Meeting in Review - June 7, 2023
By Megan MillerTuesday, June 13, 2023
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On June 7, 2023, the Rotary Club of Washington, DC, held its regular weekly meeting in person at the University Club of Washington, D.C. and via Zoom, and welcomed guest speaker Japer Bowles, Director, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs. Past President Jennifer Hara called the meeting to order at 12:30 PM and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Deputy Secretary Sofia DeMartino introduced the guests and visiting Rotarians.
Sergeant-at-Arms Lola Perez recognized birthdays and anniversaries for the week.
Deputy Secretary Sofia encouraged everyone to give to the Club’s Foundation. Sofia emphasized that the Club’s Foundation enables all Club programs and projects, such as Community Grants and Trees for the Capital. To continue to support these programs and projects, the Club’s Foundation needs funding. That funding relies on the Rotarians in this Club. Donations are accepted via mailed checks or checks given at Club Meetings to Kathy Lynch. Donations can also be made online through the DC Rotary Club website.
Jenna Hampton, the Community Service Chair of Rotaract Club, reminded everyone that they are invited to the upcoming Garden Workday with City Blossoms on June 10 from 10:00 AM -1:00 PM at Eastern Senior High School. The workday is part of a City Blossoms Youth Entrepreneurship program that partners with the high school. Jenna reminded the group that if you register to attend the event, dress appropriately for gardening and sign in with City Blossom staff upon arrival at the high school. The City Blossom event will happen rain or shine and is the last volunteer event of this Rotaract term.
President Elect Lisa Cohen reminded everyone of the upcoming Changing of the Guard event that will take place at her home on June 17 from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. The deadline to register is Thursday, June 15. More details are included in the Rotary Progress Newsletter.
Past President Jennifer provided everyone with a Rotary Red Line Happy Hour recap. The Dupont Circle Rotary Club held its second Rotary Red Line Happy Hour on May 31 at the King Street Oyster Bar. There were 40-50 Rotarians in attendance and the group did self-developed trivia as a fun activity. There will be another Rotary Red Line Happy Hour before the end of the Rotary year.
Past President Jennifer announced the upcoming Pride Parade. On June 10, the DC Rotary Club will be walking in the annual Pride Parade. The Rotarians of the DC Rotary Club are welcome to walk in the parade with other participating Rotary Clubs in the area. The Rotarians will meet on 15th St, between Q St and R St, and begin walking at 3:00 PM. The route is about a mile and a half long, and Rotarians are encouraged to dress in the parade’s theme of “Peace, Love, and Revolution.”
Past President Jennifer introduced the speaker Japer Bowles, Director, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs. A local queer advocate and public affairs professional, Director Bowles has experience in constituent services and expertise in local and state legislative processes. He recently led a coalition of more than thirty local LGBTQ+ businesses and nonprofit organizations and over 60 elected officials to develop priorities and strategize investments and programs supportive to the LGBTQ+ community, including housing, workforce development, and a resource community center. Director Bowles previously served as a legislative manager at Stateside, where he led a team that analyzed, monitored, and reported the political actions of state legislatures and executive leaders and reported on over 15,000 legislative and regulatory matters for corporations, trade associations, and the military. Director Bowles also previously served two terms as an ANC commissioner in service of residents in Adams Morgan.
Director Bowles spoke about his personal story in becoming a LGBTQ+ advocate, the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs, and the resources offered by the Mayor’s Office for LGBTQ+ constituents. Director Bowles explained that there are four key components to the Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs. Those components include grant-giving, housing resources, cultural competency training, and community outreach. The Office distributes grants to innovative programs serving the LGBTQ+ community in Washington, DC. The Office currently has 25 grantees and has funded programs like Monkeypox Outreach and the Washington Improv Theater’s new LGBTQ+ cohort. The Office also provides housing resources to the most vulnerable in the community, which includes the homeless population. Director Bowles and his team provide housing vouchers to those experiencing homelessness so that they have a safe, sustainable place to live. Director Bowles’ office also does cultural competency training for government workers and youth housing providers in the area. This creates a space for workers to ask questions and leave with the tools to help serve the LGBTQ+ community. Lastly, the Office does regular community outreach to navigate current issues facing the LGBTQ+ community in Washington, DC.
Director Bowles then spoke about his LGBTQ+ advocacy journey and personal story. Born in a community that lacked diversity, Director Bowles was elated when he first visited Washington, DC. He immediately noticed the diversity and felt welcomed in his identity, which he had not felt before. Director Bowles noted that displaying LGBTQ+ flags in the city is important for visitors to see when passing through the area because it creates a visibility of diversity. After making this note, he explained his career journey that led him to his current role. Director Bowles has extensive experience in legislation and policy-making. Additionally, he has great experience in connecting and mobilizing diverse groups of people to create change. These experiences led him to his current role in the Mayor’s Office where he is proud to work for a city that is a leader in LGBTQ+ resources and protection. Director Bowles ended his presentation by encouraging Rotarians to reach out with any partnership ideas.
After an animated question-and-answer session led by Past President Nancy Riker, Past President Jennifer presented Director Bowles with a certificate for the planting of a tree under the Club’s Trees for the Capital program.
Sterling Hoffman conducted the Raffle, but the Ace of Spades was not drawn.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:29pm. Past President Nancy was the producer on Zoom, and Salvador Farfán the producer in the room. Sibel Kulaksiz was the greeter and Brian Blum provided hospitality.
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