A Retrospective Journey through AIDS..."
Michael Wallace Connett
“A Life lived in Fear, Is a Life Half-Lived…”
"HIV is something you Live with
every day for The Rest of your Life.
You may never die Of HIV/AIDS, but you will always die with It..."
Saturday, June 11, 2011 10:42 PM
The Michael W. Connett LIVING Trust
The South Bank HIVe
“He who conceals his disease cannot expect to be cured”
An Online CommUNITY-Based HIV/aids, Social Service & Survivors Support Network
315 W 7th Street - Suite #2 * Covington, Kentucky 41011-1391 * 859-261-HIVe (4481)
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
“A Life lived in Fear, Is a Life Half-Lived…”
Independence Weekend and Equinox (Greater) Cincinnati’s GLBT PRIDE Event return to the Region/City’s Living Room has come and gone…
I wanted to share my thoughts on the Equinox Experience and its impact on the Concept & Vision for Our Northern Kentucky PRIDE Event to be held in conjunction with The Human Rights Campaign’s “National Coming OUT Day” on October 11th. I want to commend the work & Vision of the organizing group of Volunteers, Patrons and Board Members, especially the concept of Piggybacking with a National Day of Recognition. As you may be aware, October has also been HIV Awareness Month in the relics of our ACTUP past and this year will mark my 19th year Living with HIV and aids.
"Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth." –Aesop
Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got. - Janis Joplin
Those of y’all who have known me the longest understand my passion for My Mission. One of the things I’m Proud of is having established a Living Trust that has guided and supported my Life with HIV for the last ten years. I may not always succeed in my attempts to Educate about, Support and Advocate for My CommUNITY (as well as manage My HIVe’s Budget, LOL!); but I’ve done my best and haven’t given up. The People and Places through which My Journey has led me; have shared with, taught me and enriched it more than I can ever repay; Thanks Y’All.
Hope is a state of mind, not of the world. Hope, in this deep and powerful sense, is not the same as joy that things are going well, or willingness to invest in enterprises that are obviously heading for success, but rather an ability to work for something because it is good."
--Vaclav HavelI’ll preface my suggestions with the burning questions/discussions from the grapevines, bars and FaceBook…
- Who, What, When, Where & Why Northern Kentucky PRIDE? Is this an Organization or just a Celebration?
- Are there any other Northern Kentucky GLBT/GLBT-Supportive Organizations, Agencies, Projects, Neighborhood Groups, etc involved and if not; have they been invited or communicated with?
- Other than an annual Celebration; what is the Purpose of Northern Kentucky PRIDE? & BTW-Kudo’s for not limiting PRIDE to a single Community and including an entire Marketing Region!
- Why hasn’t more information on the planning, membership and organization of Northern Kentucky PRIDE been disseminated outside the MainStrasse, GLBT/Friendly Business, DragQueen and FaceBook network?
- Have the appropriate Kentucky Non-Profit Incorporation papers been filed and what is the status of 501-C3 application and approval?
- What Programs, Service and Activities will Northern Kentucky PRIDE provide to develop alliances with other progressive groups, individuals and organizations?
www.MWCLTonline.org\southbankHIVe\articles_of_organization.htm
The South Bank HIVe Proudly extends an Invitation to join our grass-roots, CommUNITY-Based Network of people to demonstrate that speaking up about HIV and Aids is a point of pride, not a source of shame. –Our strength comes from the members we represent and the alliances we build with other progressive groups, individuals and organizations. We will approach our work by representing the interests of our members and will not engage in back room politics or power brokering that compromises these principles.
The South Bank HIVe adheres to the following principles: The politics of inclusion – We will have equal concern for oppression, stigma, discrimination and fear faced by all disenfranchised people, with a special emphasis on the working poor and those on a low fixed income. We believe that our work must focus on building a broad base of support for “Quality of Life” issues of social justice that includes, but is not limited to, issues important to our HIV community. This means that long term change is of greater significance than any single issue, campaign, or candidate and our educational and political efforts will reflect that priority. We will treat all members of our HIV community and Network with the same dignity and respect.
Membership Dues:The minimum suggested membership Drone-ation shall be fixed @ $1.00 or any gift of CARE you can make... The
Membership Information: The names and personal contact information of Members, Donors, Affiliates, Agencies shall be kept as legally required and used only for purposes of the Organization. Membership does not necessarily reflect or construe HIV status or Sexual Orientation.
www.MWCLTonline.org\southbankHIVe\members.htm
DEDICATION
When I Look To The Sky
When it rains it pours and opens doors
And floods the floors we thought would always keep us safe and dry
And in the midst of sailing ships we sink our lips into the ones we love
That have to say goodbye
And as I float along this ocean
I can feel you like a notion that won't seem to let me go
Cause when I look to the sky something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright
And when I feel like I'm lost something tells me you're here with me
And I can always find my way when you are here
And every word I didn't say that caught up in some busy day
And every dance on the kitchen floor we didn't dance before
And every sunset that we'll miss I'll wrap them all up in a kiss
And pick you up in all of this when I sail away
Whether I am up or down or in or out or just plane overhead
Instead it just feels like it is impossible to fly
But with you I can spread my wings
to see me over everything that life may send me
When I am hoping it won't pass me by
And when I feel like there is no one that will ever know me
there you are to show meFor Dora… Bambi, Sue Lee, Ryan, Matthew and ALL those who have gone before us and their time…
All Members & Affiliates of "The South Bank HIVe" are entitled to:
- Voting privileges at the Annual Meeting
- Quarterly newsletter
- Special invitations to events
- Online Network Links, Referrals & Business Listings
- Our gratitude for helping to revive the Passion with which the U.S. once faced the HIV epidemic.
There are many ways to become a member; online, by phone, or by mail and just as many ways to make a drone-ation. Choose the method that suits you best and thank you for becoming a Member and Caring for our South Bank CommUNITY!
2010 Charter Membership
The South Bank HIVe
“A Life lived in Fear, Is a Life Half-Lived…”
www.MWCLTonline.org/SouthBankHIVe
315 W. 7th Street – Suite #2 * Covington, Kentucky 41011-1391 * (859) 261-HIVe1 (4481)
YES! I want to be a part of this Stronger, Louder, Prouder, More Respected and Passionate South Bank response to Living with HIV/Aids in Our CommUNITY!
Name:
Address:
LandLine: ( )____________________________________________
E-mail Address:
Online Persona/ID:(Yahoo/MSN/FaceBook nicknames,etc):
( ) I’m ALSO a Person Living Proudly with HIV/Aids in Northern Kentucky (Dues/Drone-ation waived-Option)
Join at any level:
( ) HIVe Keeper: $150.00+/In Kind equivalent (Major Office/Operations/Program expenditures, etc)
( ) HIVe Tender: $75.00 +(Post Office Box, Postage & Mailing Supplies, etc)
( ) Honey Pie: $35.00 +(Printer/Communications/Newsletter expenses)
( ) Buzzy Buddy: $15.00 +(Pays for 1 Month of Web Hosting)
( )Drone-ation: $1.00 or any gift of CARE you can make...
Your Membership Dues/Drone-ation to “The South Bank HIVe” and the important mission that we are embracing, although greatly appreciated, is not yet tax-deductible as the IRS Application is still in the works and pending! Contributions may be made in the form of goods, services, supplies and checks may be made payable to MWCLT/South Bank HIVe.
Can the organization operate while completing the 501(c)(3) process?
Summary: Extra caution is needed, but many organizations have started work before the formal process was completed
Ina Frank wrote this note for the NONPROFIT FAQ when it was just getting started:
State laws vary, so check closely. There are really two questions:
a. May a "non-profit" organization operate before the STATE grants it a charter as such an organiztion?
The short answer is: State law governs absolutely.
The oxymoron is: an "organization" that does not yet have its charter from the state does not exist, except perhaps (state law, again) as an "association" of its members. But such a "proto-organization" can probably solicit support (although doubtful that it could do so to the general public -- state law, wouldn't you know) for the costs of organization (i.e., incorporation, IRS filings, etc.)
http://www.MWCLTonline.org/SouthBankHIVe/TheFoundation.htm
So, declaring oneself to "be" a non-profit before the state of incorporation bestows such a mantle is presumptuous but, so long as the status is correctly disclosed, probably not illegal.
http://www.MWCLTonline.org\SouthBankHIVe\articles_of_organization.htm
However, soliciting funds -- especially from the public -- before organizational status is achieved (and specific state approval for the solicitaion, as many states require, is also obtained) may very well be illegal. State law governs.
b. May an organization solicit funds as a "non-profit" before the IRS recognizes its tax-exempt status.
Federal tax exempt status (i.e., recognition as a tax-exempt public charity pursuant to Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code) is another story.
It is quite normal behavior for non-profits to begin operations before they get their federal tax exemption, since that can take months (or longer.) There is nothing wrong with a non-profit's applying for grants or soliciting support before the IRS rules, so long as the interim status is disclosed.
A donor giving to a non-profit during this period does take a risk that tax-exempt status will not be granted, in which case the contribution is not deductible. For a private foundation, the risk is greater, since that type of entity may not grant funds to other than a recognized exempt organization.
In the latter case, fledgling non-profits use the offer of a grant, conditioned on IRS approval, as a way to expedite the approval process. (Believe it or not, it does work, if adequately documented.) In the former case, the non-profit may agree to return the contribution if tax exempt status is denied.
And, you have to acknowledge those donations and tell the donor that you have state approval while federal application is in progress.
Come OUT, Stand Up! – The AESOP Initiative
- Advocacy:
- Education:
- Support:
- OutReach:
- Prevention & Pride
"Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth." -Aesop
It’s Monday! The Workers Holiday just before the Start of Happy Hour…
As I am older, hopefully wiser and conscious of bad habits on my Survivorship; I took a Pub Stroll on Friday staying home Saturday evening. I began this Prospectus (working, printing & stayin’ up till Parade time) and then Paraded, photographed & Networked through the Festival. So far I’ve come away with a pocket full of cards, research, contacts and the satisfaction of having done something that made me feel intoxicatingly PROUD!
At least once, so far I’ve been hurt – disappointed & Dis-Heartened when I’ve been told to stop workin’, turn it off, just relax , chill, celebrate… But as the saying goes; “If Tomorrow isn’t any Better than Today, what do you need it For?” I’m just trying to Be the Best I can by Celebrating Life each day when I’m lucky enough to arise being The Change I’d like to See! PRIDE In who You Are Is Good for the Immune System, Y’ALL!
PRIDE on The South Bank 2010
Come OUT & Stand Up!
“UNITY In Our CommUNITIES”
A Celebration of Diversity, Human Rights, Health, Heritage, Arts & Culture
- Pride & Our South Bank/Northern Kentucky Heritage; based on what we’ve just been through: Inclusion & Balance thru the AESOP Initiative.
- The things we are/do & care about that makes us special, different & unique and those that make us the same and part of our larger, interdependent CommUNITY.
Wondering Where the **** & What the South Bank is…!?
Dream
“A person is only as big as the dream they dare to live.” - Unknown
Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize
a mistake when you make it again.
Many prefer to dirty their words when confronting a
problem instead of dirtying their hands.
http://sobankhive.groups.live.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/SouthBankHIVe
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NKYCinHIVAIDSinfo/
http://twitter.com/SoBankQueenBee
http://www.MWCLTonline.org/SouthBankHIVe
http://mwcltonline.groups.live.com/
http://mwcltonline.spaces.live.com/
http://www.facebook.com/MWCLTonline
The Michael W. Connett Living
Trust/South Bank HIVe
Page
created: 07/13/2010. Last Updated:
June 11, 2011