At its second public board meeting of the year, held March 22, William Way LGBT Community Center executive director Chris Bartlett announced the hiring of Paul Bloor as interim development coordinator.
Barlett also reported on several new development and fundraising initiatives, including new foundation requests from banks such as PNC and Wachovia to fund the center’s programming. The center is also planning a bachelor/bachelorette auction April 2 at Smokin’ Betty’s, 116 S. 11th St.
Bartlett said he will be one of the bachelors auctioned off and asked the board members to do what they can to drive up bids for him.
Bartlett also said the center’s annual Building Bash event will be replaced by a new event called Homecoming, which will be held June 11 at the center during Pride weekend.
Board members in attendance were co-chairs Stephanie Gross and Jeff Sotland, treasurer Ann Butchart, secretary Matthew O’Malley, Amber Hikes, Brad Richards, Laurie Ward, Adam Hymans and Joseph Dougherty. Eric Ashton, Deb Francesco, Diane George, Leon King, Ted Greenberg, Moira Mulroney and Steve Brando were not in attendance.
Director of Center Services Candice Thompson presented the center’s program report and noted that the facility’s next art exhibition will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference. The center’s art gallery is also presenting “Life As I See It,” an exhibition of works from The Attic Youth Center.
Thompson reported that Way Gay U, the center’s series of educational classes, held an open house on March 16. She added that registration for classes is up from last year and the program is covering its costs.
Board member Hymans reported the center has recently formed a marketing and public-relations committee, which is currently focusing on event promotions and the short-term needs of the center, including a revamp of the website and seeking a social-media representative for the center.
Treasurer Butchart reported on the center’s finances at roughly the halfway point in the fiscal year.
Butchart said the center is down in revenue, reporting an actual revenue of $266,836, which is $123,090 below the anticipated revenue of $389,926. Actual expenses were $251,854, under expectations by $4,784.
Butchart said expenses are where they should be and the drop in revenue was not unusual for this time of year. The lower revenue was attributed to the center bringing in more gifts from the Indigo Balls last year and a decrease in grants this year.
Butchart said that, because of the drop in the center’s revenue, the board will be reviewing the budget next month and making adjustments. Butchart added that 76.4 percent of every dollar the center brings in is used for programming.
The center’s income totaled $42,297.90 for February, $12,687.10 below the expected income of $54,985. While building revenue, grants and individual giving came close to or exceeded expectations for the month, income from events and fundraisers fell below expectations, primarily because an expected February fundraiser did not occur.
Total February expenses for the center were $58,809.48, which was $3,836.48 over the estimated expenses of $54,973. The overage was attributed to expense related to a consultant for the center’s senior housing project and a town-hall meeting.
Secretary O’Malley reported that the center is looking to draft a new strategic plan as its current five-year strategic plan is nearly ended. To drive strategic planning, the center will establish an advisory council, which will meet monthly beginning in April.
O’Malley said an initial draft of the new strategic plan should be completed by August and presented to the board by September.
Bartlett gave a progress update on the center’s senior housing project, reporting that if the tax credits for the project are approved in July, the project will be able to move forward.
The center’s next public board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. July 26.
For more information, visit www.waygay.org.