Homo Questions for SOaP
posted by on April 27 at 11:39 AM
Weston Sprigg has been a board member of Seattle Out and Proud for three years. We spoke this morning.
So what exactly went down? Why did you guys decide to go ahead with the parade downtown?
We met Tuesday night with an attorney present—he was sitting there basically to make sure we were doing everything appropriately. Then we started laying out our options—fold, declare bankruptcy, give up on the festival and the parade—but we also discussed the press we’d been getting and the public reaction. We had all been getting feedback, tons of it, coming into by email and phone. We heard from people that said they got a taste for what the event could be last year when it moved downtown and they didn’t want to go backward.
The support for the downtown parade was overwhelming. And people were telling us that we had an obligation to stick with it—not just the downtown parade, but stick with it so we could pay our bills, that we had an obligation to pay our bills, that we shouldn’t run from them. And people were saying they would help us do that.
And the SOaP felt that only its continued existence—deciding not to fold—could ensure that the parade remained downtown, that it didn’t move backwards?
Yes, absolutely. The LGBT Community Center had already proposed stepping into the void that would be created if we folded and they had committed to moving the parade back to Capitol Hill. They’re committed to Capitol Hill generally—not in a bad way, but they’re committed.
We had to weigh that against what people were telling us. And they were telling us that they wanted to the traditional Sunday parade and they wanted it downtown, just like last year. It really meant a lot, being downtown, for a lot of people it was the first time they felt accepted by the wider community, like they belonged here. But SOaP folding meant no downtown, and the loss of that. And that, we felt, was valuable.
How do you plan to pay your bills?
By doing what’s always been financially successful, the parade, and chipping away at rest of the debt. In reality only half the patient here was sick—the festival. That’s why we brought in IES in the first place, that’s why we took on a producing partner with experience running festivals.
The parade has never made a ton of money. It might generate an extra ten thousand dollars this year, which will go towards the debt.
We’re also raising money for the parade and the debt. People are going to the site and making donations. We’ve seen donations of $100 and donations of $10. We raised a thousand dollars last week at a Bucca De Beppo fundraiser. People are stepping forward and saying, “I understand now that even though I’ve participated on the sidelines and enjoyed it I need to make a contribution and really support it.”
What are you doing to right your financial ship administratively?
An independent auditor has stepped forward, a professional auditor, who man that works for a bank as an auditor. He’s going to help us establish an audit and oversight committee, independent of the board, to take us to the next level of transparency and accountability.
Many people are wary of getting involved with SOaP, or any pride planning group, because of the non-stop drama. What would you say to people that want to step forward and help but are, frankly, afraid of getting dragged into the pride mud?
Now’s the time to get involved. All we can say is that if people don’t get involved now the drama will happen all over again, and probably be worse.
You know, last night I volunteered for Lifelong AIDS Alliance’s Dine Out for Life fundraiser. I spent the night at the Broadway Grille, volunteering for a different community non-profit. This weekend I’m volunteering at a Seattle Men’s Chorus auction.
It’s easy right now to volunteer for these groups. They’re well organized, with large, professional staffs. It’s harder to volunteer for us. But if people don’t volunteer it will never get easier to work on pride events. Seattle has the largest gay chamber of commerce in the country, the largest community chorus in the world, and probably the second largest AIDS organization in the country. All these groups are powered by volunteers. We should have one of the largest and strongest pride groups in the country too.
How can people donate?
They can donate online at www.seattlepride.org.
I need to go back a bit.
What happened to IES? Why did they bail?
...but we also discussed the press we’d been getting and the public reaction.
Which, I believe, is the only reason they announced they weren't doing the parade in the 1st place.
They planned on doing it all along and never had any real intention of relinquishing the parade. This was just a giant stunt directed towards the media to drum up publicity and, more likely, financial support.
You're just feeding a giant scheme, Weekly Rag.
Being the official gay athiest in Seattle (and Stephanie Miller Show) I really doubt they will ever pay the money that they owe. They seriously are in deep shit (this is an accountant speaking) and unless they pull some major money out of their asses or sell some good weed and blow at the parade they are good as gone.
For those who care about the parade I would really start scoping out someone for the 2008 parade now. Seriously folks. Right now!
If that's true, Gomez, then more power to them and I hope it works. I really don't think it is, though. Almost half a day after they undisbanded they were STILL unprepared to take donations through their website.
Great interview Dan.
I've supported the Downtown parade since it was announced, but I also support the LGBT Center as a volunteer and don't see the two as mutually exclusive. Why don't you try to get an interview with Shannon or one of the board members at the Center instead of constantly slamming them. SOaP and the Center support the community, you could try to be a little more balanced.
"A giant scheme". Right. The renegade homos got together and said "hey, I just thought of a way we can make a hundred thousand dollars disappear! All we have to do is put in thousands of hours of volunteer work! Who's with me?" Clearly a conspiracy of the most nefarious type.
I commend these guys, especially since those who were there in 2006 when the mistakes were made are still there dealing with this when THEY DONT HAVE TO and also the new members on the board who inherited the massive debt who also are still there. If I joined a board and found out it owed 100k, not sure I be staying around.
For our parade, and for the community I wish them the best of luck and admire the fact they are still there working to put on a parade for the 200,000 people that want it and go to it.
I am off to donate.
Fnarf, I'm talking about the earlier announcement that they were throwing up their hands in despair and giving up the parade.
I had a blast last year and didn't pay anything to support- So I'll go and donate now.
Yes, I know, Gomez. Now please explain how that's "all a giant scheme". Because there's just SO MUCH money to be made off of this parade, right? My god, the nerve of these people trying to promote their event so they don't lose ANOTHER hundred grand this year.
Next you'll be telling us about the giant scheme by the Mariners to trick people into going to baseball games. Though that one doesn't appear to be working too well.
You're either missing the point or trying your damndest to ignore it.
If they had just straight-up asked the community for financial help, few would've come forward to help them.
But if they threaten to nix the parade in a press release and get hysterical with the media, then get key members of the media to post their hissies in response, then the appeal to fear will get LGBT-supporting orgs and backers to open their pocketbooks, since they don't want the parade to disappear.
It's just a tricky, drama-whorish, disrespectful way to ask for help.
Gomez is a little too comspiracy theorist for me. My business partner is on the board of Seattle Pride and I can vouch that none of this has been a scheme. My god, don't you think that the easiest thing for ANY of them to do would BE to WALK AWAY???? It is not their personal debt. Drama whore? I think you should look in the mirror with that one.
Sorry, and I'm not even that big a conspiracy theorist, but but the pieces connect a little too well on this whole affair.
You have to admit a) the fear appeal worked well for drumming up attention for the Pride Parade. You think SOAP didn't know it would? And b) you have to admit I have a point with regards to their ability to fundraise in the status quo, had they not publically threatened to cancel it (actually, it wasn't even a threat; they flat out announced they were doing so; funny how they doubled back so quickly....).
Okay, but honestly, I'm not entirely sure why IF your account of events is true, Gomez, why it's so nefarious.
"If they had just straight-up asked the community for financial help, few would've come forward to help them."
Well, okay, then what choice did they have? If threatening to disband is what it took for people to realize how much they didn't want SOAP to disband?
Gomez, there's no conspiracy there. There is a group of volunteers that are trying to do the best they can under the circumstances. I assure you there was no "plan" to scare the community for monetary or other purposes. The reality is that the festival component doesn't make money and the march doesn't generate enough income to cover the very expensive costs involved with a festival. That's been true both at the Center and in Volunteer Park.
You are correct in the fact that SOaP, Seattle Pride Committee and Freedom Day Committee have always been stretched and have asked for help. Part of the issue with the event is that it is inherently difficult to get people to help because 1) they want to attend on their own, 2) they are involved with other non-profits which on that day are maxed out as well trying to get their messages out or 3) don't want to participate at all for whatever reason.
You can believe what you want, but at the end of the day all they're doing is giving their time to try to make something happen for the community. Come get involved Gomez, take part and have a voice in what happens.
15. I don't have an interest or personal stake in the parade itself, Dave. And I don't buy your denial.
I do take interest, however, when the media is manipulated for personal or an organization's gain.
14. I'd rather they come forward and say 'We need your help, Seattle, or we'll need to disband and cancel the parade'... rather than issue a sudden press release saying 'Fuck it, we're disbanding and cancelling the parade!' that leads to a histrionic, public chain of events... before they double back only a couple days later, having effectively attention-whored, and say, 'Oh nevermind, we'll go ahead and do it.'
If an org needs assistance, I'd rather they be honest in their pursuits.
I stand by my serious belief that this was an elaborate, deceptive stunt to drum up sponsorship and similar support.
I knew it, The Gay Mafia has infiltrated SOap. Gomez sees thru the Chiffon Curtain! A switch and bait from those nasty volunteers. Dam Volunteers to hell, right Gomez? And we all fell for it and we've all given, well I think about $200 so far. Gomez, save those gay folks from this group of whily volunteers that are stealing from the Gay folk.... Poor un-suspecting Gay folk. Stop them before it's too late!
That's pretty simple minded, Sargon. It doesn't just impact the donations of the last couple days, but the donations and such that come in during the weeks and months between now and the Parade, which will add up to way more than $200.
Sorry you don't agree with my point Gomez. But it is the truth.
It's unfortunate that you don't have an interest or a personal stake in the parade, but seem quite willing to lob bombs. Your opinion is that you think the media has been manipulated with some insinuation that there is a nefarious purpose. I'm standing up to say that isn't true. I'm not even sure what the nefarious purpose is you allude to, but instead of asking those who are involved you say things like "I wish they'd be honest in their pursuits" creating the perception that there has been some dishonesty.
There hasn't been any dishonesty. The people involved in the event aren't Rovian trained PR people that attempt to manipulate the media for their own purposes. They are a group of people with savvy to put on an event and have been trying to do the best they can.
Sponsors tend to go away when they see a community divided. Because of what's happened over the past couple of years that's exactly what has happened with SOaP and events up on the hill. Sponsors have fled and even with professional sponsorship assistance it's been very difficult.
There has been no "elaborate, deceptive stunt". The reality is that a group of people who are tired of being beaten up have decided to give it another go. They were ready to throw in the towel on Monday. After public and private support from many in the community, they changed their minds. Nothing nefarious. Given your lack of involvement, it might be cool to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Gomez, you should write fiction, sweetie. I'd buy it...but not this particular, fantastic tale.
Such a well-orchestrated conspiracy requires forethought, organization and planning...oh, and execution.
Ahem, you've obviously little experience working with volunteer-based nonprofits, especially in the LGBT community. ;)
If you did, you would realize its far easier to herd cats.
What we actually have here is the sad comedy/tragedy of compounding errors in judgment made worse by the ambivalent folks in the community who would rather issue their critique from the comfort of the bleachers and armchairs than to get off their collective butts and make a difference.
If you don't like how SOAP is handling their responsibilities, volunteer and change them. Put all that stored energy from sitting on the sidelines to better use.
Ciao. ;)
You guys clearly don't understand what an appeal to fear is.
Feel free to buy their bullcrap. You and the media just got played.
Gomez, you're wrong. It happens to all of us sometimes.
Gomez, I bet you have not given a penny to SOaP. Why all the concern? You trying to protect people from themselves? If they want to give money to SOaP, or the Left handed Red headed bastard Children Charity, get the hell out of their way and let them. STOP trying to save people from themselves or their misguided ways (as you see it). And if they want to leave $25 million to their cat, you gunna object?
Dan, considering the grand financial fuckup SOaP committed last year, and the disband/no wait, we're not disbanding flap this week, I think that was the most softball interview I've ever seen.
Yeah, I'm glad the parade is going to stay down town. I think I'm glad SOaP didn't disband (although it may not have been all that bad if anyone else were prepared to keep the parade downtown). Yeah, I understand they basically adopted your pet idea to keep the parade downtown and blow off the festival.
But they really deserve to have their feet held to the fire. I realize they are an all-volunteer organization, but there is some serious problems there, and your softball interview all but lets them off the hook.
I, for one, am reluctant to donate money to them. They have shown a very high degree of incompetence and financial irresponsibility. Between the $100k debt and the on again off again dissolution of the organization, I question whether or not they have the wherewithal to pull of the parade in any fashion this year. What happens if they only get a few hundred dollars in donations, and decide to dissolve next month? Why should I have any confidence that won't happen?
I don't see the conspiracy that Gomez does. I just see a bunch of earnest, well meaning folks that appear to lack the necessary organizational and fundraising skills to run a major six-figure event.
As penance, I think you should do an equally softball interview of the GLBT Community Center.
There is something very Jeff Gannon asking president Bush questions at a white house press confrence about this interview.
Yes, it was a softball interview. One of the softest I've ever see. I appreciated the chance to hear Spriggs outside the heat, but, c'mon...
The only thing I can't understand here is anyone's continued support of SOAP. There's not a shred of credibility left in that group. The mere fact , alone, of releadsing a press release one day and releasing another negating that release the day after is totally indicative of their complete lack of responsibility and they way they run their group.
I dont care what happens this year. Downtown, the Hill, both, whatever. 2008 and beyond is where the real discussion needs to happening. If this town, this gay/les community, doesn't take this toy away from incompetants and find a responsible way to manage this we will all be having this discussion again next year and again and again and again...
Wondering why people don't want to volunteer or donate? Look at this nightmare!
Quite a conundrum:
People with the needed skills don't volunteer because it's such a mess -- and it's such a mess because people with the needed skills don't volunteer.
But never a shortage of Masters of the Obvious to point out that things aren't going well.
Getting involved to offer skills in what needs fixing -- and allowing the current structure to continue for the portions that ARE working -- seems a whole lot better than starting from scratch.
Any one willing to volunteer and make mistakes in and with the "Gay Community" has far more brains, guts, balls, boobs, bravery, courage, smarts, intelligence, and what ever than the 100s of fast talking do nothing people standing on the side lines watching. Shame on all you spectators who just stand and laugh and kick-um when they're down.
#27 people with the skills DO volunteer, I suspect you've never been a Parade volunteer from your comment? You lack the skills?
I'll match my volunteer hours in the queer and straight communities with anyone in this city. Rational criticism of non-profits is just as important as it is for corporate fuckups. Assuming that being critical of SOAP indicates that someone ia a lazy do-nothing is a mistake.
But I've seen the panic in friend's eyes when asking them to join volunteer efforts precisely because of adolescent tantrums like yours, #28. This youre with us or against us thing is a fascist's way to keep people in line.
Critical thinking is everyone's right. Hell, the Strangers made a newspaper out of it.
Yes, SOAP lacks an organization with common sense. And decency, apparently(see Eli Sanders article in this week's paper)
@28: Yes, yes, yes! There is obviously a LOT this going right with SOAP! The Parade last year was kick ass! And the events at Seattle Center were awesome too! Skilled volunteered aligned with many of the key functions to make the event a success. Which makes the point that we should keep the people in place to do the things that have been going so well.
But, meanwhile, back in the boardroom, any objective assessment of the situation is that there are some gaps in matching skills with volunteers.
Unfortunately, pretty glaring and impactful.
And here's hoping that the right people step up, despite the many shots that come from so many sides.
I've given it two days, Dan. I'm still certain this was an act. Keep playing ball with the cons.
Yeh Dan, lets play hardball and see if SOAP can take a swing at these questions.
1. Where is the past President Dale Kershner and why did he skip town?
If a president of any non-profit didn't show up and his so called $60,000 child support payments suddenly "cleared up" [Stranger, April], I would requesting an audit for that reason alone.
2. Why hasn't Weston Spriggs who was Treasurer and SOAP put out a financial statement for the last three years? Even now?
3. Is SOAP registered yet with the Sec. of State as a Charities yet? There was a deadline for them to file by March [SGN, March].
Three strikes, your out!
Batter up again?
4. How many Presidents have resigned in the last two years? Five? Why?
How many board members have resigned in the last two years? Over a dozen? Why?
5. How many people has SOAP hired - or payed with public event money?
Gomez I agree with you 100%.
SOAP is pulling the typical "poor us, I can't answer your question, why don't you volunteer?" answer.
Why would a business which is declaring bankruptcy suddenly do a 180 degree turn in 24 hours? With only a little over $1,000 donated?
The Directors of SOAP and Seattle Out and Proud since Weston Spriggs and Dale Kersher have been on board they always given media these "feel good" comments to the media and its really lame when media simply parrots their statements without asking for documentation or a third party verification.
Is SOAP jerking the media and the public so they can pull in cash before they declare bankruptcy? Time will tell, but my prediction:
SOAP will declare bankruptcy in the next month to avoid a public audit and make some grandios statement of farewell as they blame everybody else for the financial ruin they created.
Seattle Out & Proud did a 180 because the community flooded them with emails and phone calls asking them not too. They still have the debt to pay and that's why they are asking for help from the community and seeking donations. There's nothing under-handed here.
And it would've been a lot easier and more practical had they just asked for help in the first place instead of saying they were giving up. And they know this.
They did ask for help. The financial woes were very public for quite a while. Yet nobody stepped up to help. They had community meetings to get the advice from the community and no one showed up. When faced with it all they decided that they should quit, but when the community finally raised their voice and asked them not to they decided to continue forward. That's truly how it is.
Seawaboy, your either with the SOAP board or woefully misguided.
I was there at their first public meeting after the parade in 2005 when over 100 people showed up - many organizational leaders with an overwhelming majority wanting to keep the parade on the hill.
So don't give the me this "no one showed up" nonsense. Sorry, but you get no sympathy from me
and you can go cry sit with the cry babies.
Financial woes public? Where? Put up the financial statements or you don't have room to talk.
Hello everyone, wanna be part of some kind of community, possible here? anyone here?
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