Evaluation of 2000-2001

GLSEN Sioux Falls

 

What were your stated objectives for 2000-2001?

Our objectives for 2000-2001 were:

Develop a list of potential members

Create a Board that is diverse and able to get GLSEN Sioux Falls off its feet

Create a webpage

Develop contacts with other local LGBT Organizations in the area

Contact the teachers in the Sioux Falls School District and inform them about GLSEN

Establish contacts with the local GSA’s

Create a bank account

Acquire an EIN

Fill out the information for accreditation

Start fundraising

 

Describe the progress made toward your stated objectives for 2000-2001.  What other accomplishments has your Chapter achieved? How do you measure your Chapter’s success?

We have been able to complete the following: develop a list of potential members; create a board that is diverse and able to get GLSEN Sioux Falls off its feet; create a webpage; develop contacts with 13 local LGBT organizations in the area; establish contacts with the local GSA’s; create a bank account; acquire an EIN, fill out the information for accreditation.  We have also been able to establish contacts in the Media and were able to provide information in print and on television. 

 

We have been pretty successful in accomplishing our objectives.  However, we were unable to contact the teachers and faculty in the Sioux Falls School District or effectively start fundraising.  We hope to fulfill both of these objectives in the upcoming year.  We have created a project to complete these objectives (which is described in full in our Grant Proposal).  While our Chapter may not have been able to thrive this year, we are confident that the framework we built this year will make the 2001-2002 year a success.

 

How has your Chapter developed organizationally (i.e., developed a strategic plan and created new board member orientation, began soliciting major donors, conducted fundraising training)?

We have been very active in creating community, member, and organizational contacts.  We are planning a fundraising and education project that will begin soliciting major donors and increasing our diversity (see our Grant Proposal).  We also were able to create and seek out a very diverse board of directors (see our Diversity worksheet).  We have made a commitment to reaching out to diverse members in our community, by creating a board position that works specifically on diversity outreach.

 

What are your Chapter’s current strengths (internal to Chapter: e.g., board members and volunteers, money, coalition partners, media contacts or other strengths of the Chapter)?

The current strengths of our Chapter are: strong leadership; great contacts throughout the community (organizational, members, and media); a diverse board that appeals to a broad community base; support from the Superintendent of the Sioux Falls School District; and a wide range of volunteers ready to do whatever it takes to establish a strong GLSEN Chapter.

 

What opportunities exist outside of your Chapter (external to Chapter: economic, social demographic or other considerations the Chapter must take into account when developing the annual plan)?

Some opportunities that GLSEN Sioux Falls can take advantage of is the fact that the Sioux Falls School District is actively seeking education on Sexual Orientation for both it’s teachers and staff and for its students. 

 

Describe your greatest weakness or weaknesses, both programtically and structurally.  Your response will not be used against you, so please be honest with your reply.

Our greatest weakness lies in the fact that educators in Sioux Falls have not been contacted or informed about GLSEN Sioux Falls yet.  And though they are actively seeking information, they do not know that GLSEN Sioux Falls is here for them. 

 

Another major weakness is the fact that we have virtually no financial backing in the community at the time.  GLSEN Sioux Falls has just begun to try and seek donors.  We are worried that with 13 other local LGBT organizations that finding unique donors to help GLSEN Sioux Falls may be difficult.

 

What follow-up or assistance do you desire from GLSEN staff?

We would like some help with fundraising ideas.  And we would like feedback on our financial and education project that we are planning (see the grant proposal).