PRESS STATEMENT
November 23, 2009

New Community Members Join San Francisco Pride Board of Directors
Pride Invites Community to Meet New Leadership at Open House Event

San Francisco, CA – 23 November 2009 – The San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee announced today the appointment of three new members to the organization’s board of directors.  The new members of the board were seated on November 3, 2009, at the organization’s November board meeting.  Pride Committee rules allow for up to fifteen board members.  The Pride board currently holds nine members, including the three new appointees.

Executive Director Amy André:

“Pride is the cumulative result of the efforts and dedication of thousands of volunteers and community members who work year-round to make the nation’s largest gathering of LGBT people possible.  To see three of our long-time members and volunteers deepening their commitment to the organization by joining the board is a testament to how much our community cares about Pride and wants to stay involved in this organization.”

There are two mechanisms for joining San Francisco Pride’s board of directors: by a consensus of board members to appoint a candidate or by being nominated and elected by Pride’s voting members.  All appointees must stand for election in front of voting members at the organization’s annual general meeting (AGM).  The next AGM will take place on Sunday, September 12, 2010.

Board President Mikayla Connell:

 “Pride has come quite a long way since the first ‘Gay-In’ held in Golden Gate Park in 1970, which helped launch what is now an international LGBT Pride movement.  With our strong and diverse leadership, Pride is ready to take advantage of the solid ground that the organization stands upon to host a fortieth anniversary Celebration and Parade that will be talked about for years to come.”

Below is a summary of some of the new board member’s activities.

James Fountain
James Fountain is a Program Manager at Larkin Street Youth Services where he works with LGBTQQI young people and others gain the skills and experience needed to obtain above-minimum wage employment.  Prior to that, he worked for a number of large corporations, including Strategic Marketing and Research Technologies and AT&T, where he sat on the diversity committee representing the LGBTQ AT&T employees.

James Harris
James Harris is a professional chef with more than thirty-five years of experience.  He has worked in some of the country's top hotels, country clubs, and resorts.  James is also a member of the American Culinary Federation.  Before joining Pride's board of directors, he was recognized by Pride as a tireless supporter in 2008 and in 2009 he received the Membership Participation Award.  James has also volunteered for Pride events in San Diego and Las Vegas.

Shawn Parker
Shawn has spent the last thirty years as a professional in enterprise software development and solution architecture.  With a love of diversity and hunger for social integrity and equality, Shawn has been involved as a volunteer and member of SF Pride since moving to San Francisco in 2004.

The executive committee is composed of:
·         Mikayla Connell, president
·         Nikki Calma, vice president
·         Belinda Ryan, treasurer
·         Lisa Williams, secretary

Other current board members are:
·         Joshua Hardwick
·         Todd Torr

Community members and stakeholders are invited to meet the newest members of the board at Pride’s upcoming open house event on Tuesday, December 15 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The event will take place at Pride’s new office location at 1841 Market Street, which is at the corner of Pearl Street.  Visitors can enter the offices around the corner from Market Street at 30 Pearl.

The board of directors is currently accepting applications for community leaders interested in joining the board.  The primary criteria in board member selection are a thorough understanding and commitment to the mission and core values of San Francisco Pride as well as a strong record of excellence in involvement with community and professional organizations.  The board seeks diversity and wants to encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

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About San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee (SFLGBTPCC):
The San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee (SFPride.org) is a non-profit membership organization founded to produce the annual San Francisco Pride Celebration & Parade. San Francisco Pride is dedicated to education, commemoration of LGBT heritage and celebration of LGBT culture and liberation. A world leader in the Pride movement, San Francisco Pride is also a grant-giving organization through its Community Partners Program. Since 1997, SF Pride has granted over $1.6 million dollars from proceeds of the Pride Celebration and Parade to local non-profit LGBT organizations and those organizations serving the HIV/AIDS and breast cancer communities.

About the 2010 San Francisco Pride Celebration & Parade:
2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade. The theme for the 40^th anniversary event will be, “Forty and Fabulous.” The Pride Celebration & Parade will be held over the weekend of June 26 and 27, 2010. With over 200 parade contingents, 300 exhibitors, and more than twenty community-run stages and venues, the San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade is the largest annual gathering of LGBT people and allies in the nation. The two-day celebration is free and open to all. For more information please visit our website at SFPride.org. 

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