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, December 4, 2007
Note: Action Items are recapped at the end of this document.
Present: Ken Kunert, Robert Kinports, John Strawn, Greg Gonsalez, Michael Beck, Clay Marsh. Absent: Dan Frederickson. Staff: Lorelei Monet. Guests: Bill Tomasini, John Forsman, Will Russell, John Klimala, Gerald Lindemulder, Sherrie Collier.
1. Meeting Called to Order: By President Kunert at 6:30 PM
Discussion: President welcomed guests and asked for additional agenda items. There were none.
2. Issue: Minutes of Previous Meeting: Strawn
Discussion: There were no suggested changes.
Move: Gonsalez, second Kinports, approve Minutes as presented. All aye, motion carried.
3. Issue: Treasurers Report: Gonsalez
Discussion: Gonsalez reported that all format changes have been made and there will be no more negative entries. Kinports suggested that event P & L’s for major events will still need to continue to be presented separately.
Move: Kinports, second Gonsalez, approve Treasurers Report. All aye, motion carried.
4. Issue: Date for next meeting: Kunert
Discussion: Kunert noted that if the January meeting is held on its regular date, it would be on New Year’s Day. He suggested Tuesday, January 8 instead.
Move: Gonsalez, second Strawn, hold January meeting on January 8. All aye, motion carried.
Action: Monet get new January meeting date to N&R publisher in time for Jan-
5. Issue: Holiday Party/Awards status: Kinports
Discussion: Everything is set with Embassy Suites, party beginning at 4 PM with cocktails in the atrium. Cards, not teasers have been handed out, A Little Something will provide centerpieces, 70 tickets are already sold. Budget handed out, event will show small profit at 90 tickets. Board members need to find items for a small silent auction.
Move: Strawn, second Gonsalez, approve Party arrangements and budget. All aye, motion carried.
Discussion: Should honorees be provided with complementary tickets to the Holiday Party.
Move: Beck, second Gonsalez, approve comp tickets for honorees. Aye three, abstain Kinports, motion carried.
Discussion: All award plaques are ready and are provided free by Keith Hoffman, certificates for Gold Membership are being designed by Monet.
Action: All board members seek auction items for Holiday Party.
6. Issue: Meeting with Karin Quimby, assistant to Rep. Lois Capps: Kunert and Marsh
Discussion: Quimby was on a tour of all GLBT centers in Capps’ district seeking input on issues and needs of our community. Discussion included: homelessness, aging, youth, health care, domestic partnerships, domestic violence, school violence, hate crimes, and transgender issues. Quimby asked that we convene a round table discussion on these issues. Janice Fong mentioned the possibility of a GTI grant for this purpose. It was suggested that Capps speak to the marriage initiative even though it is a state issue at this time. Marsh encouraged Capps to attend one of the voter education forums GALA will convene in 2008.
7. Issue: Waiters Dinner: Kunert
Discussion: Final financial results were handed out, event being a moderate financial success, but highly successful in terms of community. Action for the 2008 event must begin in January with the appointment of a committee and another thorough revamping of the mailing list.
Action: Kunert appoint committee and committee chairperson for 2008 event.
8. Issue: My Three Angels Theatre Event: Tomasini
Discussion: This event did not have the draw of the previous similar event, but cost us only a small amount of money, and was intended as entertainment only. It was a very good time and we must realize that not everyone will be interested in every event GALA sponsors. We are now offering enough that members can pick the things that interest them the most, and this is good. This will remain a continuing event.
9. Issue: SLO Holiday Parade Float: Beck
Discussion: Project is on schedule and within budget. Work this evening, then final work all day Friday, Dec 7, day of parade, if necessary. Theme is candy canes, ginger bread men, and “From Our Families To Yours.” Work at Kinports’ home, leave for downtown at 5:30, several families with children have been contacted. Chips ‘n Chat will be at the parade for support. All board members and their friends should help with construction, walk with or ride on the float, and/or be in the crowd to cheer our group.
Action: All board members help with float construction and join in the parade.
10. Issue: News and Reviews: Kunert
Discussion: The deadline for the Jan-
Action: All board members get your usual or special stories in to the editors and publisher by Dec 8.
11. Issue: Farmers Market Outreach and Education: Strawn
Discussion: Strawn and Wyndsong will put together an instruction sheet which should
help with long term volunteer recruitment for this project. But volunteers are needed
to get us through mid-
Action: Strawn, Kunert, Lindemulder, Gonsalez, Beck, and Kinports note dates volunteered and be there.
12. Issue: 2008 Event Schedule: Kunert
Discussion: The initial schedule was posted as an attachment to the November Minutes. Final action will be taken at the January meeting with new board members present. So far, the Family Picnic will be added, the single film night removed from Pride and the new Film Festival substituted, bingo nights will probably be added, and political and social issue forums will be plugged in as they are organized.
Action: All board members review schedule, prepare suggestions and plan personal volunteering intentions.
13. Issue: 2008 Budget: Gonsalez
Discussion: Gonsalez and Kunert are tweaking the budget presented at the November meeting, and the final version will be ready for the January meeting and the new board’s review.
Action: Gonsalez and Kunert finalize budget for January meeting.
14. Issue: Collaboration Update: Kunert
Discussion: PPF will be hosting an open house in Santa Maria on Dec 20. ASN is interested in partnering with GALA for a speakers event on June 30. Mental Health Study at UCSB is proceeding on schedule. PFLAG is now using the GALA Center for their monthly meetings.
15. Issue: Office printer repairs: Kunert
Discussion: The office printer has broken down and will need repair. Standard repair figures from vendor on commercial printers are horrendous, as is the idea of a new machine which would include a maintainance contract. Kinports volunteered to seek repairs through other channels, suggesting a figure of $400.
Move: Kinports, second Marsh, authorize Kinports to seek printer repairs for under $400. All aye, motion carried.
16. Issue: Around the table and around the room: Kunert
Discussion: Marsh noted that the NGLTF conference “Creating Change,” he attended in 2007 in Kansas City, and found very informative, will be held this year, 2008, in Detroit, in February. Marsh will attend and encouraged others to do so. The registration fee is $350 and the total cost of the trip around $2000. Speakers will include Julian Bond and Gene Robinson. There are no advance state conferences, but states will caucus at the convention.
17. Issue: Staff Performance Review: Kunert
Discussion: The board went into executive session to discuss the performance of Executive Secretary, Lorelei Monet. Comments on Monet’s performance were overwhelmingly positive. A raise and bonus are much deserved. These two items will be discussed with David and Wendy at United Staffing. Kunert will discuss results of this review with Monet and alert her to office needs for the coming year.
Move: Kinports, second Marsh, grant Monet a $250 year end bonus and 50 cents per hour raise for 2008. All aye, motion passed.
Action: Kunert contact United Staffing and talk with Monet.
18: Adjournment: Kunert
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM
Respectfully submitted:
<s>
John T. Strawn, Secretary
BOARD ACTION ITEMS TO BE READY FOR JANUARY 8 MEETING:
Kunert: Appoint committee and committee chairperson for 2008 Waiters Dinner.
Note date volunteered for Farmers Market Booth.
Work with Gonsalez to finalize 2008 Budget for January meeting.
Contact United Staffing on Monet raise and counsel Monet.
Kinports: Note date volunteered for Farmers Market Booth.
Strawn: Note date volunteered for Farmers Market Booth.
Gonsalez: Note date volunteered for Farmers Market Booth.
Work with Kunert to finalize 2008 Budget for January meeting.
Beck: Note date volunteered for Farmers Market Booth.
Monet: Get new January meeting date to N&R staff for Jan-
Lindemulder: Note date volunteered for Farmers Market Booth.
All board members: Seek auction items for Holiday Party.
Help with Holiday Parade float construction and join in the parade.
Get stories to N&R staff by December 8 for the Jan-
Review 2008 event schedule, offer suggestions, plan personal volunteering efforts.