October 22nd, 1997 to October 28th, 1997

Illinois Federation looking to the future

An interview with new E.D. Laird Petersen

Part Three by P.J. Engelbrecht

The Illinois Federation for Human Rights recently restructured its administration and is mustering resources for the upcoming political season-March primaries and the general election in Fall 1998.

Freshly appointed Executive Director Laird Petersen joined former executive director and current Political Director Rick Garcia in the offices in September. An Oct. 19 reception re-introduced Petersen (formerly development director at Horizons Community Services) to the Chicago lesbigay community.

Garcia was not demoted or replaced by Petersen; rather, according to the Federation, he was freed by Petersen's appointment to focus singularly on the political duties which he prefers and which he and observers acknowledge are his forté.

Basic administration is expected to proceed more effectively with Petersen on board. Tapped for his development and fundraising expertise, Petersen presented a comprehensive development plan to the Federation board of directors at its Oct. 15 meeting.

"I presented my plan ... with some minor changes and constructive criticism [of previous activities]. ... They approved my plan for the year, the budget for the year. We're moving forward," Petersen told Outlines Oct. 17.

Chief among Petersen's plans for 1998 is the Federation's first Dinner Gala, a $175+ per plate dinner dance scheduled for Jan. 31. The purpose of the gala is three-fold: to raise money for the Federation, to give Illinois politicians a chance to meet the lesbigay community, and to appeal for funds for the Federation's separately constituted and independently run political action committee. Petersen noted that the dissolving lesbigay pac IMPACT's annual galas "were a great opportunity for politicians to interact with their gay constituents and ... for us to raise much-needed funding."

Post-IMPACT, the Federation Gala can both fill a niche in the community social calendar and take advantage of the 'less-competitive' fundraising situation. Federation political endorsements will be made prior to the dinner, so politicians have nothing to gain by attending except valuable lesbigay community visibility.

But creating opportunities for hobnobbing with wealthy lesbigays and pols is only the tip of the development iceberg. Petersen said the Federation has "a calendar of events that appeals to all segments of the community," including the hoi polloi. For example, the "Statement for Freedom" benefit will be held at Park West on Saturday, Nov. 8, with ticket prices in the more economical $15 to $35 range. Hosted by City of Chicago lesbigay community liaison Mary Morten and former Chicago 'artiste' (and Outlines columnist) Dominic Hamilton-Little, the Statement for Freedom program showcases "gay and lesbian talent from the great state of Illinois," aptly enough. Following 7 p.m. cocktails, the Joel Hall Dancers, Mollycoddle, Patty "Elvis" Band, Marcia Wilkie and the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus share the 8 p.m. bill with nine other acts. (Call Alicia Obando at 773-296-4141 or 773-486-2812).

"We [also] have our annual x-mas tree sale, which we will continue with ... and events at bars," Petersen said of smaller-scale Chicago fundraisers. Yet he does not plan to limit outreach to the metro lesbigay community alone. Asked whether he's made specific Downstate fundraising plans, Petersen said "Not yet ... [but] that's part and parcel of the trips Rick and I will be making" throughout Illinois.

In addition, the Federation has enjoyed major corporate sponsorship from the "spirits industry" in the past, and Petersen hopes to broaden the corporate donor base. "Any company that has supported ... our fight for human rights for gays and lesbians and made their workplace more inclusive is going to be someone I want to talk to," noted Petersen. In fact, the new development director believes that "by hiring me, that's a strong message from the board [to pursue corporate funding]."

In the spirit of political ecumenicism, Petersen also will reach out to various religious and spiritual groups. "Rick [Garcia] has been able to gather a lot of support for [rights legislation] from different faith communities ... and if we can work collaboratively ... we will move our mission forward .. .as well as ... educate the Religious Right," he said. Petersen wants to "at least double" both the financial sustainers program and the mailing list, currently 1200-1500, and "the sky's the limit: I'd love to see 20,000 [people] on the mailing list," he exclaimed.

The mailing list comprises an important political tool. "A mailing list is not an indication of your donor. We want to do outreach whether people are able to support us financially or not." Receipt of the IMPACT mailing list may make this outreach easier; it includes 10,000 names, though Petersen suspects that figure incorporates duplication of Federation listings, old/obsolete addresses, and persons IMPACT registered to vote who are not part of the lesbigay community per se.

The Federation fundraising and development program exists to support the lobbying organization's political work, and Petersen also discussed the Federation's current fiscal situation and projections. Without providing detailed figures, Petersen admitted "there was a substantial deficit when [he] came on board," but says the group has "erased some of the losses already," mainly as a result of individual donors' largesse. "We plan to start our new year January 1st having balanced the budget for 1997," said Petersen. Compared to the 1997 books, Petersen predicts that the 1998 general budget "is probably going to at least double ... [totaling] somewhere in the neighborhood of $300,000." The Federation's main budget items are lobbying expenses and lobbyist salary (approx. 25%), administrative salaries and operations (33%), fundraising costs (32%), and travel (10%). Petersen, Garcia and Hostetler are the only salaried staff; the Federation has offices in Chicago, 3444 N. Halsted, and in Springfield. Much work is accomplished by "a tremendous pool of volunteers"-including Petersen's own 74-year-old mother.

The Federation's bipartisan PAC arm is entirely separate from the main Federation lobbying effort, with distinct financial accounting, as required by law. According to the PAC's official d-2 statements for fiscal year 1996-97, $17,235 was collected. Only 4% of PAC monies spent went to fundraising costs: an impressive 96% of all PAC debits comprised contributions to political campaigns or candidates ($4,600 remains as assets).

The Federation pursues gay rights in Illinois not only through monetary donations to politicians, but through "hands-on" grassroots activism and direct lobbying. Garcia and Hostetler worked intensely during last spring's state legislative session. Colored push pins all around the Chicago office's Illinois map mark the two dozen far-flung Illinois burgs Garcia has visited by car, train or bus, in the last year alone. Such lobbying and outreach-even on a 'tight ship'-cost money. Petersen realizes that "financial solvency and stability of the Federation" are his primary responsibility. That is, securing the funds paying for the Federation's political work is his "No. 1 priority."

One new budget item projected for 1998 may be a salary for a second Springfield lobbyist, focused on Republican lawmakers, to complement Democrat-focused efforts by current lobbyist Lana Hostetler. Petersen envisions the two lobbyists "would be working hand-in-hand ... and hand in hand with Rick. We need desperately to be more active outside Chicago. ... We have pockets of support all across [Illinois] that we're not able to work effectively with because it's just been Rick [Garcia] ... and [yet] we are a statewide organization."

Petersen himself plans to travel extensively, often along with Garcia. Meanwhile, change at the Federation will soon extend 'upward,' into the board. "Another part of our general strategy is we'll be increasing the size of the board and looking for specific skills [in new board members]," according to Petersen, including expertise in fundraising, fiscal management and volunteer management. At its Nov. 30 meeting, the nine-member board will consider expansion; four to six new seats are likely, and board members will reevaluate their commitment when deciding whether to serve another term. Petersen also described tentative plans for a statewide Federation advisory board. The volunteer panel would not vote on matters of policy, but could recommend positions to the directors. Members would probably be drawn from Downstate "strongholds ... [and] it may end up being regional," Petersen speculated.

Early in the interview, Petersen summarized his perspective on his new position and main goals: "It's time for the Federation, like any other grassroots organization, to professionalize [its] activities. ... [Our] political activities have been respected and very professional for years, sometimes at the expense of fundraising. ... Now, we need to do some housekeeping and ensure the success of the Federation through an organized and efficient fundraising and marketing strategy."

"We have a lot to do-it's not going to happen overnight," said Petersen as the two-hour interview ended. "I'm very optimistic. I'm thrilled to be here-it's almost been a month, [and] it's been ... energizing, exciting, satisfying."

Next week: Garcia's political strategy for the Federation during Campaign 1998, and a review of other Chicago-area progressive political action committees and lobbying organizations.

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