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Critics: 'It is Raising More Questions than it Answers' How Are March Planners Getting & Spending Money? |
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Compiled By GayToday
New York, New York--On January 26 the Ad Hoc
Committee for an Open Process was faxed a "Financial Summary"
issued by the Millennium March on Washington Board.
The Committee responded yesterday by calling the summary "an overly general and evasive statement that comes a full eight months after the first formal request to the Millennium March Board for a public accounting to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community." (See complete MMOW statement below). For nearly two years, say Ad Hoc Committee members, the MMOW has been advertised as an event to supposedly empower a sense of community. Yet, lament its critics, when community activists ask serious questions about how money is being raised and spent, they're ignored. Those who have signed on to the Ad Hoc Committee's objections are concerned that the planned event is aimed more at enriching a few individuals than strengthening the gay rights movement. "The statement by the MMOW Board offers no specific information about their budget. There is no indication of income or expenses to date. This is a ragged collection of vague and generalized projections, and as such is useless. If they believe this satisfies the request for financial data they are once again showing how out of touch they are with the lgbt activist community," said Leslie Cagan, member of the Ad Hoc Committee.
"We are outraged that the MMOW Board acts as if the legitimate requests for information about their budget - requests that have come from lgbt activists and reporters around the country - are handled in this manner. The issue is not whether the Ad Hoc Committee has access to the information but if the lgbt community does." "When MMOW says it's 'none of their business,' the 'their' refers to the entire lgbt community, the same community they purport to represent," says Ad Hoc Committee member Michael Castellano. "I'm both saddened and angered by Red Wing's callous and insensitive remarks, but I'm not surprised. I can't help but wonder if they have something to hide." The Washington Blade has also reported that Ann DeGroot, another MMOW Board co-chair, is now saying a detailed financial report will not be released until after their event is over. Ad Hoc Committee members are demanding that the MMOW release concrete information about its budget and they ask: Why is the MMOW building a budget that depends on approximately 38% of its income ("more than $750,000") from a Festival that in their own words is "a separately-constituted event outside the purview of the March board and staff"? Why has there been no public solicitation of proposals for everything from the Festival to the management of their web site? Is the projection of $450,000 income of "from several small foundation grants, national LGBT organizations, and private individual gifts" based on any real commitments? What are they planning to do with an expense item of "approximately $550,000 for actual technical production of the March and related rally"? And perhaps most importantly, why has it been impossible for the MMOW to release what should be public financial information, information that previous marches have made public? The Ad Hoc Committee repeated its call to MMOW's Board to open its process, open its financial records, and to be" responsive to the lgbt community." "Full and detailed financial information must be shared without any further delay," it said. Millennium March on Washington For Equality Financial Summary, January 26, 2000
The Millennium March on Washington for Equality
continues to develop a comprehensive and
reasonable financial model for the production of
the weekend event, scheduled for April 28-30,
2000, in Washington, DC.
To better inform the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community about the March, we want to provide an overview of our budget, which we believe is both necessary and achievable as we more forward with the planning and organization of the March. Total revenue for the March is anticipated to be about $1,950,000, Corporate marketing revenue will approximate $350,000. In addition, the March estimates it will receive approximately $400,000 in commissions on hotel bookings. Additionally, the Millennium March Festival, a separately-constituted event outside the purview of the March board and staff, will contribute more than $750,000 in revenue to the March, through entrance fees, concessions, etc. The balance of revenue will come from several small foundation grants, national LGBT organizations, and private individual gifts. Major expenses for the March will include: 1) approximately $550,000 for actual technical production of the March and related rally, 2) $400,000 for March staff and consultants; staffing for grassroots organizing, public education, media, communications, and events management, and 3) $500,000 spread over lease costs, travel, postage, printing, computer ser vices and equipment, telephone, and advertising. Various insurance coverages, including event and rain insurance, will be slightly less than $100,000, and an additional $150,000 will be expended on safety and security, taxes and permits, volunteer recruitment, and audit and legal services. Total expenditures are expected to approximate $1,700,000. In addition, MMOW has received in-kind contributions approximating $200,000. The March Board remains committed to producing the event on a solid financial foundation, with the intent to be able to distribute up to $250,000 in net proceeds back into the LGBT community at the local, regional and national level. These funds are intended for use in furthering the initiatives of the March and to empower March attendees all across America to continue their work and activism after the March has been realized. The March Board's Finance Committee meets regularly to provide oversight of the strategies in place to ensure financial security of the March. They are continually working to provide assurance that current estimates remain legitimate and achievable, and to recommend overall budget adjustments, as necessary, to assure the March's financial success. |
