Archive for the ‘O&A News’ Category

MORONGO BASIN – Suffering a leadership vacuum, the Out & About men’s social group is effectively disbanded.

While the group has traditionally characterized itself as “loosely organized,” it has run successfully with a minimum of governance from a Steering Committee. The unraveling follows a year of high turnover in the Committee which led to three or four members carrying the burden of planning and arranging the last few events.

Most recently, these few found themselves burdened with putting on the annual Holiday Party. Although a very few volunteered to assist with the event, there was no shortage of members eager to criticize. Demoralized and holding only a few RSVPs for the dinner committee members requested a cancellation notice go out in this newsletter. Plans for the remaining treasury have yet to be determined.

Phil Gray Takes the Cake;  Lipsitz Named Queer of the Year

LANDERS—Nearly 50 fellows turned up at Belfield Hall here for the Out & About Men’s Holiday Dinner, Art Raffle & Homemade Dessert Contest Dec. 20. Among the crowd of queer faces, many were familiar; others were new.

It was the first event organized by this steering committee, formed barely five weeks prior. That they pulled off the gathering so successfully is a reflection of their team approach and ‘can do’ spirit.

The event’s ambitious schedule included dinner with turkey and ham, a desert dessert competition, a marriage equality petition drive, an original art raffle, live entertainment by Jim Wade, an award ceremony, and a homeless or homebound food distribution element. Volunteers even brought cheer to the potentially dreary Belfield Hall with a decorating party the day prior.

In a contest that turned up the heat on a decade of desert dessert competitions, Phil Gray took the Gold for his chocolate poinsettia cake. BC Chronister (funnel cakes) and Bob Hix (French chocolate truffle) took Silver and Bronze respectively in what was described as a sweet victory for each. Master of ceremonies and lead organizer, Scott Charbonneau, thanked the judges and all the contestants for their efforts and invited everyone to sample the homemade entries.

Festivities wrapped with a presentation to yours truly, Mike Lipsitz. Charbonneau surprised Lipsitz with an award ‘in appreciation for Outstanding Service & Continuing Contributions… 2009’, affectionately dubbed ‘Queer of the Year’ award.

Lipsitz seized the moment to ask registered voters there to “sign for equality;” that’s the name given the race to collect the million signatures needed by April 5 in order to put a gay marriage initiative on November’s ballot. If you can help gather voter signatures call Mike at 760-449-4048 for a petition or download one at:

www.SignforEquality.com

An after dinner raffle stimulated a lot of clowning around and raised over $100 for Out & About. Lonnie Gamache won top prize, an original sketch by MC Scott Charbonneau, who also donated the homoerotic piece. Sam Brenner generously donated other pieces.

Thanks go out to everyone who helped out here and all year long, too many to list but you know who you are and you should know you are loved.

Membership will choose a new steering committee at the next potluck social Sunday, Nov. 15. The committee can be as many or as few as are willing to commit.

They will recruit hosts for upcoming gatherings, and assist them with planning, preparation and clean up. They will plan and organize the upcoming Holiday Party. They will communicate with members through e-mail and liaison with the Hi-Desert LGBT News to promote and cover events. And they will run all group programming as they see fit.

If you enjoy our events, then make yourself useful. Come to the Nov. 15 meeting and help organize a new steering committee.