From: ISGLMP Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 23:23:17 EDT Subject: ISGLMP Monthly E-Mail & ELECTION BALLOT ---------------------------------------- ISGLMP Monthly E-Mail & ELECTION BALLOT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- vol. 2., no. 5a (May 1998) 175 Fifth Avenue #2172, New York, N.Y. U.S.A. 10010-7703 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- E-Mail: isglmp@aol.com Website: http://www.ISGLMP.org Int'l Soc. of Gay & Lesbian Meeting Professionals - 533 strong! INDEX A. Farewell Comments by Jim Luce B. Upcoming Events C. Election of Officers & Advisory Council D. Financial Report E. ISGLMP Friend to Ride AIDS Ride F. Education Committee Set For IAEM by Bob Dallmeyer G. Members Dialogue H. ISGLMP Seal of Approval Application I. ISGLMP Charter Membership Application Form ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ IMPORTANT NOTICE ISGLMP has faced technical difficulties with both our on-line provider and in-house equipment over the last three months. We apologize if you have not received regular editions of the Monthly E-Mail. Please note that back issue are available on our recognition-winning website (http://www.isglmp.org). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------- A. FAREWELL COMMENTS by Jim Luce, Founding President This month marks my last as President of ISGLMP; next month's column will be written by the very capable Alexander Lichtenstein, CMP, of the United States Treasury in Washington. For eighteen months I have done my best to help mold this organization, using my former employer, the American Academy of Psychoanalysis, and the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association as corporate models. However, our Constitution allows only one term of office and I now become Past President. In December 1996, on my first FAM trip with my partner, I wondered aloud if there were any organization that could give me pointers on same-sex relationships on a business trip. I discovered that there wasn't; only for travel agents. Flying back to New York I decided to hoist the flag in the hospitality industry for gays and lesbians and see if anyone saluted. A few friends and I sent out a press-release announcing our humble beginnings and virtually every industry publication picked it up; we ran fourteen stories in the first twelve months, including a wonderful cover story when we unveiled our corporate gay-friendly Seal of Approval. In these eighteen months we have grown from one to over five-hundred, become incorporated in the State of New York and applied for our 501(c)3 tax status with the IRS. We are specifically charted to do five things: 1) maintain a website listing membership and companies supportive of diversity, including links to hospitality industry organizations, and copies of current and past newsletters; 2) publish an electronic newsletter transmitted twice monthly since January 1997, covering membership news and educational maters pertaining to diversity; 3) seek corporate sponsors for "Welcoming Receptions" hosted by various corporations which embrace diversity at major hospitality industry conventions, including the American Society of Association Executives (Chicago, Knickerbocker Hotel, July 1997); Meeting Professionals International, (Baltimore, Dutch Tourist Board, Aug. 1997) and International Association of Exhibition Management (Atlanta, Marriott Hotels, Nov. 1997); 4) produce and/ or assist with educational panels and workshops at major hospitality industry conventions, including Roundtable Discussion, International Association for Exposition Management (Atlanta, Nov. 1997), and workshop on Diversity in the Workplace, International Association for Exposition Management (Reno, June 1998); and 5) carry on a public relations campaign in hospitality press industry press resulting in approximately one story per month on the importance of diversity in the workplace. The challenges ahead include moving Charter Members to a paid membership status, increasing the number of corporations applying for our Seal of Approval, maintaining our industry presence at conventions through exhibitions, seminars and receptions; and increasing the commitment of our various committees to do all of the above. The budget below reflects all of these goals. I have written on many themes in this column: on the need for us to stand up and be counted, on the need for us to be there for each other, on the need for us to be responsible for our own organization. My main point, however, is that we need to strive for the inclusion of social justice in our workplace; that diversity must be embraced and not rejected, and that all corporate employees must be given the opportunity to do their jobs while being who they are. I hope that my presidency will be judged not only by the very existence of ISGLMP, but by the personal letters we have received from members telling us how much better they feel about themselves and how much more willing they are now to be out at work because of ISGLMP. Thanks to Matt Mueller who has been there from the beginning and has ably served as Vice President, and all the many of you who have been willing to work hard professionally and supportive personally, including our important "straight-but-not-narrow" 10%! ISGLMP is our organization - let's make the most of it! B. UPCOMING EVENTS IGLTA: Montréal, May 15 - 18, 1998 We welcome John D'Alessandro, soon-to-be Past President of IGLTA, as ISGLMP's Vice President-Elect and look forward to continuing to learn from IGLTA sixteen years of professional experience. Vince Grandinetti, CHSE and Tom Roth also serve on both Boards. ISGLMP-sponsored trade show booth; panel participation Jim Luce (JimLuce@aol.com; Jluce@exchange.ML.com) Jeff Wahl (JWahl@miamiair.com) IAEM Summer Mtg.: Reno, June 9 - 12, 1998 (see story below) ISGLMP-sponsored educational event & trade show booth S.I.G. Luncheon, 6/10, Wed., 12:00 pm - 1;15 pm Bob Dallmeyer (rdall@compuserve.com) Joan Eisenstodt (Jeisen@aol.com) Jim Luce (JimLuce@aol.com; Jluce@exchange.ML.com) MPI Annual Mtg.: San Diego, July 12 - 14, 1998 ISGLMP-sponsored educational event & trade show booth? Jim Luce (JimLuce@aol.com; Jluce@exchange.ML.com) Jeff Wahl (JWahl@miamiair.com) ASAE Annual Mtg.: Nashville, August 16 - 18, 1998 ISGLMP-sponsored educational event & trade show booth? Jim Luce (JimLuce@aol.com; Jluce@exchange.ML.com) Gay & Lesbian World Travel Expo (6th International): New York, September 24, Metropolitan Pavilion (Contact ISGLMP Member Tom Roth (Travel Alternatives Group) at 415/896-6440 or by email at mark8ing@aol.com) Jim Luce (JimLuce@aol.com; Jluce@exchange.ML.com) Note: Please let us know if you're going to be at any of these! C. ELECTION OF OFFICERS & ADVISORY COUNCIL Please e-mail back your approval or rejection of the nomination slate found below to isglmp@aol.com. You must be a Charter Member to vote, you must vote either OR or AGAINST the slate, and you must include your name for verification purposes. BOARD OF DIRECTORS (6) President Alex Lichtenstein, CMP (U.S. Treasury, DC ) Vice President John D'Alessandro (Past Pres., IGLTA, SF) Secretary [Matthew Mueller (Capital Hilton, DC)] Treasurer OPEN (maintains NYC checkbook w/ account. firm) Past President** Jim Luce (Merrill Lynch, NY) Counsel** Delbridge Narron, Esq. (Kramer, Levin, NY) COMMITTEES (12) Accreditation ("Seal of Approval") Tom Roth (Comm. Marketing, S.F.) [Pam Schwartz, CEM (Epic Records)] Communications ("Public Relations") Mike Frederickson (Nat'l L/G Journ. Assoc.) Rob Hampton* (Columbus CVB) Education ("Industry Workshops") Bob Dallmeyer* (consultant, LA) Joan Eisenstodt* (consultant, DC) Membership Lee Pomerance, CMP (Doubletree Hotels) [Ronald F. Olejko* (Amer. Coll. of Rheum)] Publications ("Newsletter") [Karen Armagost* (Am. Assoc. U. Women)] Carol McHale (Law Sch. Adm. Coun.) Receptions ("Corporate-Sponsored Receptions") Tamar Hosansky* (Adams Laux Pub.) Russ Ruston* (Amer. & Acad. of Orth.) LOCAL REPS (12) Note: ISGLMP does not have local chapters, but we do recognize local representation. Atlanta David McAuley (Atlanta CVB) Chicago Andre Valk, CMP (hotel) Dallas [Garrett Schwab (Dallas CVB)] Denver Carol Wilke Ístanbul [Yücel Nevzat (travel consultant)] Los Angeles Charles Massey (CMP Meeting Cand. Network) Miami [Jeffrey B. Wahl* (Miami Air Int'l.)] Montréal [Alex Finault (Queen Elizabeth Hotel)] New York Michael Gallo (Marriott) Philadelphia Vince Grandinetti, CHSE* (Philadelphia CVB) Sydney Lynne Hocking (consultant) Toronto [Barry Birnberg* (consultant)] Washington Rick Osmanski, CMP* (Radio-TV News Dir. Assoc.) AT-LARGE (6) Jim Daggett, CAE, CMP (consultant, Chicago) Marc Goldman* (Damon Brooks, LA) Travis Goodyear* (American Air, NY) Steven Hacker, CAE* (Int'l Assoc. Expo. Man., Dallas) [Steve Smith] (Key West CVB) [Glen Parnell] (Helms Briscoe, Houston) [Donald R. Potter, Jr.] (Palm Beach CVB, FL) David Reiderman, CAE* (Assoc. for Comp. Mach., NY) Jerry White* (Int'l. Assoc. Conf. Cntrs., St. Louis) *indicates second term on Advisory Council or as Committee Co-Chair **indicates Honorary Position; non-elective post. [ ] indicate individual who had not yet agreed to serve if elected at press- time. D. FINANCIAL REPORT INCOME, 7/1/97 - 6/30/98 MONTHLY ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES New Members $0.00 $0.00 Membership Renewal 0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00 SEAL OF APPROVAL Seal Processing Fees $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP Grants $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 GIFTS, GRANTS & LOANS Individual Gifts $416.66 $5,000.00 Foundations 0.00 0.00 Loans 416.66 5,000.00 $833.33 $10,000.00 TOTAL $833.33 $10,000.00 EXPENDITURES, 7/1/97 - 6/30/98 MONTHLY ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION Banner $40.00 $480.00 Duplication 20.00 240.00 E-Mail Account 20.00 240.00 Mail Box 35.00 420.00 Office Supplies 50.00 600.00 Telephone 75.00 900.00 Website 100.00 1,200.00 $340.00 $4,080.00 CONVENTIONS (4/YR.) Accommodations (Avg. $500@) $166.66 $2,000.00 Trade Show (Avg. $250@) 125.00 1,000.00 Transport (Avg. $500@) 83.33 2,000.00 $625.00 $5,000.00 TOTAL $965.00 $11,580.00 F. ISGLMP FRIEND TO RIDE AIDS RIDE by James Hennessey Note: James Hennessey, the host of our PCMA reception on behalf of the Marriott New Orleans in Atlanta last fall, will be riding in this year's AIDS Ride out of Washington, DC. Last year, ISGLMP Vice President Matthew Mueller made the ride. One person can make a difference, and every person should try." When I read this quote from John F. Kennedy, a meaningful and powerful message flashed inside my head; do something now, for someone, somewhere. Deciding to join the DC Aids Ride was easy, I knew that I could do it, and wanted to challenge myself to follow through. My aunt, a long-time resident of Washington D.C., and my ultimate mentor, said that she was doing the ride again in 1998. She completed both rides in 1996 and 1997. Seeing what an experience it was for her, and hearing about the incredible time she had, I asked if I could ride with her this year. What a great way to get in shape, challenge your body, and raise money for a great cause! Raising the required $1,800.00 to be included seemed impossible for me. I could not imagine anyone who would want to sponsor me to do a 350 mile bike ride for AIDS. Was I wrong! People from all over the US have sent funds to me, wishing me good luck, and thanking me for doing the ride. This, so far, has been the most rewarding part of signing up for the ride. I am looking forward to the big day, June 18th, when we take off from Raleigh, N.C. to Washington D.C. Three days of making a difference for someone, somewhere. Editors' Note: James may be reached at james.hennessey@marriott.com. Checks may be sent to James Hennessey, Rider #153, 374 McGill Place, Atlanta, GA 30312. Jim Luce has pledged $100 for his ride and challenges other ISGLMP members to match or beat him! G. CORPORATE SEAL OF APPROVAL APPLICATION Note: Please mail back your response with a check for $475 to cover processing. Allow four weeks for approval and website listing. Invoice for purposes of billing are available on our website. Application is free to ISGLMP members through June 1998. Join American Express, the Canadian Tourism Commission, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, and many others for this honor and advertising opportunity! (Complete listing on our website) Does your company provide: 1) Outreach to lesbian & gay community as customers (incl. targeted advertising, guides, etc.); ___ yes ___ no (please provide xerox copy/ies of example/s) 2) Corporate Equal Opportunity Employment (EOE) statement specifically including “sexual orientation;” ___ yes ___ no (provide xerox copy of statement) 3) Domestic Partnership (DP) health benefits; ___ yes ___ no (provide xerox copy of policy) 4) Sanctioned and supported lesbian & gay employee group; ___ yes ___ no (provide xeroxed correspondence, etc.) 5) Significant contributions to the lesbian & gay community (incl. AIDS service organizations). Includes gifts-in-kind. ___ yes ___ no (provide xeroxed correspondence, etc.) Company: Submitting Individual Name: Title: Address: Tel.: Fax: E-Mail: Date: H. CHARTER MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (Last Month for Charter Membership) Name: Title: Company: Address: Tel.: Fax: E-Mail: Website: Do you wish to be listed publicly? Would you like to be considered for 1998-99 Advisory Board? Would your company like to be considered as “Gay-Friendly”? (please mail documentation on five criteria under separate cover) Where did you hear about ISGLMP? Other professional membership? If meeting planner, how many room/nights do you coordinate annually? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Note: Charter Membership, open until June 30, 1998, is gratis. Charter Members may apply to have their qualifying corporation approved with the ISGLMP "Seal of Approval" on a complimentary basis. As of July 1, 1998 annual dues will be invoiced at U.S. $110 per annum and all gay-friendly approval will require a one-time $475 documentation processing fee.