Next Meeting - March 16, 2008Straight Spouse Network When gay, lesbian and transgendered people come out of the closet, they become the focus of attention. For their spouses/partners, this can also be a difficult time. The Straight Spouse Network helps heterosexual spouses/partners and their families constructively resolve coming-out problems. |
Happy spring to all! In addition to our program on the Straight Spouse Network, we have some election business to conduct. I will be appointing a nominating committee of any 3 members (at least one of whom should be currently on the board) to work on a slate of candidates for our May elections, terms to begin in September 2008. Volunteers for this may contact me any time.
Here are how things stand right now:
I will automatically become past president. Diane Wensel will automatically become president for Sept. 2008- Sept. 2010. The nominating committee will need to come up with willing candidates to be president elect for those same years and then assume the presidency in 2010. Karen Baker, our Treasurer, will be up for election for a 2 year term. Of the 9 other current board members, 4 will be up for election for a two year term (Ken and Nancy Jones, Frank Roub and Carl White (past president). Four will be up for election for a one year term (Harriet Bruyn, Jo Elder, Paul Wertsch, and Sharon Whitney). One (Jane LaFlash) unfortunately wants leave the board at the end of her current term in Sept. 2008. Our bylaws state that we may have 9-15 people on the board, and right now we have 12.
Thus, the committee’s job:
Kay and the PFLAG board have received an offer from Perfect Harmony to hold a concert to benefit PFLAG and Proud Theater. Their concert is scheduled for July. Actual dates, times and location will be provided when they are determined.
There have been several changes in the National PFLAG website (you can check them out at www.PFLAG.org), and in National PFLAG’s communication with members. One of those changes is an email newsletter, PFLAG FYI. They seem to indicate that it will be a monthly feature. I copied the opening paragraph below:
February 2008
PFLAG's Diversity Outreach Project Chapter Assistance
Welcome to the PFLAG FYI. This monthly online publication will give you the basic information you need on the issues that PFLAG works on each day through its mission of support, education, and advocacy.
It continues with information under the headings of Support, Education and Advocacy. FYI looks as if it will be interesting and useful.
How can 501(c)(3) organizations keep their issues in the forefront during an election year?
501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from supporting or opposing candidates or political parties. However, they can engage in nonpartisan election-related activities to educate voters about candidates' positions on issues. Here are a few guidelines for preparing and disseminating candidate questionnaires and voter guides.
As part of their nonpartisan voter education activities, 501(c)(3) organizations can prepare and distribute candidate questionnaires and voter guides to educate the voting public about the candidates' views on the issues. However, candidate questionnaires cannot be used to show whether candidates agree with the 501(c)(3)'s views, or vice versa, nor can they seek pledges from candidates. The Internal Revenue Service does not look at the questionnaire in isolation but they consider all of the facts and circumstances leading up to the production and distribution of the questionnaire and voter guide to determine whether a 501(c)(3) is engaging in prohibited political activity.
The National PFLAG article continues with answers to specific questions about issues and other activities. Check it out on the National PFLAG website if you are interested.
For those of us who might have missed the film, For the Bible Tells Me So, PFLAG FYI provides a link to an online site (http://firstrunfeatures.com/forthebibletellsmesodvd.html) where a DVD of that film may be purchased. FYI also notes that a portion of DVD sales will be donated to National PFLAG.
Planning a vacation? Fly on American Airlines and support the preferred airline of PFLAG National. PFLAG national staff gets free miles (and you do NOT lose any bonus miles).
When booking on www.AA.com, follow these instructions:
Step One - Choose your travel dates and your best flight option.
Step Two - Login. (If you have an AAdvantage Number and a password, key it in. If not, click "continue" without logging in.)
Step Three - Confirm your itinerary and complete passenger details
LAST STEP - Important! - Key in PFLAG's Business ExtrAA Account Number (527590).
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