New Mardi Gras (NMG) held its Annual General Meeting on Saturday 6th August where members voted unanimously to include the Intersex community in its Constitution’s objects as well as unanimously endorsing a plan to protect New Mardi Gras’s intellectual property.
At a well attended meeting NMG Members approved the company’s financial statements, Directors’ and Treasurer’s Reports. The Members were given an explanation of how the organisation had achieved a substantially reduced loss for 2010-11 and of plans in place to move into profitability in the coming year.
“We achieved substantial costs reductions in the last year,” said NMG CEO Michael Rolik. “We also made significant progress in terms of opening up new revenue areas. In the short term, however, the key challenge remains one of renewing enthusiasm for our key fundraising event the Mardi Gras Party and we’re setting out on a process of reinvention in the coming year.”
Two motions put forward by the outgoing Board were debated and unanimously endorsed at the meeting:
• A motion concerning inclusion of Intersex into the company
• A motion supporting work to begin on putting in place a company structure
aimed at protecting NMG’s intellectual property and allowing the company to benefit from Deductible Gift Recipient Status
“We’re delighted to have the green light on these two issues,” said outgoing NMG Co-chair Pete Urmson. “The inclusion of Intersex is a clear recognition of Mardi Gras’s responsibility to champion diversity and speak up for groups whose visibility needs to be raised and rights protected. In the coming year we plan to work hard to ensure we’re meeting the needs of all of the LGBTQI population, not just the biggest parts of it.
“The motion on company structure is a very important milestone in a long process that stems from the experience of 2002-3 when the Community had to dig deep to get the Mardi Gras intellectual property out of the hands of the receiver. We can now move forward to put in place the new company structure before bringing it back to our Members for final approval.”
The new Mardi Gras Board was also appointed at the meeting. Board officer positions will be filled at the first Board meeting this Thursday.
The meeting was also the final one for outgoing co-chair Steph Sands, who has been at the heart of the NMG Organisation since its rebirth from the old Mardi Gras - Steph was indeed a powerhouse of the organisation and someone who tirelessly worked for NMG and our community. Steph will not be saying goodbye completely to Mardi Gras however, with her ramping up her involvement in the incredibly successful women's initiative, "Women Say Something".
Mardi Gras will be showcasing its other new initiative thats replacing Sleaze Ball this year, in coming weeks - the BIG GAY WEEKEND. Which Guidetogay.com is a proud media partner.
WHY NOT:
Join the GTG New Mardi Gras Group.
Watch videos from Mardi Gras and Guidetogay.com's Mardi Gras Coverage.
