Dear GayCalgary,

On behalf of The Pride Calgary Association we would like to introduce ourselves, and inform your readers of the upcoming 2008 Pride Events. The Association is proud to have three returning Board members from last year: John Skorka (co-chair), Sharon Boutilier (director), and Sig Moser (director), who are bringing a wealth of knowledge, experience, and excitement to the Board. The remaining members are all new to the Association, and bring a new outlook, dynamic, and diversity to Calgary Pride this year. These members and their positions are Allison Brodowski (co-chair), Dallas Barnes (secretary), Jess Hill (treasurer), Laura Black (director), Lyn Baer (director), Christy Nicholson (director), Sherina Alstad (director), Megan Gill (director), and Tasia Zandboer (director).

Now that we have introduced ourselves, we would like to know more about you! The Pride Calgary Association is organizing many different types of events to get everyone into the spirit of Pride. This is a great way of meeting new people, and catching up with old friends. Please visit our website or our group on Facebook to find out more information. In order to include all members of the community we are hosting events for all groups, ages, and diversities. We believe that building a community involves everyone, and should be celebrated as such. With this in mind, ‘Celebration’ is the theme of Pride 2008.

In order to make this ever-growing event a success, we need your help. We are currently looking for volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and parade participants. It is imperative that the community gets involved as we want to include as many individuals as possible - without individuality, Pride would not exist. Please email us for more information.

The Pride Calgary Association is excited and honoured to be a part of Calgary Pride 2008, and we are encouraging you to be as well. Not only is it important to celebrate our community, it is important for us to celebrate our integral role in the city of Calgary, as Pride in a community is what will bring it together. We urge you to join in on the ‘celebration’!

Dallas Barnes: Volunteer Coordinator and Media Representative (dallas@pridecalgary.ca)

Christy Nicholson: Vendor Representative and Media Representative (christy@pridecalgary.ca)

Pride Calgary Association (http://www.pridecalgary.ca)

Facebook Group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15436720514)