January 4, 2005

Gay and Lesbian Alliance
Board of Directors Meeting
January 4, 2005

Present: Robert Kinports, then Danny Lange (presiding), Stuart Clyde, Kerry Deal, Holly Furness, Ruben Garcia III, Pat Harris, David Kilburn, Conrad Mendoza, David Perez, Don Reynolds, Bill Tomasini, Gina Whitaker, Shannon Wyndsong, Mike Hughes (recording)

Guests: Ruth Starr, Dante Tognazzi, Jason Reed, Robert Kinports, Tracy Tabin, Sherry Collier, Lorelei Monet

Call to order: 6:40 PM

1. Issue: Minutes – Danny moved to accept the December 7, 2004 minutes with the following correction: Tagnazzi Tognazzi. Ruben seconded. Minutes approved unanimously as amended.

2. Issue: Treasurer’s report – Mike moved to accept the treasurer’s report as submitted. David P seconded. The treasurer’s report was approved unanimously.

3. Issue: Waiter’s Dinner – Robert announced that the bidder for Chef Rick’s dinner has agreed to a compromise and will honor the $1,700 bid. David K moved to authorize up to $100 to reimburse Chef Rick the cost of a waiter. Ruben seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

4. Issue: Convening of the 2005 board – Robert dissolved the 2004 board, and the 2005 board commenced at 6:55 PM. Danny made an opening statement affirming his desire for everyone to feel safe to participate.

5. Issue: News & Reviews – Deadline for submissions to the March-April issue is January 26. The board agreed that current advertisers should get 1 free month of business-card size advertising for each new account they refer (that subsequently purchases advertising). Gina suggested that new member bios should be included, and agreed to coordinate.

6. Issue: Pride Week – The board appointed Robert to coordinate Pride Week. David K moved to approve Robert’s proposed budget (attached) with the understanding that: (1) no headliner line item is approved; (2) the schedule of events is flexible; and (3) the following changes are made

 $750 for food for the BBQ
 subtotal delta for the Saturday Dance is $44

Ruben 2nd. The motion carried unanimously.

7. Issue: Calendar of Events –

1/15/05 AB205 Seminar – David P No update
1/20 Farmer’s Market – Ruben agreed to try to secure a booth for this date
1/22 Mardi Gras Dance – Robert & Bill circulated sign-up sheets for volunteers
1/29 Board Retreat – 9AM to 3PM Jana Nichols will again facilitate. Location TBA
4/02 Women’s Dance – Ruth Hawaiian theme. Volunteers are sought
5/21 Youth Conference- Conrad Youth group has increased membership and will take on more of the organizational work and promotion. Conrad described some of his ideas for the program.
??? Country Western dance Danny is looking for possible venues.
7/09 Pride BBQ - Danny Children are now permitted
7/09 Pride Dance - Robert
7/10 Pride in the Plaza -Robert
??? Picnic
??? Santa Maria Dance Possible dates in August or September were suggested.
10/08 Waiter’s Dinner - Robert Robert is working to set the date at Madonna Inn
10/29 Halloween Dance
12/09 Holiday Party/Awards

8. Issue: Center Renovation – Danny announced that work will begin soon. The landlord has arranged for alternate space for GALA to use during renovation so that services need not be interrupted. The plans are to be able to hold the February meeting in the renovated space.

9. Issue: Co-tenant –The neighboring tenant will pay a pro-rated share of the PG&E electricity utility.

10. Issue: Email list – The frequency of emails emanating from GALA was discussed. It was observed that there is a tendency to delete without reading frequent postings and too-lengthy postings. The board was in general agreement that the long email that lists all of the various GLBT community announcements should only come out infrequently (once or twice a month) and brief GALA-only, special event announcements should come out as needed.

11. Issue: New board member – Mike nominated Tracy Tabin to the board. Shannon 2nd the nomination. The board was unanimous to appoint Tracy as the 15th member.

12. Issue: Vice President – Shannon nominated Bill to be Vice-President. David K 2nd the nomination. The board was unanimous to appoint Bill as the Vice-President.

13. Issue: News & Reviews mailing labels – The board was in general agreement to resume printing membership expiration information on the mailing labels and to have Lorelei send second reminder notices for lapsed memberships.

14. Issue: Marriage Equality California – The board was in general agreement to notify MECA/EQCA that we have local processes in place and will not be establishing a local chapter. The notification will request that GALA be kept updated on MECA/EQCA activities.

David K moved that GALA submit a letter in support of AB19, “The Relgious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act” (form letter provided) to Speaker Nunez and Assembly Member Leno. Conrad 2nd. The motion carried unanimously.

Mike will post a copy of the letter on the website.

David K moved that the board authorize Pat and Stuart to carry a proposal for a city resolution supporting AB19 (sample provided) to the City Council via the HRC. Gina 2nd. The motion carried unanimously.

15. Issue: Art on Center walls – Danny proposed that art displays be permitted in the center and announced that there is a volunteer who may be willing to curate the displays. He also suggested that we could hold open house and have regular mixers. This led to spirited discussion of center security (door locking policy) and how to manage the potential for inappropriate content in the display. Danny noted that, for insurance purposes, any alcohol served in the center would have to be poured by a board member.

16. Issue: Phone/email/walk-in logs – It was agreed that total numbers is all that needs to be tracked for grant reporting.

17. Issue: Should volunteers have to be members? – The board was in general agreement that the answer is “no.”

18. Issue: Neon “open” sign – Bill moved that GALA purchase a neon “open” sign for the window. Cost to be contained at about $100. David P 2nd. Motion carried with Ruben voting “nay.”

19. Issue: GALA business conducted by email – Danny raised the issue of the advisability of conducting business by email, members having had bad experiences in the past. Mike noted that the Bylaws permit business by email. Policy set at the September 2004 meeting was reviewed. The board was in general agreement to endeavor to limit business conducted by email to emergent situations only.

20. Issue: Grants – David K moved to submit an HRC Grants in Aid grant proposal to support the Youth Project. Ruben 2nd. The motion carried unanimously.

David K moved to submit a Promotional Coordinating Committee Grants in Aid grant proposal to support advertising for Pride Week. Bill 2nd. The motion carried unanimously.

21. Issue: Cal Poly art installation – The board was in general agreement that this GALA-funded display should be promoted via email announcement. The installation will be up Jan 24 –26. There will be a community forum on the 26th to field reactions to the display.

Follow-up actions:

Gina Coordinate new-member bios for newsletter
Ruben Secure Jan 20 booth date Farmer’s Market
Lorelei Add membership expiration information to newsletter mailing labels
Danny Send AB19 letter to Nunez & Leno
Mike Post AB19 letter on website
Pat & Stuart Coordinate effort to have AB19 resolution proposed to SLO City Council

Adjourned: 9:16 PM

Respectfully submitted,

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Mike Hughes