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Rainbow Alliance Advocacy outlines trainings, youth programming to Oshkosh DEI committee
Summary
Rainbow Alliance Advocacy executive director Mel Davis described the organization’s 'gentle education' trainings, youth STEAM events and volunteer needs, and said RAW partners with schools, libraries and local groups across Northeast Wisconsin. Contact: info@rainbowallianceadvocacy.org.
Mel Davis, executive director of Rainbow Alliance Advocacy, told the Oshkosh City Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee that the group provides interactive "gentle education" workshops and community events aimed at supporting LGBTQIA+ residents and allies across Northeast Wisconsin.
The presentation explained RAW’s approach to trainings, which Davis said prioritize peer-supported learning rather than lecture-style instruction. "My name is Mel Davis. I am the executive director of Rainbow Alliance Advocacy," Davis said, describing programs that range from youth STEAM activities to family-friendly community nights and an adult biannual fundraiser called Mass Queer Aid.
Committee members asked about workshop format, feedback and how organizations in Oshkosh can host events. Davis said RAW typically holds many events in Appleton but partners with other local organizations and libraries to bring programming elsewhere in the region. On volunteer needs, Davis encouraged people with specific skills—accounting, grant writing, outreach—or general help to contact RAW by email or Facebook direct message. The presenter provided a direct contact: info@rainbowallianceadvocacy.org.
The presentation emphasized accessibility: events use fully accessible venues and offer all-gender restrooms; some activities include sensory-considerate plans and family-friendly components. Davis also described anonymous question boxes used in workshops to allow participants to raise issues they may feel uncomfortable asking aloud.
The committee thanked RAW for the overview and invited the presenter to stay for the remainder of the meeting. No further actions or follow-up items were taken during the meeting on this presentation.
The committee’s next scheduled meeting is in June; members discussed topic planning for that session after the presentation.
