Notes - Pacific Northwest PFLAG Conference Call - April 6, 2010

On the call were Caesar Hernandez from PFLAG National; Teri Noble from
Oregon State Council; Becky Groves from Central Oregon; Kathy Reim from
Skagit County, WA; David Bentley from Friday Harbor, WA; Mary WilAllen
from Friday Harbor, WA; Marcie Mathis from Bremerton, WA; Gabi & Alec
Clayton from Olympia, WA;  Matthew Swanson from Bellingham, WA; Barbara Clark-Elliott from Seattle, WA; Bill Gross from Vancouver, WA; Jay Gregory from Longview, WA; Vernene Schuerer from Tacoma, WA; Reagan Oliver from Spokane, WA; and Wendy Wartes from Bellevue, WA.

REMINDERS:

Chapter Leaders may contact Kathy Reim, our Regional Director, with
questions and ideas by email at <kreim@earthlink.net> or by phone at
360-856-4676.

Our Regional Web Site is http://www.pnwpflag.org. Be sure to send info
on upcoming meetings and events to Terry Rhines <Trhineswa@aol.com> so
that he can get the info on our state web site for others to see. Also
be sure to check the site for interesting events in other communities.

CALL AGENDA ITEMS THIS MONTH:

1.  Flying House Magazine Advertisement

Kathy Reim reported that she has placed a four-color ad for PFLAG in
Flying House Magazine, a publication of the Seattle Men's and Women's
Choruses. The ad features four talking points about PFLAG and lists our
PNW web site for contact information rather than the national web site.
The cost of the ad was $1,000. The Skagit County Chapter fronted the
money for the ad with the hope that they will recoup all but $300 from
other chapters and individuals who wish to donate to the cost of the ad.
Money should be sent to the Skagit Chapter at 23262 Meadow View Lane,
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284.


2.  Washington State Chapter Status

Kathy Reim shared that Terry Rhines has discovered that the IRS number
for the Washington State Chapter is still valid. So he has renewed it.
We will discuss how we might revitalize a state Chapter at a future meeting.


3.  Pizzazz Program On the Road

Kathy Reim, our Regional Director, has taken her new "How to Put Pizzazz
in Your PFLAG Chapter" program to Bellingham, Everett, and Friday Harbor.
Now she is making plans on taking it to Wenattchee and other areas in East
Central Washington. Kathy will send the outline to chapter leaders for
review. It is good material for board members, support folks, and others
who haven't stepped into leadership roles yet. Kathy will take the program
to chapters when invited.


4.  Regional Directors Meeting

Kathy Reim will attend a Regional Directors Meeting at the end of the
month. She wants to take our questions, requests, and suggestions to
National. Chapter leaders should contact Kathy if they have something
for her to share or find out.


5.  Regional Leadership Training Nov. 12, 13, & 14 in Bend, OR

Kathy Reim, Teri Noble, and Caesar Hernandez announced a Pacific Northwest Regional Leadership Training to be held in Bend, OR this November. Becky Groves from the host chapter in Central Oregon told us that Bend is in the middle of the state on Hwy. 97 that comes south from the Dalles. She said that there is an airport in Redmond, OR, and that most hotels have transportation to and from that airport. She also told us that it will be
beautiful, but cold with snow capped volcanoes nearby and a river walk
downtown.

National will contribute $500 to the conference, and leaders in both WA
and OR will try to get some grant or outreach funding from the Pride
Foundation and Equity Oregon. Caesar also expects to be able to get some
in kind contributions from printers, food suppliers, and others as well
as funding from donor & sponsors. He wants to keep the cost as low as
possible for participants. Kathy suggested that chapters start fund
raising activities now to be able to offer some travel funds and/or
scholarships to those who would like to attend the conference. It is
the usual time that Oregon Chapters get together, so they will be there
in force. It would be nice to be able to help some chapters from Alaska,
Idaho, and Montana get some folks there as well.

Chapter leaders who have ideas for topics to be considered for
presentation at the conference should contact Kathy Reim or Caesar
Hernandez. It would also be helpful for chapter leaders to give Kathy
their best estimate of how many members might come to the conference.
Knowing a minimum and maximum number would be very helpful for the
planning team. Kathy also said it would be helpful for chapter leaders
to suggest their top 3 favorite DVDs and top 4 favorite books to help
with decisions about resources to be made available for sale at the
conference.

The comment from Kathy about DVDs reminded Caesar to announce the
promotion from National in regard to the movie "Out in Silence." This
56 min. film is about a courageous mom who stands up for her gay son
in a small town high school. A free copy of the DVD and a kit of
materials to accompany it are available for free to any chapter in
good standing (meaning that their 2009 dues are paid). Interested
Chapters may contact Caesar for further details.


6.  Chapter Check-Ins and Invitations

Seattle, WA -- Barb Clark-Elliott told us that on the 31st their
chapter had the first of what they hope will be quarterly events
with out politicians from the city, county, and state political
scene. Their board has just added two new, young board members.
Her Chapter will also have PFLAG tables at the Seattle Men's
Chorus Concert.

Tacoma, WA -- Vernene Schuerer announced that Patrick Chapman will
speak at their monthly support meeting on Thursday (rather than in
March as reported in notes last month).

Bellingham, WA -- Matthew Swanson reported that the Purple Passion
Swing Band, a small ensemble from the Rainbow City Marching Band, will
perform at 6 pm on April 24th at the Mount Baker Theatre. Tickets are
$20 for general admission with a $10 student ticket. The event is a fund
raiser for PFLAG and Bellingham Pride.

Vancouver, WA -- Bill Gross shared that his chapter is putting together
a program on youth suicide prevention with emphasis on GLBT youth. They
are working with Heather Carter. It was stated that "Trevor," a short
film from TV and connected with the nationwide Trevor Project is an
excellent resource on LGBT suicide prevention. Caesar can help get
resource materials for this film, which includes kits for media and
counselors.

Olympia, WA -- The Claytons announced that their chapter is screening
"Inlaws and Outlaws" along with a talk by Drew Emery this Sunday at
First United Methodist Church.

Spokane, WA -- Reagan Oliver told us that her chapter has been invited
to speak at the June meeting of Inland Northwest Business Alliance, a
group of GLBT business folks and allies.


7.  Our next conference call will be at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4.
Be sure to mark your calendars now and remember to join us or to find a
substitute if you cannot attend.