WRAP RESOURCE CENTER ENTERS A NEW PHASE
Dear Community:
Please know that that WRAP is not closing. We simply are not renewing our lease at 319
Braun Court. In addition, we will continue to evaluate our programs and services. As part
of that process, we have scheduled a community meeting for Tuesday, September 11 at
7:00 p.m. at the WRAP Office, 319 Braun Court.
Decision to Not Renew the Lease
As you can imagine, the decision to not renew the lease at 319 Braun Court was a
difficult one. Our lease at 319 Braun Court, owned by Martin Contreras and Keith Orr,
expires on September 30, 2007.
Towards the end of each lease, the WRAP Board discusses the renewal of the lease. We
ask ourselves whether or not we want to continue in the same space, whether or not to
move to a larger or smaller building, whether or not the portion of rent expense to our
entire budget is something we believe we can sustain. The Board consistently makes
WRAP’s lease decision in a responsible way, and we are most conscious of addressing
our fiduciary responsibilities. For example, in April 2006, we decided to terminate the
lease at 325 Braun Court (also owned by Martin and Keith) and move to the larger space
at 319 Braun Court.
This year when the Board discussed the renewal of the lease, it acted responsibly and
took two key points into consideration:
1.
The cost of the current, expiring lease, at $22,000, is WRAP’s
largest single expense. This amount exceeds 40% of our projected 2007
budget of $53,000. The board expected similar expenses with a renewed lease.
The board decided that we would not be meeting our fiduciary responsibilities
by continuing to use such a high proportion of our income (mostly donations
from you) to pay the rent. We simply could not sustain that level of financial
commitment to pay the rent.
2.
Members of the board and/or the general community must
personally guarantee the rent. This is a challenging and onerous requirement
that makes it very difficult to find and retain Board members. As an entirely
volunteer organization, the Board of Directors contribute considerable time
and energy, and play a key role in the success of WRAP.
By not renewing the lease at 319 Braun Court, we will be able to
1.
seek locations, opportunities, and solutions to bringing our rent expense to a
more sustainable level;
2.
enhance our ability to seek out new space that better meets the current and
future needs of the community that WRAP serves. A space that, ideally,
a. can host confidential groups and activities in one part of the Resource
Center while other parts can remain open to the public, which isn’t
possible at our current location;
b. is 100% accessible and barrier-free, which 319 Braun Court is not;
3.
provide opportunities for individuals who could not otherwise serve as lease
guarantors to join the Board of Directors.
Comprehensive Evaluation
WRAP is launching a comprehensive evaluation of the organization’s programs and
services. Congruent with that is pursing alternative space to better meet the community’s
current and future needs. To help us determine the kind of space we need, we have
implemented these steps:
Step 1. Hold community meetings for open discussion and dialog. The first community
meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 11, 7 – 9 p.m. at the WRAP Office, 319
Braun Court.
Step 2. Conduct a survey to help gather input on current and future needs of our
community. Information on the survey will be available on our web site
http://www.wrap-up.org and distributed via our E-WRAP newsletter.
Step 3. Consult with leadership and staff from other LGBTA non-profits.
Because WRAP is a totally volunteer organization with no paid staff, the WRAP board
will be working with the entire community to help identify additional board
members/leaders, and to identify volunteers who can devote their time, talent, and/or
financial resources to supporting WRAP’s vision and mission.
The Board will make every effort to keep you informed as we move through these steps,
continue discussions, and make decisions.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Michael G. McGuire, WRAP
President at 734-657-3730 or at mcguiremichaelg@gmail.com
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The Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project (WRAP) is a non-profit resource for the gay,
lesbian, bisexual, transgender (“queer”), and allied residents of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and
greater Washtenaw County.
Our vision
We envision an inclusive community where people of diverse sexual orientation and
gender identity are visible and live together in equality, respect and happiness.
Our mission
WRAP is a resource center that exists to provide information, education, social events,
and advocacy by and for the Queer and Ally community in the Washtenaw County area.
WRAP welcomes all who support its mission to participate in its activities