Safe Zone
Safe Zone Committee Launch
Western Washington University's LGBTQ+ Western department is excited to relaunch the Safe Zone training program. Safe Zone is an LGBTQ+ ally training program seen at K-12 schools and in higher education.
Western had a Safe Zone program from 2012-2016. This program was an impactful start to support students, faculty, and staff as they developed knowledge about the LGBTQ+ community. Safe Zone is not just for straight and cisgender people, but meant for people of any identity can support their LGBTQ+ friends, students, colleagues, and community. Many LGBTQ+ people use Safe Zone trainings to learn about identities they don't hold, and may even explore their identities using the information learned.
After a hiatus, we are revitalizing the program completely. We will analyze previous materials, look at materials from other institutions, and develop the training modules for our university and eventually the larger community.
Anyone is welcome to join us as we start to develop new training materials. You can sign up below or just stop by a meeting.
-JoeHahn
LGBTQ+ Director
Summer Committee Meeting Schedule
For Summer 2024 we will meet on the following Thursdays from 10:30-Noon on Teams and in Viking Union 735. Topics will be flexible, we do not want to rush the development of this material.
- July 25th: Introductions, Safe Zone History, Safe Zone Vision Boarding
- August 1st: Vision Boarding Part 2, Review other institutional materials.
- August 8th: Learning Outcomes, Training Roadmap
- August 15th: Module/Training Creation 1
- August 22nd: Sub-committee work time. JoeHahn and Ayanna at Leadership Retreat, unable to attend.
- August 29th: Module/Training Creation 2, Practice Facilitation (likely in person only)
- Sept 5th: Scheduling for October meetings; More Practice/Review/Working on material.
- Sept 12th: Review, celebration of what we have done so far 😊
The committee will then transition into a different meeting structure for fall quarter, which will be determined by the availability and needs of the committee.
Committee Membership
Safe Zone is an open committee. Meaning students, faculty, staff, alum, and community members can join at anytime and drop in or out as needed. We do ask that committee members communicate what commitment they can provide so a task isn't delegated that cannot be completed.
To join the committee, please fill out this form. Once reviewed, JoeHahn will add you to our Microsoft Teams. If you aren't ready to commit to being a member but want to attend, join us for one of our meetings in Viking Union 735 or on Teams, using the Teams link above.
Safe Zone is a great volunteer opportunity for students looking for experience working with LGBTQ+ Western. We will work together to develop the structure of the committee as well, such as co-chairs, trainers, etc.
The LGBTQ+ Director JoeHahn and LGBTQ+ Western & The Centers Program Manager Ayanna Phillips will be the current co-chairs of the committee. LGBTQ+ Western student staff will also be involved, varying based on availability.
We hope to have minimum representation from each of the following areas. Seeking faculty, staff, and students.
Once the committee is set up, we will have the names of committee members who want their names shared here!