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EAST TEXAS PFLAG MINUTES
Monday, November 10, 2008


The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by our president, Rhonda. We met at the Tyler Unity Center with thirteen in attendance.

Welcome:

Rhonda welcomed all present.

Minutes:

Brenda read the minutes from our last meeting, and gave our current balance of $1,381.38

Old Business:

Milk: Tom announced that the movie "Milk" will be coming to the Carmike Theater as posters are already up advertising it. It's to be released nationwide on November 26 but no one knew for certain when it would play in Tyler. It was suggested that a group might want to go together to see it.

Tag Picnic: Troy announced that the Tag Picnic would be this Sunday afternoon, November 16, at 3 p.m. at Lake Tyler. All are invited and urged to participate in the potluck picnic. Details are available at www.tridd.com

Membership: Lou Anne presented a report on membership stating that we now have 13 households having paid their 2009 membership dues. This is a very good start to collecting for the year since we don't usually begin collecting this early. National PFLAG begins their fiscal year on October 1 so we are trying to comply by sending our dues in soon after that date. She reminded the group that those wanting to hold office or vote on officers need to be dues-paying members.

Donation: Lou Anne shared with the group a possible project to receive positive recognition for East Texas PFLAG. Because our bank balance is more than sufficient for our immediate needs, she suggested we choose a charitable organization to donate to that lists all donors and that reaches what she called our "target audience"--those who think negatively about gays. Several organizations were mentioned including PATH, East Texas Food Bank, Salvation Army, Rescue Mission, ETMC Foundation and TISD Foundation. She reminded the group that we don't need to agree with the group's purpose or philosophy just so long as our name reaches those we consider our target audience. Further research into the various organizations will take place prior to making a motion.

World AIDS Day: Troy reminded us that World AIDS Day will be December 1 and will consist of events on the Square as well as the evening service at First Presbyterian Church where Dr. Boruki will present an update on the progress being made with this disease. After the service, there will be a candlelight march to Bergfeld Park

Gift to Pastor: SandRa Benson, pastor of Unity Center where PFLAG meets, is retiring and Troy suggested East Texas PFLAG join Project TAG in presenting Pastor Benson with a gift depicting our appreciation of her unrelenting willingness to allow us to meet in their facility. Brenda made a motion we allow from $50 to $75 for such a gift and Troy seconded. All were in favor and volunteers were sought to shop for the gift.

New Business:

Next Month's Program: Our December meeting will be a potluck party taking place at our regular time and regular meeting place. At that time, we will elect new officers for the coming year.

New Website: Rhonda has received an offer from Megan Milne to help establish a new website for East Texas PFLAG. The discussion centered around the fact that we definitely need a new website that is easier for people to locate. One young man who attended tonight knew nothing about our organization until his doctor told him about it. The group agreed to invite Megan to talk with us at our January meeting.

Magazine Publicity: Gaylon showed us a weekly magazine called "GAB" which contains a listing of gay-friendly businesses, churches, and organizations. Some PFLAG groups are included and he thought our organization might want to be included. There is no charge for this service. We agreed to contact them with information about our group and seek to have our organization listed.

Program:

Troy and Tom presented our program tonight --a video of their trip to Glascow, Scotland which took us inside the large gay community center and featured interviews with gays. Along with the video, they shared posters, brochures, gay comic books, cards, and magazines which gave us an overview of the openly gay culture in that part of the world.

Adjournment:

We adjourned at 8:30 p.m.