Happy Hanukkah! Glad Yule! Merry Christmas! Joyous Kwanzaa! Happy New Year!
CHALLENGE The Newsletter of the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County – Serving New Jersey’s GLBTI Communities Since 1972
Volume 37, Issue 10, Winter 2011/2012
A Fresh Start Every Year by Mickey Suiter Every January, GAAMC does its own version of New Year’s resolutions. Years ago we called it "From Here to Community". More recently it has been "Fresh Perspectives". It is an evening where members tell the Officers and Board Trustees what they want GAAMC to do in the coming year. Not that you’re only allowed to give us your opinions one evening a year - we want to hear from you whenever you have an idea or suggestion. But since a new Board takes office at the beginning of each year and has an off-site retreat later that month to plan the coming year, this meeting is a good opportunity for members to tell us what you want. This year that night is January 2. If we’re doing something right, let us know. If we’re doing something wrong, definitely let us know. If there’s something you think we should be doing that we’re not, please tell us. Be prepared to follow through on your suggestions, though. Remember, we are an all-volunteer organization and there is only so much ten Board members can do. We constantly
need help, and who better than you to make sure your ideas turn into what you have in mind? No idea is too farfetched to bring up. To paraphrase an old axiom, the only bad idea is the one not mentioned. Obviously, a lot of things are impractical or impossible for an organization like ours to do, but often in discussing an idea a more practical version of it comes to someone else’s mind. Think of it as a brain-storming session. We want to hear from you, not only on January 2 but all through the year. GAAMC is your organization as much as it is ours. It should be, and can be, what you want it to be. If you can’t make it that night, email me at President @ GAAMC.org with your suggestions or ideas. I’ll bring them with me to the meeting. This is your GAAMC. want.
Think about it and tell us what you
Happy New Year!
Online Auctions Start at GAAMC December 5th! GAAMC is excited to offer a new feature for members! GAAMC has received donations from several charitable members, past members, organizations, and other supporters. We will begin offering these items for sale in what we are calling "Quiet Auctions". 100% of the funds raised will go directly to GAAMC, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit tax exempt organization. We've amassed quite a large inventory of great items and we're eager to see them find new homes. Some items are new, but most are gently used. The list includes items large and small, such as end tables, area rugs, lamps, laundry care items, dinnerware sets, a microwave oven, a vase and candleholders, a tool box with hand tools, Judy and Liza memorabilia, a kitchen table and chairs, space heaters, electric fans, A/V equipment, lots of books, and so much more. Here's how it will work: A customized bidding form is posted on GAAMC.org. Items available to bid on from the week's lot will be available for live preview at GAAMC's Monday meeting. You may complete a bidding form and submit your bid during Monday's meeting or online during the week; a valid email account is required to bid. Bidding remains open until midnight on Friday. From the online bidding form you may preview photos, descriptions, and the current high bid, and bid on the items
you like. Fill in your contact info at the bottom and hit "submit". The current high bid will be updated online as new bids come in. Emails will be sent to all active bidders with the current high bid amounts for all active lots, so they may decide whether to increase their bids. PayPal invoices will be sent to all winning bidders, who can either pay and pick up their items the following Monday night or ask for items to be held for one week. Items not picked up by the second Monday will be offered to the second highest bidder. If that person is no longer interested in the item, it may be offered in a future auction.
Inside Challenge Challenge Information.... ................................ page 2 GAAMC Events.............................................. page 2 The Bulletin Board......................................... page 3 This Month's Contributors................................ page 3 Gleanings: Queer news from around the world .... page 4 Calendar ..................................................... page 5 GAAMC Board of Trustees & Executive Committee Nominations for 2012................................... page 8 Poetry: Gay Conversion ................................. page 8 Editor's Note................................................ page 9 10 Anti-Gay Myths Debunked, part 6................. page 11 Poetry: Feeding Feral Cats............................ page 11 GAAMC Information...................................... page 12