Catalyst Committee Meeting
Minutes January 12, 2007

Location and Time: SAGE Milwaukee Offices at 9am
Present: Maria C. (Presiding), Steve B., Loree C., Mike L., Joe P., Joel R., and Bill. S.

1. Community Breakfast
   
1. Discussion of possible topics included the case filed by the ACLU or the history project.
2. Group discussed structure of the breakfast:
1. Intro to visioning project and goals of the breakfast – forum to share and inform
2. Topic – presented by speaker. To focus on education on an issue vs. calendar or infrastructure of group
3. Panel w/ Q&A – focus on current events such as news or advocacy
4. A round robin to allow groups to list their upcoming activities
3. Group discussed length of breakfast and the balance between sharing information and attention span of audience. Cadenas stated that perceived attendance was at 25.
4. Topic selected: LGBT history, presenters to be the LGBT History Project.
   
5. Panel to focus on “Bridges Connecting Communities.” To invite Maggie Cage, Chris Ahmuty and Wendy (MCC).
6. Encouraged Visioning Project members to discuss and share own success during Q&A
   
2. Future of Project
1. Maria C. expressed need to have a full discussion for February on efforts of the committee. Expressed that committee had achieved a lot and completed what it set out to do: 1) It created a forum for sharing and connecting, the breakfast and 2) the community calendar.
   
2. Joe P. expressed that committee accomplished a great deal, but cautioned against becoming a solid entity. Also stated that hopes for more fluidity in membership had not been realized. Concerned about funding and finding funding for the project were shared and the need for community groups to take ownership of some of the ideas.
3. Bill S. stated importance of continuing to work towards creating a unified voice. Specially considering changes in leadership. Concerned about media and their contacts within the LGBT community.
4. Committee discussed need to talk with LGBT Community Center leadership including the new Executive Director and share concerns.
5. February agenda to focus on the overview of the breakfast and future of project.
   
3. Next Catalyst Committee Meeting: Meetings scheduled for the 2nd Friday of the month at 9am.
   

Catalyst Committee Meeting
Minutes October 13, 2006

Location and Time: SAGE Milwaukee Offices at 9am
Present: Bill S. (Presiding), James P. (Presiding), Craig B., Loree C., Jane O., Joe P., Joel R., Maria C., Marylin G., and Steve B.

1. Milwaukee Environmental Consortium (MEC)
   
1. Marylin G. stated that MEC was created to form a buying power and reduce overhead costs. Focus of costs were initially based on technology. Effort started with two leaders creating a business plan and seeking funding. She noted that MEC does not take positions or advertise itself as an agency nor does it do any projects. However, organizations within MEC have increased collaboration among themselves. Hope is that those collaboration lead to grants that would cover some of MEC expenses. Currently MEC writes grants solely for overhead. MEC received a lot of donations to start. Space is flexible and members do not have to have office/cubicle space to be members. Efforts were underway to create a website that linked and combined all MEC members info including templates etc. Effort took one year to complete. MEC manages volunteers for all groups/members. Most organizations who are part of MEC have paid staff.
   


2. Safe Space Meeting on November 8th
   
1. James P. stated that the Community Center was interested in providing a space for people to come after the election. Space not to provide a plan or focus group. Visioning project supported the effort.
   

3. CSSW
   
1. Jane O. shared concerned for funding for LGBT Foster program and goals. Asked for ideas of where to get funding support or ways to ensure that services continued. Maria C. indicated concern about how this affected current funding. Project committed to support as necessary.



4. George Webb: No change. James P. to continue follow up with Wauwatosa Police
5. Prideweek: No Change

6. Next Catalyst Committee Meeting: Meetings scheduled for the 2nd Friday of the month at 9am. Next Meeting Date: November 10th at 9 am at SAGE offices.
   

Catalyst Committee Meeting
Minutes September 14, 2006

Location and Time: Craigh B.'s Home at 9am
Present: Maria C. (Presiding), Craig B., Loree C., Joe P., Joel R., and Bill S.

1. Community Meeting
1. Committee reviewed minutes from the meeting and talked about the possiblity of inviting Jack Anick or the Milwaukee Environmental Consortium to talk about different organizational models that could serve the project. Minutes approved.
   


2. Survey
1. Committee created deadline of October 22nd for all surveys to be collected. Survey results to be realesed the week of November 13th through a press conference and community meeting.
   
2. Survey needs to be publicized through organization's listserves, newsletters and websites. Bill S. to contact Quest and Project Q to be contacted to reachout to GSA's and college groups.
   

3. Fair Wisconsin
   
1. Committee spoke of importance of getting organized and establishing relationship with Fair Wisconsin to create opportunities of volunteer involvement post Nov. 7th.
   

4. To Do:
   
1. Survey
1. Maria C. to draft an email and letter to distribute to all organizations regarding Survey deadline.
   

2. James P. to contact Project Q to reach out to GSA's and colleges.
   

3. All organization's represented to use newsletter, listserves and website to promote survey.

4. Joel R. to work on getting newspapers to post info on survey and to post on OnWisconsin.com

5. SAGE to contact Quest

6. Joel P., Maria C., and a UWM survey expert to analyze survey results the week of Oct. 22nd.

7. Survey Results to be released throug press conference on Nov. 9th, as organized by Joel R. and a community meeting as organized by James P., Bill S., Jane O., and Steve B. on Nov. 15th with announcement out by Oct. 15th.
   

2. PrideWeek
1. Bill S., James P., and Maria C. to follow up on contact with PrideFest and Pride Parade before Oct. 12th.

3. Central Meeting Place – James P. to follow with Dave M.

4. Merging Models - Maria C. to contact MEC representative to present at next catalyst community meeting.

5. Next Catalyst Committee Meeting: Meetings scheduled for the 2nd Friday of the month at 9am. Next Meeting Date: October 13 at 9 am at SAGE offices.
   

LGBT Community Meeting
Minutes September 9, 2006

Location and Time: Milwaukee Gay Arts Center 10am
Present: Craig B., Dave B., Steve B., Jennifer C., Loree C., Maria C., Tim C., Scott G., Autumn H., Paul M., Terri M., James, P., Joe P., Joel R., Paul W. and Tom W.

1. Introductions
   


2. Mission and Vision
1. Maria C. and James P. gave overview of the mission and vision of the group and history of what it was intended to do. Terri M. asked about outreach to the Racine area and work to support Racine GSA. Maria C. offered to meet and talk with Terri M. after meeting.

3. Accomplishments
   
1. Catalyst Committee – James P. and other catalyst committee members spoke the purpose and format of the committee. Scott G. raised questions of diversity, including business representatives and people of color. Maria C. indicated that there was a lot of work to do, but that the committee was focusing in leading by example and always having the door open for new members, including businesses.
   
2. Rainbow Picnic – Project worked behind the scenes to sign up other organizations to be present. Result was 150 people attended. There was a strong show of diversity – age, class, race and ethnicity.

3. Community Calendar – in test phase to encourage one central place for all events to be listed. The current calendar was updatable by everyone and it was online. The calendar was accessible through the visioning project website or through CCF. Other organizations to add it to their links.

4. Community Survey – Current information and need of further representation from other communities. Indicated that only 30 responses for online survey have been gathered. Current data indicates high level of white and partnered individuals. Need more input for other groups. People asked to take the survey and forward to friends.
   



4. Future Projects
   
1. Pride Week – Catalyst committee reviewing to serve as neutral/central place to discuss PrideFest, Pride Parade and additional events to create a Pride Week. Steve B. informed that it may work to include choruses as part of week. There was a general consensus of support towards this.
   

2. Central Meeting Space Manager – James P. informed of intention to have LGBT Center as a central place for groups to ask about space, including non-Center locations such as the Friends Meeting House, Bucketworks, etc. There was a general consensus of support towards this.

3. Milwaukee Gay Arts Center/Newspaper – Paul M. and Dave B. asked for support to the Gay Arts Center since the closing of QLife created financial strains for the group. Immediate need included production costs and rent. Looking to raise $10,000 as safety net. Tim C. indicated that future goal would need board and fundraising development. Maria C. restated that CCF had tools and offered their support in providing organizational development as needed. Tim. C. indicated importance of expressing a positive and supportive to LGBT leaders, even when they made mistakes.
   

4. Group expressed need for someone to organize skilled individuals for Board/Project recruitment. Specifically individuals with fundraising, accounting, and/or business experience.
   

5. Steve B. proposed that it maybe necessary to ask the question on whether there were too many groups, and this limited access to good board talent. He stated that maybe it was possible to merge groups, like the choruses, to one 501(c)3. Group discussed the possible new way to arrange groups to become more effective.

   
   
5. Next Catalyst Committee Meeting: Meetings scheduled for the 2nd Thursday of September at 9am. Location Craig B.’s home @ 6520 Milwaukee Avenue in Wauwatosa.

Catalyst Committee Meeting
Minutes August 10, 2006

Location and Time: Camp Heartland at 9am
Present: Johnny K. (Presiding), Craig B., Loree C., Mike L., Jane O., James P., Joseph P., Joel R., Bill S., and Mary V.

1. Introductions
   


2. Space
   
1. Maria C. had a meeting with Jim from Bucket Works. During the meeting an idea emerged concerning meeting space needs for the LGBT community and its organizations. Although, the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center attempts to meet the need for meeting space, the Center’s space is not always appropriate or available. James P. has volunteered Dave Martin (Operations Assistant) at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center to begin the process of identifying available space throughout the community and provide a “clearing house” for alternative meeting space.
   


3. Pride Week
   
1. Maria C., Bill S., and James P. will meet with Pride Fest coordinators to talk about the possibility of a “Pride Week” that will offer events throughout the week preceding Pride Fest.
   


4. Community Meeting
   
1. The next Visioning Project Community Meeting will be held at the Gay Arts Center on Saturday, September 9 @ 10:00 am. The agenda will be as follows:
   
   • 2006 Pride Fest Feedback
   
   • Possible Pride Week Events
   - Brainstorm
   - Research – what have similar size cities done/accomplished?
   
   • Accomplishments of the Visioning Project to date:
   - Community Survey – Hard copy and on-line
   - Joint Calendar
   - Other accomplishments?
   
   • Survey on-line
   
   
5. Next Meeting: Meetings scheduled for the 2nd Thursday of the September at 9am. Location Craig B.’s home @ 6520 Milwaukee Avenue in Wauwatosa.

Catalyst Committee Meeting
Minutes July 13, 2006

Location and Time: Milwaukee LGBT Community Center at 9am
Present: Jenny C. (Presiding), Craig B., Steve B., Loree C., Maria C., Johnny K., Michael L., Joel R., Bill S, and Mary V.

1. Introductions and Overview of skills
   


2. Survey
   
1. Committee took survey as test run to test for basic format. Curtis to send to others for review and update. To be completed by the 22nd.
   


3. Needs Assessment
   
1. Bill S. spoke with Pat from the Nonprofit Management Fund. She encouraged for group to write a proposal by Labor Day. Committee still needs to review possible consultants to conduct the work.
   


4. Picnic
   
1. PFLAG received $1,000 as a gift to go towards the Rainbow Picnic. Group to create a Banner. Maria C. and Bill S. to meet after meeting to discuss in detail publicity of the event.
   
   
5. Community Tools
   
1. Maria C. meeting with James from Bucketworks to review costs and options of creating a Wiki based calendar and organizational listing. Invited other Catalyst Committee members to join.
   


6. Community Meeting
   
   1. Committee discussed need to host another community guide meeting to update community members about work and success. Meeting scheduled for Sept. 9th at 10. Location suggested was the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center. Bill S. to confirm location.
      


7. PrideFest
   
1. Maria C., James P., and Bill S. meeting with Scott Gunkel to talk about how PrideFest and volunteer organizations can work better during the event.
   
   
8. Next Meeting: Meetings scheduled for the 2nd Thursday of the August at 9am. Location Camp Heartland (1845 N Farwell Ave, Ste 300). Meeting will be facilitated by Johnny K.

Catalyst Committee Meeting
Minutes June 22, 2006

Location and Time: SAGE Offices at 9am
Present: James P. (Presiding), Craig B., Jennifer C., Maria C., Johnny K., Michael L., Joseph P., Joel R., and Bill S.

1. Introductions and Overview of Mission/Vision
   


2. Rainbow Picnic
   
1. Scheduled for July 22nd at Lake Park Area 3 starting at 11 am. Advertising to be done through sponsors. Catalyst Committee members to follow up with sponsors to ensure payment and publicity of event. Rainbow group to arrange for flyer/poster. Bill S. to follow up. Deadline will be the end of June to confirm sponsors and survey development. Event will be a potluck with sponsor fees paying for meat, condiments, plates etc. and attendees brining food based on the following:
   
   1. A-K: Side Dish; L-R: Dessert; S-Z: Snacks.
      


3. Visioning Survey
   
1. Maria C. informed committee that one of the creators of the initial survey to be distributed at PrideFest had expressed strong opposition to its distribution. In respect to her wishes survey was not distributed. Jennifer C. felt it was important to move forward with an initial survey to guide project efforts and indicated that she and others aided in the effort outside of that one person.
   

   Committee discussed benefits of having an initial survey conducted and voted to move forward with survey but requested that Jennifer C. solicit input from others sociologists and Gary H. before distribution. James P. indicated that it was possible to find new ways to distribute and reach a diverse and larger group of individuals. Possibility of using Shepherd Express, Vital, and other news sources outside of LGBT media were mentioned.
   



4. Next Steps
   
1. Research next steps to complete a needs assessment of the community and review possible consultants to do so. Indicated that Gary H. had already volunteered services. Committee discussed value and expertise of the offer and appointed James P. and Bill S. to look at all options before a decision was made.
   


2. Create and distribute organization list to Outsource, Queer Life and others.
   


3. Pilot community calendar created, but cost of a permanent more professional calendar and its benefits needed to be discussed.
   


4. Meetings scheduled for the 2nd Thursday of the month at 9am. Location TBA. Next meeting will be held on July 13th at 9am at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. Meeting will be facilitated by Jennifer C.

Catalyst Committee Meeting
Minutes May 26, 2006

1. Picnic
1. Bill and Maria suggested that the Visioning Project Kickoff be combined with the already planned Rainbow Picnic, which was being sponsored by BWMT, Lesbian Alliance, PFLAG, Project Q, and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Church. The role of the Visioning Project will be to get more groups to sign up as sponsor at $10, with the project covering any costs, within reason, not covered by those fees. Ownership of the event and planning would remain at the planning committee level of the Rainbow Picnic. The Visioning Project will provide materials, and have a five minute speaking time to talk about its vision. Picnic will remain a potluck.

2. Committee members agreed to contact groups to ask for sponsorship.
   


2. PrideFest
   
1. Committee members to staff two listening sessions. One on Saturday at 1pm and one on Sunday at 4pm. Committee members to contact those already interviewed to have them participate. Goal is to have 20 to 30 people participate at each session.

2. Maria to contact PrideFest to verify if surveys could be distributed at event, including at organization's tables/space.

3. Next Steps
1. Next meeting schedule for June 22nd at 9am at the SAGE offices (1845 N Farwell, Suite 220). Meeting will be facilitated by James and Maria .