The William Way LGBT Community Center’s board held its last public meeting of 2011 on Nov. 22 at 1315 Spruce St.
Board members in attendance included co-chairs Stephanie Gross and Jeff Sotland, secretary Matthew O’Malley, Eric Ashton, Steve Brando, Joseph Dougherty, Deb Francesco, Diane George, Ted Greenberg, Amber Hikes, Adam Hymans, Leon King, Moira Mulroney, Bradley Richards and Laurie Ward.
Treasurer the Hon. Ann Butchart was not in attendance.
Director of Center Services Candice Thompson reported on programs, noting that the screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” brought in $700 in revenue and had an attendance of about 100.
The art gallery had a successful opening reception with curator Eli Vandenberg on Nov. 11 and hosted an artist talk with Seattle-based artist Molly Landreth Nov. 16, sponsored by The Leeway Foundation. The center’s next art show will feature a solo exhibition by local artist Elise Dodeles in January and February.
For the center’s LGBT history programming, Thompson said the next archival exhibition will tell the story of the Philadelphia Radical Faeries and opens Jan. 12.
Thompson also reported that the center’s new LGBT cancer support group, which is in partnership with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, launched Oct. 3 with good attendance and participation so far. The program is a three-month pilot and will be evaluated at the end of December to determine if it should continue.
Thompson reported Paul Blore has taken over the Guys Night Out program and has led three successful outings, with an upswing in attendance and participation.
Facilities coordinator Avis Albaladejo reported that center usage and occupancy was steady with 93 percent occupancy and 13 tenants. The AIDS Fund and the Rev. Bob Pileggi have renewed their leases for the next year. The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition has moved into the office vacated by Mountain Meadow and rent will be deferred a few months until it receives its state grants.
Exterior lights have been installed above and below the front of the center, improving safety in the area.
Albaladejo reported that work on the new computer lab has begun and should be completed in two to three weeks. The old recreation room has been divided into two rooms: one for storage and one for a computer lab.
Other upcoming projects for the center include a drop ceiling for the rear of the first-floor hallway, plastic sheeting being placed on all the windows for insulation in the winter and painting the first-floor hallway and the ballroom.
Richards reported on center finances and said revenue is up and expenses are down.
The center reported actual revenue for the fiscal year to date (beginning Oct. 1), at $203,833, which is $85,023 over the $118,810 in revenue the center expected. The surplus was attributed to a $150,000 legacy gift from the Jack Wilcox Endowment Fund. Executive director Chris Bartlett said that some Indigo Ball corporate pledges have not come in yet, accounting for the difference.
Actual expenses were $51,840 — $7,383 less than the anticipated $59,223. Bartlett attributed the lower expenses to spending less than anticipated on building repairs, personnel, programming and marketing and membership outreach, offset by an increase in general operating expenses.
The center’s actual net income for the year to date was $151,993, which was $92,406 more than the expected net income of $59,587. Bartlett said the center has been more conservative with spending, resulting in lower expenses.
The center’s Indigo Ball and Indigogo dance both sold out, generating a total income of $111,008 and expenses of $42,205, netting the center $68,803. The goal for the 2012 Indigo Ball and Indigogo was set at $250,000 total, which was broken down to $150,000 in corporate sponsorships, $100,000 in individual contributions and $75,000 in government and foundation support, with expenses estimated to be $75,000. Bartlett said an increase in expectations for corporate support resulted in the higher 2012 goal.
The center is planning the event a year in advance and hopes to secure 75 percent of the corporate sponsorships by April 2012.
Regarding grant applications, the center recently submitted for The William Penn Foundation ($50,000 for the Artist-in-Residence Program), the National Endowment for the Humanities ($100,000 for the LGBT History Project) and the Philadelphia Foundation ($40,000 for general operations).
The center submitted for and had interviews with Allen Hilles Foundation, First Hospital, Pew Heritage Philadelphia Program and Pew Exhibitions Initiative; Bartlett said he expects a response in the next month or so.
Bartlett said the center’s application to Claneil Foundation was turned down, but that TD Bank pledged $3,000, which he expects to receive in the next month.
The next public board meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 21, at which time new board members will be nominated and elected. Public board meetings will also be held 7 p.m. April 24, July 24 and Nov. 27.
For more information, visit www.waygay.org.
Larry Nichols can be reached at [email protected].