Youth Co-ordinator Robert Marshall's report at Rainbow Youth's Annual General Meeting yesterday suggested the new Board is in for busy year, as the organisation hopes to increase its influence in schools and expand into the greater Auckland region. Twenty people gathered yesterday afternoon at the Auckland-based LGBT organisation's drop-in centre on Karangahape Road to elect a new Executive Board. Twelve interested people were nominated, but only eight were needed to fill seats on the organisation's Board: Daniel (Chairperson), Emma (Secretary), Kale (Treasurer), Jenn, Cam, Clint, Alexander and Tom range in ages between late teens to mid-twenties, and will make the decisions at Rainbow Youth in the coming year – backed by three ‘Adult Advisers' with community organisation experience. Rainbow Youth representatives are invited to speak in sixty schools around Auckland as part of sexual health education. That number must increase this year, Marshall told the meeting: “If schools are a barometer of acceptance, there are pockets of the community we are not reaching. “Information on homophobia is often given minimal attention or left out of school health classes entirely.” Rainbow Youth is looking to increase opening hours of its drop-in centre – with a stronger volunteer base which will allow the centre to open regularly on weekends. Increasing visibly and diverse youth ‘safe spaces' around greater Auckland, and increasing online presence with a revamped website and social networking pages are other ideas for the future. “We will identify places that provide a safe atmosphere – Schools, health professionals, counsellors, and work places that support people in our community,” announced Marshall. The organisation is highly dependant on a few sources of income. Donations, fundraising and workshops raised just over $37,000 last year, down greatly from previous years. A Lotteries Grant is expected to be approved next month. Marshall says Rainbow Youth needs research into the effect the organisation has on Auckland's young people – which will allow them more clout in securing funds from Central Government. Ref: GayNZ.com (m)