Oh for heaven's sake! I'm trying to set up a group...

[FlamingoBingo]

...but I'm really struggling with having the guts to do it!

I know there's enough interest to start something, but I'm wondering about calling it something other than Townname Feminists.

I'm wondering about whether to allow men to be involved at some level.

I had a great name for it in the middle of the night, and a great vision for it too...but it's gone now - can't remember the name at all! I'm just thinking we might attract more members if we didn't have the word feminist in the name (even if it's plastered all over everything else!).

And I know I'm just rambling here, and not really asking anything specific...apart from a bit of moral support, maybe?

a strap line

townnane womens group
Furthering the rights of the women of townname

or something

I'm sure the name I had last night was

Townname Something Women something - women's group sounds like it's just for women, and I was fairly keen (in my vast, over optimistic, vision) to make a provision for some meetings to involve men.

Women's Rights
Women's Liberation
Townname Equality for Women

hell, if you get it wrong you can always change it later, as long as you don't do that too often.
I think no matter what you call yourself it's easy enough to have a website that clearly says you welcome men who support your aims; there won't be many people who will see your poster but don't get a chance to check you out online before coming along.

Ok, gave up on a name and just posted on FB that I wanted to set up something - I now have my fingers crossed that something comes of it!

I would post on UK Feminista but I'm still waiting for my registration to be approved - how long does it normally take?

I think if you want men to get involved (and that's worth thinking through pretty thoroughly) then e.g. Exeter Women's Group will put them off. If you don't want them involved (much) that might be no bad thing, of course.

Exeter Women's Equality Group
Exeter Women's Liberation Campaign
Exeter Group for Women Worldwide
Exeter Women Unite
Exeter Ladies Knit And Talk About Boys Group

think the last one might have gone a bit off track there...:o

So where are discussions about men being involved that I can read?

The reason I'm thinking about men being involved is because enlightening men is helpful too...?

Or could you have a women's group and, alongside that, a group for women and men?

I get the idea that not having men invovled is about having a safe space for women, but I guess there's much more to it than that. I carefully haven't specified men or no-men on my fb status - just said 'a group'.

Er, I think this is that discussion, Flamingo :o

How often are you thinking of meeting?

(Excited because just got a message from my local feminist group on FB - that's not you is it? :))

It could be Townname Organization for Gender Justice, but that sounds rather feeble. Maybe something with Women in the name even if you plan to let men be involved, just to show where the emphasis is?

Probably not me, Elephants. PM me and I'll add you as a FB friend.

Oh, you've reminded me! Thank you TeiTetua...Townname Against Gender Inequality...but I agree that it's disadvantage is not having 'women' in the title.

"For" names are more positive sounding. "Townname for Gender Equality"

I liked the feminist on BBC3 the other day being introduced as "Sexual Equality Expert" so and so. :)

Yes, I see that. Still no 'women' in the title, though.

Townname for Women's Equality
Townname for Equality for Women
Townname Women's Equality Group

yay! I like all three of those! Will write them down before I forget them again

But what about the men? What are the issues? Do we do women only first and discuss the issue as our first 'topic'?

Townname for Women in an Equal Society

I'd say townname feminist network.

I started up a group that I wanted to be a feminist group but called it a women's group. It turned out not to be at all feminist.

There are lots of feminist networks across the country and calling it that would make it feel like part of something bigger.

Network rather than group also sounds less cliquey.

BTW I got a £3k lottery grant for my group.

Good luck!

I like darlene's idea. Feminist is a good word, be proud
I also like townname women's rights group. Clearly states what its about.

Also, dont worry about the menz.

Dittany - what you're saying is definitely what I'm coming around to. Maybe a women-only conciousnes raising group to start with, and then, once we actually know something (), something bigger alongside for activism and awareness building that anyone can join...

And I'm not worried about the men being upset...I just want them to learn and they might not even get that far if the word feminist is in the group name, IYSWIM. I'm training myself to not be shy to use the word to describe myself, but it's honestly not my own shyness about it that's making me think of not using it in the group name.

Darlene - that's a very good point, though. Do you think taht would happen even if I made it clear in all the info about hte group that it is a feminist group?

I only have one other member so far though . And someone who assured me they'd be keen has been on FB since I posted it, but not said they'd join - I don't know her very well so don't want to nag!

I've done it! I've made a FB page and invited all the women on my friends list who live locally.................and I called it 'Townname Feminists'.

I just hope it doesn't put so many people off that people don't get a chance to look beyond the 'feminist' bit IYSWIM, and learn that, acutally, feminism is relevant.

Good luck with your project!

Dittany?s right ? no men at this stage.

We're here to help but only if you need us. First you have to decide what you want as feminists, and there?s obviously no need for male input on that subject.

Good luck!! I have been looking for a local group to join but no luck so far. Don't have the confidence to set one up myself yet.

I'm trying to do the same kind of thing in Newcastle - we should swap notes :)

I haven't got many notes to swap so far - only four people have 'liked' my group, except for me - and one of them isn't local, she's a MNer!

Still, it's a start - there are four of us so I'm going to arrange to meet at the end of Feb, after the meeting I'm going to in the next town.

Of our group so far, one knows loads but the rest of us are novices.

ButterPiefy

Are you still there? I don't know whether they are still active but This Yahoo group is based in Newcastle:

groups.yahoo.com/group/the_f_word/

Definitely no men to start with, becauase the sort of men who will be keen to join are not the sort of men you actually want or need there.
They will either be creeps (nothing more slimy than the 'feminist' man who can't shut up about his feminism) or basically will be joining in the hope that their 'Look at me, I'm a sensitive guy' will help them pull.