meetingnotes

654 Dinner & Brunch Guests Served,
908 Meals Prepared & Served, from
March 27th, 2006 to March 21, 2007!

( All guests sign in personally, in a bound guest book,
for accurate attendance record. )

Wednesday March 21
Movie, Dinner & Desserts

In keeping with the anniversary theme of our events
through March, we ran the film, 'And The Band
Played On', based on the book by Randy Shilts.

Dinner Menu:

Homemade Chicken Stew with Buttermilk Biscuits

Assorted Fresh Fruit

Dessert Menu:

Apple Pie, Vanilla Ice Cream, Dunkin' Donuts

Gevalia Coffee, Herb Teas, Hot Chocoloate, Soda & Juice.

The dinner closed at 8:00 PM

Transportation home was provided to those who
walked or came by bus.

Wednesday March 14th
Anniversay Dinner / Bingo

The Randy Shilts Center celebrated our first
anniversary with the usual good food, and a
lively Bingo game that was a hit . . . we'll be
doing Bingo on a regular basis.

Guests appreciated the larger cards with
readable numbers and flip down windows.

The array of unusual prizes were a hit as well.

Thanks to everyone who pitched in to help make our
first year a rousing success!

We've had to overcome a variety of obstacles, and deal
with a few people who did not have the best interests of
the center, or it's development at heart, but we did it.

We've also learned a lot of lessons along the way . . . Year
One has shown us who are friends and supporters are. It
has also shown us how irrelevant our detractors are.

It's a big world beyond the petty politics of a few self
annointed legends in their own mind in Albany.

Thanks to everyone for helping with the clean up.

The meeting was closed at 8:00 PM

Transportation home was provided to those who
walked or came by bus.

Wednesday February 21st Dinner

There were 8 guests.

The menu was:

Garden Salad

Beef Strouganoff with Noodles

Corn Muffins & Dinner Rolls

Desserts were:

Assorted Fresh Fruit

Dunkin' Donuts

Cinnamon Pecan Ring

Apple Walnut Ring

Gevalia Signature Blend Coffee, Hot Chocolate
Herb Teas, Crystalite & Sodas

The previous weeks dinner was canceled because of the
snowstorm, so we celebrated Valentine's Day today.

Four Holiday Door Prize Baskets were awarded.

Thank You to Donna W. for assembling the baskets
and providing the gifts in them.

There was a general discussion about the various changes
being made in the operation of the center, the programs,
and the web site.

Wednesday February 7th Dinner

There were 8 guests, and two visitors.

The menu was:

Jambalaya with Rice

Tropical Fruit Compote

Corn Muffins with Whipped Butter

Desserts were:

Assorted Fresh Fruit

German Chocolate Cake

Marble Cake with Lemon Butter Cream

Boston Cream Cake

Assorted Dunkin' Donuts

Gevalia Signature Blend Coffee, Herb Teas,
Hot Chocolate, Crystalite, Juices, & Sodas.

Welcome back to Linda & Harvest Moon!

Nice to see Kathy back as well.

This evening was the Women's Support Group.

Food Pantry and the Grocery Coupon Bank
were available.

A hand knit baby blanket was presented to Erica
as a gift from the center.

Two new names were added to the Memorial Plaque.

The new lighted welcome sign with rainbow color
bulbs across the top was set up on the stage.

Bitter cold night out, but the center was cozy and
inviting as usual, with gourmet food and lively
conversation.

Thanks to everyone for helping with the clean up.

The meeting was closed at 8:00 PM

Transportation home was provided to those who
walked or came by bus.

Wednesday January 31'st Dinner

There were 8 guests, and two visitors.

The menu was:

Garden Salad

Baked Ziti with Meatballs

Dinner Rolls with Whipped Butter

Desserts were:

Raspberry Ice Cream Cake

German Chocolate Cake

Apple Turn Overs

Peach Pie

Assorted Fresh Fruit

Gevalia Signature Blend Coffee, Herb Teas,
Hot Chocolate, Crystalite, Juice, & Sodas

We had a dinner discussion with Geri & Rachel
from PFLAG, to discuss ways we can network
and be mutually supportive, since we have parents
and other family members who attend the centers
activities.

Thanks to Mike & Mike for helping with the clean up.

Thanks to Donna W. for helping with preparation of
the door prize baskets for the coming holidays.

Best wishes to Erica and the baby.

Food Pantry and Coupon Bank were available.

The dinner closed at 8:00 PM

Transportation home was provided to those who
walked or came by bus.

Wednesday January 24th Dinner

There were 8 guests, and one visitor.

The menu was:

Boneless Country Ribs Herb Provence
with Apricot Glaze

French Fries

Chunky Apple Sauce with Rum Raisins

Parker House Rolls with Whipped Butter

Desserts were:

Raspberry Pie

Apple Pie

Blueberry Turnovers

Fruit Cocktail

Assorted Fresh Fruit

Gevalia Signature Blend Coffee, Hot Chocolate,
Herb Teas, Juice, Crystalite, & Soda.

Lively conversation as usual . . . we reviewed
the new profit loss statement, and the draft
of policies to be discussed and voted on by the
full board, . . . and, checked out all the new
cookware and the indoor BBQ pits that were
donated to the center.

A church board member stopped in to discuss
some of the additions we are making to the stage
area, and the location of new electric outlets to
be installed in the stage and pantry areas so we
can get the sound system installed.

Food Pantry and Coupon Bank were available.

The dinner was closed at 8:PM

Transportation home was provided to those who
walked or came by bus.

Saturday January 20th
Movie & Potluck Snacks

There were 7 guests and 2 visitors.

As requested, for those who hadn't seen it yet,
we featured, "Brokeback Mountain'.

Snacks & Beverages served:

Hot Buttered Popcorn

Blueberry and Apple Turnovers

Peach Pie

Gevalia Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Herb Teas
Crystalite, Juices, & Sodas

Food Pantry and Coupon Bank were available.

The center closed at 8:30

Transportation home was provided to those who
walked or came by bus

January 17th Dinner

There were 9 guests who braved the cold
to join us for dinner.

Our caterer is away on vacation so we
put the church kitchen to use . . .

The menu was:

Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Crystalized Ginger

Potatoes Au Gratin with Gruyere & Cheddar

Mixed Vegetables with Savory Butter Sauce

Sour Dough Rolls with Whipped Butter

Desserts were:

Dunkin 'Donuts

Marbled Cake

Apple, Cherry, Blueberry, Turnovers

Neapolitan Ice Cream

Gevalia Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Herb Teas,
Crystalite, Juice, & Sodas

Gourmet fare and a warm friendly gathering.

Very relaxing on a cold winter night.

Food pantry and the Coupon Bank were available.

Thanks to Earl R. & Bob K. for the baskets.

Thank you to Rob B. & Peter S. for the memorial
donation to the Randy Shilts Center.

Thank You to Kathy M. for the memorial donation;
and our sympathy to her and her family on their
recent loss.

The dinner was closed at 8:00 PM

Thanks to Mark W., Mike W., and Mike K. for their
usual assist with serving and clean up.

Transportation home was provided to those who
walked or came by bus.

January 10th Dinner

There were 12 guests present and 1 visitor.

The menu was:

Grilled Hot Dogs on Rolls

Potato Salad with Dill /Sour Cream Dressing

Garden Macaroni Salad

Assorted Fresh Fruit

Desserts were:

Marbled Whipped Butter Cream Cake

Bran Muffins

Lemon Poppy Muffins

Carrot Nut Muffins

Neapolitan Ice Cream

Gevalia Dark Roast Coffee, Hot Chocolate,
Herb Teas, Crystalite, & Sodas

Our caterer is on vacation for the month of January
so we are making use of the wonderful kitchen at the
church to prepare the dinners for a few weeks.

Lively gathering as usual . . . nice to see some new
folks and old friends back to join us after being
away awhile.

The dining hall is looking very sharp now with all
the new lace curtains on the windows, new Art Deco
amber glass torchieres, and the stage cleared.

We had a birthday celebration for Board member
Mark Warren, and Kathy M.

Food Bank Coupons were available.

Thanks to   everyone for helping   with   the    clean
up after the   dinner . . . and a special Thank You
to Mike Kahian, and Donna   Wilkinson for the
assist in the kitchen. We've got it down to a science
now with the kitchen service.

Two more members have asked to be registered to
take the Safe Food Handling Procedures class at
the Regional Food Bank.

The Dinner was closed at 8:00 PM

Transportation home was provided to anyone who
walked or came by bus.

Saturday January 6th General Meeting

There were 8 guest / members preseent.

One board member was absent.

Agenda:

Meeting called to order by President Arthur Carroll

Newly elected board members, Mark Warren and
Douglas Jordan were introduced.

Roll Call by Secretary Donna Wilkinson

Evaluation / Suggestion forms were distributed.

Informal discussion of various issues to be reviewed
by the full Board:

Confidentiality policy, defining 'membership', new
member brochures, fund raising committee, site
management committee, and suggestions for ways
to improve or expand the groups services.

There was a wide ranging discussion of the issues;
and the evaluation / suggesion forms were completed
and collected.

Evaluation / suggestion forms will be mailed to guests
who did not attend the general planning meeting.

It was announced that the evaluation / suggestion forms
will be available at every activity of the group, and we
will hold general meetings frequently to encourage mem-
ber input and participation in the groups programs.

Board member Mark Warren volunteered, and was
appointed to head the Site Management Committee.

It was suggested and agreed that there should be clear
minimal requirements to become a 'voting' member of
the group; recorded attendance at 12 or more of our
centers regularly scheduled activities in a fiscal year,
and an active participation in the operation of the
groups services.

It was suggested and agreed that the Board will review
the options for holding a Rummage Sale in the Spring.

Potluck snacks were served, and everyone helped to
take down the holiday tree and decorations.

Food Pantry was available.

Meeting was closed at 7:30

Transportation home was provided to those who
walked or came by bus.

January 3rd Dinner

There were 11 guests and 1 visitor.

The menu was:

Garden Salad with Ranch Dressing

Sicilian Lasagna

Bakery Dinner Rolls & Whipped Butter

Desserts were:

Very Chocolate Cake

Assorted Dunkin' Donuts

Cranberry / Orange Scones

Italian Pastries

Ice Cream

Fruit Cocktail

Gevalia Dark Roast Coffee, Hot Chocolate,
Herb Teas, Crystalite Punch, Juice, & Soda

Another great dinner and lively conversation to
kick off the new year . . . it keeps getting better.

There was a wide ranging discussion about some of
the excitng new plans for the center.

Preparation for the coffeehouse continues . . . the new
cafe curtains will be installed next week, and three
more antique amber glass torchieres . . . then we begin
work on the stage lighting.

Laura Bowman was there to facilitate the Women's
Peer Support Group.

Thanks to Michael J. for providing the flyers for the
General Meeting this Saturday, the 6th. 5:00 to 8:30.

We will be discussing events for 2007, and getting
feedback from all of the guests and members, to
be considered by the Board as we develop our plan
and policy for the year.

Congratulations to Mark W. and Doug J. on being
elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the
Randy Shilts Center. That puts our current Board
at five members.

Thanks to Mike K. and Donna W. for getting the
dinner plated and served.

Thanks to Mark W. and Mike W. and Mike K. for
all the assist with clean up after the Dinner.

Food Pantry was available.

The dinner was closed at 8:00 PM

Transportation home was provided to those who
walked or came by bus.

December 27th Dinner

There were 14 guests.

The menu was:

Chicken Divan

Curried Rice

Whole Kernal Corn

Bakery Rolls & Whipped Butter

Desserts were:

Marbled Cake

Neapolitan Ice Cream

Gevalia Dark Roast Coffee,
Hot Chocolate, Herb Teas, Crystalite, & Soda

Prior to   the   dinner there was   a   monthly   meeting
of the Executive Committee. Old / new   business   was
reviewed, the Treasurers   report was issued, and   a
vote was taken to elect two new members to the Board.

Welcome to the new folks who attended!

There was a lively conversation about various ways to
use the hall on Saturday's beginning in January.

In the Spring the coffeehouse will be open on Saturdays,
at least twice a month, and the other nights will be used to
show films, and possibly a Bingo evening.

Thanks to everyone for pitching in to help with the clean up!

Food Pantry and the Coupon Bank were available.

The dinner was closed at 8:00 PM.

Transportation home was provided to those who walked
or came by bus.

December 20th Holiday Dinner

There were 16 guests and 2 visitors.

Photo by: Art Carroll Photo by: Kathy Breda

The menu was:

Spiral Cut Honey Ham

Lemon Chicken

Augratin Potatoes

Candied Squash with Pecans

Chunky Cran-Apple Sauce with Rum

Yeast Dinner Rolls with Whipped Butter

Desserts were:

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Chocolate Cake

Lemon Cream Pie

Apple Pie

Gevalia Signature Blend Coffee,
Hot Chocolate, Herb Teas, Juice,
Crystalite, & Sodas

A superb first Christmas Dinner / Party.

There was an hour of social in the living room while
guests arrived . . . then a superb, moving, performance
of Flagging to Christmas Carols by LaTaunya French.

Video Clip Of LaTaunya Flagging

( Turn the sound on - clip will download slower if you are
using a dial-up modem - wait until it is fully downloaded
before clicking 'play' on your video player. )

(Image quality is affected by volume of web and server traffic.
If the clip doesn't run smoothly, try again later.)

An elegant meal prepared by Linda of Harvest Moon was
served, then desserts, then a drawing was held to pick the
the three door prize winners.

A holiday basket went to Liz L., tickets to the Spectrum Eight
Cinema's went to Michael J., and the Randy Shilts Center Mug
with Logo and candy canes went to Michael W.

Thanks to Mike J. for conducting the drawing, and to LaTaunya's
grandson Lateef for picking the winners.

The remainder of the evening was a social, and the gifts were
presented to all of the guests.

Thank You to Donna W. for donating the door prize basket.

Thanks to Mike W. for doing the usual terrific job of helping
to get all the dinners served.

Regards to the folks who could not attend because of illness.

Warm regards to Doug & Glenn in Florida . . . we'll save some
snow for you if we have any.

Thanks to Kathy Breda for helping to photograph the event,
and taking video of LaTaunya's beautiful performance.

Thanks to Mark & his Dad Ernie for helping with the clean up,
and to Will C. for bringing desserts, and all of the guests and
friends of the center for making our first 10 months a success.

It keeps getting better . . . thanks to the folks who care, and help.
That's what the center is all about - caring community.

Thank You to OBKF for assisting with gift items.

The dinner was closed at 8:30 PM

Transportation home was provided to those who came by bus.

Have a safe holiday!

Reminder: All of our regularly scheduled events will occur as
planned through the holidays . . . HIV / AIDS does not take a
vacation, and neither do we, the Shilts Center will be open.

All volunteer, and always there, because we care!

24 / 7 ~ 266-1280

December 13th Dinner

There were 7 guests and 3 visitors.

The menu was:

Garden Salad with Cranberries.

Assorted Dressings

Baked 3 Cheese Ziti with Meat Sauce

Bakery Butter Rolls & Whipped Butter

Desserts Were:

Peach Pie

Mince Pie

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

French Vanilla Ice Cream

Gevalia Dark Roast Coffee, Herb Teas

Hot Chocolate, Crystalite, Fruit Juice, & Soda

There was a general discussion about all of the new
plans for the center, and suggestions from the guests.

Effective January 6th, we will be expanding the schedule
and services; and we will be open every Saturday evening
at the usual times ~ 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

This is in preparation for the coffeehouse; but in the meantime
we will schedule other activities on Saturdays. Movie & Pizza,
Bingo, etcetera.

It was announced that a new GLBT / PLWA newspaper was
being established in Troy. Initially it will be an on-line journal,
to be hosted at: TheCommunityAdvocate.org

Food Pantry and Grocery Coupons were available.

The dinner was closed at 8:00 PM

Transportation home was provided to those who came by bus.

December 6th Dinner

There were 14 guests and 2 visitors.

The menu was:

Garden Salad with Assorted Dressings

Italian Sausage with Braised Potatoes, Tomatoes, & Fennel

Bakery Rolls & Whipped Butter

Desserts were:

Strawberry Whipped Cream Cake

Pumpkin Pie

Apple Pie

Dunkin' Donuts

Cranberry Nut Bread

Gevalia French Roast Coffee, Hot Chocolate,

Herb Teas, Crystalite, Fruit Juice, & Sodas

Awesome evening . . . the hall was festive and inviting,
there were several new guests, and the conversation was lively.

There was a general discussion about the Shilts Centers plans
for opening the coffeehouse, and producing concerts at a much
larger venue in Troy. It was also announced that as a separate
venture, independent of the Randy Shilts Center, there will
soon be a new Gay Community Newspaper based in Troy.

Copies of the Troy World AIDS Day program were distributed
for guests who were unable to attend.

We made history. It was the first public World AIDS Day event
held in Troy in 14 years or so, it was the first public event sponsored
by the new very Gay friendly church about to open in Troy, thanks
to Reverend Timothy A. Sherman, and it was the first collaborative
effort between the new church, and the Randy Shilts Center.

It was a superb event - from the evocative Flagging by Sis. LaTaunya
French & Sis. Connie Lee of the LaTaunya Renee Flag Ministry, to
the Flute Solos, to the inspired gospel songs of Antonia Brown, the
opening prayer by Rev. Alexandra Lusak, and the sermon by Rev.
Tim Sherman. It was an evening not to be missed.

Welcome back to Mike J.

Happy Birthday to Mike K!

Thank you to Mike W. for helping with the clean up.

The women's support group met with Laura Bowman.

Several more Randy Shilts Center affiliate membership cards
were issued to guests who joined the program.

Between the Food Pantry, The Coupon Bank, and the substantial
savings of being in our Sam's Club shopping progam, the Shilts
Center is providing meaningful assistance / savings of at least
$150. per month to each guest who utilizes the programs.

Over the course of a year, that is a very valuable asset for
our guests. We pioneered these programs, and they are
unique to the Randy Shilts Center.

It is our policy to develop new innovative programs and
services to improve the quality of life for the HIV affected
community, and avoid duplication of services with other centers.

Pastor Angel Tirado from the Hispanic church stopped in to
introduce the new co-pastor, and chat awhile.

Food Pantry and Grocery Coupons were available.

The dinner was closed at 8:00 PM

Transportation home was provided to those who came by bus.

Previous Dinner / Brunch / Meeting Notes are being
archived for the Shilts Center historical records.

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