Serving the Queer (LGBTQIA) Ohana of Hawaii since 1973
Aloha and E Komo Mai (welcome) to the Aloha Pride Center a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization!
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April 2008 Newsletter
Mr. & Miss Fashionista Pageant and Extravaganza
We're very excited to announce the first major Aloha Pride Center fundraising event of 2008, the Mr. & Miss Fashionista Pageant. Celebrate our diversity and have a fabulous time on May 18, 2008 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Tickets are now on sale on our website or you can contact the pageant coordinator Janel Dulan at spicyt@alohapridecenter.org.
Aloha Pride Center Financial Update
Over the past two months, we've raised $6,312 from the incredible generosity of many of our friends. However, we still have a ways to go to reach our fundraising goal of $15,000.
We have reduced our outstanding debt to $4,440 which is a credit card balance. We have frozen that account and are paying that down in monthly installments. As of 4/7/08, our checking account balance is $3,615. Our primary goal is to reopen in a new physical location with a rent of no more than $1,000 per month. To accomplish that, we need a bank balance of $12,000, an amount equal to one year's lease. The APC relies on the financial support from the community, so please consider either making a one-time donation or becoming an I Belong Signup member, either of which can be made through our website. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all monies received by the Aloha Pride Center are tax deductible.
Letter from the Chair, Aloha Pride Center
Aloha nui kakou,
A Big Mahalo to all of those who have contributed to the Aloha Pride Center (APC) through the years and most importantly during the first few months of 2008. Mahalo for having vision and compassion for Hawai'i's community and ohana. This is what I, along with your current Board of Directors (BOD), strive and work for.
It was stated in February 2008 that the new Board of Directors (all volunteers) had joined the board within the past nine months. In the eight months that followed, the board discovered that it had inherited many unknown financial problems. Reducing spending became paramount. Therefore, the Board of Directors (BOD) reluctantly made the difficult decision to close the doors to the Aloha Pride Center's physical office which was located at 614 South Street, suite 105. This is only temporary with your help.
As Chair of the Aloha Pride Center (APC), it is my vision that the APC help foster our Hawaii Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community with Aloha. I would like to see Hawaii's LGBT community come together regularly, not just at the annual Pride Parade and Festival. I would like us (APC) to facilitate a monthly Community Building Event such as a barbecue, picnic, volleyball games, or even an afternoon music jam session at an outdoor venue which can bring people from all communities together. Whether our participants come from the women's, mahu (transgender), men's, bisexual, young person's, retired person's, runner's, bear's, Polynesian, haole, heterosexual communities is not as important as coming together as a community and an ohana.
There may be some in our LGBT community that may have recently come to the realization that they don't identify as heterosexual. There are many more in our community who have lived with that similar reality for years. I would like that the Aloha Pride Center's BOD develop a support program for our community members who are newly (I hate to use the term) "out" as well as those who have been "out" for some time to become empowered around their sexuality, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Some people have asked, "Why was the name changed? It was just fine the way it was." Our former name was simply The Center. If one had moved to Hawaii from either the continental US or another country, there is a good chance that they wouldn't know what we were unless you asked someone. The BOD chose to change the name to reflect those qualities that we strive to represent.
Aloha to honor the unique place where we are, Hawaii. It is defined as "love, affection, compassion, mercy, kindness," one of the first Hawaiian words people not of Hawaii come to acquaint themselves with. Pride is defined as "the happy satisfied feeling one experiences when having or achieving something that other people admire." This is also a term that many have associated with the LGBT community, especially in the summertime, when metropolitan cities host their "Pride" Parades and Festivals. Last but definitely not least, is the word Center. This is what the BOD strives to create: a hub, a central middle, not too far to the left, nor too far to the right, a place where we all can come together and rejoice in our similarities and come to understand and appreciate our differences. It is not our desire to be the one deciding voice for our Hawaii LGBT community. Rather the Aloha Pride Center hopes to be one of many voices reflecting countless experiences and aspirations of Hawaii's LGBT community.
How can your Aloha Pride Center directors help to make that happen? I have shared my thoughts and feelings. Now I am interested to know what your thoughts and feelings are, our community members and ohana. Please let us know by voicing your ideas and thoughts on our blog at Aloha Pride Center Blog.
I invite you to kokua and help the Board of Directors create the Aloha Pride Center that is right for you.
Mahalo a nui loa for your continued support and for taking the time to read my letter to you.
'O au iho no me ka ha'aha'a,
Charles Mono Ah Nee
Aloha Pride Center Membership Drive - I Belong
The APC needs your financial help. Please consider becoming a regular donor by signing up to become an I Belong member. It's now easier than ever. Simply click the I Belong Signup under the I Belong Program page. You can donate as little as $5 per month using your VISA or MasterCard credit card, no more paper forms to fill out.
Founding Advertiser Program
Exciting news! Our website is now exceeding 1,000 new and returning visitors each month. As a result, the APC website is now a viable marketing tool for businesses. Our goal is to obtain at least 100 new business advertisers through our Founding Advertiser Program through the end of May 2008. This program will provide a 30% discount to advertisers who signup for a one-year prepaid website ad or a 20% discount if invoiced monthly. We envision this component of our business as the revenue source for funding all operational expenses. If you are a business owner or have a friend that is, please contact us at info@alohapridecenter.org for rate information or visit Our Advertisers website section for more information.
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