meeting announcement

Rainbow Pride of West Virginia will be holding a full committee meeting on Tuesday, September 1st, at 7:00 pm in the Community Office at 501 Elizabeth St., Room 11, in Charleston.  We would like to invite all members and concerned allies to attend.  This will be the first formal meeting with the newly elected Board of Directors and we are all very excited about getting down to work.  Among other business, we will be getting an update on the annual Pride Picnic which is coming up at Coonskin Park on October 11, receiving a financial report from treasurer Chris Bostic, and discussing possible fundraising opportunities.  Please attend if you can.  We hope to see you all there.

Congratulations to our new Board of Directors

Rainbow Pride of West Virginia, Inc., would like to congratulate the winners of our 2009 Board of Directors election.  We would also like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to our outgoing BOD members, especially Chairman Charlie Rouse, who has dedicated many years of service to our organization.  A full committee meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 at 7:00 PM at which the new BOD will take their seats and get down to work on the future of Rainbow Pride.

The new Board of Directors are:

Christopher Kimes, President

Martina Dezarea and Jeff Crist, Vice Presidents

Chris Bostic, Treasurer

Dan O’Neal, Secretary

Scott King, David Epp, William Salyer, and Kelly Wills, Members-at-large

We would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote in our election and we hope that you will continue your involvement with our organization in the future.  Pride’s brightest days are yet to come.

Board of Directors – Candidate Bios

Candidates for 2009-2010 Board of Directors are as follows:

President

Christopher Kimes

Chris Kimes is running for President of Rainbow Pride of West Virginia to bring about a statewide presence and encourage everyone to participate in the organization .  He recently served as the Chair of Membership and Fundraising and spent the past year working diligently to promote and enhance Rainbow Pride events.  Chris helped establish the Ignition project, an HIV/AIDS prevention service provided by Rainbow Pride.  He served as the Vice President and Secretary of the Kanawha Stonewall Democrats, the GLBT voice within the WV Democratic Party.  Chris worked with various AIDS related and GLBT agencies in Morgantown and Parkersburg.  Currently, he manages a program that advances minority and at risk high school students for WVU.  Chris holds a masters degree in administration and counseling from WVU.  Mr. Kimes would like for  everyone to also support the following people for the Rainbow Pride Board of Directors:  Chris Morrison (Martina Dezarea), Pam Young, Chris Bostic, David Epp, William Salyer, Scott King, and Kelly Wills.

Larry Genrick

For the office of President

Graduate of the University of Louisville, majoring in political science and business.

Currently employed as Controller of Capitol Paging in Charleston.

Joined Rainbow Pride of WV in 1999. Have served as President and Secretary. Currently a member of the Board at Large.

Joined The Living AIDS Memorial Garden in 2002. Member of the Board of Directors since 2004, currently serving as Secretary.

Kat Williams

Vice-President

Chris Morrison (aka Martina Desarea)

Chris Morrison, aka Martina Dezarea, is looking to serve as Vice President on the Rainbow Pride Board of Directors to help bring a more inclusive state organization.  Martina previously to moving to West Virginia worked with multiple GLBT organizations in North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio.  Ms. Dezarea became active in Rainbow Pride of WV when she won the title of Miss Pride of WV 2002.  This began her diligent work with the organization having served previously as both a Member at Large and Vice President on the Board of Directors.  Martina has been a female illusionist using her status to help further the GLBT cause. It was this dedication to Rainbow Pride and the community that propelled her to achieve the Miss Pride of WV 2008 title.

Caroline Starr-Wills

Pam Young

Jeff Crist

Jeff Crist is currently the Development Director for Covenant House and has volunteered for WV Rainbow Pride for the past two years.  Jeff earned his B.S. in Communications from West Virginia State College, where he wrote for the campus newspaper and was president of the Public Relations Student Society of America.  After graduation, Jeff was the Communications Director for a statewide non-profit for seven years, and has managed local restaurants throughout the Kanawha Valley.

Jeff served as the fundraising chairman for Big Brothers Big Sisters for five years, was a board member of the WV KIDS COUNT Fund, and has volunteered for the Kanawha Stonewall Democrats.  Jeff was also honored as the Alumnus of the Year at West Virginia State College in 1998.  Jeff lives on the East End of Charleston and has a thirteen year-old son, Alex, who attends John Adams Middle School.

Jeff’s goals for Pride include expanding membership among our straight and gay allies, focusing Pride’s fundraising strategies, and improving the quality of events offered to the community.

Andy Ragland

Founding member of RPWV

Member of Rainbow Pride of WV (RPWV) for more than a decade

Past chairman of RPWV – two one year terms

Past RPWV vice-chair and secretary

Founding member of Mountain State Bear club

Member of Mountain State Bear club for a decade +

Past chairman of Mountain State Bear club

Current board member of Living AIDS Memorial garden

I try to think “big picture” and  envision RPWV continuing to grow and expand,  using it’s 501(c)3 designation to serve the GLBT community and  truly becoming statewide.

Secretary

Daniel O’Neal

Daniel O’Neal is a native of Hurricane, West Virginia, and a 1991 graduate of Hurricane High School.  He possesses an RBA from Marshall University with an emphasis in American History and has been employed by the United States Postal Service for over thirteen years.  Daniel has been the acting secretary of Rainbow Pride since March and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Kanawha Stonewall Democrats.  You can read many of his blog postings on the KSD website. Daniel hopes to help continue Pride’s evolution into an organization that exists to truly help meet the various needs of the GLBT community in West Virginia and to look into expanding our focus into new areas of service.  Daniel currently resides in Saint Albans, in western Kanawha County, with his partner Greg and their four-legged daughter, Jasmine.

Treasurer

Chris Bostic

Chris Bostic, a Lewisburg, WV, native, has a history of serving local organizations with a focus on social justice.  Involved in local fundraising initiatives, Chris understands the significance of grassroots campaigns, including budget development and membership retention. As a project manager, Chris has gained experience and knowledge in all aspects of investment real estate, financing and property management. His experience includes Assistant Manager at the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, WV, and a Food and Beverage Manager at The Embassy Suites in Charleston.  He has managed events at The Clay Center including Governor Manchin’s pre-Inaugural evening.  Inspired by his Grandmother’s sense of community service, and as a member of Generation Charleston and the YWCA, he looks forward to the chance to serve the LGBT community of West Virginia.

Larry Varney

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Larry Varney and I have be a resident of Charleston for 21 years.  I am a candidate for Treasurer and Member at-large for the 2009-2010 Board of Directors. I have been involved in many different volunteer organizations.  To list a few: Treasurer of WV School Association for 3 years, volunteer fire fighter for 7 years. I have held several management and supervisory positions: Home supervisor for Res Care for 2 years and am presently supervisor with Charleston Telephone Answering Service; Manager for KFC for 6 years. This information is to let you know that I am a responsible person and one who knows finances. I realize the positions are a very big task and takes may volunteers. The positions require good communication skills and the ability to work with others, which makes myself the best candidate for either vacant position and would appreciate you vote. Thank you

Member-at-Large

David Epp

David has 3 years experience as a volunteer with Pride, focusing on technology, preparing the 2009 Pride Guide, as well as maintaining the Pride web site.  He feels strongly about the role that technology can play in increasing support for this organization. particularly by improving communication with members and supporters through Twitter, Myspace, and Facebook.  He is a co-founder of 304blogs.com, the largest directory of West Virginia bloggers  David is also a founding member of Kanawha Stonewall Democrats.

Sammy Magner

Hi! My name is Sammy (Sam) Magner. I come form a small town in West Virginia and have been living in Charleston for the past ten years. I have enjoyed my life in the city and getting to know people in the GLBT community.

In the past I have worked with many other organizations to help them develop events and activities. Now, I am looking forward to helping Pride of West Virginia grow into a larger organization. WV Pride has grown over the years, putting together many wonderful events for our community. I would like to have the opportunity to take part in the future of pride. To do this I would like to help plan and create more exciting events for members of our community throughout the state. My vision is to see pride of West Virginia be in the top when it comes to pride festivals.

I hope you will give me the opportunity to serve the GLBT community

Thanks Sam Magner

David Shumate

Wishing Rainbow Pride of WV best of luck in 2010 , and seeking your vote as an at Large Board member candidate.

Kelly Wills

Scott King

Scott was Grand Marshall for the 2009 Pride Parade.  If you didn’t see him there, chances are at some point in the last year you may have had him ask you if you were registered to vote.  He was one of two openly gay delegates from West Virginia to attend the National Democratic Convention last year.  He founded the first chapter of the Stonewall Democrats in WV and attended their 2008 convention as well.  He is also active in the WV International Film Festival and previously served on the Board of Directors for the WV Humanities Council.

William Salyer

William Salyer is looking to serve as a Member at Large on the Rainbow Pride Board of Directors to help revitalize our current membership and see the organization grow.  Prior to moving to West Virginia, William worked on the Tennessee Pride Committee with various fundraising events.  William joined the Rainbow Pride of WV board serving as a member at large for eight years.  Mr. Salyer recently completed his tenure as Vice President on the Rainbow Pride Board of Directors.  William is dedicated to the GLBT community of West Virginia and seeing Rainbow Pride grow into a state wide organization.

Ardith Michaux

Brooks Rollyson

Kenny Grady

Aaron Bradley

Carl Maxwell

“I believe that our community should come together and work toward the common goals of our community.  The Rainbow Pride of West Virginia is an organization that has the community building mechanisms to facilitate the goals of our community.  From my observation as a founding member of Rainbow Pride of West Virginia, we have made improvements to our community.  We should strive harder and with fortitude, WE CAN accomplish our goals.”

Carl Maxwell is a founder of the Living AIDS Memorial Garden, along with late Jeff Huff and Bruce Severino.  Mr. Maxwell is an registered architect.

Larry Varney

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Larry Varney and I have be a resident of Charleston for 21 years.  I am a candidate for Treasurer and Member at-large for the 2009-2010 Board of Directors. I have been involved in many different volunteer organizations.  To list a few: Treasurer of WV School Association for 3 years, volunteer fire fighter for 7 years. I have held several management and supervisory positions: Home supervisor for Res Care for 2 years and am presently supervisor with Charleston Telephone Answering Service; Manager for KFC for 6 years. This information is to let you know that I am a responsible person and one who knows finances. I realize the positions are a very big task and takes may volunteers. The positions require good communication skills and the ability to work with others, which makes myself the best candidate for either vacant position and would appreciate you vote. Thank you

James Pritt

Tri-State AIDS Task Force picnic & softball game

We would like to encourage all of our members to participate in this fabulous event if you can.  Please contact the Tri-State AIDS Task Force at tsatf@aol.com if you have any questions.  Press release follows:

Tri-State AIDS Task Force is bringing back to the community Mama Queen Bee’s Pigroast and Softball Game at Rotary Park. The date is September 27, 2009, gates open 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.

This will be a day of fun filled activities for the community with door prizes to be given away every hour. Food will be served at 2:30 pm, ball game will begin at 3:30 pm. This years theme is Cartoon/Superhero Characters, guy softball players are encouraged to dress as their favorite female cartoon character or super hero and female softball players are encouraged to dress as their favorite male cartoon character or super hero. We already have commitments from Rainbow Bright and Hong Kong Fuey, so get excited and plan to attend. Monetary prizes will be given for the best costume.

We need help selling raffle tickets for the big giveaway at 5:00 pm that day: The prizes are a 22″ flat screen television, a Compaq laptop computer, a Nintendo Wii, a digital camera and a piece of unique stained glass. The tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00. A monetary prize will be given the person who sells the most tickets.

We need 60 people to sell 25 tickets, so please call 304-417-1272 to arrange to assist with our ticket sells.

Thank you
Lisa Cremeans
Volunteer

Covenant House benefit at Long Fork Campground

On Saturday, August 15, 2009, beginning at 3:00 pm, Long Fork Campground and the Mountain State Knights are hosting “The Red Party: A Party for the People” to benefit the Covenant House Food Pantry.  If you plan to come, simply bring along some nonperishable food items to donate.  But if you can’t make the party, there are several drop off points in Charleston where you can make a donation.  These are: Visions Day Spa, Bluegrass Kitchen, Tricky Fish, and, of course, Covenant House.

Covenant House was created in 1981 by Charleston citizens and groups committed to helping those with the fewest resources.  Their mission was to work for justice by offering direct services for West Virginians in need while creating social change through advocacy and education.  Covenant House provides assistance to the homeless population of the Kanawha Valley and to people living with HIV and AIDS.  They’re on the web at wvcovenanthouse.org.

Long Fork is a clothing optional retreat for the gay community located in the lush hills of West Virginia about 40 minutes north of Charleston.  Visit them on the web at www.longfork.com for more information.  Bring your own refreshments, but remember: no glass bottles around the pool.