Re: Define

Update

2005-10-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

A few bits of news and admin items

Affiliation

Re: Define is finally affiliated with the UCSA!

This means that next year we’ll have a mail slot and pin board and be able to book rooms in the UCSA building, a listing on the UCSA website and in the 2006 UCSA Student Diary, and eventually be eligible for funding.

Mailing list

Just in case you didn’t get the email, we now have a new mailing list. The major advantage of this list is that everyone has the ability to send a message to the whole group. You can do this by sending the email intended for everyone to redefine@googlegroups.com or heading to http://groups.google.co.nz/group/redefine
The message is checked by one several people and is then sent out. The moderator step is there to prevent spam and abuse but will mean that there's a delay on the email being sent out.

If emails from this address are quarantined or labelled as spam, go to
http://spam.canterbury.ac.nz/pmas/index.html, login using your student
email address and password, go down to "Create, Update or Review your
allow list" and add redefine@googlegroups.com. This will mean the
spam filter will not think that these email are spam and allow them
straight through.

If you’ve accidentally been left off the new list (sorry ;) ), would like to join or would like to be taken off, email Ed.

UniQ fortnightly Movie Screenings

2005-10-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

Theses will be carrying on through the holidays. Check the UniQ site for further details.

Re: Define 05

2005-10-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who helped get Re: Define off the ground this year. It was an interesting few months and a good learning curve for me personally.

Planning has already begun to make sure that next year is even more stimulating, exciting and thought provoking. We may also be working closely with the GEND department in at least one venture.

After everyone’s had a chance to finish their assessment and kick back we’ll be having Breakup drinks. This is planned for mid-November. More details closer to the date.

Good luck to everyone with assessment and hopefully we'll see you in November!

Last Meeting of the Year

2005-10-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

This Friday's meeting will be the last of 2005, as next week's would clash with the stein.

This week we'll be enduring the final part of the BBC documentary "Matching the sexes". This episode: Love. From the ads it looks like it may actually be worse than the previous two.

Although these programs are unscientific and uncritical, they've provided excellent examples of how many people (including parts of the scientific community) understand gender.

If you'd like to watch it beforehand or cant make it to the meeting, the program screens on Thursday 8:30 on TV3.

On another note, do you want to get together for breakup drinks at some point in the next few weeks? Last time was a blast, so let me know if you're keen. It would be cool to try and get people together in a non-uni setting.

This week's Meeting

2005-09-21T00:25:00.000-07:00

This week we'll be watching the first part (of three) of a documentary called "Secrets of the sexes". It'll be screening on tv3 at 8:30 Thursday night. I'm a little dubious as to how progressive it will be, but it will at the very least provide some interesting discussion. If this week goes well we'll watch the other two episodes in the coming weeks.

I guess you can either watch it the night before and give yourself a chance to think things over before the meeting or not watch it and come ready for a surprise :)

I'll be taping it, but if someone is able to tape it as well I'd appreciate it. VHS isn't the most reliable of media.

Queer Alliance Site Update

2005-09-15T06:29:00.000-07:00

Head over to the Queer Alliance site as it has just been thoroughly updated. Of special notice is the "What is the Queer Alliance?" post.
The launch event for this organisation is coming up on Wednesday the 28th of September, 12:30 - 1:30. Details on the QA site.
It's going to be a really fun event. We are a member of QA, so I hope you are able to make it down to lend some support.

UniQ Movie Screenings Every Second Wednesday Night

2005-08-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

UniQ holds a movie screening on campus every second Wednesday night.

If you wish to go along, meet in the foyer of the UCSA building at the bottom of the stairwell just before 7:30. Note: The venue for this event changes, so check in here or at the UniQ site for updates.

The next screening is this Wednesday (21/09/05).

Bio - UniQ is a social and support group for gay, straight, bisexual, and transgendered students. They provide a safe place to meet and hang out with queer people, and talk about queer stuff. They are welcoming of non-Queers, and have a fun, laid-back atmosphere.

No Meeting This Friday

2005-08-28T17:16:00.000-07:00

Instead there'll be drinks at Iconic (the old Cue time - corner of Manchester and Gloucester Street) from 5, followed by Pizza at Winnie Bagoes.
Iconic has cheap 2 for 1 drinks from 5-7, so it should be a reasonably inexpensive evening.

Normal meeting time/location will resume next week.

Ask Tiina

2005-08-16T22:55:00.000-07:00

For those of you that don’t know, Tiina Vares is the Gender Studies Department Co-ordinator. She also teaches courses at 100 and 300 level. You can find out more about her here.
She has been very supportive of our club, is approachable and very interested in her subject. If you have a question for her, would like some guidance regarding course selection, or are interested to learn more about what the Gender Studies department does, I'm sure she would be happy to be of service. tiina.vares@canterbury.ac.nz

Political forum on issues relevant to the rainbow community

2005-08-16T18:39:00.000-07:00

This was forwarded to me by a friend.

"Forum - political party views on human rights & social justice for the rainbow community of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender & fa'afafine people.
Particular reference will be paid to party policy and views on the Prostitution Reform Act, the Civil Union Act, Georgina Beyer's Gender Identity Bill and health funding for hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery for transgender people.

Knox Church Centre
28 Bealey Avenue Christchurch
7.30 pm Wednesday 31st August 2005

Each party will have six minutes to present their policies. Questions and discussion will follow after all have made their presentations. The order of presentations will be determined randomly. The media are being invited and wide publicity is being given to the forum. Knox Centre will be open from 7 pm onwards. There will be displays by the political parties in the lounge. Nibbles, coffee and tea will be provided.
The Forum will start promptly at 7.30 pm and be followed by supper at 9 pm".

The Knox church is queer friendly and holds regular discussions on liberal theology. It will be a good environment and a safe space to voice your opinion or ask questions of MPs regarding queer issues. Be aware though that the media have been invited. I intend to go, email me if you are interested.

Thanks go to Anna Hunter.

This week and during the holidays

2005-08-15T23:59:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that Re:Define's meeting this week (the 19th) will be held in the usual room at the usual time. Friday meetings will also be continuing through the holidays.

The Queer Alliance

2005-08-11T22:01:00.000-07:00

For those that are interested, the Queer Alliance (A collective of queer-friendly clubs on campus) can be found here
For some reason it looks a lot like our site ;)

Site Content

2005-08-03T20:29:00.000-07:00

The 'Gender/Feminist Theory' section on the right of your screen is in need of your help! We're after some links to sites that people may find useful. The idea is to get material which is entry-level so that many people will benefit from it. Take your cue from the links which are there already. If you are interested and can provide links, we can set up a more advanced section containing theory, philosophy, information about activists etc.

If there are other things you think we should add to the site, then get in contact with someone from the site admin team.

Morality Survey

2005-07-31T20:51:00.000-07:00

The Sunday Star Times is conducting a survey of New Zealander’s views on morality. In it, they ask specific questions about civil unions, mercy killings, abortion and gay adoption. This survey is likely to get national coverage, so I think it’s important that the views of open-minded people be well represented. If you have a spare 10 minutes then follow the link bellow.

SST Survey

Weekly meeting time change

2005-07-31T16:15:00.000-07:00

Our informal Friday meeting now begins at 1:00.

Contact Us

2005-07-28T16:34:00.000-07:00

Feel free to contact us for more info!

Ed Franks, emf23@student.canterbury.ac.nz
Zoe Thompson-Moore, zrm11@student.canterbury.ac.nz
Frances Martin, fhm17 @student.canterbury.ac.nz

For issues about the website contact one of the web administrators:
Ed Franks emf23@student.canterbury.ac.nz
Andrew Johnston, arj36@student.canterbury.ac.nz

or our resident Ninja, Leith Mclean, leith_mclean@hotmail.com

Weely meeting time and location

2005-07-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

Here are the details of our weekly meeting.

Re: Define weekly casual/informal meeting
Held each Friday at 1:00 in room 401 of the History building (the same level as the Gender Studies department). This meeting has no topic and is open to whatever you want to talk about. We are friendly and want to hear what you have to say! Bring your lunch if you like and don’t worry if you come late, we have several members who arrive midway through.

Problems viewing updates

2005-07-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

It is likely that this page will be updated once a week or so. You may find that every time you come to this page it appears that nothing has been added to it. That’s because your web browser is showing you an old version of the site. To avoid this all you have to do is refresh the page. If you use Internet Explorer click 'Refresh' (the button with green arrows on it) or 'Reload' (the button with blue arrows on it) for Mozilla Firefox.

The new content should now appear. However, it could just be that we've been too lazy to post anything new, so don't get worried if nothing comes up :)

All aboard

2005-07-24T16:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Re: Define, a society established by and for students studying at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. It is my hope that this blog will serve as a website for the society and will be updated on a regular basis.

The following is a brief outline of the society's aims and activities.

The aim of the society is to "provide a space for students to discuss gender-related social issues, network with a diverse group of people in the local community, and give students with these interests a voice on campus".

We are queer friendly, having members who are queer, transgender or do not believe in dichotomous concepts of sexuality.

It is worth noting that out of our current 26 members only six are majoring in Gender Studies.

Some members have finished one paper and are interested in engaging further with the topics raised, or simply participate through a general interest in feminist/gender issues. I consider this diversity greatly beneficial. Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary field, so we are all the better for the individuals who bring sharp minds, fresh perspectives and varying experiences.

It is my personal aim that we attract as many students as possible who are doing Gender Studies for the first time or are in their first year of university study. These are exactly the people who are likely to struggle in finding an environment where they can discuss these topics with similarly minded or educated individuals. That environment is exactly what we hope to create.

Our plan for the year is currently:

Semester two
*A casual weekly meeting where people can discuss topics that have come up in class or have just been on their mind. This is held in room 401 of the history building (in the Gender Studies Department, 4th floor, first door on your left) each Friday at 1:00. The purpose of this meeting is pretty close to our stated aims, to provide a place where people can chill out with like-minded others and take part in casual discussion.

*A monthly formal meeting with a topic and speaker. The format for this meeting would be a short presentation (10/15 minutes) and/or a film followed by an open forum. The details of these meetings are still to be worked out.

*The creation of an online message-board where events can be organized and further discussion can take place.

*A ball or similar event with a 'Gender Bending' theme.