We’re in our second month of 2013, and Pride Foundation’s Leadership Action Team (LAT) is geared up and ready to gather for their annual retreat! During the day-long retreat, the team of volunteer leaders from across Central and Eastern Washington will set goals to guide its work across the state for the coming year. It’s not often that the LAT are able to meet in one location, usually monthly meetings are held by video and audio conference, so everyone is excited to work as a team and brainstorm of ways to better serve and strengthen the LGBTQ equality movement.
This year, the Eastern Washington LAT is kicking off the series of planning retreats for Pride Foundation that will take place in Idaho, Alaska, Oregon, and Montana in the coming months. Topics for discussion will include how Pride Foundation might better engage youth and encourage involvement in volunteering and how to engage new prospective scholarship and grant applicants from rural and remote communities. In addition time will be spent talking through how to develop systems of support for our existing grantee organizations and scholars, and finally, how to tell the story to Pride Foundation supporters and friends to increase financial giving to our collective work.
Jason Kildall, LAT member from Yakima, Washington, will be attending the retreat and is excited to talk about the strategic direction of the organization and the future for Pride Foundation. “So much has changed in Washington State and society in general, especially with the passing of R74, and I am really looking forward to what’s to come for the LGBT community,” Jason remarked.
Jason is a strong advocate of equality and believes in empowering others with the tools to succeed and influence the future. “Being a member of the LAT team has empowered me with the tools to be a successful volunteer, leader within my community, and the opportunity to gain tangible skills that I use daily in my role as a development officer for a nationwide nonprofit.”
About Pride Foundation’s Leadership Action Teams
Pride Foundation Leadership Action Teams (LATs) are volunteer leadership groups that consist of 7-12 people. The groups are diverse and representative of their specific region or state and are comprised of members of the LGBTQ and allied communities. LATs are some of Pride Foundations most trusted friends and partners and serves as the “feet on the ground” that will help execute on the collective vision of the communities served that is made up of donors, volunteers, grantees, scholars, and community members.
Responsibilities include:
- Supporting and Developing Local Leaders
- Raising Awareness
- Creating Meaningful Philanthropic Opportunities
Farand is Pride Foundation’s Regional Development Organizer in Eastern Washington. Email Farand.