Friday, 30th October 09

On Saturday October 24^th 2009 the Pride in Brighton & Hove (Pride) Board of Trustees and staff met to review the future strategic direction for Pride and specifically our proposals for the 2010 event. A summary of the key decisions taken at the meeting and our proposed way forward are set out below. These were developed taking into account the feedback we have received from individuals, community groups and stakeholders, our own knowledge of what has worked well and not so well based on previous years activities and events and the financial position that we currently face. 

Commenting, Yvonne Barker, chair of Pride said: “The proposals put forward will be consulted on over the next few weeks and the impact on everyone involved and the cost implications fully explored. Once all of the implications are understood and feedback has been received we will then make final decisions on Pride 2010 and beyond. We expect to confirm those decisions by the end of 2009. All aspects will still remain subject to us being able to raise sufficient funds through our fundraising appeal, sponsorship and income generation activities”. 

Two overarching points were that Pride will continue to remain a charitable organisation that is community led and owned. We will also continue to use the Pride Parade, park event and summer festival week as the main vehicles to deliver our charitable objectives. 

For 2010 our proposals are that Pride will:

• organise and support an annual Pride Parade, and seek to use our existing resources and find additional resources to:

–         improve and strengthen the way that the Pride Parade conveys key messages that support our charitable objectives

–         improve the artistic quality of the Pride Parade

• organise an event in Preston Park that is open to everyone, but with a change of format and dynamics which will include Pride directly supporting and funding the following activities only:

–         the creation of a ‘community heart of the park’

–         the provision and support of 3 key entertainment tents consisting of a performance tent, music tent and arts/cultural tent

–         LGBT community sports/activity areas

–         an LGBT market place

–         encouraging entry to the park event by donation at key entry points to the park.

• co-ordinate and promote a Pride summer festival week with a diverse range of events organised by LGBT community groups and businesses.
• provide expertise and in kind support to LGBT community groups to put on events during the summer festival week and to fundraise for their own cause.
• seek to increase the number of people involved in volunteering with Pride and actively recruit Pride members who support the ethos and delivery of Pride’s charitable objectives.
• continue to represent LGBT views, contribute to local working groups and to provide representatives or speaker’s for events and conferences where Pride has the appropriate knowledge or expertise to contribute to the issue or subject and it is relevant to Pride’s  charitable objectives.
• continue to support the Pride Companion Dog Show.
• focus our support on one key event per month, either as a fundraiser for Pride or in support of a local LGBT group, in association with partners. 

In 2010 Pride will not:

• provide financial support (as opposed to in kind support) in the form of grants to LGBT community groups.
• put on a Winter Pride Festival week 2010.
• encourage, fund or support all of the infrastructure, entertainment and dance tents and activities previously provided at the main park event.
• be able to support every fundraising event that is put on for Pride. 

The removal of financial grants and Winter Pride are seen as short term decisions for 2010 reflecting the current financial position of Pride. These will be reviewed and if appropriate reinstated once Pride is in a more secure financial position. 

The theme for 2010:

The theme for Pride in Brighton & Hove 2010 is Pride and (No) Prejudice and we will also be celebrating Pride’s 18^th Birthday.

Principles for the 2010 Park Event:

We propose to adopt the following key principles for the main park event for 2010 and beyond. These are that:

• it helps us deliver and reinforce our charitable objectives and educational messages, including time for reflection
• is an LGBT event where participants feel welcomed and safe
• is LGBT community focused
• brings together different elements of the LGBT community in a ‘mass participation’ event
• provides a diverse offer, whilst also recognising difference
• is accessible
• provides fun and entertainment
• is something to be proud of
• pays for itself
• is manageable within the resources of PSEL and its partners.