KOLAGE - Update March 03 00

Changes to the KOLAGE Executive Steering Committee
David Beauchamp, co-founder of KOLAGE, was laid off in the recent restructuring. He will continue to be a member of KOLAGE and we will send him a copy of our update to his home email account. We look forward to seeing David at future KOLAGE events.

To help us continue the work David was doing, B. Keith Poss has joined the ESC.
Welcome Keith.

Effective 2/24/00, I will no longer be an associate at The Coca-Cola Company due to the restructuring process. I was notified on 2/15/00 that my position would be eliminated, however I decided to stay here to tie up some loose ends and offer my good-byes.

Many of you are already aware of my situation and know that I'm extremely optimistic about what lies ahead, both professionally and personally. It's amazing to know that I have endless possibilities and that I could be or do anything I choose. At the same time, it's bittersweet. After 4 years and two months with the Company, I have made numerous friends and met some truly outstanding, talented people. I can't believe that three years ago, Michael Wright and I had our first lunch together. That lunch was the beginning of KOLAGE. NEVER did either of us believe it could become what it has in such a short amount of time!

I hope all of you will continue to make your presence known at the Company and continue to request equality in the workplace for everyone regardless of stereotypes. We've truly come a long way and are on the brink of bringing about change in the workplace. KOLAGE will continue to forge ahead under the current and determined ESC leadership and I urge you all to support, participate and continue to help it grow. There are endless possibilities and perhaps recognition for all human beings just around the corner.

On February 18, 2000, I had the opportunity to attend a forum with Gary Fayard. In this forum I ensured the KOLAGE mission statement was heard, emphasized our existence and purpose, requested official Company recognition and funding for various community projects and stressed the importance of offering domestic partnership benefits. I was well received, but we all know that action speaks louder than words. In order to ensure KOLAGE is heard by all Company leaders, I urge you to attend one of the Forums and keep the momentum going. I truly believe things will change before the end of this year to address many of the issues that we feel is important to the Company and its associates.

I will dearly miss being a part of such an impressive and important group of individuals and look forward to seeing you all in the future. Please feel free to contact me anytime for any reason. I will keep in touch with those of you I know well and the ESC members too. My best wishes for continued success and a wonderful future to you all.
:-D

KOLAGE Web Site
Our official Web Site is up and running. Thank you for visiting it at http://www.gw.total-web.net/~kolage. Please bear with us, it is still under construction and is rather plain looking.

The web site contains a calendar of upcoming events and a history of the bulletins.

If you have any suggestions you would like to make about the site or any information you would like to share on the site, please let us know.

Web Site Policy: No KOLAGE member names will be used on the web site without prior approval. Even if you allow your name to be mentioned in one of the KOLAGE bulletins, it will not be listed on the Web Site without your specific consent.

PALS Bingo
It is BINGO time again! KOLAGE has reserved two tables. There's not much time left, so sign up quick!!

Big Brothers Big Sister Bowl for Kids' Sake
The Year 2000 Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake will be held on Saturday, March 18 and we need your help to make it the most exciting yet. I hope you guys can all participate again this year. Last year we raised over $35,000 WOW!!!!!!!!

And, we had a great time - remember' This FUNdraiser is a great way to do something good for our community, give something of ourselves and have fun - all at the same time. The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta organization provides mentoring to kids who come from single parent families. The Bowl for Kids' Sake is their biggest fund-raiser of the year and they count on us because without the help of people like you and me, this great organization could not exist.

How	Form a team or teams of 5 per team. Start raising contributions ($35 contribution minimum per bowler).
What	Bring your team and contributions to the Bowling Alley for a free game of bowling (I know everyone is excited about jumping into those lovely bowling shoes). This year, again, we will have prizes/raffles/auctions/FREE COKES AND BEER AND T-SHIRTS - SWEATS GIVEN FOR BIG $$$$-RAISERS.
When	Saturday, March 18, 2000
Times	12:30 pm or 3:00 pm (you select which time is best for your team)
New Place	The Express Lanes - near mid-town off Monroe and Piedmont Road. (contact Robert for maps, x66200)

Remember, this Bowl for Kids' Sake is as the name suggests: FOR THE KIDS!!!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.

HRC Dinner
Maya Angelou will headline the Atlanta HRC Dinner May 6 at World Congress Center

Last year's dinner attracted 1,250 attendees, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Gov. Roy E. Barnes, Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, and U.S. Senator Max Cleland.

Anyone who would like to become a table captain should contact Jim Hurt at 404-378-9049. Individual tickets can be ordered at $175 apiece through Box Office Tickets at 800-494-8497.

Persons interested in volunteering to work on the dinner should call 770-840-6969, or send an e-mail to Volunteer@hrc-atlanta.org.

Co-chairs of the dinner are Scott Brown, 404-636-8335, and Terry Davis, 404-873-3490. For more information about HRC Atlanta visit www.hrc-atlanta.org.

Every HRC Dinner also features a Silent Auction, which is a key part of the evening's fund raising efforts. Out of all 30 HRC Dinners held last year, Atlanta's Silent Auction was the most successful, raising over $53,500. You can contribute to the success of this year's event.

By contributing to the HRC Silent Auction, your organization has an outlet to showcase its products and services to an appreciative gay and lesbian audience. Depending on the type of organization you work for, your company's merchandise, travel, visual art, meals and services are all excellent Silent Auction items. Even tickets that your firm has to events such as an Evening at Chastain are coveted items at the Silent Auction. Undoubtedly, those at the HRC Dinner and Silent Auction will remember the message that your business values their support.

If you are interested in donating to the HRC Silent Auction or if you can pass along information on someone who may be interested, please contact any member of the ESC we will put you in touch with the Silent Auction Committee Co-Chair.

Miscellaneous
Distribution List Changes
Only two members of the ESC maintain the distibution list for the KOLAGE update: Robert C. Marshall and John Lane. For any changes to the distribution list (e.g. moving your name from blind copy to carbon copy, vice versa, or changing your email address) please contact either Robert or John.

If you know someone who would like to be added to the distribution list please have them contact either Robert or John.

Clearing House
If you would like to host or organize an event for KOLAGE members, let the ESC know. We will publish it in the next bulletin. If you do not want your name included in the bulletin, one of the ESC members will act as the contact, and pass the information on to you.