pride network  Alex Papastrat ::

	Alex Papastrat : Business Manager of the University of Rochester Pride Network
	Basic Info: Email: apapastr@mail.rochester.edu Home Town: Sidney NY Major: Chemical Engineering Why did you become a Pride Network Officer? A large reason I became both a member and the business chair is becuase many of my friends are in pride! There is a healthy social atmosphere with pride, and I have made numerous friends. Pride network is a place for friends to come together and to help those who are still in search of themselves, and in the process to find oneself and make more friends! What are your goals for PRIDE Network? One key aspect that I want to push is organization. For a support group to be effective, it must have a solid foundation. Every behind the scenes aspect, such as handeling finances and other repsonsibilities, must be handeled well. The main goal of pride network should not be to scramble to keep the group together, but to put full support in everything else we do! I plan on doing my part of behind the scenes work to make pride as capable as possible. How do you think members will benefit out of Pride Network and its meetings? Everyone comes to pride for different reasons. For me, it was to meet other gay and lesbian friends. Coming from a small town, I had one other friend who was gay. Speaking for those coming from small towns, it can be difficult to make friends. Pride is also here for support for those who are not sure of who they are, or need help finding themselves. As a group we try to be supportive in who you want to be. Now that I have seen a strong support from the pride network, I want to do my part in helping others. A random fact about you since we have the space I am a Greek Orthodox Christian and have actually just came out in the church. I look forward to finding support in my faith, and open to any discussions people have!