2008 Annual Meeting Summary
The annual meeting was well attended with nearly 50 people enjoying brunch from Hackberry's and good conversation before the meeting began. Outgoing board members, Alice Benson, Lisa Jackson, Mary O'Sullivan, and Leslie Scheld, were presented with certificates of appreciation. Incoming board members spoke of their background and reasons for wanting to serve on the board. You can read their statements below.
Attendees also heard Rosanne St. Sauver, the Center Executive Director, summarize the key activities for 2008, Center involvement in the community and social justice events, and outlined plans for 2009. Members had an opportunity to offer suggestions and comments during the meeting.
A copy of our 2008 Annual Report is available on our website.
Winners of the random drawing were Lisa Jackson who won the DVD, "She Likes Girls 3" that was donated by Wolfe Video, and Daina Skrove who won the cruise for two on the Julia Belle Swain. Daina Skrove then generously re-donated the cruise to Pride for an upcoming fundraiser.
New Board Members
Jillayn Hey
My name is Jillayn Hey and I have been a resident of the Coulee Region for more than ten years. I have a Masters degree in professional counseling and I provide Case Management and therapy to people with severe and persistent mental illness. Many of the clients involved in our program are part of the LGBT community and daily, I see the need for support and acceptance in their lives. Much of my work includes advocating for my clients as they are often dismissed or misunderstood in our community because of their uniqueness. I have a heart for advocacy and community service in hopes that further generations will be more aware, accepting and inclusive of all people.
When I am not working, I am busily raising four children ages 15, 12, 12, and 8 with my partner Ken, whom I have been married to for 17 years. Our family is happily immersed in the LGBT community, thanks to many dear and cherished friends in our lives.
Kathy Lawson
I am very excited about the opportunity and privilege to serve on the LGBT Center’s board of directors. I am looking forward to contributing my skills and volunteer time to meet the needs of the community. I believe that we should all stand together in the fight for equality.
I was born and raised in the La Crosse area, and presently reside 24 miles away in Caledonia, Minnesota. I am a single parent of 3 grown children and I am currently employed at Houston County Women’s Resources. I am active on Houston County’s Child Abuse Prevention Council, facilitator of a Women’s Chemical Dependency support group, parent education groups, Chairperson for the local Salvation Army Service Unit, and a member of the La Crosse area PFLAG support group. My interests include creating stained glass art, reading, cooking/eating, travel, my two cats Sandy and Tess, and my pet turtle Mr.Turtle or Turtley.
Bonnie Striegel
Bonnie Striegel teaches 7th grade language arts at Holmen Middle School in Holmen, WI. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She formerly taught at Friedell and John Adams Middle Schools in Rochester, and at Aquinas Middle School in La Crosse. In addition, Bonnie coached high school girls’ cross-country and middle school track for several years at Aquinas. Bonnie is an avid runner and has participated in several marathons. Her interests also include biking, skiing, tennis, home improvement projects, reading and spending time with her partner Jan and her two grown children.
Johnnie Loeffler Schmeckpeper
I want to extend warmest greetings to everyone involved with the LGBT Resource Center for the Seven Rivers Region! I am Johnnie Loeffler Schmeckpeper. I was born and raised in La Crosse, Wisconsin by two great parents. I graduated from Central High School in 1988 at the age of 17, and then I went into the Army National Guard for four years. I initially served as a Combat Construction Specialist before ending my time as a Medic-in-training after four years of service. I held a variety of jobs throughout my twenties, but my specialty was professional office work. I had taken advantage of my job skills when I lived down in St. Louis, MO for four years in my mid to late twenties where I worked at A.G. Edwards World Headquarters near downtown St. Louis for about two years before I became too homesick!
I moved back to La Crosse in 1999 where I once again held a few positions in professional office work until 2005. I officially became disabled in January of 2007 due to some non-life-threatening ailments. I had previously volunteered at the Moose Lodge in La Crosse where I was on the Board of Officers, and I also ran karaoke and cooked in the kitchen. I switched organizations in November of 2007 when I became a member of the Eagles Club where I currently volunteer cooking for monthly steak and fish fries.
It was a warm, spring day in May of 2007 when I stumbled upon my passion walking down Pearl Street in La Crosse, the LGBT Resource Center for the Seven Rivers Region! I talked with Connie Sutter, the America Corps worker at the time. Before I knew it I was helping out with staffing and coming up with a wide range of ideas to help the center grow into the beautiful blossom that it is today! I love the center, the workers, directors, members and volunteers that have truly made a big difference in helping the center to grow. I am here now to extend my range of volunteer work into a more in-depth and meaningful way. My ultimate goal, however lofty as it may be, is to expand the center's services and the center itself so that the center can help even more people and hold more events and fund raisers!
In my personal life, I am blessed to have a terrific partner and husband of over eight years and a super yellow Labrador named Buster who is eight years old. My original name was John E Loeffler until my partner and I held a commitment Ceremony at First Congregational United Church of Christ on August 4, 2007 where we vowed, like any other married couple, to spend our lives with each other through thick and thin times. I am truly honored to have such a special partner, and I would not be where I am today without his love and support!