Roseburg's GALA
receives MRG grant
by B illy Russo
Last winter i leafed through a copy of the
Oregon Guide to Foundations looking for
Oregon-based trusts that m ight be willing to
help finance our work here. Am ong the
hundred-odd grantmakers, I gleaned a hand
ful that looked hopeful. Focusing on their
funding history, I chose groups that funded
the less traditional organizations. I wrote brief
letters on GALA stationery to fourteen or so
groups, asking for applications.
Only two groups responded with applica
tions: the Fred Meyer Charitable Trust and
the McKenzie River Gathering (MRG). MRG
was in the m idst of their funding cycle, and
said that I could apply in the fall.
Dealing with the Meyer trust was a long,
Roseburg
Report
drawnout process which proved not to be
fruitful. It took all sum m er for them to decide
not to fund us. And I believe that the long
delay indicates that they must have at least
entertained the notion of funding GALA
This fall I filled out the four page applica
tion that MRG sent us. The instructions clearly
stated that they will accept no attachments;
however, newsletters and leaflets were
optional. Responses had to be limited to the
space provided and had to be submitted in
fifteen copies. MRG’s funding criteria specifies
that they are particularly interested in projects
that create social change, that have limited
access to traditional funding sources, and
that are actively involved in outreach to those
not well represented.
The following m onth I received notice that
GALA was am ong 34 organizations consider
ed finalists. We were am ong 20 groups in
vited to com e to Eugene in December to
make a presentation to their grantmaking
com m ittee. The presentations were billed as
“ an opportunity to find out about social
change work going on throughout Oregon.”
The presentation took place at the Emerald
Baptist Church. In the letter that inform ed us
that we were am ong the preliminary finalists,
it was explained that we would make a ten
m inute presentation to the fourteen member
grantm aking committee. In turn the com m it
tee would ask questions for ten minutes.
Prospective grantees were also allowed to
ask questions.
The first presentation was by the host of
the Blue Plate Special, a half hour talk show
aired Monday through Friday on KLCC in
Eugene. He talked about the im portant role
his program plays in discussing social
changes in such areas as awareness about
Central American issues. He also talked in
length about a recent interview he did with
Aaron Fricke, author of Reflections o f a Rock
Lobster.
The presentations went on all day. Groups
representing native Americans, blacks,
Central America, prison projects, anti-nuke,
wom en's rights, anti-pollution, lesbian/gay
concerns and anti-choice were all there m ak
ing a pitch for money.
By the tim e New Clear News made their
presentation early in the afternoon, everyone
seemed sedated by the slow pace and the
predictability of the afternoon. After the ten
m inute explanation, one of the grantors in
quired into New Clear News' affiliation with
the anti-choice m ovem ent The man making
the presentation tried to play that down. I
could see outrage on the faces of some of
those present and everyone around the room
focused on the discussion.
The only other homophile group there was
Lesbian Comm unity Organizing Project They
asked for money to explore ways to provide
better networking within the lesbian
com m unity.
I made a brief presentation asking for
money to purchase a letter quality printer for
production of our m onthly newsletter, The
Gay O i Tilmes. Besides myself, a G A IA co
president, Jesse Cordor, our Recorder, Wes
Luttrell, and Doug Beal, an at-large Board
m em ber were also present Jesse also said a
few words about our com munity, and the
fourteen grantmakers and prospective
grantees asked questions about our com m it
m ent to social change.
A week later we received notice that GALA
was being funded for the full am ount re
quested. The official notification listed their
decision pertaining to all the groups. And
every organization received funding except
the anti-choice affiliate, New Clear News.
The McKenzie River Gathering Foundation
has been funding non-traditional social
change projects in Oregon for ten years.
They have made over 900 grants and loans
totalling $1.3 million. Their administrative
costs average 20 percent of their income
which is the lowest ration in the U.S.A. today.
Age no barrier
to alienation
Dear Dr. Ray,
I am 50 years old, but unless I’m looking in
the m irro r I’m convinced that I’m m uch
younger. I enjoy the com pany of men in their
30s and I find them m uch more interesting
physically than people my own age. The only
thing I miss in a serious relationship with a
younger person is a mental and emotional
m aturity that seems only to com e with age.
I am a relationship-oriented person. I will
soon begin the search for a relationship that I
hope will be m y last Should I look for som e
one m y own age who will share my problems
of getting older, or just follow my heart?
In a Dilemma
Dear Dilemma,
Many people in their forties and on into
their eighties share your feeling: despite the
physical type or age m ay be well worth the
effort in its long term rewards.
Your letter im plies an urgency and finality
in ou r “ search” for a relationship. Can you
learn anything from your previous relation
ships? Have your relationships tended to be
with m en who were "less m ature” ? This may
have nothing to do with age. But if you find
that you always seem to attract the same type
o f man, you may need to re-examine just
what it is you are looking for in a relationship.
At any rate, you are m ore likely to be suc
cessful you take your time. D on't put your life
on hold until Mr. Right com es along. Enjoy
your friends and the activities that give plea
sure and m eaning to your life.
Best o f luck to you!
Dr. Ray
Have a problem ? Meed advice? Write to
“ Dr. Ray" in care of Just Out, PO Box 15117,
Portland, OR 97215. Include a stamped, self-
addressed envelope if you wish to receive a
personal reply.
Dr. Raymond Berger, an individual, couple
and fam ily counselor, is author of the book
Gay and Gray: The Older Homosexual Mein.
To schedule an appointm ent with Dr. Berger
call (503) 292-2735.
ANCINA
CLINIC
C hiropractic and
N a tu ro p a tic H e a lth ca re
reality of their age they feel like a much
younger person inside. Don't be disconcerted
by this feeling. Instead, focus on the pleasure
o f feeling and acting young and energetic.
In matters of love your only choice is to
“ follow your heart" You can’t force your
feelings of attraction and shouldn't try to. And
there are gay men in their thirties who are well
seasoned by life and interested in consider
ing an older partner.
O n the other hand, if a relationship is of
central importance to you, as you say, then
you know that sexual attraction is only one
part o f a long-term relationship. In fa c t for
m ost couples, after the first few months or
years of intense physical attraction, it is other
factors that keep the pair together.
W hat are your standards for the type of
man that you will consider as a potential part
ner? Can you relax your standards? Can you
open yourself up to exploring a relationship
with someone older than 40? Consider that
every relationship is a series of compromises.
C om prom ising your desire for a particular
B ruce D. C h a s e r, D .C.
D.K. W on, N.D., D .C.
40 YEARS IN PRACTICE
A n o n -p re s s u re he alin g e n v iro n
m e n t in w h ic h th e p a tie n t is
e n c o u ra g e d to p a rtic ip a te in the
re s to ra tio n an d m a in te n a n c e o f
th e ir health. W e tre a t c h ild re n ,
g e ria tric p a tie n ts , an d p e o p le o f
any life style o r p e rs u a s io n .
3343 S .E . H aw thorne
Portland, O R 23 5 -5 4 8 4
THE
FASHION
AVINISTE Y
Unique clothing
for the fashion conscious.
Robin Chavis
has b e co m e associated w ith
RealtvGroup
C?
JnCy
Caterers
223-8690
i 1902 X.W 24th • Portland. < Hvtfon 97210
U niqu e F ood P r e se n ta tio n s
Box Lunches • Dinners
Picnics Inside or ( hit
Parties • Private or Business
Fine Wine Select» ms • Tastimis
Just Out. Feoruorv, 1986
as
Sales A ssociate
Ki()7NE4lSt A ve.
Portland. OR 97232
1-7 Mon.-Fri.
12-6 Sat.
2510 SE Clinton, Portland, O R
284 77ÖÖ
"lust around the corner from the
Clinton St. Theater!’
17