General Membership Meeting Minutes

The Imperial Sovereign Empire of Arizona

 

 

Meeting Date             August 20, 2006

 

Minutes Prepared     August 23, 2006

 

Attendees       Cris Cringle, Craig Van Deen, Michael Gaffney, Joseph Brumley, Justice Prevails, Tim Greeley, Wayne Young, Jeff Muir, Dominic Gonzales, Ron Caputo, Allen Hall, Lady Joy, Stephen Bloom

Absentees      Steve La Fata, Joe Kunkel, Don Hilton (MN)

 

Guests:              Alexis, Reverend Bonnie, Rocco Menaguale & Bethany Johannessen from 1 Voice Community Center

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¨       Call To Order:  Meeting called to order at 2:05 by Craig Van Deen

 

¨       Meeting Minutes From July: Dominic moved to approve the minutes with second by Joe for July Membership Meeting (passed).

 

¨       Treasures Report: Read by Cris: moved by Stephen and second by Justice to approve report (passed). Checking: $1,492.69  Savings: $2001,35

 

Cris has the spreadsheets for the following and will be collecting money at the General Membership meeting.  These are for Name Tags, Business Cards & The Miss Gay Arizona Pageant.  Cris was collecting money and name tags were being worn.

 

Old Business:

 

¨       Red White and Blue Ball at Plazma: The Court raised $1,188.00 for Dominic to help offset the cost of his Father’s Funeral.

¨       San Diego Coronation: Justice – Emperor Steve, Empress Jennifer, Prince Royal Don, Princess Royal Justice, Prince Joe and Marquis Stephen all had a wonderful time in San Diego.  The Emperor and Empress received Grandson and Granddaughter awards from Nicole the Great.  The Imperial Sovereign Empire of Arizona was also named the Daughter Court to San Diego.

¨       Las Vegas Grand Duke and Dutchess Ball: Gaby, Sandy, Lady Joy, Miss Ebony and Craig traveled to Las Vegas.  They had a great time and made many new friends.  Each of them received an award from Civil Wrights and Uncle Bill.  The Court was presented the “Best in Theme Award” on Sunday morning at brunch.   

¨       Sizzle: Sponsored by MCC and Red Magazine raised $6,245.00 for Agape.  Agape was then presented a check from MCC Gentle Shepherd for $15,000.  While at the event we found time to celebrate Jennifer’s “21st” birthday with cake, roses and champagne.

¨       Name Tags & Business Cards: Please see Cris Cringle to pay for both of these.  He has the name tags in his possession.

¨       Membership Information and Dues: If you owe for dues please see Cris Cringle.  For membership information please make sure that we have you address, telephone number and email addresses.

 

 

New Business:

 

¨       1 Voice Community Center: Rocco (President) and Bethany (Secretary) were invited to speak at our meeting by Craig after meeting them at their bowling event on Friday August 18.  They have been in existence for about 2 years.  Their mission is to celebrate, strengthen and support the GLBT Community of greater Phoenix across lines of age, race, ability, gender and economics.  For their first fundraiser they held a bowling event at 32nd and Indian School.  Each team consisted of 10 members who each had to raise at least $200.00 to participate.  Fun was had by all, they raised almost $17,000.00 of which $2,000.00 each went to 1N10 and Conversations of Love.  Their next fundraiser is 1 Voice Gala to be held at the Bentley Projects.  This will be a formal fundraiser.  There will be entertainment, speakers and silent auctions.  They have asked for volunteers to help with setup and cleanup, help with the entertainment, making sure things run smoothly, silent auction help, parking attendants and overall security to watch that no one touches the Art at the Bentley Projects.  Volunteers get into the event for free.  Otherwise, they have asked us to push ticket sales of $75.00 base or $150.00 donor level.  If you add $40.00 to each ticket for Scholarship tickets to allow those who would not be able to afford a ticket otherwise.  To learn more about 1 Voice Community Center check out their website at www.onevoicecommunitycenter.org.  Please let Craig know if there are any volunteers and he will contact Bethany.

***Please see email from Bethany and Rocco on special prices for Friends and Family, I will forward this separately.***

¨        Miss Gay Arizona: Friday August 26 from 7-10pm.  Make sure you pay either Joe or Cris for those that wanted to go.  There is also a preliminary talent contest at Miggee B’s on Thursday evening at 6:30pm.

¨       Tucson Splash: Benefit for Tucson Gay Pride, looking for volunteers on Saturday September 2nd to help out at the event.  Please contact Jennifer or Craig to line up who wants to attend.

 

 

 

¨       Upcoming Events:

August: 60’s, 70’s, 80’s show at Plazma Marquessa Ashley and Marquis Stephen, try to dress in theme attire.  Some of us handed out the last of the posters after the meeting.

 

September: Speak-Easy Sam’s: A Tribute to the Roaring 20’s at Pumphouse II Princess Tiffany and Prince Joe

 

October: Hellfire Ball TBD Emperor Steve Lafata

 

November: Un-versary Party TBD Grand Duke Gaby and Grand Duchess Sandy

 

December: Winter Wonderland at Nu-Towne Countess Jazmine and Count Cris

 

¨       Artist: Don asked that we begin looking for someone to help with set decoration, painting, etc. for the upcoming Coronation.

¨       Membership Drive: Try to come up with ideas to bolster the membership for the court, possibly tying in Tucson and Flagstaff.  Cris is working on some ideas for Flagstaff.

¨       Website: www.imperialcourtaz.org  This is up and running, please take a look.  This will be sponsored by Bud Lite.

¨       Complete Membership Information: Please make sure that we have your address, telephone number and email.  This is for the court’s use only.

¨       Membership Drive: Try to come up with ideas to bolster the membership for the court, possibly tying in Tucson and Flagstaff.  Cris is working on some ideas for Flagstaff.

¨       Portraits for Board and Line Members: Discussed that this would be held at MCC Gentle Shepherd on Saturday September 9th.

¨       Bios for Board and Line Members: Discussed on length of bio should be kept to a minimum.  Get these to Joseph to post on the website

¨        

 

Open Forum:

 

¨       Justice thanked the church members for supporting the Red White & Blue Ball.

¨       Dominic thanked the court for caring and the money raised to help with expenses.

¨       Ron asked if the Court could possibly help with the Agape Turkey Drive to start October 22nd.  Tickets are $5.00 a piece.

¨       Joseph mentioned that the Boys of Leather are coordinating their Canned Food Drive named “Just Because”, that will begin in September, more information to follow.

   

 

¨       Adjourned: Motion by Cris second by Joseph to adjourn