March 2007 Colorado Chapter Meeting Minutes

            President Adam Crowley called the meeting to order.

            Secretary Cheak Yee prepared and distributed a Summary for the February 13, 2007 Chapter Meeting.

            President Adam reported on his attendance at the Denver County GOP monthly breakfast and encouraged others to attend on the next occasion (1^st Wednesdays each month) on April 4.  He similarly encouraged members to attend the Equal Rights Colorado Lobby Day on March 26

activities, noting that our Chapter is formally a partner in this effort.

            President Adam announced that the back patio of 5 Degrees, which had been the site of the most recent “Political Cocktails” social event, has been reserved as the possible site for our Chapter to host a Welcome to Denver Reception for attendees of the National Convention on May 2 in the evening.  We have not heard further from the local contact assisting with National Convention planning.  The next “Political Cocktails” is scheduled for the evening of eithe April 4 or 5, but the site has not yet been determined.

            The Executive Board had recently determined that a 2007 Fundraiser for the Chapter ought to be scheduled after the National Convention and before PrideFest at the end of June on the consensus that time would not be adequate to prepare for it properly prior to early May.  President Adam suggested that, immediately after the National Convention, it may be valuable for the Chapter to convene a half-day Retreat for officers and interested leaders, perhaps on a Saturday, to sustain the momentum from the Convention, and consolidate planning for PrideFest.  Our host, James Dozier, who formerly worked directly for the National office, concurred that the Convention will boost excitement, spirit, and commitment and we should strive to harness this for the benefit of our Chapter.

It was noted that the National Convention would be concluding on the Sunday before our usually scheduled regular Chapter meeting (2^nd Tuesdays); the May 2007 meeting may accordingly be scheduled to occur on the third Tuesday on the 15^th.

            The deadlines to register for presence at PrideFest are coming up, and the consensus of the Chapter was to proceed as we did in 2006 with only an Information Booth and not attempt to

pay for or launch a Parade unit.  Early volunteer staffing for the Booth should be sought, and we may wish to obtain only the tent from the authorized PrideFest vendor thereof, but not depend on this firm providing either table or chairs.  At PrideFest 2006, the latter equipment did not arrive until nearly mid-afternoon and the vendor blamed lack of adequate overnight security for this disruption.  It is uncertain that we would avoid a repetition of this inconvenience except by bringing the equipment ourselves.  Secretary Cheak will investigate the costs of obtaining a small table, either rectangular or round, plus two folding chairs; Booth set-up and close-up will almost certainly require two individuals if we do bring our own equipment as well as materials.  As our area was significantly vandalized last year in the overnight between, we will need to do a complete close-up then as well as at the conclusion of PrideFest.  An inventory of materials, banner(s), etc. will also need to be reviewed soon.

            Last year, a theme all local LCR chapters were to push at their Pride events was specified by National – a repeal of the  “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law discriminating against GLBT military personnel.  It is uncertain if a theme will be determined by National (possibly Employment Non-Discrimination Act) either at the Congressional or the State Legislative levels.

            There is a survey of members posted on the National LCR website and we are encouraged to participate and so provide feedback to our overall leadership.

            President Adam reviewed briefly the real progress of the Chapter in recent months in a number of areas, even if attendance at meetings remains below what is desired.  We have had new members and interest; we have held a successful fundraiser; we are improving leadership; we have begun advertising with the Colorado Business Council; and we continue to cultivate potentially valuable networkings.

            James Dozier suggested a couple of additional administrative steps found helpful in other chapters – 1) maintain a membership attendance spreadsheet so that we can keep track of interest and any diminishment of interest, and 2) broadcast an activities calendar for local events to keep sparking interest regularly.

            The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheak Yee

Secretary/Parliamentarian

March 2007 Colorado Springs Caucus Meeting Minutes

Bob Moyers convened the meeting at his home.  Attending in addition were Daniel, Zach, and Cheak Yee from the Denver Chapter.  Hope was likely overseas, and Connie had a schedule conflict.  (Zach is moving to Colorado Springs; Jim McClean has moved out of state.)  Interest had been expressed by a couple of additional individuals in recent months and follow-up will occur with them.

Bob volunteered his home as a future site for meetings if other arrangements are not available.
Two other possible sites were discussed at some length.

(1)    The Pikes Peak Gay/Lesbian Community Center (PPGLCC) has moved from its former location (where some rental amount was also paid) to a new storefront site at 2508 Bijou.  This is a more spacious location, on which some further work is being done, but which is already a viable site for meetings. 

(2)    The Gill Foundation (which had been the site of the November 2006 meeting) had had to provide a staff member present to accommodate us; as a foundation, they had expressed a preference that their service/donation be to an entity also a 501.c.3 charity, or else a fee would likely be regularly required.  There was consensus that the facility had very positive features and might be the most appropriate site for any larger functions or social events.

Further inquiries will be made in the first case as to what requirements or constraints apply if our Caucus were to seek to meet there with regularity, and in the second case whether or not some involvement of the Gill Action Fund might facilitate Caucus usage.  Cheak will inquire with James Dozier about this approach as the Denver Chapter is formally hosted by Gill Action.

Reviewing recent months, there was consensus that it is vital for meetings to occur with regularity for organizational momentum to be sustained and grow as it ought and could do so in this area.  A September 2006 meeting was cancelled due to low attendance; the December 2006 meeting was to be replaced by a social event (which apparently did occur but may have been sparsely attended), and January and February meetings were not convened in part due to an unusually inclement winter for road conditions.  For the time being, the Caucus will continue to schedule for the third Sundays at 5 p.m. but Bob will poll everyone with an email address to see if this remains the most available and preferred rubric.

Daniel had set up the local Caucus IT/email communications linkages (as a Yahoo group) and he is willing and able to continue doing so.  He will continue as well to be the point of contact with Frank Tagader of the Denver Chapter in this area.  The local e-news media LUNCHBREAK will be contacted to ensure they have correct data for the Caucus in terms of their announcements for us.

The term “caucus” was traced to an exchange between Bob and James Vaughn who serves as the Western Regional Director for National LCR.  Cheak will clarify what, if any, definitions attach to the use of “caucus.”

Colorado Springs Pride will be at Acacia Park on Sunday, July 15, as a one day event (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)  The Caucus should be present and reservations/arrangements will be investigated.  Cheak indicated that the Denver Chapter will make available a loan of banner and any other items needed plus a share of appropriate materials for an information booth.

Reviewing the local GLBT community and its currently active organizations, the consensus is that with a smaller population, the repetitive pattern is for membership to stagnate over time and for leadership to burn out.  Consequently, at the present moment, there is not a wide choice of other organizations with whom the Caucus could partner for synergy.  There remains no doubt, however, given the extremism in political views concentrated here locally that the opportunity for the Caucus to grow, gain strength, and provide an essential role for moderation within and beyond the Republican Party is very real and deserves sustained effort on our part to realize.

Bob will issue an announcement/summmary with poll to local members and interested persons and Cheak will follow up with his more extensive summary later.  The next meeting will convene at Bob’s home on April 15^th at 5:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheak Yee

June 2006 Meeting Minutes

            President Frank T. called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 

            Recent summary notes on Chapter Meetings have been posted on the Website and included in the Agendas for subsequent meetings.  By consensus previous summaries were accepted without additions or corrections as distributed in this manner.

Acting  Chapter Treasurer Mark C. reported that the checking account of the Chapter was in at an acceptable cash level, but would be improved if members would pay their dues. 

Vice President Adam C. presented information related to two Resolutions on which the Chapter could act in endorsement.

Referendum H has been referred by the State Legislature to the voters in the upcoming General Election; it would provide fairness for same-sex couples under a definition of Domestic Partnership in key areas of health management, survivorship, etc.  It is a measure which does positive good, without being tied to the more inflammatory issues related to marriage, and the campaign for adoption of this Referendum is expected to gain widespread support from key segments of the electorate.  Passage of it could have considerable impact on the national debate especially in light of the failure of the Federal Marriage Amendment this year to make any progress, and in fact, of its setback in the U.S. Senate.  Secretary Cheak Y. moved the adoption of an Resolution of Endorsement for Referendum H by Colorado Log Cabin Republicans; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

An additional referendum measure is being organized which would clarify that any ban on same-sex marriages would not apply to domestic partnerships if these were separately established; this is a contingency in the event that adversaries of our community seek by filing a measure of their own to restrict further the lives and rights of same-sex couples with additional legal language.  It is possible that no further measure will be introduced by our adversaries, and in that event, the contingent referendum will not need to be filed.  Signatures, however, do need to be obtained in case our adversaries to file a measure of their own.  Secretary Cheak Y. moved the adoption of a Resolution of Endorsement for this contingent additional referendum clarifying same-sex marriage bans do not apply to domestic partnerships; the motion was seconded, and was adopted unanimously.

Vice President Adam C. announced that a series of low-key fundraising events will be held by the campaign Coloradoans for Fairness & Equality (CFE); if our Chapter can assist in scheduling a host/home for such events, the earliest date to aim for a cooperative venture (at the $25.00 donation level) would be July 11^th. 

Secretary Cheak Y. distributed a draft “script” for orientation of Chapter volunteers staffing the Information Booth at the (first time ever) two-day PrideFest 2006 event over the last weekend in June.  By consensus, the draft was approved in concept as distributed.

President Frank T. noted that the Executive Board of the Chapter is currently planning to have a major social event/fund-raiser near the end of October as a “pre-election rally” and further details will be available soon.  Outgoing National Log Cabin Executive Director Patrick Guerriero is indeed relocating to the Denver area, and will be arriving to join our Chapter as a local member in September.  President Frank T. also reminded that the national convention of Log Cabin Republicans in 2007 will be in Denver, at the downtown Marriott Hotel.

There will be a meeting of the Colorado Alliance for Family Equality (CAFÉ) group in Grand Junction, and President Frank T., who has been attending meetings of this umbrella organization, reported that it continues to make slow progress organizationally.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

November 2005 Meeting Minutes

October 2005 Meeting Minutes

August 2005 Meeting Minutes

April 2005 Meeting Minutes

• Guest Speaker Penn Pfifner, director of Fiscal Policy Center with the Independence Institute spoke to us regarding TABOR and why it should remain.  http://i2i.org/TABOR2003.aspx
• Minutes approved (via website).
• Presidential report:  Christine Todd Whitman's book signing - It's My Party Too- at the Tattered Cover, LCR Convention in New Orleans, official LCR polo shirts, Membership Chair is vacant, 140th anniversary of the assassination of Lincoln.
• Secretary report: Auction and dinner for the Matthew Shepard Foundation, meeting of the Colorado Alliance for Family Equality (CAFE), trying to open communication with Dr Dobson (FOF).
• Cheak reported on the Denver County Republican's Lincoln Day Dinner.
• Advertisement in Outfront.
• Activities for PrideFest are being planned - tentative plans for a BBQ and an event at Serengeti.
• Ratification of CLCR's Statement of Values.
• Announcements: invite to the Governor's Mansion and Victory Fund training.
• New Business cards introduced.
• May 14th summit - open to all that are interested.
• Soulforce.org - 5/1 and 5/2 - rally.  Dan will be in attendance. 
• Don't forget JR's the fourth Thursday of every month from 6:30pm.

March 2005 Meeting Minutes

• Guest Speaker Jennifer Corrigan with the Colorado Tobacco Education and Prevention Alliance www.ctepa.org/index.html spoke to us concerning "Smoke Free Denver"  www.smokefreedenver.org.
• Minutes approved (via website)
• Presidential report:  attended State, Veterans and Military Affairs Hearing on SB05-140 (failed party-line), attended ERC's Lobby Day (spoke with Mitchell), met with Carolyn Metzler (Denver county GOP-aide to CO Senator Kester) and this went very well - they have included us in their newsletter, ben attending Co Senate Select Committee on Homeland Security Hearings, and touched on Patrick Guerriero's Five Point Statement
• Secretary report: Support "Terri's Law" to help Terri Schiavo's case err on the side of life
• Cheak gave a run down on the Executive Retreat 
• Passed changes to By-Laws
• Joint committee meeting (Political and Membership) April 12 at 5:30 at Deidrick's
• Look for an informal survey (membership concerns, etc)
• CAFE involvement -our response to Focus on the Family, we can bring balance to the group (bring some good ol' conservative values)
• Pay your annual dues.... they are due now.
• Cheak will fill parliamentarian position.
• Dan and Mitch going to LCR National Convention the end of March.
• Reminder: JR's on the 4th Thursday of every month 630-830p
• March 19.2005 Lincoln Day Dinner and Celebrity Teddy Bear auction and fund raiser for the Matthew Shepard foundation and Christine Todd Whitman's book signing at the Tattered Cover
• LCR (national) has hired professional lobbyists.

February 2005 Meeting Minutes

January 2005 Meeting Minutes

General Meeting/Officer Reports/Committee Chair/Advisory Reports:

• Approved minutes via website

• Analysis on the holiday party (show of great bipartisanship)

• VP, Dan, attended the opening session of the Colorado General Assembly

• Political Affairs Committee Chair is still vacant (if interested please contact us)

• in order to be a Member-in-Good-Standing, please pay your dues.  Annual dues are due in February.

• Story in the post on 11/15/04: Right wing and pro-gay? Right on.  (Harsanyi)

• By-Laws change (election changes) will be distributed in February and voted on in March

• Membership asks everyone to bring a friend and any assistance is welcome

• Joint-committee meeting with the Membership Committee and Publicity and Community Activities Committee TBA

• At 7-11 bracelets available for a $1 to support our troops (benefits the USO)

• There will be no guest speaker in the February meeting due to upcoming elections

• List of those that have submitted a letter of intent to run (office in parenthesis):

1. Dan Merritt-LeSatz  (President)
2. Bob Rosenburg (Vice President) 
3. Terri Mawby (Secretary) 
4. No letter of intent filed for Treasurer, Mark Colvin will fill the position for the time being.  If anyone is interested in this position, please contact us. 

Guest Speakers: Ted Trimpa and Joel Stengel - Explained Colorado politics work

November Meeting Minutes

General Meeting/Officer Reports/Committee Chair/Advisory Reports:

• Approved minutes via email

• CLCR Christmas Party 12/7

• Adam resigned from his position as Membership Committee Chair 

• The following positions were open: 

  • Political Affairs

  • Publicity and Community Activities (filled since the meeting)

  • Membership (also filled since)  

• Anyone interested in taking a leadership role, please email us.

• Report on the outcome of the CLCR vs. Stonewall debate.  Definitely a positive experience. 

• FahrenHYPE 9/11 now available to rent at your local Blockbuster, if it is available and not out already.  

• Reminder: to be a Member-in-Good-Standing, please pay your dues.

• Technology report: website up and contributions for content asked for (feel free to email us)

• Membership meeting on 10/28 had the following recommendations that have been approved by CLCR leadership:

1. Quarterly advertisement in Outfront (with representation of our chapter's diversity) 
2. Executive Retreat to be held after elections in order to create a calendar of events thru Pride.
3. One person to sit on Membership, Political Affairs and Publicity/Community Activities, as each of these committees may have some overlap.
4. "Partner" with Rocky Mountain Veterans for Equal Rights and the Colorado (gay) Business Council.  

• USO and other organizations like them ... Don't forget to support our troops

Guest Speaker: David Harsanyi - Denver Post News Columnist

1. Went over how the election played out
2. Exit polls showed that 23% of the GLBT community voted for President Bush.  Touched on how these polls can be flawed because they cannot capture a whole community and those that you can capture may not feel comfortable revealing who they voted for.
3. Local election was surprising; money played a big part in it.