Lindsay Rea is stepping down after four years on the GABA executive As she steps down after four years on the Gay Auckland Business Association Board, outgoing Vice President Lindsay Rea is urging new blood to come forward as the group faces a time of change. GABA will tonight hold its AGM at the new Social Bar and Cafe, which is two doors down from Family on K' Rd. The doors will open at 5.30pm and the meeting will start just after 6pm, which is when nominations will close for the executive. While it has been successful in fundraising for the GABA Charitable Trust, Rea says GABA's membership has dropped over the past 12 months and it has also taken a financial hit from fewer than usual visits to its Big Gay Out tent. "We think some of this is to do with the recession. It's a very slow business environment and many business people are 'hanging on' and don't have a lot of spare time or a lot of spare money," she says. "GABA is at a time of change," Rea says. "So we're looking at our members to tell us things they want to do and how they want GABA to be operating going forward." Rea says people enjoy GABA for both the social setting and the opportunity to showcase their business in the gay community. "We certainly have a core of regular people who come to GABA meetings, who get good value from it. It's actually one of the few places where you can sit down and talk to a bunch of people, old friends and new friends, without something going 'doof doof doof ' in your ear all the time." Johnny Givens will host tonight's AGM and Rea promises he will make the process as painless as possible. "People do tend to avoid AGMs because they think 'god they're gonna be boring' or 'I'm gonna end up in a committee'," she laughs. "But we have Johnny Givens as MC and Jonny is never boring. There will be interesting things to discuss; GABA needs to make some changes in the way we operate. So we are looking for people's input on that. We are also looking for people to join the committee and be part of the change." Mr Gay New Zealand and Christchurch resident Aaron Comis, who is the Group Financial Controller for Canterbury Hospitality Group, will return as a guest speaker. He will convey a message of pride and community solidarity.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 3rd August 2011 - 11:24am