Impact: Institute Annual Report 2019-20

MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY

A N N U A L

R E P O R T

ANNUAL REPORT

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ANNUAL REPORT 2019-20

Our story

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2019-20 activities

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MBLGTACC 2020

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Honoring where we came from ANNUAL REPORT Executive Director/ Executive Editor: Justin Drwencke

A focus on defining our organizational philosophy

Director of Marketing & Communications/Editor/ Designer: Nick Pfost

The state of our flagship program

Board Treasurer: Khamille De Lara

ALSO FEATURED

Cover: iStock Photographers: Tyler Williams, Nick Pfost 2

MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY

Financial statements

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Our team

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OUR STORY

T

he Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, founded in 2016, builds on the now 28-year legacy of the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference

(MBLGTACC), a space that harnesses the energy, earnestness, and urgency of queer and trans Midwest college students. This recurring space contributes to planting seeds, mobilizing, and motivating students who will have broad influence wherever their post-college pathways take them.

Our gathering provides opportunity for others to expand their language and analysis while being exposed to narratives that challenge and contradict one’s pre-existing knowledge and worldviews.

The longevity of this gathering speaks directly to the driving power of need—what happens when there is an assumed deficit or scarcity of resources, opportunities, and points of connection for a systemically disenfranchised group.

As we expand on the legacy of MBLGTACC, our work is rooted in building community and unlocking the transformative power of establishing coalitions of queer and trans youth. With a focus on college aged youth, we seek to empower students of diverse sexualities and genders to inspire sustainable change and advance knowledge of sexuality and gender through advocacy and expansive programming.

We believe our achievements and planned activities will help queer and trans students build connections and develop a toolkit to advance the queer and trans liberation movement. Institutions of higher education have been arenas for liberatory efforts throughout their existence. Today, we see clearly that students on college campuses are intricately involved in broader movement work. By supporting and uplifting these efforts across the Midwest, we are working to dream a new future where the needs and experiences of systemically disadvantaged students are centered, a future which affirms and encourages sexuality and gender diversity.

ANNUAL REPORT

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MISSION WE EMPOWER STUDENTS OF DIVERSE SEXUALITIES AND GENDERS TO INSPIRE SUSTAINABLE CHANGE; LEAD HIGHER EDUCATION COLLEAGUES IN RELEVANT AND

INCLUSIVE

PRACTICES;

AND

ADVANCE

KNOWLEDGE OF SEXUALITY AND GENDER THROUGH ADVOCACY AND EXPANSIVE PROGRAMMING.

VISION WE

RE-ENVISION

AN

EDUCATIONAL

CLIMATE

THAT CENTERS THE NEEDS AND EXPERIENCES OF

SYSTEMICALLY

DISADVANTAGED

STUDENTS

AND AFFIRMS AND ENCOURAGES SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY.

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MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY

VALUES OUR CORE VALUES ARE STATEMENTS OF WHO WE 1, 2, 3...

ARE AND HOW WE PRIORITIZE THE WORK THAT WE DO. THEY SHAPE HOW WE OPERATE AS A TEAM AND ORGANIZATION. THEY GROUND US, IN EVERYTHING WE DO, IN OUR VISION, MISSION, AND PURPOSE. ACCESSIBILITY

ADVOCACY

We provide opportunities that are considerate

We uplift the voices of systemically

of varying intellectual, physical, and financial

disadvantaged students and colleagues as well

capacities and levels of college readiness.

as act as accomplices to all those participating in anti-oppression work.

ACCOUNTABILITY

COMMUNITY

We vow transparency in our processes, take

Through intentional collaboration, we liaise for

ownership of our limitations and commit to

various social justice efforts to build sustainable

continuous self-work. Through this modeling, we

coalitions and strengthen relationships across

expect and challenge our colleagues and partners

difference.

to do the same.

EDUCATION

LIBERATION

We emphasize the importance of culturally

We situate ourselves in this work with

relevant academic experiences and expanding

determination to annihilate systemic barriers,

understandings of students’ integration into

combat deeply ingrained beliefs and practices

campus life.

that negatively impact our communities, and conduct our work with urgency toward an inevitable revolution.

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2019-20 ACTIVITIES ORGANIZATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

State of the Region panel, MBLGTACC 2020

#OPE: OUR PARTNERS IN EQUITY In October 2020, we launched the OPE Monthly Giving

In fall 2019, we published our Organizational

Program. A nod to our favorite Midwesternism, we

Philosophy, a statement documenting our origin

established the program to further advance queer

story and the scope of our work. Additionally, our

success in the Midwest.

Organizational Philosophy defines our guiding principles:

We know that queer and trans youth in the Midwest

• Opposing oppression

are more likely to experience “biased language,

• Rescripting and challenging higher education

victimization, and anti-LGBTQ discriminatory school

(student-centered) • Adapting to changing contexts and integrating into existing movement work

policies and practices” than in the Northeast or West (2017 GLSEN National School Climate Survey). Our commitment to building connections across the region

• Using expansive and accessible language

and providing a sense of community plays a critical role

• Rejecting disproportionate wealth distribution

in boosting health outcomes for queer and trans youth.

and capitalism The creation of the OPE Monthly Giving Program is This statement sets the context for our approach

a launchpad for new programs and initiatives that

and lens, and guides our programming efforts.

create more opportunities for queer and trans students

Our philosophy was crafted collectively and with

to experience a sense of community, belonging, and

participation from everyone on our team. Read the full

empowerment. Funding received through OPE will

statement at sgdinstitute.org/about/philosophy.

be a vital resource in an underfunded and overlooked region.

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MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY

TRANS(GENDER) JUSTICE TEACH-IN: THE RISE OF A TRANS ABOLITIONIST VISION Saballos

In November 2020, the Institute partnered with the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Sexuality and Gender Equity Initiatives to host the Trans(Gender) Justice Teach-In. R.B. Brooks, director of programs, facilitated a panel discussion, The Rise of a Trans Abolitionist Vision, featuring four Midwest change makers: AR’TESHA SABALLOS, DOMINIQUE MORGAN, JUSTIN TOLIVER, and QUI ALEXANDER.

Morgan

Reflecting on the conversation, Brooks wrote, “During a year of frenzy and depleted energy, being anchored in a space of necessary reflection on abolitionist practices from these brilliant minds was a welcome rejuvenation.” The program highlighted recurring and emerging themes, including the need to center Black,

Toliver

queer, and trans people in abolitionist envisioning and that there is an abolitionist future because we are in an abolitionist present.

A recording of the panel conversation and a detailed written reflection from the

Alexander

conversation are available at sgdinstitute.org/programs/transgender-justice.

STAFF AND BOARD UPDATES We celebrate the promotion of TK Morton to be the Institute’s director of equity and access. Morton previously served as a program coordinator for the Institute and takes on this new role to advance, coordinate, and guide all efforts to define, understand, assess, foster, and cultivate diversity.

Additionally, we welcome Stephanie Skora to our board of directors. Skora is the associate executive director of Brave Space Alliance, the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center located on the South Side of Chicago. Skora was elected to serve as the Institute’s board president in March 2020.

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MBLGTACC 2020 Talent show, MBLGTACC 2020

Ulanday Barrett`

28TH ANNUAL MIDWEST BISEXUAL LESBIAN GAY TRANSGENDER ASEXUAL COLLEGE CONFERENCE

Blaque

Western Michigan University (WMU)

panels TRANSPARENCY, ROMEO JACKSON,

students hosted MBLGTACC 2020 on the

and ROBYN OCHS.

WMU campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Approximately 1,200 people convened around

We offer deep appreciation for students

the theme “Envisioning a Future Together,”

AIDEN, AJ, ALEX, AUSTIN, CESAR,

emphasizing our entrance into a new decade.

DANIELLE, ELI, EMILY, JAX, KATHERINE,

Attendees experienced keynotes from KAY

KELSEY, NICK as well as advisor NATHAN

ULUNDAY BARRETT, KAT BLAQUE, and

NGUYEN for their dedication and labor to

SAEED JONES, as well as featured speakers/

make this year’s MBLGTACC an empowering experience.

Saeed

NEW MBLGTACC APP Director of technology ANDY NEWHOUSE developed an MBLGTACC app for iOS and Android that was launched in advance of the 2020 conference. The app allows attendees to view workshop selections, tailor their registration information, and participate in surveys and workshop evaluations. It also allowed us to survey attendees throughout the weekend, make real-time adjustments, and improve the conference experience. We will be increasingly 8

leaning into and refining the app to increase access to MBLGTACC and other programming.

MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY

ADVISOR PROGRAMMING We are committed to building space for those who support Midwest queer & trans college students— advisors, student affairs professionals, faculty and others within a campus setting who ensure that

attendees had access to participating. The Institute is delving further into considerations about host selection processes in the future as we weigh factors such as conference growth and overall accessibility.

MBLGTACC FUTURITY PLAN

students are connected to experiences such as the conference. We are thankful for a continued

In addition to the conference host selection process,

relationship with the CONSORTIUM OF HIGHER

we agreed to pursue creating a MBLGTACC futurity

EDUCATION LGBT RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS to

plan. Since the founding of the Institute in 2016, we

provide tailored programming such as advisor socials,

have been building tools and efficiency for hosting the

discussions, and other meet-ups throughout the

conference. We feel confident that we have simplified

weekend. We had a significant turnout to this year’s

much of the planning and implementation process and

advisor social and with support from Great Lakes and

would like to take an opportunity to envision the future

Midwest regional representatives Jeff and Tegra from

of the conference. We will be examining big picture

the Consortium leadership, advisors were able to

questions about how to sustain the student-for-student

connect with others around comparable experiences in

legacy of the conference while also committing to

their roles and work.

transformations that resonate with our current contexts and the emerging needs of Midwest queer and trans

CONFERENCE HOST SELECTION PROCESS

college students today and future.

In previous years, a small subgroup of attendees were selected through State Meet-Ups to represent their state on an Oversight Committee. One responsibility of this group was to view presentations from prospective host schools and determine who would host the conference two years later. Since our founding, we have absorbed many of the responsibilities previously fulfilled by the Oversight Committee such as conference budget management and tax filings. In an effort to maintain student participation in determining future conference locations, we modified the host selection process.

Using the MBLGTACC app and a poster display at the exhibitor fair, information was provided to all attendees to review proposals and submit input on where the conference should be held in 2022. Prospective hosts submitted information to be included in a poster template designed to highlight information relevant to student attendees such as location, theme, and content ideas. Candidates also provided a more detailed packet of information that the Institute further assessed for size of intended space, transportation and lodging capacity, and other logistics. This multifaceted process allowed for a more transparent experience in which all

“ ...being able to be in a space, surrounded by others, it’s just very powerful.”

Eli Percich, MBLGTACC 2020 volunteer, to WWMT Newschannel 3.

ANNUAL REPORT

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FY 2020 & 2020-B

We adjusted our fiscal year to now align with the calendar year, and these statements reflect both FY 2020 and FY 2020-B. With the shift to the fall for MBLGTACC, the change will allow financial statements to more accurately reflect expenses related to a single conference year, rather than two straddling the fiscal year.

This year we also contracted The HMHF Group, Inc. to conduct an audit of our financial staements through May 31, 2020. That report was delivered in December 2020 and found that our financial statements were presented fairly and in accordance with accounting standards.

FIND THE AUDIT ONLINE SGDINSTITUTE.ORG/ABOUT/TRANSPARENCY

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MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY

FY 2020

JUNE 1, 2019 - MAY 31, 2020

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES PROGRAMS Revenue

Expenses

Program registration fees Program sponsorship TOTAL PROGRAM REVENUE

$ 97,985.00

Program production

$ 27,670.00

Advertising and marketing

$ 3.17

$90,209.42

Program, travel, lodging, and meals

$ 7,796.51

Credit card processing - programs

$ 3,093.67

PROGRAM PROFIT (LOSS): $16,722.94

TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENSES

$ 98,038.71

$ 108,932.06

FUNDRAISING Revenue

Expenses

Unrestricted donations

$ 5,289.46

Donor thank you gift expense

$ 796.95

Restricted donations

$-

Credit card processing - donations

$ 27.80

Gross fundraiser income

$ 575.00

Less direct fundraiser expenses TOTAL FUNDRAISING REVENUE

TOTAL FUNDRAISING EXPENSES

$ 824.75

$ (177.27) $ 5,687.19

FUNDRAISING PROFIT (LOSS): $4,862.44

MANAGEMENT & GENERAL Revenue

Expenses

Operating grants

$-

Office

$ 245.12

Interest/dividend income

$ 107.03

Advertising and marketing

$-

$ 6.04

Technology

$ 842.67

$ 113.07

Financial operations

$ 2,678.00

Training

$-

Miscellaneous

$-

Charitable contributions

$-

Cash back on credit purchases PROGRAM INCOME TOTAL

MGMT/GEN PROFIT (LOSS): ($3,652.72)

GRAND TOTAL REVENUE

$131,455.26

TOTAL MGMT/GEN EXPENSES

$ 3,765.79

GRAND TOTAL EXPENSE

$113,522.60

NET PROFIT (LOSS): $17,932.66

ANNUAL REPORT

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FY 2020 CONTINUED

FINANCIAL POSITION

CASH FLOWS

Assets

CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

Current assets

$ 17,995.50

$ 35,962.12

Cash

$ 35,962.12

Accounts receiveable

$-

Fixed assets TOTAL ASSETS

Cash flow from operating activities

$-

Net income

$ 14,962.66

$ 35,962.12

Adjustments from net income to cash

$-

Less increase(decrease) in accounts receivable

$-

Plus increase(decrease) in accounts payable

$-

Liabilities Current liabilities

$ 33.96

Accounts payable

$-

Uncashed checks

$-

TOTAL LIABILITIES

$-

TOTAL CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

$ 17,932.66

Cash flow from investing activities Fixed assets

$-

TOTAL CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Net Assets Assets without donor restrictions

$ 35,928.16

Assets with donor restrictions

$-

TOTAL NET ASSETS

$ 35,928.16

Cash flow from financing activities Increase (decrease) in credit accounts

TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS

$-

$ 33.96

TOTAL CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

$ 33.96

Net increase (decrease)

$ 17,966.62

$35,962.12

CASH AT END OF PERIOD

$35,962.12

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MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY

FY 2020-B

JUNE 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2020

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES PROGRAMS Program revenue

Program expenses

Program registration fees Program sponsorship TOTAL PROGRAM REVENUE

$ 1,750.00

Program production

$ 4,525.00

$ 5,045.00

Advertising and marketing

$ 0.52

$ 6,795.00

Program, travel, lodging, and meals

$-

Credit card processing - programs

$ 95.92

PROGRAM PROFIT (LOSS): $2,173.56

TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENSES

$ 4,621.44

FUNDRAISING Fundraising revenue

Fundraising expenses

Unrestricted donations

$ 4,093.84

Donor thank you gift expense

$-

Restricted donations

$-

Credit card processing - donations

$ 39.91

Gross fundraiser income

$-

Less direct fundraiser expenses TOTAL FUNDRAISING REVENUE

TOTAL ASSETS

$ 39.91

$$ 4,093.84

FUNDRAISING PROFIT (LOSS): $4,053.93

MANAGEMENT & GENERAL Management and general revenue

Management and general expenses

Operating grants

$-

Office

$ 129.00

Interest/dividend income

$ 8.36

Advertising and marketing

$ 0.34

$ 26.85

Technology

$ 477.30

$ 35.21

Financial operations

$ 20.00

Training

$-

Miscellaneous

$-

Charitable contributions

$ 185.00

Cash back on credit purchases PROGRAM INCOME TOTAL

MGMT/GEN PROFIT (LOSS): ($776.43)

GRAND TOTAL REVENUE

$10,924.05

TOTAL MGMT/GEN EXPENSES

$ 811.64

GRAND TOTAL EXPENSE

NET PROFIT (LOSS): $5,451.06

$5,472.99

ANNUAL REPORT

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FY 2021 CONTINUED

FINANCIAL POSITION

CASH FLOWS

Assets

Cash at beginning of period

Current assets

$ 35,962.12

$ 42,382.21

Cash

$ 37,707.21

Accounts receiveable

$ 4,675.00

Fixed assets TOTAL ASSETS

Net income

$ 42,382.21

Adjustments from net income to cash

Liabilities Current liabilities

$ 2.99

Accounts payable

$-

Uncashed checks

$ 1,000.00

TOTAL LIABILITIES

Cash flow from operating activities

$-

$ 5,451.06

Less increase(decrease) in accounts receivable

$ 4,675.00

Plus increase(decrease) in accounts payable

$ 1,000.00

TOTAL CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

$ 1,776.06

$Cash flow from investing activities Fixed assets

$-

TOTAL CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Net Assets Assets without donor restrictions

$ 41,379.22

Assets with donor restrictions

$-

TOTAL NET ASSETS

$ 35,928.16

Cash flow from financing activities Increase (decrease) in credit accounts

TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS

$-

($ 30.97)

TOTAL CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

$42,382.21

Net increase (decrease)

$ 1,745.09

CASH AT END OF PERIOD

$37,707.21

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MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY

OUR TEAM VOLUNTEER STAFF

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JUSTIN DRWENCKE Executive Director

STEPHANIE SKORA President

ROZE R.B. BROOKS Director of Operations

KHAMILLE DE LARA Director of Finance

T.K. MORTON Director of Equity & Access

MATTHEW ANDERSON, ESQ. Secretary

ANDY SWICK Director of Technology

LEE DYER Member at Large

NICK PFOST Director of Marketing & Communications

MICHELLE WALTERS Executive Coordinator

DANIELLE KROPVELD Fundraising Coordinator

MAI JAKUBOWSKI Climate Assessment Coordinator

CONTACT INFORMATION General inquiries: hello@sgdinstitute.org Collaborations: justin@sgdinstitute.org

NOAH BARTH Historian

Historical archives: noah@sgdinstitute.org MBLGTACC: rb@sgdinstitute.org Press or media: marketing@sgdinstitute.org

ROBERT ALBERTS Program Coordinator

Sponsorships & giving: justin@sgdinstitute.org Website comments: webmaster@sgdinstitute.org

ANNUAL REPORT

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© 2021 Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity P.O. Box 1053 | East Lansing, MI 48826 | sgdinstitute.org 16

MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY