LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
SPECIAL PAGE |
CAMP Rehoboth and the Community Center Project |
Overview: July, 2001
The Vision & Mission: To expand CAMP Rehoboth into a full-service community center to be the Heart of the Community, in downtown Rehoboth Beach. The Center will be an inclusive space and a focal point for connecting people, activities and resources, embracing diversity as an essential component. It will also be the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) community's contribution to creating a home for all, serving those who live throughout Delaware as well as those who visit the surrounding beach communities. The Purpose: To have a permanent facility open to everyone in Rehoboth which provides a place where the GLBT community can gather for specific activities, to meet others or just relax in a safe environment. Currently there are nine (9) new support groups and activities for men and women that have been launched by the Community Center Project, each meeting in various places throughout Sussex County. In addition, under the umbrella of CAMP Rehoboth, to have a Center that reaches out to the community by providing Information & Hotline Services, sponsoring health & wellness programs for men and women, creating a GLBT lending library, having space for social events and space for the office of CAMP Rehoboth. The Plan: Starting in June, 2001, raise $1 million over the next five (5) years to build or buy a building in the heart of downtown Rehoboth Beach. To begin the search now for a property or an existing building, while looking at possibilities for creative financing as opportunities arise. Depending on the site, there may be rental space for retail businesses to operate, producing rental income to offset the operating costs of the Center. The Funding: Fundraising for the Community Center has begun. There are currently two separate fund-raising accounts: Founder's Circle Capital Campaign to raise $1 Million: This Capital Campaign was launched on June 2, 2001, by soliciting donations and pledges from individuals to be members of the Founder's Circle. The Founder's Circle is the organization that will seek to raise funds from corporations and charitable foundations, as well as from individuals, to build or buy a building to house the Community Center. From the smallest to the largest donations, these funds are RESTRICTED and embargoed for use ONLY for actual construction or purchase of a building and equipment to operate the Community Center. At the June 2nd kickoff event, pledges were made in excess of $150,000. All levels of membership in the Founder's Circle are tax-deductible contributions. Gifts may be paid in cash, securities or other property including real estate. The Campaign will continue until the target is met. There will be an annual Founder's Circle Fundraising event. Pledges will be solicited on an ongoing basis and payments can be made annually or monthlyby check or by credit card. Call 227-5620 for information. All Founder's Circle donations are kept entirely separate from CAMP Rehoboth operating expenses. Community Center Project Operating Fund: As part of CAMP Rehoboth's operating budget, the Community Center Project receives money from fundraisers, parties, and donations to assist in the ongoing expenses of the project and its programs. In calendar year 2000, donations received amounted to $23,000. These donations were used to support the costs associated with printing materials, grant applications, postage, solicitations and any expenses related to the new activities and support groups launched by the Community Center Project. Fundraisers, parties and the request for donations will continue each year to support the cost associated with managing the Project's Capital Campaign and new programs. Those interested in creating or sponsoring fundraising events should call 227-5620. The Security: As the Community Center Project gets underway, donors should know the following facts: CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code. Donations to CAMP Rehoboth and the Community Center Capital Campaign are considered charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes and may be deducted to the full extent of the law. CAMP Rehoboth's exemption document and most recent income tax return are available for public inspection at the CAMP Rehoboth office at 39 Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth Beach, DE. All of the CAMP Rehoboth operating funds are overseen by a licensed CPA. A detailed financial disclosure statement for CAMP Rehoboth is published on page 37 of this issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth. This financial statement supplements the CAMP Rehoboth Annual Report that was published in the May 4, 2001 edition of Letters. A complete independent outside audit for all CAMP Rehoboth accounts and operations, including the Founder's Circle Capital Campaign account, will take place on a regularly scheduled basis. The Bottom Line: The CAMP Rehoboth Community Center will be the heart of the community. But funds are needed to make the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center a reality. With the help of the communityindividuals, corporations, charitable foundations and other donors, the Founder's Circle Capital Campaign will grow into a full-fledged community center within the next five years. Call 227-5620 to request a copy of the Founder's Circle brochure or ask any questions you may have. Financial Update The CAMP Rehoboth Annual Report was published in the May, 2001 issue of Letters, along with a financial overview. The information below is intended to supplement the Annual Report by providing a more detailed disclosure of Income & Expenses for the year ending 12/31/00. Income Memberships & Community Events 3,039. Newsletter Revenue 158,996. CAMPsafe Contract 38,000. Donations 4,079. Fundraising 192,265. Comm. Ctr. Proj. Operating Fund* Sundance 15,000. Tea Dances 7,159. Donations 400. Merchandise Sales 960. Misc. 73. 23,592. Total Income 419,971. Expenses Total Salaries/Commissions** 101,790. Health Insurance 7,628. Payroll Tax 5,984. Letters Production/Contract Articles 87,715. Letters Distribution 3,095. Contributions to SCAC 90,000. Contributions to Other Organizations 1,881. Fundraising 42,507. Community Events 4,674. CAMPsafe Advertising & Promotions 19,620. Advertising/Conferences/Board Meetings 834. Office Space Annual Rent 6,300. Telephone/Utilities 3,811. Insurance/Repairs/Maintenance 6,947. Printing/Postage/Delivery 7,962. Mileage Reimbursement/Travel 6,533. Licenses, Merchandise, Bank, Card Fees 4,821. Web Site/Internet 1,624. Supplies/Subscriptions 8,369. Total Expenses 412,095. Notes * Community Center Project Operating Fund: Funds are raised to support the costs of managing the Capital Campaign to build or buy a Community Center. In year 2000, $1,500 of the collected funds were spent on merchandise, postage and fundraising activities and these expenses are reflected in the year end expenses above. The balance of the funds have been obligated for disbursement in 2001 to cover the costs of producing the Campaign's brochures and launching the Founders' Circle fundraising activities. **Included in Total Salaries/Commissions: Steve Elkins, Executive Director of CAMP Rehoboth and Editor of Letters; Kathy Weir, Administrative Coordinator; Salvatore Seeley, Program Director of CAMPsafe, funded by a contract with the Delaware Department of Public Health; Tricia Massella, Commissioned Sales Manager for Letters. CAMP Rehoboth Announces new Project Director Position by Murray Archibald The Board of Directors of CAMP Rehoboth has approved creating the new position of Project Director of the Community Center Project. This position will be charged with managing the Founder's Circle Capital Campaign and focusing on the activities to meet the goals of the Community Center Project and its Development Plan. The Project Director's position is targeted to be filled in the October/November timeframe and will begin as a part time position. The Board is also pleased to announce that Dan Goren has agreed to accept the position of Interim Project Director until the position is permanently filled this fall. Dan is providing his services to CAMP Rehoboth on a pro bono basis and will report to Steve Elkins, Executive Director of CAMP Rehoboth. Dan is a resident of Rehoboth Beach and has been an active member of the Project Advisory Committee as well as serving as a Co-Chair of the Community Center Project. Dan recently retired from American Express Company where he was a Senior Vice President in the Corporate Card Division, and brings extensive operations and management experience gained from his 27 year career with American Express. He will begin working on the immediate priorities of the Capital Campaign and will assist Steve and the Board with the job description for the new position as well as conducting a search for candidates. CAMP Community Center Project Focuses on Growth and Development by Dan Goren New Programs The Project Advisory Committee has been providing direction, ideas and input for the ongoing development of CAMP Rehoboth. Over the past year, many of those ideas have come to fruition. Below is a listing of new activities that have been launched as CAMP Rehoboth focuses on expanding services to the community: Retreat I: Gay Men's Support Group meeting every Wednesday Retreat II: Gay Men's Support Group meeting every Thursday night Solutions: Gay Women's Support Group meeting weekly and resuming in the fall Sistertalk: Gay Women's Social Group meeting every Thursday night Gay Men's Couple Group: Meeting weekly and resuming in September Tran*Quility East Support Group: Transgender support group meeting the first Friday of each month The "Inner Child" Series: Gay Men and Gay Women meeting every Sunday night Women's Project of CAMP Rehoboth: Providing support services that meet the needs of women in the community Gay Men's Health Project: Conducting a variety of workshops to openly discuss men's health issues Founder's Circle Capital Campaign: The organization focused on building a full service Community Center Included in this issue of Letters are advertisements providing more details about many of these activities. And in the next issue of Letters, you will see a progress report and briefing covering these new programs. Development Plan The Community Center Project and the Founder's Circle Capital Campaign are moving full steam ahead to create a full service Community Center in downtown Rehoboth. The Capital Campaign is currently in the process of creating the Development Plan to fulfill its mission. The plan will focus on involving the community, as well as developing the objectives and action items revolving around three (3) main goals: To raise $1,000,000 to establish the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center To inform community members, businesses, corporations and foundations of the work of CAMP Rehoboth To build a diverse base of volunteers To successfully complete the goals and objectives, members of the community will have the opportunity to become involved in a very meaningful way. Over the next few months, job descriptions for volunteers will be written and published soliciting individuals with specific skills and talents to contribute their time and energy. For those seeking to make a difference in the community, the opportunities will be uniquely challenging and personally rewarding. For more information on the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project, please call 302-227-5620. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 11, No. 10, July 27, 2001. |