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, October 2, 2007

 

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

 

Present:  Ken Kunert, Robert Kinports, John Strawn, Greg Gonsalez, Michael Beck, Clay Marsh, Daniel Pfau.  Absent:  Brooke Stone, Dan Frederickson.  Staff:  Lorelei Monet.  Guests:  Bill Tomasini, John Forsman, Dante Tognazzi, Tyler Hamilton.

1.  Meeting Called to Order:  By President Kunert at 6:35 PM.  

President Kunert welcomed guests and asked for additional agenda items.  He noted that guests with presentations would be accommodated near the start of the meeting.  Items to be added to the agenda included:  Request for use of our facility for a regular meeting by Tyler Hamilton Foundation.  Request for single time use of our facility for a meeting of Delta Lambda Phi by Daniel Pfau.  Discussion of Membership Directory.  Discussion of AIDS Walk.

 

2.  Issue:  Minutes of the Previous Meeting:  Strawn

Discussion:  One change, there is no waiver of fee for our use of the Senior Center for Bingo.

Move:  Kinports, second Gonsalez, accept Minutes with the one change, all aye, motion carried.

 

3.  Issue:  Treasurers Report:  Gonsalez

Discussion:  All Pride bills are in and paid.  There are still several format errors, transition is still in progress.

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

Action:  Gonsalez and Monet continue work on transition to new format.

 

Current Business:

 

4.  Issue:  Donors and Income:  Monet

Discussion:  This subject involves check off from grocery store bills.  Ralphs, Albertsons, and Scolaris are all signed up.  The problem is no one is using the service.  We need to create an easy form to get people signed up.  Monet has designed this.  Monet will also continue the complicated process of getting Vons signed up.

Action:  Monet print up sign up form and continue work on Vons situation.

 

5.  Issue:  David Elson Recognition:  Kinports

Discussion:  Proposal is reception at The Court Yard by Merriott, 10/12/07, to honor David Elson’s selection as Planet Out’s Entrepreneur of the Year.  Part of our mission is to draw the attention of the larger public to our success as individuals, and to credit our people on jobs well done.  Budget and detailed plans are on attachment to minutes.

Move:  Marsh, second Gonsalez, approve $3000 toward this project and empower Kinports to continue with arrangements, all aye, motion carried.

Action:  Kinports continue preparations for David Elson recognition reception.

 

6.  Issue:  Tyler Hamilton Foundation Use of Facility:  Guest Tyler Hamilton

Discussion:  The Foundation examines aspects of men’s sexuality, and issues papers on the findings.  They would meet at the GALA Center weekly, Thursdays from 6 to 8 PM.  GALA will have access to findings of the group.

Move:  Kinports, second Gonsalez, grant Foundation access to our facility, aye six, abstain Beck, motion carried.  

 

7.  Issue:  Delta Lambda Phi Use of Facility:  Daniel Pfau

Discussion:  The newly formed Cal Poly Chapter of the National Fraternity, Delta Lambda Phi, would like to use our facility for their induction ceremony on 10/06/07.

Move:  Pfau, second Marsh, grant this use of our facility, all aye, motion carried.

8.  Issue:  Community Guide Proposal:  Strawn

Discussion:  Strawn in conjunction with Shannon Wyndsong would like permission to continue work on a Community Guide for gay visitors to the Central Coast to be used at Farmers Market and to be available to visitors at the center.  Guide would also be a link on the GALA website.  

Direction:  Permission was granted to Strawn with request to bring specifics and budget to board when ready.

Action:  Strawn continue to work with Wyndsong on this project.

 

9.  Issue:  Membership Directory:  Marsh

Discussion:  By Laws state that a membership directory must be prepared and sent to members each year. Considerations include desire to be listed, listing of professions, cost and method of preparation.  With in house computer capabilities costs will be minimal.  Work should be finalized in time for distribution in January.  Monet can begin on internal content, Kunert will approve cover graphics.  

Action:  Monet and Kunert begin work on directory to be completed in January.        

 

10.  Issue:  AIDS Walk San Luis Obispo 2007:  Kinports

Discussion:  AIDS Support Network Annual AIDS Walk is 11/03/07.  Our relationship with ASN is and has always been close.  We work together with mutual support.  We should donate to the Walk this year and walk ourselves next year when Waiters Dinner will likely not conflict as it does this year.

Move:  Kinports, second Strawn, donate $250 to AIDS Walk 2007, all aye, motion carried.   

  

11.  Issue:  Collaboration Update:  Kunert

Discussion:  No current updates in this area.

 

12.  Issue:  Elections Update:  Kunert/Marsh

Discussion:  Marsh pointed out that election of officers by the board and not the membership is a violation of state code for non-profit entities.  Reference is:  5150-5153 of Non-Profit Section of Corporation Code.  We can temporarily correct this by putting officers on the general ballot for 2008.  Marsh and committee are working on the ballot and will have no problem having it completed by October 12 and in the mail by October 16.  Email notice of meeting and election has been up for two weeks and will continue until election week.  

Action:  Marsh continue with election preparations and Monet get the ballot in the mail by October 16.

 All board members seek out new board members.

 

12a.  Issue:  Revisions in the By Laws:  Marsh

Discussion:  Review of the By Laws by Marsh for the election uncovered several other issues which should be addressed.  He will collect his recommendations into a report and present it at a future meeting.

Action:  Marsh prepare recommended By Law changes for a report at a later meeting.  

      

2007-2008 Calendar of Activities Update and Action:

 

13.  Issue:  Halloween Dance October 27:  Pfau

Discussion:  Venue, food, entertainment and decorations are all setup or on schedule.  Publicity has been excellent.  Board volunteers are needed to man front table, three time slots, two persons each slot, sign up sheet provided.  $1295 has been obligated so far, project appears to be a little over budget of $2075 but better P&L is needed.

Action:  Pfau continue working with Storey to finalize preparations.  

 Monet confer with Pfau and Storey to get Dance P&L up to date and understandable.

  

14.  Issue:  Family Values Picnic September 22:  Beck

Discussion:  This project was a great success with the family idea being the reason.  Lots of kids showed up.  Attendance was about 100.  A final P&L and recommendations will be presented at the November board meeting.

Action: Beck prepare final P&L and recommendations on this event for November meeting.  

 

15.  Issue:  Pride in the Plaza June/July 2008:  Kinports

Discussion:  Lampanelli has been dropped from headliner consideration.  Sarah Silverman is now being discussed.  Also under consideration is a spring fund raiser at the Fremont featuring a third echelon Hollywood personality.  

Action:  Kinports continue leading Pride 2008 Committee in its early decisions.  

 

16.  Issue:  Waiters Dinner November 3:  Kunert

Discussion:  All preparations are on schedule, all necessary contracts are signed except linens.  Strawn will get Tomasini to handle this.  All sub-committees are arranged and functioning.  Invitation list is revised and invitations will be mailed this week.  Pre-event at Corner View not finalized.  Overriding issue remains sponsorships, auction items and attendance.  Board members must continue strong efforts in these areas if this event is to succeed.

Action:  Strawn get Tomasini onto the linens issue.

Frederickson:  Finalize pre-event at Corner View for October 17.

All board members:  seek auction items, sponsors, and attendees.  

       

17.  Issue:  Town Hall Meeting November 15:  Beck

Discussion:  All preparations on schedule, hall is reserved.  

Action:  Beck continue with preparations, snacks, beverages.  

 

18.  Issue:  Holiday Party December 16:  KinportsDiscussion: Embassy Suites contract for room and food is under consideration, date is secured.  Suggested menu is Prime Rib, cost $45, charge $50; Chicken Mushroom, cost $35, charge $40. Band is still under consideration, board input on band selection is encouraged now and later.

Move:  Kinports, second Marsh, accept food recommendations and Embassy Suites contract, all aye, motion carried.

Action:  Kinports continue with Holiday Party arrangements

 

Old and New Business:

 

19.  Issue:  Grants:  As noted:

Discussion:  Youth Conference:  Marsh/Monet:  Human Rights Commission has recommended $3000, decision will be made by February 9.

Discussion:  Promotional Coordinating Committee of the Chamber:  Kinports/Monet:  No current action.

Discussion:  Community Foundation:  Marsh/Kunert:  Marsh has resumed duties as GALA representative to the Growing Together Initiative and their current $375,000 capital campaign.  

Discussion:  General:  All board members:  Board members must be aware that there is intense competition for grants and other income among non-profits, even in a small arena like the Central Coast.  GALA has special difficulties in the grants situation because of our small size and lack of professional staff.  We must move aggressively to protect our base, inside and outside the grant area.  When a specific challenge arises we must prove that we are the best agency to advance the interests of the GLBTQ community.  Our events must make money, we must nurture our long term givers, and we must encourage planned giving.  

      

20.  Issue:  News and Reviews:  Kunert

Discussion:  Deadline for next issue is October 15.  Several board members have articles to be submitted as noted in various paragraphs of these minutes.

 

21.  Issue:  Farmers Market Outreach and Education:  Strawn

Discussion:  Volunteers continue to be needed.  Work is progressing on Community Guide.   October 11 is National Coming Out Day, and we will be noting that at the booth.  All board members should make an effort to be present. .  

Action:  All board members seek volunteers and come to the booth October 11.  

 

22.  Issue:  Premiere of the Transitions Film:  Kunert

Discussion:  The Transitions Film, to which GALA contributed $500, will Premiere tomorrow night, October 3, in the Supervisors Room at the County Government Center.  All board members are encouraged to attend.

Action:  All board members try to attend Transitions Premiere.

23.  Issue:  Calendar of Events for 2008:  Kinports

Discussion:  Trinity Hall has been reserved for Halloween 2008 Dance.

24.  Issue:  Waiters Dinner Reminder:  Tomasini

Discussion:  A recent auction item fund raiser in Santa Maria netted $50,000 for the YMCA.  This an example of how these events can succeed.  Each of us needs to be out there aggressively seeking sponsors and auction items.

 

25.  Issue:  Adjournment:  Kunert

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 <s>

 

John T. Strawn, Secretary