The Auckland Pride Steering Committee has asked us to share this statement on the bid to hold a glbti festival in Auckland, as the council's events funding body considers its application. The Auckland Pride Festival Steering Committee has submitted an application for Major Events Sponsorship funding to ATEED. (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development). ATEED has responded and has indicated that the Committee will hear back this month on the status of the application. The APF Steering Committee has determined that the optimal organizational vehicle, within which a Pride Festival would be managed, is through a Not for Profit Trust. A Trust Deed has been drawn up, however the Committee has decided that any formal setting up of the APF Trust will wait until the status of funding from ATTEED is determined. It was agreed during the GABA-led Community Consultation Meetings held through 2011 that the Auckland Pride Festival would only proceed given significant funding support from Auckland City was in place. Once the Committee receives confirmation that the Auckland Pride Festival will indeed be funded as requested to ATEED, a call will be made to the GBLT Community for people to apply for the seven seats that will be open on the Trust. It is the goal of the Interim Committee to seek individuals who can bring to the Trust specific skills such as Financial, Legal, Marketing, Organisational Management, Sales, Events Management, Community Representation and Liaison. Once the seven Trustees are confirmed the APF Trust will then be legally established. The APF Steering Committee will keep the Community informed regarding the outcome of the Sponsorship Application to ATEED, which is expected in the next weeks. Gresham Bradley Chair, APF Steering Committee Chair, GABA Charitable Trust Gresham Bradley - 6th March 2012