Gay And Lesbian Alliance (GALA) of the Central Coast Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting held at Wayne McCaughan Community Pride Center , 11573 Los Osos Valley Road , San Luis Obispo , California , on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 .
PRESENT: Diana Ferraro , Dan Fred rickson , Ruben Garcia III , Robert Kinports (Presiding), Clayton Marsh (Recording), Anthony Parra , Don Reynolds , Tracy Tabin , Bill Tomasini , Gina Whitaker
ABSENT: Cal Garcia
GUESTS: Erin Echols , David Kilburn , Tina Baugh , John Alongi , John Forsman , Eveline Blanchette , Sherry Collier
6:40 P M:
Meeting called to order by the President, Robert Kinports .
1.] Issue: Minutes of the September 2006 Meeting ( Clay ) Gina moved and Tracy seconded a motion to approve the Minutes of the September 2006 Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
2.] Issue: Treasurer's Report ( Diana )
Robert called the Board's attention to the final financial report for the 2006 Pride Week which produced a net profit of $6,090.00. Don moved and Gina seconded a motion to accept the Treasurer's Report for the month ending September 30, 2006 . The motion carried unanimously.
3.] Issue: Pride Alliance at CalPoly ( David Kilburn & Erin Echols )
David Kilburn introduced Erin Echols , the new coordinator of the Pride Alliance at CalPoly. Erin presented the Board with details of her background and experience, and clarified the relationship between GLBU and the Pride Alliance Center at CalPoly. She announced that there woul d b e an Open House at the Center on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM . She also said that she is looking forward to being active in the community.
4.] Issue: News & Reviews - Part I ( Diana , Don , Gina & Eveline)
The committee reported that the past four to five months ha d b een very frustrating and stressful due to the loss of an Editor/Publisher who could handle the entire job. After extensive discussion, disbanding the committee and reorganizing appeared to be the only alternative. Clay pointed out that due to the complexity of the situation, it woul d b e better to handle it in small steps.
5a.] Issue: Resignation Of Treasurer ( Diana )
Diana informed the Board of her resignation as Treasurer to allow herself to concentrate her efforts on News & Reviews as Editor, on a new design for the GALA web site, and on other art and graphic design projects.
5b.] Issue: Nomination and Election of New Treasurer ( Clay & Anthony )
Clay moved and Anthony seconded a motion to nominate and elect Dan the new Treasurer. The motion was carried unanimously. The elected Board Officers and only authorized signatories to all corporate accounts are now:
Robert Kinports , President
Bill Tomasini , Vice President
Clayton Marsh , Secretary
Dan Fred rickson , Treasurer
5c.] Issue: News & Reviews - Part II ( Diana , Don , Gina & Eveline)
After further discussion, Diana said she would accept the responsibility of being Editor of News & Reviews as well as redesigning and updating the GALA website, if it was clearly understood that she was in charge and the stipend was increased. Clay moved and Gina seconded a motion to increase the stipend for the Editor of News & Reviews including work on the website to $450.00 per issue. The motion was carried unanimously.
5d.] Issue: News & Reviews - Part III ( Diana , Don , Gina & Eveline)
Anthony moved and Clay seconded a motion to name Diana as Editor of News & Reviews and GALA's website. The motion was carried unanimously. Following discussion, it was agreed that Eveline woul d b e Contributing Editor, Gina woul d b e Proofreader, and Don would concentrate on coordinating Advertising and Distribution. Diana and Eveline will coordinate on covers for News & Reviews and also classifieds as a possible addition to the website. Diana said she would do a back up cover for the September/October issue of News & Reviews in case Kyle 's work is unusable. Gina said a flyer advertising the Halloween dance shoul d b e sent out. Robert asked for an organizational meeting with Diana , Don , Eveline, and Gina .
The November/December issue is to be at Mailing & More by November 1, 2006 , and in the mail by November 7, 2006 .
7:38 PM :
Meeting recessed.
7:48 PM :
Meeting reconvened.
6.] Issue: I Madonari ( Anthony )
Anthony reported that the artwork done on the two squares was beautiful and that GALA was well represented. He said that Rafael and Shannon shoul d b e congratulated for their work.
7.] Issue: Visions/Legacy Brunch ( Don & Clay )
Don said that the Brunch was a success. Clay reported that Lois Capps had said she woul d b e delighted to attend a future GALA event. Preliminary figures show that the Visions Fund received $1,630.00 in donations, The Endowment Fund $1,350.00, and the Capital Fund $100.00. Unrestricted pledges and donations to the General Fund totaled $5,905.00 of which $1,200.00 will be paid in $100.00 monthly installments. Unreconciled figures show the event cleared an additional $497.76 in profit.
8.] Issue: Annual Picnic ( Bill )
Bill said the Annual Picnic held on Saturday, September 24, 2006 at Biddle Park was a success with 27 persons in attendance.
9.] Issue: Waiters Dinner ( Anthony & Pat )
Anthony reported that items for the Live and Silent Auctions were still needed for the Waiters Dinner to be held on Saturday, October 14, 2006 . He asked the Board to help sell tickets. He also said that the committee members ha d b een calling the GALA membership to increase attendance. Sherry Collier asked if there woul d b e any scholarships for persons who could not afford the admission price. Robert said they could volunteer as waiters or chef's helpers to attend. Dan asked if there woul d b e any donations from the wineries of the area. Anthony said that Pat was working on that. Anthony requested that there be more volunteers for bankers and chef's helpers.
10.] Issue: Halloween Dance ( Robert )
Robert presented a budget for the Halloween Dance to be held at Trinity Hall, Saturday, October 28, 2006 . Bill moved and Diana seconded a motion to accept it. The motion carried unanimously. Robert asked Diana to design a teaser card to be distributed as advertising. Robert said he would pay for it himself. Robert passed a sign up sheet for volunteers to decorate on Friday and to control admissions on Saturday.
11.] Issue: ASN - AIDS Walk ( David Kilburn )
David Kilburn thanked GALA for its contribution and invited everyone to share in the Annual ASN - AIDS Walk on Saturday, November 4, 2006 . Those who wish to walk as a group should e-mail Diana .
12.] Issue: Annual General Membership " Town Hall " Meeting ( Clay )
Clay reported that the Community Room of the City/County Library has been reserved for 6:30 PM , Thursday, November 16, 2006 , and that he would provide light refreshments.
13.] Issue: Musicale ( Robert & Clay )
Robert reported that Gary Grossman woul d b e out of the country and that his house would not be available for the Musicale. It was decided to look for an alternate venue and possibly have it on November 19, 2006 .
14.] Issue: Holiday Party ( Robert )
Robert said that all the plans are in place for the Holiday Party to be held at the Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo on Friday, December 15, 2006 . He also said he wanted to work with Diana on a flyer promoting the event.
15.] Issue: Spring Dance (TBD)
A discussion of the Spring Dance to be held at Trinity Hall was held. Dan suggested the theme shoul d b e "The Prom You Never Had." Further discussion postponed until a later date.
16.] Issue: GALA Pens ( Robert )
Robert asked for a motion to authorize the purchase of more GALA ballpoint pens. Ruben so moved and Diana seconded the motion. The motion carried with six Aye and three Nay votes. There were no abstentions.
17.] Issue: Absentee Ballot Requests (Lorelei)
Lorelei presented to the Board a request to send out absentee ballot requests to the complete mailing list. They have a check box that any voter can use to make their absentee voter status permanent. Robert noted that GALA could do this as long as no political affiliation is recommended. Diana so moved and Gina seconded the motion. The motion carried with seven Aye and two Nay votes. There were no abstentions.
18.] Issue: Services, Grant Requests, Work Hours (Robert & Lorelei)
Lorelei reported that a problem exists with obtaining grants due to GALA not providing services and not having enough infrastructure and employees. Most of the grants available are for specific projects and services. She also noted that the "Q" Youth Group and advertising for Pride have been funded through grants from departments of the City of San Luis Obispo . The only other grants GALA has been successful in obtaining were those from the Growing Together Initiative of the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation. Lorelei said that through her activities with the County Mental Health Department, GALA might be able to obtain funding for counseling activities. She also said there are some gay, lesbian, and bisexual counselors, but at present no transgender ones. Robert said that GALA should follow the lead of Pacific Pride Foundation and AIDS Support Network and expand b y providing counseling services. Gina said she knew of a lesbian therapist. Lorelei said she is ready to commit to full time work with GALA at any time, and woul d b e glad not to have to work two jobs. Robert pointed out that David Elson pays 60% of Lorelei's salary and would have to be consulte d b efore a decision to expand Lorelei to full time at GALA. Diana said there has not been any follow through on the goals identified in the Board Retreat in January. Lorelei pointed out the County Bar Association is planning to present legal seminars concerning the rights and responsibilities of domestic partners. Robert said the issue woul d b e revisited next month.
19.] Issue: Trinity Hall Dates For 2007 ( Robert )
Issue was tabled until the next meeting.
20.] Issue: Board Member Nominations ( Clay )
Clay said that nominations for the Board election were very slow coming in and asked that any Board Members who were not planning to return next year find a replacement. Dan Fred rickson introduced Tina Baugh who he said was interested in becoming a Board Member.
21.] Issue: National Coming Out Day At CalPoly ( Robert )
Robert asked for a volunteer to represent GALA at a table at the National Coming Out Day on the CalPoly campus at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 . Dan said he would volunteer.
22.] Issue: San Luis Obispo International Film Festival ( Robert )
Issue tabled until the next meeting.
23.] Issue: Round The Table (Board)
Gina said she was glad to have Diana as the Editor of News & Reviews to keep things running smoothly.
Anthony asked that everyone attend the Waiters Dinner.
9:22 PM :
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Clayton R. Marsh
Secretary