ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING 31MARCH 2009

Introduction

The Gay Line Wellington Trust was formed on Wednesday 24 May 2000.  This Annual Report covers the Trust’s eighth financial year - that is, 1st April 2008 up to and including 31st March 2009.

The Group operates a web site for people to visit and explore information on:

• Sexual orientation.
• Gay life in Wellington and further a field with a main focus on the wider Wellington region.
• Listings of Gay and Gay-friendly Doctors, Dentists, Counsellors, Services, etc.

Aims and Goals

• To enable every Gay male to reach his full potential.
• To provide a Web site that lists gay businesses, organisations and information in the wider Wellington region.
• To develop a series of articles which promote a healthy gay life style.
• To provide a link between clients and counsellors.
• To provide an interactive web based information and support service.
• To cater for a wide range of people while protecting those under 16 years of age.
• To provide for other organisations a facility to publish promotional material, provided that material complies with the values of this Group.

Funding

The Gay Line Wellington Trust is funded by the Rule Foundation.

On behalf of the group I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Trustees who administer the Rule Foundation for their support during this period.  Without this support it may not have been possible for The Gay Line Wellington Trust to continue to administer its operations and to make donations to others.

Members

The Group has a membership of seven gay men with an intention to increase the number of members. Membership has increased by one during the year. It is a concern that we have not been able to increase membership further to enable a wider range of activity to take place and to cater for succession.

During the year Daniel joined.

Statistics

The number of visits to the Web site has decreased over the reporting period from 125 each day to 105 each day.  While factors that influence visits is unclear additional promotion and development work is required to increase the numbers and that requires additional membership and more work in the community support area.

Emails handled. The following is a categorised count of emails sent and received in the last four financial years.

Financial Statements

Financial statements are presented separately.

Achievements

During this reporting period the following are some of the achievements made by the Trust:

• Site listings maintenance work has improved markedly aided by the new data base management software to the point where a complete review was virtually complete by the end of the year.
• A grant was made to SS4Q to support SS4Q Network web site development.
• Grants were made to School’s Out for development of a series of podcast interviews to be place on the Gay Line web site.
• A grant was made the Intersex trust for flag and leaflet reprint.
• A grant was made to SS4Q toward development display resources.
• A grant was made to the Queer Youth Development Project toward Takatapui resource postcard printing.
• A contribution toward expenses of young people attending the Agender NZ National Conference 2009.
• New web pages were developed on being religious and gay, social skills – making friends, School’s Out interviews and Police Diversity Liaison Officers.
• Criteria for listing religious groups were developed and implemented.
• Meetings were held with the Police Community Diversity Liaison Officers.
• Exploration and development of management resources, including web page feedback, using Google Docs.

Acknowledgments

The Group can only operate because of the skills, enthusiasm and commitment of its members.  I would like to thank you all for the time, energy and commitment members give to providing this important service to Wellington and beyond.  Any listing of individuals is difficult as all contribute well.  One of the strengths of the Group is the support and effort its entire membership provides.

Conclusion

This reporting period, as was the last, has been full and busy.  Considerable effort has been required to continually develop the Web site and the Group.

There is still considerable work remaining to increase the content of the Web site and improve liaison and support of other community groups. This will be an ongoing task and I believe paid support will be needed if these objectives are to be realised.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the membership as a whole for the effort and time they have given to the Group, and the support which has been given to me in my role as Chairman.  Should I be re-elected I look forward to working with you all again over the next period.

John Mayes