Hi Guys!

Join neXt on Jun 2, 2011 at the Missouri History Museum as we watch "Two Spirits" at 7p.

Light Refreshments will be provided, discussion will follow the screening.

Here's a shout out to all the gay & bi men in St Louis!!

Do YOU want to make a difference in our community? Can you plan an event? Are you a great host? Then contact us!

Saint Louis' mpowerment project, currently called neXt, is a community based group that is run by the LGBT community and supporters! We'll host fabulous events, put on an extravagant annual ball, and host a multitude of forums and outing in the St. Louis area. We are actively seeking a core group of gay/bi men to help us make decisions and plan events fro the Saint Louis area.

Please RSVP: Food will be provided!

contact me for more information:

314.333.6667

jmoon@stlefa.org

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This past year saw several changes to neXt. neXt was a spin-off of FUSE and was formed in March 2010 to meet the needs of St. Louis' gay/bi/curious men age 30-55. Men who are 55 and older are encouraged to attend Rainbow Brotherhood. At the time of the split of the two groups, FUSE was meeting on Thursdays at the warehouse at Bad Dog Bar. Rainbow Brotherhood was given that night, and neXt moved to Tuesdays.

But neXt wasn't always neXt. We didn't have a name in the beginning. We didn't even really have a following. A few dedicated members helped to form and shape the "neXt" name, logo, and vision. Over the course of a few weeks, neXt was born in early spring 2010. We continued to meet on Tuesdays until scheduling conflicts moved us to our current meeting place: in a conference room of an office building. At that time, we moved back to our previously-established Thursday nights.

Over the past eight months, neXt has become quite a cozy group of familiar faces. We're like family, but always great newcomers with a warm smile and a friendly "hello". The intention of neXt is to be inclusive of everyone in our LGBT community, and as we press forward in 2011, we're going to make it happen.

Our long-time coordinator, Ian Koller, is pursuing another career path, so as we look to fill the void, neXt will continue. The group will be facilitated by core members and volunteers until we find the next neXt coordinator. If you're interested in the position, please send your resume to Carolyn at cguild@stlefa.org. Let's continue neXt's goals together.

Are YOU the next neXt coordinator?

neXt is funded by Saint Louis Effort for AIDS to offer an alternative to the bar and internet scenes for gay, bisexual, and curious men age 30-55. Our coordinator is stepping down to pursue another opportunity at EFA, and now we're seeking someone in the community to help promote, coordinate, market, and facilitate our neXt group.

neXt is one of many aspects of the job. LIFE is another program coordinated by this position, as is counseling and testing of HIV, coordinating outreach, and acting as a liason with community partners.

Anyone interested should send their resume to the Director of Prevention Services at EFA, Carolyn Guild-Johnson. You can email her at cguild@stlefa.org.

Read more about the opportunity here: http://www.stlefa.org/about_efa/job_opportunities

December 14th Already?!

It's the middle of December, and this is the first post! Sorry for being tardy. This month's been cram-packed with goings on. We had our bake sale at the end of last month, as well as our annual Thanksgiving feast. The money raised during the bake sale ($250!!) was used to benefit the Safer Sex Ball this past Saturday night. More than 300 people attended the event and partied until the wee hours of the morning. It was a phenomenal success!

Two weeks ago at neXt, our core members pitched in and co-facilitated an evening of MadLibs, the fun party game where you insert words to make funny, sometimes shocking stories. The guys had a great time with the game and we had a few new members attend!

Last week we discussed the possibility of expanding neXt into an activities group to meet outside our normal designated space and time. In addition to Thursday nights, we brainstormed ideas on when and where to meet. Perhaps a monthly or bi-monthly Saturday night outing is in order. Something different from the bar scene:

Maybe BOWLING, or THEATRE, or MOVIES, or the CITY MUSEUM, and DINNER, of course.

Our desire is to make neXt more than "just" a meeting, but a movement of people and ideas. We want to build community and help expand opportunities. We'd certainly entertain the idea of making neXt more than a Thursday night thing. With a whole city offering plenty of things to do, we'd never be without motivation.

Speaking of motivation...got your holiday shopping done?!

Thanksgiving Feast!

This Wednesday, Bad Dog is hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for men from neXt and The Knights here in St. Louis. So, if you'd like to endulge with other gay/bi/curious men in some delicious turkey, ham, mashed potatoes....you know, THE WORKS! Come on by!

Mealtime starts at 6 and could last all night!

***Also, if you want to contribute to our Winter Ball extravaganza, please bring cash donation or a sweet treat for our BAKE SALE which will also be happening at Bad Dog. Holidays here we come!

We want your cookies!

And your muffins, and pies, and cakes...

Because we're having a bake sale to benefit the Winter Ball extravaganza in December!

Please call 314.333.6667 if you'd like to make a sweet treat donation for the bake sale by November 22nd.

The Holiday Bake Sale will take place Wednesday, November 24 at Bad Dog Bar.