Being Alive; May 1997
Walt Senterfitt, President, Being Alive Board of Directors

"It has been an extreme honor and privilege to serve as the Executive Director of such a unique organization and I consider the last three years spent here to be the most rewarding of my adult life.

"I leave with mixed emotions; proud of the many accomplishments we have experienced together but saddened by the deaths of so many of my friends and colleagues. There is still so much to be done in this fight; however, I find that I must take some time off in order to maintain my own emotional and physical health.

"I trust that you will support me in this decision and will continue to support me for the remainder of my time here as we prepare for the changes in the organization, the community and the future."

Reluctantly, we do support you in this decision, Gary, and will of course continue to support you in our common work as long as you are with us. We have been exceptionally fortunate to have Gary's skills and dedication in the service of Being Alive's mission for the past three years, as Executive Director and previously as Programs Director. During his tenure, Being Alive has established systems of monitoring and management, fiscal controls, opened the Women Alive center in mid-city Los Angeles, created the position of Volunteer Coordinator, and been remarkably successful in obtaining Ryan White CARE Act funds to support our work.

Gary has also represented Being Alive and PWAs in a term as Co-Chair of the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV Services and currently is a member of the California statewide Ryan White Title II Working Group. His energy and enthusiasm have created friends for the organization throughout the hiv/aids community of Los Angeles and California.

We understand the immense burdens that have fallen on you, as a combination E.D., development director and program coordinator! The perils of being a grass-roots organization with a tiny staff are many. We understand it is now time to take some time for yourself, and to consider your future role in the changing world of aids. Nevertheless, we will miss you mightily! A celebration of Gary's time here and a sendoff party will be held near the end of May.

Welcome New Board Members

During April, three new members were elected to Being Alive's Board: Napoleon Lustre, Ernie Federico and Scott Smith. All three have been active in Being Alive for some time. Napoleon directs a program of hiv prevention in the Filipino community. He met his present lover at a Being Alive Sunday Night Social! Ernie has been an active volunteer, serves on the Spirit of Hope Committee and is a graduate of the Project New Hope computer training programs for PWAs. Scott has been the volunteer (i.e. unpaid) assistant volunteer coordinator and an effective spokesperson with the Board on behalf of the office volunteers who are the main public face of Being Alive in person and on the telephone. Welcome all!

Applications are still open for vacant Board positions. Contact Gary Costa or Aleece Dimas for more information.

Being Alive Documentary Premieres

"Being Alive: Making a Difference" is an hour-long documentary filmed in the summer of 1996. The video, written and directed by Max Ember and produced by Billy Frank, profiles several Being Alive members and looks at our rich history and central mission. As we go to press, plans are set for it to be unveiled at a private screening May 4 for major donors at Raleigh Studios and then its first public showing at the National Conference on Women and HIV being held in Pasadena May 47.

Being Alive/Women Alive will be hosting two very special screenings of the film on Monday, May 12, for all volunteers and members of Being Alive/Women Alive. Call Barry Johnson at the Silverlake office to RSVP and get directions to the screening location.

We give our heartfelt thanks to Max Ember and Billy Frank and the volunteer crew who shot and edited the video. It has been selected to be part of the 1997 Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Outfest, in July of this year and talks are underway for airing it on PBS. A special ten minute version will be used for donor solicitation.

It's Also Time To Change Presidents

I've been President of the Board of Directors for more than four years, much longer than I'd anticipated when I accepted the post. It's time, I think, for Being Alive to refresh the leadership and for me to shift focus. I have resigned effective upon acceptance of the full Board. I expect that Vice-President Mary Lucey will succeed to the Presidency for now, and that the Board will hold election of officers as soon as most current membership vacancies are filled. After a short leave of absence, I expect to return to Being Alive as an active member and continued contributor to this newsletter.

It has been an honor to serve in the leadership, and to see Being Alive give valued support to so many. While I hope that one day we will be able to go out of business, that day has surely not yet come. Together, we are continuing to make a difference.

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Copyright © 1997 - Beings Alive. Permission granted for noncommercial reproduction, provided that our address and phone number are included if more than short quotations are used. Subscription lists are kept confidential. Being Alive, 621 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, Tel - 310.289.2551; FAX - 310.289.9866; Email: BeiAlive@aol.com  http://www.beingalivela.org/