who you are. The ones who are consistent about attending meetings, reading and commenting on the blog, bringing in outside resources and information including helping to keep us involved with Stand Out Youth, you are what is making this group as successful as it has been this year. However, Facebook claims we have 170+ members. Our Fall attendance sheets claimed over 40. Half a dozen people can not be expected to represent the goals of forty. Or twenty. Or 13, the attendance at our last meeting.
I need to know, from all of you, what it is you want from this group. Queers and Allies has been a labor of love, built from the ground up over the last four years by students who really cared about providing a safe, informative environment for the GBLT population at SCAD. These students cared about spreading awareness to the community, and participating in that community in order to validate their equal place in it. I want to know that this mission is still important.
As a student group, there is no great over-seeing body handing down the regulations, and rules, and goals. The only people that have any control over Q&A are its members. As the students, it is up to you to decide what this group is about, and what it is going to do, and if it is going to continue next year, or dissolve. I believe with all my heart that there are still students, and there are going to be students, who need this. Q&A offers support, and friendship, and awareness, and acceptance, things that are hard to come by anywhere, let alone in as intimidating an environment as this school. I like to believe that all of you joined because you needed one of these things, and wish to extend them to someone else.
I will not presume to speak for anyone else, but Q&A has meant so much to me throughout my college career. I have met my best friends there, I have contributed so many great things to the school and to Savannah by my participation. This group has been unbelievably important to me. I hope that it matters enough to keep going after the founding members are gone and it is left in your hands.
I will treasure these last nine weeks I have as your President, and I will do whatever I possibly can to ready you for next year. I hope you will do the same.
Sincerely, graciously,
Colleen Marie Mattis, Q&A President
