Gay and Lesbian Alliance of the Central Coast (GALA)
Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting held at the Wayne McCaughan Community Center
11573 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Note: Action items are recapped at the end of the document
Present: Ken Kunert, Robert Kinports, John Strawn, Clay Marsh, Michael Beck, Erin Echols, Dan Frederickson,
Daniel Pfau, Staff: Lorelei Monet
Absent: None
Guests: Bill Tomasini, John Forsman, John Klimala, Janice Holmes, Racha Wyndsong, Rachael Rodriguez,
Marcus Menard, Mary Norby, Adrian Herrera
1. Meeting Called to Order: By President Kunert at 7:05 PM
President Kunert welcomed guests and asked for additional agenda items. There were none. Kunert
announced that, a usual, guests with presentations would be accommodated at the start of the meeting.
2. Issue: Halloween Dance (October 27) Proposal: Marcus Menard
Menard presented the board with a proposal to host the dance with the theme of Saints and Sinners.
Discussion included budget, venue, attendance. The board postponed action on the proposal and directed
Kunert to meet with Menard within the next 30 days and report to board in July.
Action: Kunert meet with Menard and discuss proposal details.
3. Issue: Inter-
Herrera appeared to thank the board for the $100 grant and enthusiastically promised to report on the event,
which is held in Washington, D. C. and Maryland in late July.
4. Issue: Transitions Film Grant Request: John Klimala and Janice Holmes:
Klimala and Holmes outlined a film on mental health issues to be produced in SLO by Transitions, a
non-
part of the film, Transitions asked for a $500 grant from GALA. Discussion revealed the film will premier
on October 3, 2007 and GALA will receive credit in promotional material and in the film.
Move: Kinports, second Frederickson, grant Transitions $500 for the film, all aye, motion carried.
5. Issue: Radical Root Rescue: Racha Wyndsong and Rachael Rodriguez:
Wyndsong and Rodriguez presented a program to rescue, revive, recycle and reuse unwanted plants.
Kinports suggested, and the board agreed by acclamation, to encourage the group to hand out their
brochures at Pride In The Plaza.
6. Issue: Minutes of May Meeting: Strawn
Okay as corrected by email over the past two weeks.
Move: Kinports, second Marsh, accept Minutes as presented, all aye, motion carried.
7. Issue: Treasurer’s Report: Kunert
Operating deficit is $5200 to the end of April. Kinports predicted this will right itself in May.
Frederickson noted a program where state employees may have deductions to non-
their pay. Mention was also made of matching corporate contributions. Strawn volunteered to
consult with Frederickson and write an article on these funding sources for the next N&R.
Move: Kinports, second Strawn, accept Treasurers report, abstain, Kunert, all others aye, motion carried.
Action: Strawn write article for next News and Reviews.
8. Issue: Continuing Collaborations Report: Kunert
PFLAG: Will begin meeting in GALA Center 3rd or 4th Thursday, will need form and board approval.
Cal Poly Gay Groups and Events: Shared advertising continuing.
PPF: Shared advertising, including Pride Festivals, continuing.
ASN: Partnership on speakers for their June 30 gathering. Marsh suggested confusion on who was doing
what here. Kunert reported that he as president negotiated details with ASN and the promotional
material and program statements are accurate.
9. Issue: New Collaboration Efforts: Kunert
Kunert reported a new study about to get underway of GLBTQ mental health needs in SB and now SLO
Counties initiated by UCSB and PPF. It will go several steps beyond our previous survey. GALA staff and
members will be asked to participate, we will need to help facilitate interviews, and may need to help with
mailings. Further information will be brought to board as it becomes available.
Action: All board members be ready to respond and help as needed.
2007 Calendar of Activities Update and Action:
10. Issue: Legacy Gathering (May 20): Marsh
The Legacy Gathering netted approximately $2600 in gifts and pledges. The venue, food, speakers, and
program were very well received. It was perhaps the classiest effort yet. Donations were down primarily
due to general economic conditions.
11. Issue: Women’s Dance: Kunert
This event is cancelled for this calendar year. No volunteers stepped forward to run this event.
Action: Board members seek additional board members. Stronger board would have helped this event.
12. Issue: September Party/Picnic Event (September 15 or 22): Beck and Frederickson
Event is firmed up for the 22nd. Permits are being sought for city park location and other details
are under control. Extensive report will be ready for July meeting.
Action: Beck and Frederickson finalize all details and contracts for presentation at July meeting.
13. Issue: Santa Maria Civic Theatre (May 3): Tomasini
This first time event cleared $600 though not planned as a fundraiser. Tomasini suggested working with the theatre regarding GLBTQ friendly material for next season and a possible dance at the venue.
14. Issue: Reverse Drawing (June 9): Strawn
Everything is going as planned. Board members should all be on hand to help by 5 PM that evening.
We still need oak wood, auction desserts, and basic auction items. The big effort must be at ticket
sales. All board members should review their sales contact lists and report back to Parra or Strawn.
Action: Strawn and Parra final preparations and be on hand by noon on June 9.
Action: All board members promote event, sell tickets and report results.
15. Issue: Pride In The Plaza Events (June 28-
Committee meetings continue every Monday night and should include all board members from now on.
Movie night, June 28, is finalized at the Palm; wine, finger food, and after film party, all from Big Sky.
Beach Party is finalized except oak wood is needed. Kinports will staff Farmers Market Booth July 5.
Art show was missed in initial advertising but will be included wherever possible now.
Advertising is all contracted for and plans for emergency supplements are in place.
Ticket sales for Griffin are satisfactory and plans are underway for a two venue party afterwards.
Committee wants to utilize both Big Sky and Corner View to alleviate last year’s crowding.
Drag show is finalized and it is important to note that this is a private party this year.
There are no Pride rates at local motels. Posters and teaser cards are available for handout now.
Kids area, climbing wall, beer area, information area plans all on schedule. Booth
sales at forty-
All Plaza events are contracted for, finalized and staffed.
Kinports: Continue final Pride in the Plaza Committee detail work.
Action: All board members sign up for posters and teasers, volunteer to assist wherever needed.
16. Issue: Pride In The Plaza Budget: Kinports
Kinports submitted the final Pride Budget which is hereby made a part of this record. The budget shows a
projected increase in net over previous projections, resulting primarily from substantial expense reductions,
with the key variable being ticket sales to Kathy Griffin. Discussion was extremely positive with the sole
negative possibility being the advisability of hiring large budget out of town entertainers.
Move: Beck, second Frederickson, accept final Pride budget, abstain Marsh, all others aye, motion carried.
17. Issue: Youth Conference (May 19): Pfau
The Conference was well attended with about 20 to 30 youth and a similar number of adults. The main
speaker, Racee Ignacio, was especially well received. The tee shirts were very popular. Frederickson
suggested the board needs a full financial report from Mendoza. Kinports will contact him.
Action: Kinports contact Mendoza for full financial report.
18. Issue: Waiters Dinner (October): Kunert
The first meeting of this committee will be held this Thursday, June 7. Committee is formed, all board
members are encouraged to attend. Theme, date, venue and band will be decided. Future meetings will
be the first Thursday of each month, and as needed as event gets closer.
Action: All board members consider joining these important committee meetings regularly.
19. Issue: Town Hall Meeting (November 15): Beck
City will not schedule Library Meeting Room so far in advance. Beck will contact them again in August.
Action: Beck contact City Library again in August
20. Issue: Holiday Party (December 14): Kinports
No action on this event, but will be held at Embassy Suites in view of very successful 2006 event there.
Action: Kinports act to secure Embassy Suites venue when timing appropriate.
Old Business:
21. Issue: Grants: Kunert, Marsh, Kinports, Monet
Nothing has occurred in the past month involving updates on any of these grant situations.
22. Issue: News and Reviews: Kunert
The Pride issue is already on the net and the printed version will be out by June 15. The appearance and
content of this issue are better than ever. Board members should communicate our appreciation to Jill
Schubert, Publisher. There was some discussion of advisability of converting to net distribution in August
but conclusion was that the decision has been made and publicized so we should stick to it.
Action: All board members contact Jill Schubert with appreciation.
23. Issue: Farmers Market Outreach: Strawn
Shannon Wyndsong’s final date in the booth will be June 28. Strawn will staff the booth one Thursday
each month. Kinports suggested that board members could cover the remaining days on a rotating
schedule until other staffers are found. No action has been taken on brochure of GLBTQ and GLBTQ
friendly businesses and organizations that Wyndsong suggested would be helpful in booth activity.
Action: Strawn create a sign-
Action: All board members seek staffers for this vital outreach project.
24. Issue: GALA Brochure Reprinting: Monet
We are running low on brochures. Discussion involved contacting web printer for a cheaper price,
making a few corrections, and committing $300 to the project. Beck knows other printers.
Move: Kinports, second Beck, spend $300 for reprinting brochures, all aye, motion carried.
Action: Beck contact other printers for price and quality.
Monet: Make arrangements once printer has been selected.
25. Issue: Collaboration Vacancies: Kunert
Vacancies remain for our representation on the Chamber of Commerce Diversity Committee and on
The Community Foundation Growing Together Advisory Committee.
Action: All board members seek volunteers to fill these slots on groups GALA helped to found.
New Business: None
Around The Table And Around The Room, Board and Guests
26. Issue: Downtown Gay Bar Night: Pfau
Pfau reported continuing requests from younger members of the community for a GLBTQ night at
a downtown venue. Kinports stated that the most likely venue continues to be Novo and that having
a successful Pride event there will be an encouragement to the establishment. Also, comments to the
management (Robin) by community members when eating there would help.
Action: All board members eat at Novo and encourage Robin to sponsor a continuing GLBTQ night.
27. Issue: Cal Poly Pride Tee Shirts: Echols
Echols contributed left over 2007 Cal Poly Pride tee shirts to be given away at Farmers Market and Pride.
28. Issue: Youth Peace Fair at Sunken Gardens and North County Youth Group: Beck
Beck reported that he took the Farmers Market booth materials to the Youth Peace Fair in Atascadero and
received a good reception. He spoke directly with eight youth interested in GALA and its programs.
Discussion followed concerned the pending new North County Youth Organization, its transportation
needs and a board representative.
Action: Kunert appoint a board representative for the North County Youth Organization
Action: Monet research transportation needs for the new group, including especially liability issues.
29. Issue: Charitable Remainder Trust: Marsh
Clay Marsh reported that he and his partner, George Villanueva, have established a Charitable Remainder
Trust and GALA is one of the beneficiaries. Discussion concerning this thoughtfulness by a long time
GALA activist couple noted that while it is important in and of itself, it is also important from a leadership
standpoint. How can generosity such as this be used to stimulate further such activity from within the.
greater GALA community. We must give this some thought.
30. Issue: Thoughts on Board and Pride: Tomasini
Tomasini, as a former board member and president, spoke to thank the present board for its activity and
interest level, especially in view of the relatively small size of the board at this time. He further singled out
Robert Kinports for his work on Pride, which appears destined for another great year. Thank you Bill!
31. Issue: Adjournment: Kunert
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully susbmitted,
<s>
John T. Strawn, Secretary
BOARD ACTION ITEMS TO BE READY FOR JULY 2 MEETING:
Kunert: Meet with Marcus Menard and iron out Halloween Dance proposal.
Appoint a board representative for the new North County Youth Group.
Kinports: Continue final Pride in the Plaza Committee detail work.
Contact Mendoza for full financial report on Youth Conference.
Secure Embassy Suites as venue for Holiday Party when timing appropriate.
Strawn: With Parra finalize Reverse Drawing details and be on hand at noon on the 9th to get it going.
Create board member sign up sheet for rotating staffing of Farmers Market Booth.
Beck: Finalize September Party details.
Contact City Library when appropriate to secure Town Hall Meeting venue.
Contact alternative printers for basic GALA Brochure.
Frederickson: Finalize September Party details.
Monet: Arrange for second printing of basic GALA Brochure after consulting with Beck.
Study transportation issues surrounding the new North County Youth Group.
All Board Members: Respond to and help with UCSB survey.
Seek out additional board members
Promote the Reverse Drawing and sell and report sales of tickets.
Plan to attend Waiters Dinner Committee meetings and volunteer where appropriate.
Thank Jill Schubert for publishing efforts on News and Reviews.
Sign up for and distribute Pride posters and teasers.
Seek out volunteers to man the Farmers Market Booth.
Seek out persons to fill the existing Collaboration effort vacancies.
Eat at Novo and encourage management to sponsor continuing downtown GLBTQ night.