March 1, 2005

Gay and Lesbian Alliance
Board of Directors Meeting
March 1, 2005

Present: Danny Lange (presiding), Kerry Deal, Ruben Garcia III, Pat Harris, David Kilburn, Conrad Mendoza, David Perez, Don Reynolds, Tracy Tabin, Bill Tomasini, Gina Whitaker, Shannon Wyndsong, Mike Hughes (recording)

Guests: Jonathan Hradecky, Brandon Sims

Call to order: 6:35 PM

1. Issue: Minutes – Bill moved to accept the February 1 minutes with the following change:

Issue #8 (Headliner for Pride) should read: “GALA would be permitted only to advertise ‘a special guest - a famous comedian.’”

Kerry seconded. Minutes approved unanimously.

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

David K reminded the board of the importance of reviewing and making sure financial reports and their contents are understood. He invited members to ask questions.

3. Issue: News & Reviews – The board reluctantly accepted Ruth’s resignation as newsletter editor and extended its appreciation for her years of hard work.

Mike has agreed to put the May/June issue together and solicited articles from members of the board.

David K reported that he has received two bids to take over the publishing of the newsletter and is soliciting more. David K, David P, Mike, Shannon, and Pat will comprise a committee to review the final bids.

4. Issue: Del Martin & Phyllis Lyon – Del & Phyllis will be in town for the Youth Conference. David K proposed that should GALA hold a Sunday (May 22) brunch reception for them as a Visions Account fundraiser at the Inn at Morro Bay or other suitable location. He noted that this would help to satisfy our education grant obligations. The board endorsed this proposal.

5. Issue: Calendar of Events –

2/25 Open house – new center 5:30 – 8:00, Light refreshments – the theme will be to solicit members to donate for new furniture to go with our beautiful new center
4/02 Women’s Dance – Ruth Hawaiian theme. Volunteers are sought
5/7 Country Western Dance – Danny
5/21 Youth Conference - Conrad Conrad is seeking sponsors for this event.
5/22 Visions fundraiser Del & Phyllis reception
7/08 Pride PAC headliner a special guest - a famous comedian whose name is contractually withheld until June 17, 2005
7/09 Pride BBQ - Danny
7/09 Pride Dance - Robert
7/10 Pride in the Plaza -Robert
Late August Santa Maria Dance – Bill & Kerry
10/16 Picnic – David x2
10/08 Waiter’s Dinner - Robert
10/29 Halloween Dance
12/09 Holiday Party Awards Banquet

6. Issue: Phone call to GALA regarding homeless youth – The responsibilities and liabilities of GALA in the matter of helping a homeless GLBTQ youth to find shelter was discussed. It was agreed that a phone referral to Hotline (or to other suitable phone or Internet services) is the extent to which GALA should be officially involved in such social welfare activities. The Board agreed that Lorelei would follow up with Hotline to ensure that they have appropriate referral resources to handle issues regarding GLBTQ youth.

7. Issue: Country/Western Dance – The proposed date of May 7 does not work for having Ruben teach line dancing. Danny agreed to research other dates and locations.

8. Issue: Pride Week – The issues of the importance of good communication, of maximizing the involvement of volunteers, and of allowing committee chairs appropriate autonomy and responsibility were discussed. Ruben agreed to share this discussion with the Robert, as Pride Week Coordinator.

9. Issue: Mission of Pride – Gina moved to accept the mission statement for Pride 2005 as follows:

“The purpose of Pride Week 2005 is to bring people together in the spirit of open celebration and community.

Specifically, GALA hopes, through a variety of venues and events, to create opportunities for people to publicly connect and reconnect with friends and allies in order to:

CELEBRATE – our lives on the Central Coast and our accomplishments as a community;
EDUCATE – the public about our culture, our place in society, and our issues of concern; and
DEMONSTRATE – our diversity, our normalcy, our numbers, and how proud we are to be who we are.”

Shannon 2nd. Motion carried unanimously.

10. Issue: Dedicated FAX line – Bill moved that we install a dedicated FAX line into the GALA office. Kerry 2nd. Motion carried unanimously.

11. Issue: Youth Equality Rally – Gina moved that GALA should support this May 12th activity as an official GALA function. David P 2nd. Motion carried unanimously.

12. Issue: Youth Group – Conrad reported that Ashley will need to take a short sabbatical. Holly, Conrad, and Gina have been appointed to find and approve a temporary replacement co-leader. The issue of transferring Livescan review authority to the new GALA president was discussed. Danny will follow up with Robert.

13. Issue: DJ contracts for GALA events – The board clarified its position that GALA has no exclusive contract with any single DJ. The board affirmed its intention to utilize all appropriate and available DJ’s within the community.

An individual expressed concern about the manner in which he was treated/confronted by a DJ of a recent event. Danny will speak with the DJ and express our concerns.

The board agreed that free passes for DJ entourages should be limited to a maximum of two per event.

14. Issue: HRC – David K announced that the HRC will consider whether to endorse a resolution to support civil marriages for same-sex couples.

Follow-up actions:

Mike Do the newsletter
David K Follow up with Hotline about GLBTQ youth services
David K Gather bids for News and Reviews with Newsletter Sub-committee.
Danny Transfer Livescan review authority from Robert
Danny Talk to DJ about complaint from GALA member
Gina, Holly, Conrad Find temporary co-leader for youth group

Adjourned: 8:45 PM

Respectfully submitted,

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Mike Hughes