Gay and Lesbian Alliance of the Central Coast (GALA)
Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting held at Wayne McCaughan Community Center
11573 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Note: Action items recapped at end of document
Present: Ken Kunert, Robert Kinports, John Strawn, Erin Echols, Clay Marsh, Michael Beck
Absent: Dan Frederickson, Stacy Shane
Guests: Barbara Adams, Daniel Pfau, Don Reynolds, Dante Tognazzi
Meeting Called to Order: At 6:30 PM by President Kunert
President Kunert briefly reviewed the meeting agenda, introduced guests, and noted that board member and treasurer, Stacy Shane is hospitalized in critical condition.
1. Issue: Minutes of February 2007 Meeting, Strawn
Discussion concerned Youth Conference Grants but conclusion was that minutes are correct in this regard.
Move: Marsh, Second, Beck, Approve minutes as presented, Vote unanimous
2. Issue: Treasurer’s Report, Kunert (Treasurer absent)
Kunert suggested a one month delay in final approval of regular Treasurers Reports as board meetings
occur too early in the month for complete reports from the immediately prior month to be ready. February report will thus be reviewed and voted on in April.
Move: Strawn, Second, Marsh, accept this suggestion, Approved, Vote unanimous
3. Issue: Addition of board members, Kunert
Barbara Adams was encouraged by board members to consider joining the board. Adams indicated interest but wished to wait until she has her new duties at PFLAG firmly in hand before making a final decision. Daniel Pfau presented his reasons for wanting to join the board. Pfau left the room and an affirmative discussion followed.
Move: Kinports, Second, Strawn, Accept Pfau as a new board member, Vote unanimous
Daniel Pfau returned to the room and was welcomed as a new GALA board member.
2007 GALA Calendar of Events Update and Action:
4. Issue: Musicale, Marsh
Marsh reported that thank you notes have gone out to all performers and to hosts Clifford and Don as well. Two pound boxes of See’s Chocolates have been sent to each performer and certificates of appreciation are being printed.
5. Issue: Visions Gathering, Marsh and Reynolds
Discussion indicated this event must be held on one of the two middle Sundays in
May. The Edna Valley Winery is still available at no cost, but the Gary Grossman
residence is also a possibility. Full catering or a cocktail party format will work
and ticket cost if any will depend on the format. Several well known individuals
were mentioned as possible speakers, but the idea of a more casual gathering with
board members circulating in the crowd was also considered. Kinports will meet with
Mr. Grossman, and Marsh, Reynolds, and Kinports will have arrangements finalized
in time for presentation and vote at the April board meeting, and in time for a story
to be included in the May-
6. Issue: Women’s Dance, Kunert
Because of Shane’s serious illness, this project has been put on hold indefinitely. Discussion included the necessity of setting a new date, and asking for volunteers via the GALA Website, an Email, and the N&R. Kinports will contact women who have worked this event in the past for assistance.
7. Issue: “Cinco di Mayo Saturday” Dance Party, Beck
This event will replace the spring dance and will appeal to all age groups. The date, May 5, is final and the event will be held at Novo, End of the Line, or The Graduate. Fusion and GLBU will cooperate and 18 year olds will be admitted. Admission price is pending. A full budget will be ready for a vote at the April meeting and N&R must come out two or three days early for adequate publicity by flyer insertion.
8. Issue: Santa Maria Civic Theatre Performance, Kunert, Tomasini
Everything is set for this event and the $15 tickets can be obtained from the GALA
office or by contacting any board member. “Jest A Second” was promoted on the cover
of the March-
9. Issue: Reverse Drawing, Strawn
Preparations are on schedule. Tickets will be printed and available to board members at the April meeting. The key to this event, a big fundraiser for Pride, is personal and telephone contact selling of tickets by board members. Board members and Pride Committee members also need to be active in securing auction items and baked goods for auction as desserts. The date of this event is Saturday, June 9.
10. Issue: Pride Celebration, Kinports
Committee continues meeting the first Monday of each month. Board members should attend. A revised budget will be presented at the April board meeting. 2007 GALA Pride will open Thursday, June 28 with movie night at the Palm. Other events: Wednesday, July 4, Beach Party; Friday, July 6, Dance and Drag Show at Downtown Brew; Saturday, July 7, Kathy Griffin at the PAC; Sunday July 7, Pride In The Plaza with booths, beer garden, big and little kid’s play area, and GLBT music performers. Some money originally planned for Sunday entertainment will be channeled to the drag show which has become a major event. Committee is looking to the future with a fundraiser planned for fall.
11. Issue: Youth Conference, Echols
This event, scheduled for May 19 is complete except for final arrangements on a couple of speakers.
12. Issue: Waiter’s Dinner, Kunert
Budget, venue, date, and committee names will be complete and ready for discussion by the board at the .
April board meeting.
13. Issue: Halloween Dance, Kunert
A board sponsor is needed for this event. Kinports will be on the committee. The date is October 27.
14. Issue: Town Hall Meeting, Kunert
This event is scheduled for November 15. Beck will be the board sponsor and has already consulted with Monet on various aspects of the project.
15. Issue: Holiday Party, Kinports
This event is scheduled for December 14 and the board sponsor is Kinports.
Old Business:
16. Issue: Grants, Marsh, Kinports, Monet
Grants In Aid Youth Conference: (Marsh, Monet) The application for these grants for the event in 2008 has been presented to the City of San Luis Obispo. Results will be known by June 22.
Grant for advertising for Pride: (Kinports, Monet) The application has been submitted to the City of San Luis Obispo exactly as in prior years. Results (for our 2007 event) will be known by June 22.
17. Issue: News and Reviews, Kunert
The board was favorably impressed with the quality and timeliness of the March-
New Business:
18. Issue: Farmer’s Market Outreach and Education, Kunert
Shannon Wyndsong, who has run the booth single handedly for two years will be leaving the area and other operators will have to be secured. Board members are encouraged to volunteer. Website, email, and N&R publicity will be initiated to find volunteers. Beck, Pfau, and Kinports will consult with members of Fusion and the Youth Group. Strawn will take one night per month. Kunert noted that reimbursement for rain out nights at Farmers Market will be available as credit only in the future.
19. Issue: Budget for 2007 Calendar Year, Kunert
A draft budget was submitted. Board members should study the document and be prepared for discussion and voting at the April meeting. Kunert, and Beck will produce a cash flow statement for consideration at the April meeting also.
20. Issue: SLO County Nonprofit Collaboration Forum, Kunert
President Kunert, along with Lorelei Monet and Barbara Adams attended the Forum on
March 1. Dozens of seminars were held and many handouts made available. The three
took advantage of the time for extensive networking. There are over 1000 non-
22. Issue: Downtown SLO Week Night Venues, Beck, Echols, Pfau, Kinports
The importance of GALA’s unofficial participation in securing GLBT nights in local downtown night spots was discussed. The four aforementioned board members are working in an unofficial capacity with Novo and Downtown Brew on this matter. It is expected that a regular gay night and perhaps two, will soon be a reality in San Luis Obispo.
23. Issue: Partnership Expansion with Cal Poly, Echols
Poly students will be guests at the April meeting and discuss their Pride celebration
which will take place May 14-
24. Issue: Treasurer’s Office Coverage, Kunert
President Kunert sought a volunteer to help cover the work of this important office while Shane recovers from her serious illness. Beck volunteered and will meet with Kunert to work out details.
25. Issue: Around the Table, Around the Room…
Adams: PFLAG will have a bartender fundraiser at The Corner View Restaurant on March 21at 5:00 PM. Funds raised go to train teachers and staff on safe school issues for GLBT youth. The effort started at the high school level and has progressed to the elementary schools.
Kinports: Board members are reminded that they are allowed only three unexcused absences before their membership on the board must be reviewed by the board.
Strawn: All board members need to have equal access to the Yahoo Board Group.
Marsh: Equality California’s Brian Davis is seeking a SLO County Chairperson for
that important organization. This is especially crucial because SLO County will
be in a test market area for a new television commercial to be shown from mid-
Beck: The national gay fraternity Delta Lambda Phi is organizing a chapter at Cal Poly. The individuals involved are all new acquaintances for Beck and Echols, helping to demonstrate the unrealized depth of the GLBT community on the Central Coast.
Pfau: Daniel expressed his thanks to the board for accepting him as a new member.
Echols: Erin offered her thanks to GALA for featuring the Angela Davis program on the GALA Website.
Kunert: A new video covering the gay youth movement is available for viewing in the GALA Library.
26. Issue: Ajournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM
Respectfully submitted,
<s>
John T. Strawn, Secretary
BOARD ACTION ITEMS TO BE READY FOR APRIL 3 MEETING:
Kunert: Through Monet get Women’s Dance information needs into email, N&R, and Website
Contact Tomasini for teaser cards for SM Civic show for distribution to board members at April meeting
Present budget, venue, committee, and date for Waiter’s Dinner to board at April meeting
Secure board member sponsor for Halloween Dance
Review and stimulate progress toward electronic distribution of News and Reviews
Consult with Shannon Wyndsong on details of her departure from Farmers Market booth and on training
of new persons for this task; consult with Kinports, Pfau, and Beck on possible new staffers
Work with Beck on preparation of cash flow statement for 2007
Work with Barbara Adams on increased collaboration with PFLAG
Consult with Beck on temporary coverage of treasurer’s duties
Kinports: Meet with Marsh and Reynolds to finalize all aspects of Visions Gathering
Continue research and contacts on alternative venue
Contact women who have worked on Women’s Dance in the past for help and advice now
Have revised budget and current plans for Pride In The Plaza ready for April meeting
Consult with Pfau and Beck on help from Fusion and the Youth Group for Farmers Market booth
Continue unofficial work on downtown gay night
Strawn: Have tickets and telephone lists for Reverse Drawing ready for board members at April meeting
Marsh: Send certificates of appreciation to Musicale performers
Meet with Kinports and Reynolds to finalize all aspects of Visions Gathering
Beck: Finalize all details on “Cinco de Mayo Saturday” including budget for presentation at April meeting
Consult with Pfau and Kinports on help from Fusion and Youth Group for Farmers Market booth
Continue unofficial work on downtown gay night
Get up to speed on temporary work in treasurer’s office
Work with Kunert on a cash flow statement for 2007
Pfau: Consult with Beck and Kinports on help from Fusion and the Youth Group for Farmers Market Booth
Consult with Beck, Echols, and Kinports on securing a venue for downtown gay night
Echols: Secure final two speakers for Youth Conference and report to board in April
Continue unofficial work on downtown gay night
Bring GLBU students to April meeting to discuss Poly Pride and other potential coop issues
All board members: Attend Pride Committee meetings on the first Monday of the month and get involved
Study draft budget in preparation for discussion and voting at April meeting
Attend the PFLAG fundraiser at The Corner View on March 21
Help in the search for a Chairperson for EQCA – SLO County
Have appropriate articles into publisher for N&R by April 7