Rainbow Families Council Working Groups
The Council currently has four active working groups: Conference 2010; 'Who's in your family?' inclusive resource working group; education and advocacy working group; and Communcations working group. We welcome participation in working groups from members of the rainbow family community - to find out more contact info@rainbowfamilies.org.au
Conference 2010 working group
Celebrating our past and future journeys Rainbow Families Council Conference to be held Saturday 13 February 2010, Northcote Town Hall
Working Group Achievements and Successes for 2009
• Set the conference date of Saturday 13 February 2010.
• Secured a grant from Darebin City Council for the use of the Northcote Town Hall for the conference.
• Coordinated a diverse program including Kids Program with most speakers confirmed by October 2009 including information on recent federal and state law reforms, services for rainbow families and recent research.
• Organised Cha Cha Sam for the opening and kids music workshop.
• Family Disco and dinner from 5pm to 7pm – open to everyone.
• Started promoting the conference through newsletters, on our website, in the Midsumma 2010 Guide and through JoyFM.
Plans and Ideas for 2010
• Promote the conference during the 2010 Midsumma Festival and at Pride March.
• Hold the conference on Saturday 13 February 2010!
• Conduct a Conference evaluation and collect feedback from conference participants to inform the work of the 2010 Rainbow Families Council Committee.
Education & Advocacy Working Group
Aims
To make sure that the experiences and needs of rainbow families are understood by government, service providers, researchers and the community at large.
Achievements and Successes for 2009
We represented the experiences and needs of rainbow families on:
• GLBTIQ Mediation research project advisory board
• Homophobic Harassment Community Education & Awareness Reference Group
• ITA Symposium Reference Group Meeting
• Same Sex Law Reform Education Campaign Advisory Group
• Attorney General’s GLBTI Advisory Group
• National LGBT Health Alliance
We made written submissions to:
• National Human Rights consultation
• Marriage Equality Amendment Bill enquiry
• Proposal for a National Model to Harmonise Regulation of Surrogacy.
• The Ombudsman, to complain about the hardship, offence and inconvenience experienced by some rainbow families as a result of the introduction of same sex relationship recognition at Centrelink.
We spoke at:
• National Day of Action Equal Love Rally
• ALSO “We’re also in the Country” forum.
We shared our experience and advice with:
• The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriage with regard to implementation of the ART Act 2008.
• A focus group on the social marketing campaign for the same sex law reform.
• Advocates in Queensland who are seeking to make changes to their state law.
Plans and Ideas for 2010
• Continue to provide advice to Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and fertility clinics with regard to the implementation of the ART Act 2008.
• Contribute to Health in Difference Conference in Sydney, April 2010.
• We are sometimes approached to advocate on behalf of a family or individual in regard to a specific issue. We are not resourced to advocate for families but we can refer them on. We will put together a comprehensive list of options for such referrals.
• Continue to monitor and seek information on the progress of the national Surrogacy and Adoption debates.
• Continue to advocate on Marriage Equality by participating in national discussions, rallies and lobbying.
"Who's in your family?" Inclusive Resource Project Working Group
Aims
To develop a resource for childcare centres and maternal and child health centres in the City of Darebin that is inclusive of same sex parented families and is useful for both staff and clients including children.
Achievements and Successes for 2009
• Surveys developed and promoted through Darebin City Council and Rainbow Families Council e-lists and website.
• Collation of survey results from community members and childcare centre staff.
• Coordination of material for drafting fact sheets and poster text.
• Literature review of relevant texts and similar projects in Australia, US and UK.
• Devised and finalised two poster designs - ready to print.
• Drafting the four fact sheets - awaiting final edit.
• Coordination of printing for the launch.
Plans and Ideas for 2010
Short term plans:
• To launch the finished product at the Rainbow Families Council Conference on Saturday 13 February 2010.
• To hold a workshop for interested childcare staff members, MCH Council staff and other staff form the Darebin City Council.
Long term plans:
• To develop a workshop that can be delivered to relevant organisations across Victoria.
• To make the resources available online and promote them widely.
• To secure additional funding to produce extra copies of the "Who's in your family?" kits to deliver to childcare centres and MCH providers across Victoria.
Communications working group
Aims
To make it easier for members to use our website for information and for joining the Council.
Achievements and Successes for 2009
• Made improvements to website and provided updates about law reform, events and support groups.
• New membership form and membership drive.
• Online membership payments
Plans and Ideas for 2010
• Migrate website into Wordpress to make it easier to use and maintain.
• Add more info to website to reflect the enquiries we regularly receive.
• Further increase our member base
