September 4, 2007

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, September 4, 2007

Note: Action items are recapped at the end of the document

Present: Ken Kunert, Robert Kinports, John Strawn, Clay Marsh, Michael Beck, Dan Frederickson, Brooke

Stone, Greg Gonsalez Absent: Daniel Pfau Staff: Lorelei Monet Guests: Sherrie Collier, Sarah Hursh, Marie Moore, Dante Tognazzi.

1. Meeting Called to Order: By President Kunert at 6:30 PM

President Kunert welcomed guests and asked for additional agenda items. He announced that, as usual, guests with presentations would be accommodated at the start of the meeting. Items to be added to the

agenda included: Library Reading Group (Marie Moore), Conference Table and Chairs (Kinports), Task

Group Report (Marsh), and Bingo Report (Kunert). Kunert noted for all that the Transitions film will

première at the County Government Center on October 3 and he will attend as Board representative but all

are encouraged to attend.

2. Issue: Minutes of August Meeting: Strawn

Discussion: One correction

Move: Kinports, second, Beck, accept Minutes with one change, all aye, motion carried

3. Issue: Treasurers Report: Gonsalez

Discussion: Pride figures are somewhat distorted because a calendar year is not used there. Petty Cash

figure is not correct. Gonsalez and Monet will resolve this problem.

Move: Marsh, second Stone, accept Treasurers Report, all aye, motion carried

Action: Gonsalez and Monet correct Petty Cash Account

4. Issue: Library Reading Group: Moore

Discussion: Marie Moore and several associates would like to form a Library Reading Group. The group

would meet the third Sunday afternoon of each month. They would select readings from the library on the

spot, and would study the organization of the library. The meeting would be open to the public and serve

as an educational tool and to introduce the library to the community. It would start slowly and evaluate its

success as it develops.

Move: Kinports, second Beck, enthusiastically accept the proposal, all aye, motion carried

Action: Moore proceed with plans for first Library Reading Group meeting, get note on line and in N&R

5. Issue: “Ride-On Proposal: Kinports

Discussion: This is a very complex issue involving financial elements and public/non-profit ethics laws.

Consensus is Keith Hoffman needs to do more legal research on the makeup and procedure of participation

with this event. Kinports will also present the issue to the board’s legal counsel.

Move: Kinports, table this issue for future meeting, vote not required

Action: Kinports and Hoffman seek legal counsel on this project

6. Issue: Collaboration Report: Kunert

Discussion: While there are no new developments in this area, Kunert reported that GALA has received

various forms of “thank-you” from all of the groups we have been involved with recently: PFLAG, ASN,

PPF, CPSU, and UCSB.

2007 Calendar of Activities Update and Action:

7. Issue: Halloween Dance, October 27: Hursh

Discussion: Sarah Hursh, substituting for Pfau and Storey, presented a final budget and discussed

progress on planning the Halloween Dance. Plans are on schedule, with many new additions to the

event from recent years. While the board indicated strong confidence in Storey, members were reluctant

to commit more than $2000 to the event considering recent experience with dance events. Modifications

were suggested to the budget and a revised copy was prepared for transmission to Storey and Pfau.

Move: Kinports, second, Marsh, approve plans and budget at $2075, all aye, motion carried

Action: Hursh get with Pfau and Storey and keep budget within bounds, proceed with all other plans

8. Issue: Family Values Picnic, September 22: Beck

Discussison: All systems are go for this event. Teaser cards will be available in two or three days,

event is on budget, volunteer sign up sheet will be emailed to board members

Action: Beck proceed with plans, line up volunteers

9. Issue: Pride In The Plaza, June/July 2008: Kinports

Discussion: Major attraction is the prime issue at this early date. Under consideration is Lisa

Lampanelli. Board members expressed concern that this act might be too similar to the lead draws for the

previous two years. Research is on going. Board members were encouraged to submit suggestions.

Action: Kinports continue research on lead act for Pride 2008

10. Issue: Waiters Dinner, November 3: Kunert:

Discussion: Though right on the edge time wise, work on this event is under control and progressing.

A Waiters Dinner specific mailing list of 650 is being prepared, invitations are ordered, will be sent

September 27. Venue and band are contracted for, Chef Rick arranged, sponsorship letters are

ready, flyer was in recent N&R. Corner View bar night not finalized, few auction items are secured,

MC is not arranged for. Budget presented shows net income double last year. Board was skeptical

of auction and sponsorship projected amounts. Board suggested contacting Sherrie Collier and

Shannon Wyndsong for their Mardi Gras Masquerade experience. BOD help in all areas needed.

Action: Kunert continue to lead committee in preparations for this event

Frederickson: finalize plans for pre-event at Corner View on October 17

All board members: volunteer wherever possible, especially on sponsorships and auction items

11. Issue: Town Hall Meeting, November 15: Beck

Discussion: Beck has reserved the Library meeting room. Nothing else needed at this time.

12. Issue: Holiday Party, December 16: Kinports

Discussion: Embassy Suites is reserved. Monet will prepare ad and story for N&R. Nothing

else needed at this time.

Old Business:

13. Issue: Grants: Kunert, Monet

Discussion: Nothing to report at this time.

14. Issue: News and Reviews: Kunert

Discussion: The product continues to be superb in content and appearance. Conversion to

mostly electronic distribution is complete according to plan. One possible problem is that to date

there have been only 121 hits on the electronic N&R, when email list stands at 462.

15. Issue: Farmers Market Outreach and Education: Strawn

Discussion: Though there have been a couple of close calls, the booth has been open every night

since Wyndsong departed. Everyone who works it reports enjoying the experience, and there

are approximately 8 to 10 hard new contacts every week. One extra large help is that people

like Collier and Storey show up every week to relieve the primary person for awhile. More

volunteers are needed however.

Action: All board members continue to seek interested GALA members to help staff this booth

Strawn: Schedule Farmers Market booth staffing

16. Issue: Bingo Night Report: Kunert

Discussion: The first Bingo Night was a resounding success. Expenses were $358 and income

$191, which means the out lay will be repaid in only two months. The event will move to the SLO

P&R Senior Center because of the crowd. Board is reminded that making money is not the goal of the event, community involvement is. Permanent date is the third Friday of every month at 7 PM.

Action: Kunert send a letter of thanks to Storey for her fine initiation and follow through on this project

17. Issue: I Madonnari Art Work Festival: Marsh

Discussion: Marsh called GALA art coordinator, Paul LaRiviere on this but nothing else has been done.

We have probably missed out on this one, but the primary reason is that our very successful artist of last

year had a prior out of town commitment.

New Business:

18. Issue: Task Group Report: Marsh

Discussion: Marsh reported on the activities of a Special Task Group commissioned by

President Kunert to investigate possible programs for GALA to serve our community in the

coming year (s). Particular consideration was to be given to programs centering on service,

education, support and outreach, as opposed to recreation and entertainment, and not involving

substantial sums of money. An enthusiastic group of fifteen former board members met and came

up with a number of recommendations and thoughts. Marsh and Kunert are refining this work

into a report to be presented to the full board at a special meeting in late October.

Action: Marsh and Kunert, finalize Task Group report and set date for presentation to full board

19. Issue: Conference Table and Chairs: Kinports

Discussion: Kinports presented the board with a proposal to replace the tables and chairs in

the conference room. He offered a detailed proposal featuring furniture he has experience using in

another environment. Board sentiment was very favorable to a total bill of $2500, with the strong

probability that several GALA members will contribute in the form of paying for individual chairs.

Move: Marsh, second, Frederickson, commit $2500 to this project if needed, all aye, motion carried

Action: Kinports purchase tables and chairs, seek donations for chairs

20. Issue: Monet Special Thank You: Kunert

Discussion: Kunert pointed out to the board that the newly reconstructed GALA Web Site is

entirely the work of Office Manager, Lorelei Monet. This job, which turned out beautifully,

demanded knowledge, dedication, and time beyond the call of duty. The board wishes to offer

a special “thank-you” to Lorelei for this job.

Action: All board members speak personally with Lorelei about this project

Around the Room and Around the Table: Board Members and Guests:

21. Issue: Political Action Committee: Marsh

Discussion: Marsh announced that he and his partner are forming a Political Action Committee to

address GLBTQ issues, both national and local. He presented this action to the board in the form of information only, noting that under its present legal structure, GALA cannot engage directly in

political action.

22. Issue: Los Angeles AIDS Run, October 21: Beck/Frederickson

Discussion: Beck will participate in the LA AIDS Run. Board members are encouraged to

sign his support sheet. Frederickson will be at the Run and asked that donations be made

in Beck’s name.

23. Issue: Wiggle Waggle Walkathon, October 3: Marsh

Discussion: Marsh encouraged board support as individuals of this event which is a benefit

for the Woods Humane Society. Contact him for further information.

24. Issue: Bankers Table at Waiters Dinner: Gonsalez

Discussion: Gonsalez will be in charge of the Bankers Table at Waiters Dinner and is looking

for volunteers to help man that important post.

Action: All board members seek qualified volunteers to man the Bankers Table

25. Issue: Yahoo GALA Board Group: Strawn

Discussion: Gonsalez and Stone need to be added to the GALA Yahoo Group

Action: Kinports add Gonsalez and Stone to the GALA Yahoo Group

26. Issue: Adjournment: Kunert

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Respectfully susbmitted,

<s>

John T. Strawn, Secretary

BOARD ACTION ITEMS TO BE READY FOR SEPTEMBER 4 MEETING:

Kunert: Supervise Bingo Night or get Stone as substitute

Send thank you note to Storey for Bingo Night success

Attend showing of Transitions film on October 3 as official representative of GALA

Continue activity as Waiters Dinner Committee Chairman

Notify Collier and Wyndsong of Masquerade theme to get their Mardi Gras ideas

Review final Task Force Report and refine for special late October board meeting

Kinports: Work with Hoffman to research the various legal aspects of his “Ride On” proposal

Order board room tables and chairs and seek donations to cover cost of chairs

Research alternatives to Lisa Lampanelli for 2008 Pride headliner

Add Stone and Gonsalez to Yahoo Group

Marsh: Work with Kunert on final Task Force Report for presentation in October

Beck: Get info to N&R editor for Family Picnic insert

Continue with final preparations for Family Picnic

Frederickson: Secure Corner View for pre-Waiters Dinner event

Pfau: Continue work with Storey on Halloween Dance preparations, budget

Gonsalez: Work with Monet to correct Petty Cash Account

Stone: Serve as Bingo Night board representative when needed

Strawn: Schedule volunteers to staff Farmers Market Booth

Storey: Get info to N&R editor for Halloween Dance insert

Bring Halloween Dance expenses into line with board approved amount

Monet: Prepare a Holiday Party write up for N&R

Work with Gonsalez to correct Petty Cash Account

Moore: Proceed with Library Reading Group

All board members: Attend Transitions film showing on October 3

Volunteer to help at Family Values Picnic

Continue search for auction items and sponsors for Waiters Dinner

Contine search for volunteers to staff Farmers Market Booth

Thank Lorelei for outstanding work on Revamped Web Site

Seek qualified volunteers to man Bankers Table at Waiters Dinner