Affinity
December 2007
Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons—Serving Gay & Lesbian Mormons and Their Family and Friends Since 1977
Inside This Issue


Olin Thomas

Reflecting Back on the 30th Year of Affirmation

by Olin Thomas, Executive Director

It is no small feat for a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers to not only survive for thirty years, but to thrive, but that is exactly what Affirmation has done. This year we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the founding of Affirmation with successful and well attended ceremony in Salt Lake City where the history of Affirmation was honored and challenges for the future set forth. Members of Affirmation in Washington then set about organizing a conference that impressed not only our members but other organizations and guests. Nationally known figures such as Bishop V. Gene Robinson and Carol Lynn Pearson joined with numerous other fascinating speakers in a weekend of non-stop entertainment, activism and expressions of faith, hope and empowerment that deeply touched all who attended. This conference did much to let the world know that Affirmation exists and is full of spirit. Earlier in the year we were helped in the publicity department by a PBS documentary The Mormons, which feature two Affirmation members, Trevor Southey and D. Michael Quinn, and by a National Public Radio feature which included interviews with Affirmation members Ben Jarvis and Olin Thomas.

As wonderful as this national attention is, I am just as encouraged to see new chapters forming or trying to form around the country. Efforts to create chapters have begun in Albany, NY, Indianapolis, IN and Atlanta, GA and a chapter has been started and is actively meeting in Kansas City. Membership, both new and continuing, is critical if Affirmation is going to continuing to thrive. I invite everyone reading this message to support the work of Affirmation and affirm your own identity by becoming a full, dues paying member. A form is enclosed for this purpose.

The most important contribution you can make to Affirmation or in support of gay and lesbian Mormons is to become an Affirmation member. But financial support is also critical. When the Magi visited the Christ child, they brought gifts of frankincense and myrrh. At this time of year, thoughts of honoring those who have brightened our lives with love and support are in the front of our minds. Consider also supporting organizations which have enriched your life. For me that certainly includes Affirmation. I recently received a National Geographic catalogue which offered a small wooden box of frankincense and myrrh for $38.95. A regular Affirmation membership is a relative bargain, at $25.00. The enclosed form offers suggestions for other ways to support Affirmation. Please remember the Mormon people still struggling to reconcile their faith and their sexuality and who still need Affirmation. Let us all take time to enjoy the holidays with those who love and accept us and may we find new energy and new courage in the coming year to stand up for our rights and be proud of both our heritage and who we are.



Bruce Maughan
Affirmation’s Sources and Uses of Funds

by Bruce Maughan

It is easiest to describe Affirmation’s finances in two parts: its routine, day-to-day operations and the annual conference. Affirmation’s routine operations include maintaining a presence on the Internet; producing a monthly newsletter available by mail or online; responding to inquiries from members of the organization, nonmembers, and the media; maintaining a membership data base; and the meetings and communication among the Executive Committee necessary to keep the organization functioning. For the 12 months ended September 30, 2007, Affirmation had income of approximately $15,400 to fund its routine operations. Dues provided $6,300 of that, another $6,300 was donated, and Affirmation earned interest of $2,500 on a money market account.

For the 12 months ended September 30, 2007, Affirmation spent a total of approximately $12,000 on its routine operations running and maintaining the website cost $2,150, producing and distributing the Affinity newsletter cost $1,600, and postage cost another $820. Affirmation spent $1,450 on supplies, $370 for the national telephone line, $640 in credit card processing fees, and $1,700 for a new computer and related software. Affirmation also spent approximately $3,400 on leadership meetings, much of that for travel by the Executive Committee. However, $1,800 was donated specifically to offset those expenses.

As for the annual conference, the recent conference in Washington, D.C., showed a small loss of $270. The major source of conference revenues was registration fees totaling $22,700. Almost $11,000 was donated to the conference fund. The costs of the conference were almost $35,000, and most of that was paid to the hotel where the conference was held. Affirmation also awarded $510 in scholarships to assist those who would otherwise have been unable to attend the conference.

This year was typical for Affirmation’s conferences. They are not intended to show a profit. The goal is to have most conferences break even and, if possible, show a small gain that can be used to offset the cost of future conferences that might be held in a more expensive location, such as this year’s conference in D.C. Over the years, this approach has resulted in a balance in the conference fund of approximately $6,500, the product of nearly 30 years of conferences.

I am proud of how Affirmation operates. There is no office with a paid staff. Members of the Executive Committee are not paid. Affirmation is a volunteer organization whose members and leaders donate freely of their time and resources. This is a significant reason why Affirmation can do so much on a small budget. As Treasurer, I take great pride in the fact that Affirmation's money is well spent and that the needs of Affirmation members are being met. If you have any questions or comments, or would like additional details, please contact me at www.affirmation.org/contact/treasurer.


Bruce Maughan
Affirmation National Treasurer

Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons
P.O. Box 46022
Los Angeles, CA 90046
National Phone Line: (661) 367-2421
To see a directory of current Affirmation chapters, visit www.affirmation.org/chapters

Executive Director: Olin Thomas
Senior Assistant Director: Alyson Bolles
Assistant Director: James Morris
Associate Director & Affinity Editor: www.affirmation.org/contact/affinity

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AFFIRMATION GAY & LESBIAN MORMONS is a non-profit support group serving Gay and Lesbian Mormons, their families and friends since 1977. AFFINITY is the official publication of the Affirmation National Executive Committee. Submissions are welcome and should be limited to 250 words. To contact us, visit www.affirmation.org/contact/affinity. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, national committee or publisher, but rather the individual writers. The Editor reserves the right to edit any material deemed offensive, libelous, grammatically incorrect or lengthy.

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