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When I first learned about the Chamber and the wonderful outreach it provides throughout the greater Los Angeles area for the LGBT business community, I couldn't help but get involved. Now in my second year on the Board, I've taken on the role of Corporate Partnership Committee Chair. Along with my fellow chamber members, we reach out to LGBT and LGBT-friendly corporations who support us in our efforts and our mission.
As we move further into 2010 and as the economy begins to show signs of recovery, the LAGLCC continues its mission - an organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and gay-allied businesses, professionals, and individuals, who have joined together to effect positive growth in ourselves, our work, our community and our future.
With a new President at the helm of the LAGLCC as well as an innovative and forward thinking Board of Directors, we continue to bring the LGBT Business community the exposure it so deserves. Together, as an organization and collectively with our corporate allies, we are a strong and powerful consumer market here in Southern California.
Now is the time to show Southern California what it's like to do business with the LGBT community here in L.A.!
Doran Farnum
Board of Directors, LAGLCC
I joined the Board of Directors of this wonderful organization because I wanted to encourage our LGBT community here in SoCal to support local gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses - especially after the shock of learning how many companies gave money to take away our rights during the Prop 8 battle.
As we continue to fight for our rights to marry and serve in the military, it's as important as ever to take care of our own.
And The Chamber does so much more than just advertising our business members - there are wonderful programs for up-and-coming LGBT entrepreneurs, great educational panels for sharing a wealth of knowledge in all areas including brand building, social networking and small business issues; monthly networking mixers; business breakfasts; and the program I started - Getting To Know You - which brings LGBT non profit advocacy and support organization in SoCal to the attention of local business owners.
See you ALL at the next mixer.
Warmly,
jd DiSalvatore
Board of Directors, LAGLCC
Andrea Meyerson, new Board Member of the LAGLCC, founder of Women On A Roll and President of All Out Films, is the Chair of the LAGLCC's newly created Women's Inspiration Network (WIN).
WIN provides the opportunity to meet, mingle and network with a group of dynamic women and hear from some inspiring speakers.
Maria's Italian Kitchen is the sponsor for the newly formed WIN! And this month our guest speaker will be Maddy Alfano, owner of the Maria's Italian Kitchen Chain. Maddy will share her incredible success story as a restaurateur and entrepreneur! Please join us at the launch and welcome Maria's to the Chamber!
The launch event is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18th. There is a listing above in the Events at a Glance section of this newsletter, and more details can be found on the LAGLCC website.
WIN will meet for dinner the third Thursday of every month and alternate between three locations: West Los Angeles, Downtown Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
click here for more information.
It has been an honor to serve on the Board of Directors of the LAGLCC for 5 years. In 2008 I served as Vice President, 2009 as President and again this year as Vice President. I have watched our chamber evolve over the years and I am excited to see so much happening.
In 2010, I encourage you to join a committee and become more involved. The more you put into this organization, the more you will get out of it. I can attest to this by the many real estate referrals I have received through the Chamber.
The LAGLCC is growing rapidly but still needs your help. Help us all to spread word of the chamber. Invite your friends to attend our mixers, our educational programs, and to join our facebook group. Then take it a step further and encourage them to become members.
Last but not least, give business referrals to other members. After all, isn't that what the LAGLCC is all about?
As your second term Treasurer for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, I serve as the Chief Financial Officer and am responsible for both the safekeeping and the proper disbursement of all funds received by the Chamber.
Last year, I also served as Co-Chairperson for the Community Outreach Committee. This year I became the Chairperson of that committee.
In 2009, the Community Outreach Committee introduced a series of "Getting to Know You" mixers with several other non-profits and community organizations. To date, we've had these events with The Trevor Project, GLAAD, Lamdba Legal, Friends of Project 10, the Lesbian and Gay Lawyers of Los Angeles (LGLA) and more..
The purpose of these mixers is to proved an opportunity for chamber
members to meet members from other organizations and to learn more about them. Plus, these Getting to Know You mixers serve as excellent networking opportunities.
This year, you can look forward to networking with even more non-profits, including community organizations that serve our entire, diverse LGBT community.
If you are interested in serving on the Community Outreach Committee or in volunteering, please contact me at: jholchin@laglcc.org.
Our first "Getting to Know You" mixer of the year is listed in this newsletter, our website and on our Facebook Page.
This January, it was with tremendous pride I accepted my second term as Secretary of the LAGLCC. Given our chamber's recent, rapid growth under former President Randy Malmud, the position of Secretary has grown to one of even greater importance. So now, along with my fellow board members, I move into 2010 with an eye on continued growth under the exciting leadership of our newest President, Matt Skallerud.
As Secretary, it is my responsibility to ensure that accurate documentation exists to meet all legal requirements in order to maintain our status as a not for profit chamber of commerce. This includes recording when, how, and by whom the board's business is conducted. These responsibilities are spelled out fully in our by-laws.
We start this new year and this new decade with an air of excitement and promise not seen in quite some time now… with our new board members in place, we have, as a team, put together some ideas which can take our association to a whole new level this year! These ideas and changes include hiring a new, full-time Director of Development this year, overhauling the look and feel of our website, and putting together a whole new business event which takes our annual gala and expands upon that with a business conference and expo as well. We'll also be sending out a survey to members and potential members, so that you all can tell us what we've done right, where we can improve, and how you would like to see the LAGLCC grow to best serve your business needs in 2010!
Matthew Skallerud
President, Board of Directors
