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September 23, 2008
San Francisco Pride’s Membership Re-elects Incumbent Board Members & Selects 2009 Event Theme The Preamble to the Constitution Makes its Debut as a Pride Event Theme SAN FRANCISCO - 23 September 2008 ‑ The San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee (SFLGBTPCC) announced today that the general membership of the organization overwhelmingly voted at their Annual General Membership (AGM) meeting, held at the Cathedral Hill Hotel, to re-elect standing board members for another term. Those re-elected are president Mikayla Connell, secretary Kelly Rivera Hart, and treasurer Belinda Ryan. The membership also voted in new board member Todd Torr, who had joined the board as an appointee in February of this year. When asked why he wants to be on the board of directors he stated, “I'm excited to join the board of directors this year. My goals while on the board include expanding Pride's international initiatives and categorizing and presenting Pride's historical materials.” The event theme for the 39th Annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration & Parade was also selected by the membership. Drawing from the Preamble to the Constitution, the membership selected "In Order to Form a More Perfect Union…" from a slate of 30 potential themes, each submitted by community members and members of Pride. Mikayla Connell, Board President stated: “After an impassioned debate, the membership chose part of the Preamble to our Constitution for the 2009 Pride event theme, which I think is a truly inspired choice. The theme makes a powerful statement that LGBT people are an active political force working to make this country more inclusive of all its citizens and that we—like all people who call the US home—are an important part of the diverse fabric that makes up this nation.” Member Jokie Wilson, who submitted the winning theme, explained after the meeting why he submitted the winning theme: “We LGBTQQIs are no longer an outsider people asking for tolerance. We are Americans. And we are not merely denizens of this earth, but citizens of the universe in a perpetual effort to form a more perfect union with all of its members. The theme was originally inspired by my reading of the 2008 California Supreme Court decision on marriage and the preamble to the US Constitution." At the conclusion of the meeting Lindsey Jones, Executive Director stated: The Board of Directors plays a critical role in shaping Pride, so it's very exciting to see such a strong, enthusiastic, and united team returning this year. 2009 is going to be a critical year for LGBT communities and having a visionary board will ensure that Pride is able to respond quickly and decisively to the needs of the community. This board along with the 2009 event theme will help us to send the message to the world that LGBT civil rights continue to be a pressing social need. Membership in the Pride Celebration Committee is free and open to any individual. Membership applications can be submitted online at sfpride.org. Members meet monthly on the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will take place October 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. All membership meetings are open to the public. Current Board of Directors for 2008-2009:
Mikayla Connell, president The primary criteria in SFLGBTPCC board member selection is a thorough understanding and commitment to the mission and core values of SFLGBTPCC and a strong record of excellence in involvement with community and professional organizations. The SFLGBTPCC board nominating committee is currently taking applications from the community. The next board meeting, open to the public, is Tuesday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. The board will vote for executive committee positions (president, vice president, secretary and treasurer) at this meeting being held at the LGBT Community Center in San Francisco.###
About
San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee (SFLGBTPCC): # # # # # For Further Information Please Contact:
Brendan Behan
San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration
Committee |