5 members or guests present.
Agenda:
Introductions
Administration*
Sharing
Discussion of Chapter meetings/programs*
Adjournment @ 8:30 p.m.
*=details below
Administration:
1. Michael presented the detailed cash flow of the PFLAG checking account and answered questions from members. The Knoxville PFLAG chapter has not paid national dues since 2009. Dues are $25 per member per year. National dues are $15 of this amount. The other $10 goes to the Knoxville chapter.
Chapter no longer pays rent to TVUUC as PFLAG is considered a TVUUC “program”.
2. Chapter has lost its tax-exempt status due to not filing required tax returns for the past three years. If Chapter is not tax-exempt, then contributions to chapter are not tax-deductible. Kim H. took the action to get the forms, understand the process, fill in the forms, inform President and Treasurer of the required fees, obtain a check from Treasurer for the fees, and file the forms necessary to reinstate Chapter’s tax-exempt status. Once Chapter is reinstated, Secretary or Treasurer will be required to file an annual information return; Kim will get the details.
3. Larry took the action to get the Chapter’s charter, bylaws, and declaration to Kim for typing. Kim will put these files into MS Word so they can be shared (and updated, when necessary) more easily. Kim will send the softcopy files to the officers when complete.
4. Chapter must determine what to do about collecting dues from members, and when to do so. The bylaws likely contain the rules for this. It was noted that with all the current legislation and news coverage of TN legislation and legislators, this is a good time to run a membership campaign.
Chapter must also determine what to do about payment of national dues for 2010, 2011, and 2012.
Discussion:
1. Larry is renting a van to take interested people to Nashville for the Equality on the Hill Day, March 13. Contact Larry to join the ride.
2. In preparation for the March 13 events, a Lobbying 101 course is being offered in Knoxville as follows (thanks to Ben B. as this is a copy and paste of his post to the TEP Knox County website):
“Hi everyone, Advancing Equality Day 2012 (AED) is coming up soon on March 13th. It’s one of TEP’s biggest events and a chance to make a real difference for Equality by meeting face to face with state lawmakers. We need to have a huge group this year since we’re up against so much bad legislation, especially targeting our young people.
In preparation for the trip there are a number of trainingintroduction sessions in Knoxville that we call “Lobbying 101″. These 60 – 90 minute sessions will give you the information you’ll need to make your case when meeting with lawmakers as well as an overview of the current political situation and the status of legislation that we’re watching. It’s also a great time to meet with people who have gone on previous years and maybe even work out a carpool.
While attendance at a Lobbying 101 is NOT REQUIRED to go to AED, I definitely encourage everyone to attend one, especially if this will be your first time on the Hill. Of course if you can’t make the trip to Nashville but still want to learn more about the process, please feel free to attend. The sessions are free and open to everyone.
Session 1: Sat Feb 11th 10:30am Hosted by Planned Parenthood @ 710 North Cherry Street
Session 2: Thurs Feb 16th 7:00pm Hosted by TEP, @ Church of the Savior 934 N. Weisgarber Rd
Session 3: Thurs Mar 1st 6:30pm Hosted by PFAG Maryville @ Fayerwearther Hall rm 205 on the Maryville College campus”
3. There was discussion of possible programs for upcoming PFLAG Knoxville meetings. Rachel and Michael took the action to engage the UTK GSA lead as a possible speaker for the next PFLAG Knoxville meeting. It was agreed that cultivating an ongoing relationship with the UTK GSA would be a valuable activity.
Larry took the action to email the PFLAG distribution list to ask if anyone is willing to serve as Programs Chair. Rachel may be willing to serve if there are no other interested parties.
Next PFLAG Knoxville meeting: Thursday, March 8, 2012 at TVUUC.
