Points discussed:

Things BiNet USA Can do for us

1. List a rep for the state/regional areas in the phone book/yellow pages
2. Have national 1-800 number with staffed office/or answering machine that is responded to on a timely manner. Also have local orgs. refer out to us on their hotlines.
3. Get large distributors to carry Bisexual Resource Guide and get our number/contact info into national gay/les/trans publications like �The Pink Pages� or �traveling in Boston� Indexes etc.
4. Define the joining process. Our suggestions specifically were to list joining as such in two different, clearly defined paragraphs:

You can join BiNet USA in the struggle by returning the attached form with AS COMPLETED information as possible. All members have a say and vote in what goes on in the organization.

Yearly membership dues are $20. More if you can, less if you can�t.

5. Root the grant process to your regional organizers.
Get the Rural initiative packet finished or send a preliminary info packet to get that going.
6. Consider breaking the Northeast Region into two parts: RI and MA as one part and VT, NH, ME as another.

These suggestions would help with the following ideals and goals of the general membership.

1) Let us know what�s happening on the national front more and more often.
2) Help us break the isolation for the many bis in the nation and world.
3) Get the regions connected to each other.
4) Provide a presence politically/actively
5) Call/mail members more often, more quickly when they join
6) Create a chat forum on the BiNet web site where members can meet to have �virtual meetings.�

Members came up with these things as �BiNet USA Means to us. . .�

� Community and common interests - knowledge of others in my area.
� gives national visibility and legitimacy both politically and visibly
� experience �not a lot gotten out of BiNet so far, but a sense of some link to a greater community.
� I joined the national political organization to support that and find out about the nation, know about who needs nudging to include, (in glt groups). Recently, reading the BiNet news to see what we�re doing as a group.
� More Oomph for being counted.
� vague idea of what they do
� potential.

Spring meeting being planned for our region which will be more workshop, BI-community-open oriented.

� Tentative dates are for April 10th or 17th.
� Tentative place is Sue Corcoran�s in Epping NH.
� Two day meeting with crashing at Sue�s for free an important option.
� Looking at accessible, cheap or free meeting space for potentially bigger, more anonymous people to attend the meeting, and more breakout space if this happens.

The Spring workshops should include a component of
1. History of our BI movement/struggles, triumphs in national orgs/inclusion.
2. fundraising workshops both on a grant/small goals fundraising basis.
3. talks on topics and more schmoozing with each other.

ROS will do the following:

1. We are to report back from the RO Training in Chicago (November 6th) as to how these above goals can be met.
2. Will call people more often and try to get a continual dialogue/support going for those members attending today/subsequent members.
3. e-mail these notes ASAP. in order to keep momentum going.
4. Make our own support and avoidance of burn out a priority.
5. get resources from each of the states into a list for ourselves, including what local queer/BI groups exist in what areas. What media is good to advertise in for a regional meeting in each state.
6. will plan on a visit to each state (The RO tour will begin soon!) and have coffee, brunch with people in each area. (this is a long term/year long goal).
7. Write up a posting/mailing letter of invitation to people: BiNet USA a member? Think you are? Wish you were? wanna be? Contact us at . . . . adding the mission statement and our upcoming events.