Our new treasurer, Bri, came up with our icebreaker; your name and your Celebrity crush!

The first order of business was the Coffee House announcement

• Our chairs Brienne Hagen and Sarah Hammel decided that all the donations will go to the Invisible Children Foundation
• The Invisible Children Foundation supports the “invisible children” in Uganda who are subjected to harsh living conditions. These young boys are being taken from their family by force and brainwashed and trained into becoming warriors for a war not their own.
• All the proceeds go to developing schools and providing an education to these children
• For more information contact Brienne dhagen1@towson.edu or Sarah shamme3@towson.edu

Second we introduced Grover from BTGLASS, which is Salisbury University’s Queer Community. He just wanted to say hi to everyone and see how other organizations hold their meetings. He really enjoyed himself.

Harlem Globetrotters is in two Sundays from now!!

• When: march 16^th from 10am-9pm
• Where: Towson Center
• Why: It is a GREAT fundraising opportunity for QSU which will provide future funds for programs such as “gay? fine by me.” The Dragshows, The Coffee Houses, Tabling, Brings guest speakers and anyother event that we are able to provide to the community free of charge! One of the reasons we are able to not charge admission for the shirts or entrance to events is because we do concessions! So if you could help out, even for an hour, please please please let me know! Any help will be appreciated!!
• You can e-mail the G-mail account or myself bbolin1@towson.edu

Then Lauren had an announcement to the QSU, I know it is long but it is worth reading:

• If I can use such ableist terms to say that, I am stepping back as president of QSU.  Next Tuesday, the 11^th, will be my last meeting as president.  I am doing this for many reasons, some personal and professional, but most importantly I am doing this for the organization.  This is my fifth year at Towson and my third year on exec board; my first year I was treasurer, last year I was co-president and this year as president.  Through my years I have met incredible people, seen people blossom and watch Towson become a safer place for queer people.  In a little while we will go downstairs to talk about the LGBT Director search and it is clear that the atmosphere for students will only get better. QSU has given me an amazing opportunity as a leader, and most notably an amazing opportunity as a person.  I was a scared first year student who came to my first QSU meeting and said nothing, now look at me.  Without QSU and the people I have met here I don’t know where I would be, I have grown so much and I have you all to thank.  For those of you who really know me, know that I am a bit, ok maybe a lot of a control freak, but trust me when I say that with the leaders who are in QSU, especially the exec board, I know that QSU will flourish in the time to come.  We have so many exciting things happening this semester and I am so happy I will be here to see them.  Theresa will the president until the end of April when elections for next year will be held.  The vice-president position will not be filled.  This transition has been discussed for a little while, and it’s important to understand that I am not going anywhere and I will still be here for you all and for the exec board, just not in an official capacity.  Again, thank you all for everything you have taught me, and allowing me the amazing opportunity to be the QSU president.

Last but not least! We had a surprise going away party for Lauren in the Potomac! There was food galore, not just for the meat eaters but also for the vegetarians and vegens. All of which was provided by Santiago Solis and the LGBT Center. Danielle and Theresa complied photos for a slide show accompanied by music such as “I’m coming out” and many others. They were also able to get a hold of Lauren’s sister and mother to say something over a camera to be played for Lauren.

I am sure we would all like to thank Lauren for all the great things she has not only done for the Queer Student Union but for the community in general. Her growth as a leader has provided many new opportunities for incoming freshman and has led to the development of a more progressive Towson. All of the time she spent for the QSU and the community at large was well placed and now we all will reap the benefits of a more accepting and safe campus thanks to the efforts that Lauren has put forth. Thank you.