NGCSU Project Dignity was created at North Georgia College & State University in May 2001 to address concerns about the opportunity of gays and lesbians to study and work at the university without being subjected to discrimination and harassment.  The founding members also agreed to a commitment to provide a safe environment for all members of the NGCSU community and a setting where issues of safety and discrimination can be addressed and solutions developed.  Therefore, the organization and its members provide moral support, encouragement, sources of assistance, and referrals for members of the university community who are subject to mistreatment, harassment, or other forms of discrimination on account of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or other characteristics.  While the organization wishes to spare all members of this community from all forms and levels of distress caused by mistreatment, it places a special emphasis on the vital need to provide support and service to people who are contemplating suicide, in the determined hope that we can interrupt an ominous sequence of events before it is too late to avert tragedy.  If you are in need of help, or know someone who is in need, please contact us.

CLICK HERE for information about Project Dignity's Visual Arts Contest and to see the winning artwork.

 

PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOP:

"TEARING DOWN BARRIERS:
A DIFFERENT KIND OF DIVERSITY WORKSHOP"

Thursday, March 10, 2005

To register for the workshop, click here to download the registration form (Adobe pdf format).

12:30-2 p.m.  Presentation to the student body

2-3:30 p.m.  Workshop in the Hoag Student Center's ABC Rooms

4:15-5:45 p.m.  Facilitator and participants will address the student body

     Project Dignity in association with the Sociology Club, the International Students Association, and the Gay-Straight Alliance is presenting this series of events.  The purpose of this event is to help members of our campus community break down barriers among different kinds of people through communication.  A specific kind of communication model will be used during the workshop.  This will provide a safe environment in which to foster a frank and open discussion among people who are different from one another.  Differences that may be represented by participants are race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and level of physical ability.

     The presentation will be made by and the workshop will be led by Chaplain Carol Davee Highsmith, major in the U. S. Army at Fort Jackson, S. C.  Chaplain Highsmith was commissioned as a second lieutenant through Indiana State University's ROTC program.  She earned a master of divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and was ordained by the Disciples of Christ denomination.  Following her ordination, she was commissioned as a U. S. Reserve chaplain and served in the U. S. Reserves in Louisville, Ky., until November 1992 when she was accessioned to active duty.

     Chaplain Highsmith's military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Korean Defense Medal, and the Air Assault Badge.

     Funding for this event is provided by a leadership grant obtained from the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society.

 

The Alliances of Project Dignity

NGCSU Project Dignity operates chiefly through three alliances.  Click on the links below to visit the pages for each alliance.

The Inclusive Community Alliance provides support for individuals who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or questioning.

The Harassment Prevention Alliance provides support for individuals who are being subjected to harassment because of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other factors.

The Suicide Prevention Alliance provides support for individuals who are contemplating suicide.

 

Safe Space Listeners -- Click here for a list of Safe Space Listeners!

One of the ways that NGCSU Project Dignity helps people who need us is through the use of Safe Spaces.  Safe Spaces are usually the offices of Project Dignity members who have volunteered and have been trained to offer assistance to those in need.  A list of the Safe Space Listeners, along with their contact information, can be located on the Safe Space Listeners page.

Disclaimer.  Except for a very small number of trained psychologists, social workers, and counselors who are Safe Space Listeners, the substantial majority of Safe Space Listeners are laypeople not trained for the aforementioned professions.  As the title implies, they have received a modest amount of training on the issue of listening to visitors who would find a sympathetic sounding board to be helpful.  They are not medical or mental-health providers.  They have pledged confidentiality as part of their responsibilities to NGCSU Project Dignity; however, the legal standard of "counselor-client privilege" does not apply as specified in the Georgia Code.

Look for this Safe Space Listener sticker, which Safe Space Listeners will display on their office doors.

Project Dignity Officers
Chairperson:  Laura Clay
Vice Chairperson:  [pending]
Secretary:  Gena Trust
Treasurer:  Jasmine Collandra
Program Chairperson:  [pending]
Faculty Advisor:  Dr. Sally Wiedmann

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