SDSA Board Minutes

May 12, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM by Co-chairs Roberto Flores and Lynne Armstrong.

Members present: Jeanne Belaire, Lynne Armstrong, Ruth Dalrymple, Bryan Gerard, Larry Stallings, Roberto Flores, Chris Forbrich, Pat McGuire and Cris Ramirez

Members absent: Antonia Padilla and Olga Hernandez

Guest: Dan Graney

Ruth moved that the minutes from the last meeting be approved as read, Jeanne seconded and the motion passed.

Cris, secretary, requested that someone take minutes at the May membership meeting as she would not be in attendance. Dan graciously volunteered.

Ruth, treasurer, reported a balance of $9,697.98. She also presented a report on expenses for the 2007 banquet.

As chair of the Budget, Finance and Fundraising Committee, Ruth reported that the Fiesta Pool Party netted $350. She announced there would be no fundraising event in June because of the Birthday Bash/New Member Reception scheduled at the end of May.

Cris reported that some members complained about the number of fundraising events that SDSA has scheduled. She suggested making the New Member Reception a separate and free social event in July. The Stallings volunteered to host it at their home and a member, who wishes to remain anonymous, made a $500 donation for the expenses.

The Budget, Finance and Fundraising Committee will propose Fiscal Policies for discussion at next month’s meeting.

Lynne reported that James Poindexter and Phillip Barcena have asked for some time at the May membership meeting to present information on Pride Month activities. They will be announcing the Grand Marshall of this year’s Pride Parade. The board agreed to allow them 25 minutes to present their information.

Chris suggested that information on events and announcements be put in writing and distributed at membership meetings.

Bryan, Communications Committee, reported that the committee had met and Chris will be responsible for updating the calendar. Linda Allen, Web Master, will post the names of the SDSA Board Members and the Committees they oversee along with e-mail addresses for contact purposes. Cris will provide Linda with this information. Linda will also be posting the SDSA Data Base so that Board Members can access it and make corrections as needed.

Lynne will be asking for volunteers to work the booths at the Pride Events (Pridefest and Parade).

Voter Registration and Mobilization Committee has volunteers but no dates have been set for registration activities.

Larry, Political Relations Committee, will be making an announcement at the May membership meeting about the activities of this committee.

Pat, Endorsement Committee, reported that Ruth is resigning from this committee because she is running for the position of Treasurer of TSDC.

Bryan made a motion to accept David Plylar as a member of the Endorsement Committee, Cris seconded and the motion carried.

David has written a new book, Sunrise at Cotulla, and he has requested permission to sell his books at the membership meetings. The price is $20 and he has generously offered to donate $13 of each book sold to SDSA. Pat made a motion to allow David to sell his books at meetings and to accept his generous offer. Cris seconded and the motion carried. Chris recommended that David be responsible for the sales of the books and that he write us a check for his donation.

Lynne reported on the banquet. She presented information from El Tropicano and also indicated that John Hoadley, National Stonewall, has promised to get us a nationally recognized speaker for the event by the first week in June.

Bryan moved that we accept El Tropicano as the site for the SDSA Banquet, Larry seconded and the motion passed.

Bryan also moved that in lieu of a VIP room we have a cocktail hour with a cash bar, Pat seconded and the motion carried. Roberto will be contacting El Tropicano to finalize the agreement and provide a deposit.

Larry suggested Rick Noriega as speaker for the banquet.

Cris made a motion to accept “Bridge to Victory” as the theme of this year’s banquet. Pat seconded and the motion carried. Lynne will let Jamie Lewis, decorations committee, know.

On June 15^th “save the date” reminders will go out and banquet invitations will go out no later than the last week in July.

Jeanne made a motion to allow Azul to entertain at the banquet and to allow Lynne to negotiate a fee, Bryan seconded and the motion carried.

Bryan discussed the incident that took place at Wagner High School when Ginger Yachinich, who was participating in the national Day of Silence, was sent home for refusing to hand over her sign (the size of a piece of notebook paper) explaining her silence. He also passed out copies of a letter he sent to the principal of Wagner High School. After a lively discussion Chris suggested that we write an open letter to local papers expressing our outrage over this incident. He offered to draft the letter.

Dan made a motion to have a member of the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) speak to the membership at the June meeting. Larry seconded and the motion passed.

Bryan made a motion to adjourn, Larry seconded and the meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.

The Board then went into Executive Session.

Respectfully submitted,

Cris Ramirez,

Secretary