2015AnnualBreakfast

and

MembershipMeeting

Our2014BusinessSponsors

Thankyoutoour2014businesssponsors!OurdirectoryofLGBTQownedandLGBTQwelcomingbusinessesisnotonlyhelpfulforourlocalandregionalcommunitymembers,butitalsobecomesaninvaluableresourcefortouristsandnewresidentsmovingtoourareaforschoolorprofessionalopportunities.

Tobea2015BusinessSponsorpleasevisithttp://7riverslgbtq.org/get-involved/supporting-business-member/

CorporateMembership

AltraFederalCreditUnion

CBSGraphics

ChristinaMaeOlson,CFP

DriftlessRecoveryServices

LiveWellChiropractic&Wellness

MarkMcDDesign

MikatPublicRelations,Inc.

Mom'sFarm

PearlStreetBooks

PlayersBar

Ralph'sPrettyGoodOrganicMeat

TheMonogramCompany

TheWineGuyz

UsanaHealthSciences

ViroquaFoodCooperative

WillowsCenterforRenewal

CorporateEducator

AbsolutelyTherapeutic!LLC

Courtesy Car Care

GregBonney,ESQ

CorporateFriend

HereMediaInc.

PhotographyWithoutBorders

Re/MaxFirstChoice-MichaelPeterson,ABR

ReliantRealEstateServices

CorporateSupporter

CavalierTheaterandLounge

RadissonHotelLaCrosse

Advocate

DigiSage,Inc.

Benefactor

VendiAdvertising

2014ExecutiveDirectorReportFromJacksonJantzen

2014provedtobeanamazingyearforourorganization’sgrowth.Throughouttheyearweinitiatedmanychangesandcontinuedtobuildafoundationforastablefuture.VendiAdvertisingdonatedthesignificantgiftofarebrandingcampaign,whichincludedanewlook,newwebsiteandfocusedmessage.Thishelpsuscontinuebuildingawarenessaboutourservices,supportandadvocacy.InAugust,wemovedtoournewlocation,whichmanyhaveexpressedasasaferandmorewelcomingspace.Thismovehastranslatedtoahighernumberofvisits,morerequestsforinformationandgrowingopportunitiestopartnerwiththegreatercommunity.

2014Highlights

Operations:

• TheCenterwasopenandavailabletothepublicfor2,015hours(onaverage,160hourseachmonth)thankstomorethan30volunteers.Thiswasanincreasefrom1,407hoursin2013.

• OurpartnersattheWomen’sResourceCenterinWinonacontinuetodonatespaceintheirfacilityallowingustohaveapresenceinWinonaforhostingmeetingsandevents.

Funding:

• WereceivedtwograntsfromtheLaCrosseCommunityFoundationtotaling$25,000.• TheLaCrosseCommunityFoundationalsoextendedusanamazingopportunitybyofferingamatchinggrant.

Toachievethisgoal,wemustraise$34,800tobesubmittedtothefundwhichwillbematchedanddrawa4.5%annualreturn!ThankstotheKeepTheLightsOnFundstartedatthe2014AnnualBreakfast,andfundraisingconductedin2014,weclosedtheyearwith$2,565towardourgoal!

VolunteerandOrganizationalSupport:

• Over90volunteersdonatedtimetoourorganizationin2014,includingfivevolunteeringover250hourseach!• Ourleadershipteamservedacollective2,205hourstosupportTheCenter.

Programming(*NewtoTheCenterin2014):• AAGroup-LGBTQWelcoming*• AdultDrop-In• Andromeda(18-25yearsold)*• CourageousConversations*• Galaxy(13-20yearsold)• GFPN(GayFriendlyProfessionalNetwork)*• InQueery(LearningandEducationPrograming)*• MindfulnessandMeditationGroup*• PANDA(ParentsandAllies)*• TransgenderSupportGroup

ImportantOutreachSuccessStories:• InternationalLGBT:WesuccessfullyassistedtwogaymengrantedasylumtotheU.S.afterfleeingacountry

wheretheirliveswereindanger.WehelpedthemescapeabusiveconditionsinLaCrosseandrelocatetoamajormetropolitancity.Inadditionweconnectedthemwithanon-profitdesignedtohelprefugeesintegrateintotheirnewcity,assistthemwithhousingandlegitimate,predator-freeemployment.

• Ourrebrandingcampaignprovidedusanopportunitytoreachnewaudiencesviabillboards,newsoutlets,radioandevents.Thishasledtonewpartnershipsandadditionalopportunitiesforeducationandadvocacy.

• TheCenternowoffersdirectoriesofover40LGBTQfriendlyandwelcomingbusinessesandcommunityresources.ThesebusinessesrepresentorganizationswhohaveinvestedinusandarecommittedtobeingLGBTQwelcoming.

• PRIDE2014wasaresoundingsuccess.Weareexcitedtobuildonthissuccessin2015.• November1stmarkedthefirstdayofourfull-timeExecutiveDirectorposition.Weareproudtheorganization

hasafull-timefocusongrowingourabilitytoserve,advocateandincreaseopportunitiestoeducatethroughoutthe11Countiesweserve.

2015Focus:

• HostElderNetworktrainingopportunities.• BuildalliancesoutsideofLaCrosseCountybyofferingLGBTQSummitswhichtargetgovernmentagencies,non-

profits,schoolsandotherorganizationsthatserveasafrontlineforLGBTQpopulations.• Continuetoberesponsivetotheprogrammingneedsconnectedtoourmission.• DevelopnewrelationshipsforourLGBTQfriendlyandwelcomingdirectories.• Buildindividualandbusinesssponsorshipsupport.• Fundraisetoreachourgoalforthematchinggrantcampaign.• Enhancevolunteeringandinternopportunities.

President’sReport2014BlytheNewburg

IthasbeenaremarkableyearforTheCenter:7RiversLGBTQConnection.Ican’tthankeveryoneenoughforalltheirhardworkanddedicationtoourCenter,ourmissionandourvision.WehaveacoregroupofamazingvolunteerswhohavedonatedhundredsofhoursoftheirtimetoTheCenter,ourprogrammingandeventsthisyear.ThankyoutoeachvolunteerwhohelpsusmoveTheCenterforward!

ThankyoualsotoourincomparableExecutiveDirector,JacksonJantzen,whohasworkedtirelesslythisentireyearonseveralprojects,eventsandinitiativesforTheCenter.Thankyou,Jackson,foreverythingyouhavedoneandcontinuetodo!

Thisyearwesawamajoroverhaultohowwepresentourorganization–withthehelpofVendiAdvertisingandtheiroutstandingre-brandingofourname,logoandmessaging.WearesogratefulfortheimpressiveworkandtalentKathyVanKirkandherteamdonated.WearehonoredtohaveannouncedVendiAdvertisingasourfirstbenefactor-levelcorporatesponsor.ThankyoutoboardmemberandSecretaryBobLindnerfor(amongmanyotherthings)ourfantasticnewwebsite,whichhasseenasignificantincreaseintrafficandutilizationsinceitsredesign.

WewerealsoabletorelocatefromourPearlStreetlocationtoanewspaceattheintersectionofSixthandCassStreetsinLaCrosse.Theresponsetothismovehasbeenoverwhelminglypositiveandweareveryexcitedthateveryoneseemstoloveournewhome.Weareveryhappythere!

InSeptember,wehostedSoYouThinkYouCanDrag!?attheCavalierTheatreandLounge;andtheverynextdayweheldPrideFestinCameronParkinLaCrosse.EveryoneatTheCenterwasbeyondthrilledwiththeturnoutofbothoftheseeventsandthefeedbackofenhancedinclusivityandvisibility.Theseeventsoccurredbecauseofthehardworkofourmanycommunitypartnerswhoparticipated,aswellasboardmembersandseveraldedicatedvolunteers,mostespeciallyAleshaSchandelmeier,ourOutreachCommitteeChair.

InOctober,wewereproudtomarchforequalityovertheCassStreetBridgeonNationalComingOutDay(October11).ThisgaveusanopportunitytopartnerwiththePrideCenteratUW–LaCrosseandincreasethevisibilityofourcommunity.Thankyoutothosewhomarchedinsolidaritywithus–itwasaverycoolexperience!

Octoberalsobroughtusthelegalizationofsame-sexmarriageinWisconsin.Finallybeinggrantedfairnessandthefreedomtomarrywhomweloveinourstatewasgratifying,tosaytheleast.HowevertheworkofLGBTQadvocatesnationwide,aswellaslocallyinLaCrosse,isnotyetcomplete.TheCenterneedsyoursupportsothatwemaycontinuetoworkonthechallengeofseekinglegalandsocialequalityforallindividuals,regardlessofsexualorientation,genderidentityorgenderexpression.Wehaveseveralgoalsandopportunitiesaheadofusin2015,andwelookforwardtogrowingourpresenceintheLaCrossecommunity,alongsideourmanysupportersandallies.

Thankyou,everyone,foragreat2014atTheCenter!IthasbeenmypleasurebeingthePresidentoftheBoardofDirectors,andaGalaxyco-facilitator.

OutreachCommittee 2014wasafantasticyearforTheCenterandTheOutreach&EventsCommitteewascertainlybusyplanningandexecutingsomeamazingevents!

In2014theOutreachcommitteeandPRIDEcommitteesmergedtocreateastrongorganizingforcetoplanLaCrossePRIDE.Inanefforttoincorporatetheentirecommunity,includingstudentsattheuniversities,wemovedtheeventfromAugusttoSeptember.

OnFriday9/12weheld‘SoYouThinkYouCanDrag?’attheCavalierTheater&Loungeincludingbothfirst-timeperformersandseasonedprofessionals.ThetheaterwaspackedandpeopleembracedtheemceeBrandonnaDupri.Wealsocrowned2014KingandQueenofLaCrossePRIDE,NicoliClyneandTammyWhy-NottBreeze!

Themorningafterthedragshow,wesetuponabeautifulfalldayatCameronParkindowntownLaCrosse.Respondingtocommunityfeedback,wefocusedondeliveringafree,family-friendly,community-focusedfestival.Anestimated700peopleenjoyedthefestivalwhiletheylistenedtomusicandvisitedour22vendorsincludingcommunitygroups,artisans,andfoodvendors.Thekids’activitytentwasahugehit!

Laterintheyear,wetookbackHalloweennightbymovingtheGalaandmakingsomecreativechanges.TheeventattheConcordiaBallroomallowedusplentyofspacefordining,raffles,aDJ,dancing,andevenacostumecontest!

Inadditiontothemajorevents,weparticipatedinseveralsmallereventsincluding:GiveOutDay,LoveisLove:Photoexhibit,NamoliBrennetConcert,Soberfest,ViterboWelcomeBackBashandMy2014.

Wearejustasexcitedforall2015holdssomakesureyoucheckoutourwebsiteforinformationandsignupforourmailinglist!

DevelopmentCommittee

TheDevelopmentCommitteefocusedontwoareasin2014.Thefirstwasbuildinganinfrastructuretoeffectivelyreachouttoandcommunicatewithoursupporters.ThecommitteeresearchedseveraldonormanagementsoftwareprogramsandisintheprocessofinputtingdataandcustomizingourchosenprogramtomeetTheCenter’sneeds.OursecondfocuswastodesignfundraisingstrategiesthatsupportTheCenter’sstabilityandgrowth.Weareplanningaseriesofcampaignsfor2015designedtohighlighttheworkofTheCenteranditsvaluetothecommunity.

GrantsCommittee

In2014TheCenterwasawardedtwograntsfromtheLaCrosseCommunityFoundation.Thefirstgrantawardedfor$5,000wasgivenforTheCenter’sdiligentandpassionateworkwiththeyouthgroupGalaxy.Thesecondgrantawarded,another$20,000,wasfromtheircultureanddiversityworkcategory,whichrecognizestheoveralllargescopeofworkandmissionofTheCenter.

Newsofthesegrantawardscamewithanadditionalopportunityfora$34,800matchinggrant.OurorganizationhasuntilDecember2015toraisethematchinggrantfundstobeheldattheLaCrosseCommunityFoundationandyielda4.5%yearlyreturn.

FinancialReport

Inadditiontothegrants,wereceived$26,316indirectpublicsupportwhichiscomprisedof$19,985fromindividualsupportersand$6,331frombusinesssupporters.Ourlargestexpenseswerebusinessandoperationsexpensesincludingrent,utilities,payroll,relocationandtheimplementationoftherebrandingcampaign.

Entering2015wehaveapproximatelytenmonthsofanticipatedexpensesinsavings.WearepleasedtoreportTheCenterhasreachedthislevelofstability,howeveritisourgoaltofurthersolidifyourfinancialposition.

IntroductionofBoardCandidatesFaiDeMark

FaiDeMarkrelocatedtoViroquabywayofOccidental,CAinMarch2013.SheworkedforE3CoalitioninViroqua,analternativeenergybusiness.WhileinCalifornia,shecompletedaPermacultureDesignCertificateprogram(PDC)inPetaluma,CA,facilitatedbyTobyHemenway,authorofGaia’sGarden.SheearnedaBSdegreeinEducationfromUW-Milwaukee(1975)andhasanAASinHorticulture(1998).

Milwaukeewasherhometheprevious17years.Duringthattime,herworkwasprincipallywithwomenandfamiliesexperiencinghomelessness.ShewasExecutiveDirectorofaDomesticViolenceorganization/shelter,ranatransitionalhousingprogramand7otherprogramsfortheYWCA,andwasDirectorofShelterServicesforTheCathedralCenter,whereshewasoneoftheco-founders.

FaihasservedonanumberofMilwaukeeboardsincludingFondyFoodCenter,UnitarianChurchNorth,TheCathedralCenter,wasfoundingmemberofTheLesbianFund,asub-fundofTheWomen’sFundofGreaterMilwaukeeandontheBoardofDiverseandResilient.

FaiiscurrentlytheExecutiveDirectorofBluffCountryFamilyResources(BCFR)inHokah,MN,servingwomenandfamiliesexperiencingDomesticand/orsexualviolenceandhomelessness.

FaimovedtoLaCrosseattheendof2013andliveswithherpartner,MelaniFay.

JanelleCooper,MD

Dr.JanelleCooperisaretiredNeurologistwhospecializedinDementiaandAlzheimer’scare.Asarespectedmemberofthemedicalcommunity,shelooksforwardtohelpingusexpandourElderNetworktrainingandOutreach.Dr.CooperpracticedintheGundersenHealthCaresystemandhasalreadyhelpedTheCentermakeinroadsintoworkingwithGundersentoprovideacomprehensiveLGBTQFriendlyandwelcomingHealthandHumanServicesDirectory.

SheisanexpertmarksmanwhoprovidesfirearmandmarksmanshiptrainingandintheprocesshasbuiltrelationshipswithalawenforcementinafewMinnesotacounties.Janelle’sretirementsanctuaryisastheownerofthecertifiedorganicappleorchardinHoustonCountywithherdogJackie.

LynnWeiland

LynnWeilandhasbeenlivingintheLaCrossecommunityfor17years.SheworksatUW-LaCrosseandisanAssistantDirectorincreditprogramming,teachesUnderstandingHumanDifferencestoundergraduates,supervisesstudentteachersandcoordinatessummerandwinterintercession.Lynnandherpartner,John,havetwoamazingchildrenthatsupportherpassionforadvocatingforsafeandsecureenvironmentsforallandtoengageineffectiveadvocacyforgay,lesbian,bisexualandtransgenderpeople.Whileservingontheboard,WeilandhopestohelpeducatethecommunityabouttheCenter,increasedonorsandsupportthecelebrationofequalityandinclusionthroughtheawarenessoftheCenter’sservicesandprojects.

2014BoardofDirectors

President

Blythe Newburg *

VicePresident

Jay Palmer

Treasurer

Allan Beatty

Secretary

Bob Lindner

Rev. Wesley White *

Alesha Schandelmeier

Willem Van Roosenbeek

Chelsea Ophime

GalaxyNon-VotingBoardMemberAeryk Secord

(*)2014wasthelastyearontheboardforBlytheNewburgandWesleyWhite.WesleyandBlythebothembodiedanenergy,passionandperspectiveuniqueandcriticaltoaccomplishmentsthelastcoupleyears.Wearesadtolosetheirvoiceinthefutureconversations,butwishthemwellintheircomingendeavors.

2014LifetimeAchievementRecognitionRecipientMary O’Sullivan

Thecultureweexperiencetodayisduetotheworkdonebysomanywhocamebeforeus.ThisLifetimeAchievementAwardaffordsusaspecialopportunitytoacknowledgetheworkofoneindividualwhohasshownalifetimecommitmenttothisendeavor.

ThecommitteechoseMaryO’Sullivan’sasthisyear’srecipient.WantingtoreflecthertirelessdedicationtotheLGBTQcommunity,wereachedouttothoseclosesttohertohelpussummarizethedecadesofcommitment.BelowisMary’sstoryastoldbythoseclosesttoher.

MaryO’Sullivanhasbeeninthemiddleofwhat’sgoingonsinceherhighschooldaysatOurLadyofGoodCounselAcademy,whereshewasaneditoroftheschoolpaper,andhelpedaverybutchyfriendavoidmoderndanceclass.

Asanadult,MarymovedtoLaCrosse,wheresheandafewotherwomenstartedalesbianpotluckgroupthatmetmonthlyforjustover30years.MaryandfriendsstartedachapteroftheNationalLesbianFeministOrganization,anddevelopedanewsletterforthatgroup.Thenewsletterquicklybecameasourceofcommunicationforthewiderlesbiancommunity.Itwaslaterre-namedtheLeapingLaCrosseNews,andwaspublisheduntil2007.WhenWomen’sMusicexplodedinthe70’s,MaryandsomefriendsformedaproductioncompanycalledOutandAboutWomen,whichbroughtdozensofperformancestoLaCrosse.MarywasasupporterofTattoos,afeministbar,andwasoftenseenworkingthecrowdwithherlittlenotebookofthingstotalktopeopleaboutforthenewsletterorforOutandAbout.Shealsocreatedcommunityinformally.Onereallypopulareventforanumberofyearswasthetuxparty,whichbeganasabirthdaybashandevolvedintoabigfundraiserforOutandAboutWomen’sproductions.

MarywasanEnglishinstructoratWesternWisconsinTechnicalInstitute.Amongherfeministaccomplishmentsthere,shefoundedtheWomen’sOpportunityCenterin1978,andranitforthreeyearstogetitonitsfeet.ThatCenterhelpedmanywomendeveloptheskillstheyneededforsuccessatWestern.

Whenagroupcametogetherin2003todiscussthepossibilityoffoundingaCenterforthegaycommunity,Marywaspresentfromthefirstmeeting.MaryandalloftheoriginalboardmembersstaffedtheCenterforthefirstcoupleofyears.SheproducedthenewsletterfortheCenterfrom2004through2009.ShecreatedandmaintainedthefirstwebsitefortheCenterin2004andmaintainedituntilVendigraciouslyofferedtocreateaprofessionalwebsiteandimagefortheCenter.Marywasontheboardforfiveyears,servingasPresidentfortwo.

ThoughMaryhassteppeddownfromtheBoard,sheremainsanactivevolunteer,mostrecentlyworkingwithafriendonorganizingtheCenterlibrary.

ThroughoutMary’sendeavorssofar,therehavebeenacoupleofthemes:Maryispassionateaboutmakingthingsbetterforourcommunity;Marycouldnothaveaccomplishedwhatshedidwithoutthesupportandparticipationofhergreatfriends.Theyaretoonumeroustomentionbyname,andnothingcouldhavebeendonewithoutthem.ThankyoutoMaryandthankyoutoherfriends.

PreviousrecipientsrecognizedduringPRIDE:

2013: PeggyHeinz

2012: MikeHansen