Lethbridge Pride Board Announced + Interview With the Chair

With the encompassment of the Lethbridge Pride Festival elections ending round 2 on October 25, 2010 (yes, there was 2 rounds due to a lack of participation during the last meeting, and a scandalous roast of the board for apparently not advertising it well) the Lethbridge Pride Festival Board of Directors has been selected for this year’s Pride Festival.

As elected at the first meeting October 4, 2010, hosted by Catwalk Salon & Spa for those who followed proper protocol with their application and were present:

Chair: Heather Chomos (returning as Chair as decided by the previous board at one of their meetings)
Vice-Chair / Graphic Design & Marketing: Matthew Young (stepping up from Volunteer Coordinator from last year)
Secretary: Dave Mabel (stepping up from Director-at-Large last year)
Sponsorship Director: Tyler Gschaid (stepping up from Secretary last year).

At the latest meeting hosted October 25, 2010 by Catwalk & Spa the remaining board openings were elected as follows:

Treasurer: Reid Hollander (first year on the board)
Events Director: Patty Vadnaid (first year on the board)
Volunteer Coordinator: TBD by the Lethbridge Pride Festival Board of Directors
Director-at-Large: Levi Cox (returning from last year)
Director-at-Large: Ryan Juss (returning from last year)

Heather Chomos, Chair, Lethbride Pride Festival 2010/2011

Unfortunately during the first meeting (October 4, 2010) there was some political dispute reported between some community groups and members over the “ethical conduct” of the board and what they perceived to be “suspicious circumstances and behaviour” over a few issues during the election process. Upon hearing about some of the communities’ accusations I sent an interview to Heather Chomos, Chair of Lethbridge Pride Festival for comment in an attempt to get to the truth of the matter and to quell any rumors generated.

The re-appointment of Heather Chomos to Chair has been stated to “appear suspicious” in nature from GALA/LA and ULSU Pride due to the fact the Pride Board decided during a meeting to re-instate you to ensure continuity between the elected boards in the event that an entirely new board was elected. How do you feel about this allegation and/or how has this comment made you feel? Furthermore, what do you believe “appears suspicious” about this action governed by your board?

As Lethbridge Pride Fest Chair, I have always tried to be fair, transparent and honest.  Allegations of this nature are not founded in any of those qualities, and do not have any merit.  The Board has always and will always be free to make decisions it feels best. My role has only ever been and will continue to be to keep the board on task.

How do you feel about the Lethbridge Pride Festival being compared politically to events and or circumstances here in Lethbridge? It was noted that Pride Fest was there in support of its community during the “Hate Crime” incident June 2010 where a University student’s vehicle was vandalized.

While community advocacy is very important, and we encourage board members to pursue such activities as individuals, we do not exist to promote social justice or social progression through any other means than the activities we present via the annual Lethbridge Pride Festival.

Many factions of the community apparently disliked the fact that the first Pride Fest election meeting was not properly advertised to them and that it was held on an evening during another public event of importance to them. How do you feel about this situation?

Lethbridge Pride Fest serves the entire community of Southern Alberta, not one or two factions of it. Though the apparent short notice did seem to annoy some, or cause distain, notice was provided a month before, with a reminder sent a week or so before. However, that was the first time many heard. Because of that concern, Lethbridge Pride Fest did schedule another special meeting so that there would be ample time and notice to apply for Board positions. (We provided three weeks of constant notice of the second meeting.)

It has been said before, noted on my blog and displayed affectionately around our city this past year that there has been some further “division” amongst the LGBT community in Lethbridge. Do you feel that this is true?

Unfortunately human beings can create division where none is necessary.  Lethbridge Pride Fest seeks to promote unity through diversity.

Since you’ve been on the inside of the Pride Festival board since day one and truly understand what the festival stands for; can you please state in your words what it is the festival is supposed to represent and or not represent?

As I’ve mentioned previously, and put very simply, Lethbridge Pride Fest is a festival that celebrates and promotes diversity in Southern Alberta. Through its events, we seek to promote understanding and acceptance that all people are human beings and are unique and diverse, and similarly, all the same.

Would you say that Lethbridge Pride Festival has full support and commitment from the LGBT community? How about Lethbridge in general?

Overall, throughout the LGBT community, I would say no. There are various segments of the community who do not feel that a “Pride” Festival is necessary. The same would be true in (the) general (population).  However, I do think that support throughout both areas of the community is growing and definitely positive for the most part. I would offer that “Pride” has evolved over the years, and it’s become more than a flashy, loud gathering of what people perceive to be ‘deviants’. The Lethbridge Pride Festival Board keeps in mind the community it serves when we plan our events.

 At Pride Fest 2010 there was talk about the board of directors having too small a board to properly manage all the events; do you have any comments on the matter?

The Lethbridge Pride Fest Board never has more than nine members. We operated with 8 members most of the year. We are all very dedicated to the festival, and we work diligently to make Pride an enjoyable experience for all attendees.

Would you care to comment on the level of participation our community has within Lethbridge Pride Festival? Do you seem to have enough volunteer support to effectively manage the organization’s events each year?

While we have some very dedicated volunteers, and they continue to support us, we will always need more. Each year the events get bigger and better, and that requires sincere, dedicated individuals to commit some of their time.

As mentioned, we do always need more volunteers, but those we have work together to create the best possible experience.

Has Lethbridge Pride Fest received support in the form of volunteers and/or donations from other LGBT groups in the area?

Absolutely! Lethbridge Pride Fest considers other area LGBT groups sister organizations, and that being said, we are always open and willing to work with them year round.  

 What will the vision of the Lethbridge Pride Festival board be for the 2010/2011 year?

The board has only come together within the last week, so the vision for this year’s Pride will be coming together within the next month or so.

So there you have it Gossip Guy fans; hopefully the fog in the glass has cleared over this controversy. I will state that in my personal opinion: comparing Lethbridge Pride Fest to another community group and the way it operates, making fabricated allegations and telling them how to govern themselves is a faux paus; especially since they only exist for such a worth while unpolitical cause meant to include everyone.

For more information on Lethbridge Pride Fest, check out their website or their facebook group.

//Gossip Guy, you know you love me -xoxo