www.TeamChicago.org

The following is a letter to Team Chicago from Co-Presidents of the Federations of Gay Games... As you can see the Team Chicago Delegation is well represented and the Federation is off to a great year ahead!

Dear Gay Games Friends,

This note is an update of FGG activities during the past few months.

Federation of Gay Games 2011 Annual General Assembly

The Federation is pleased with the success of our 2011 Annual General Assembly, which was held in Toronto, Canada. Over 60 delegates from North America, Europe, and Australia convened for a three-day meeting. The Federation was informally hosted by one of the newest FGG members, OutSport Toronto, the LGBT multi-sport organization of Toronto. Special thanks to Mac Gunter, new delegate from OutSport Toronto, who provided so much help in making this AGA possible.

Several new Officers were elected. A new feature this year was the "meet the candidates" forum prior to elections, where delegates had an in-person chance to meet and question the candidates. Three interim appointments were confirmed for the remaining year of their two-year term: Jennifer Forward (Melbourne) as Officer-at-Large/people coordinator, Marc Naimark (Paris) as Vice-President for External Affairs, and Kurt Dahl (Chicago) as Vice-President for host relations.

Reelected for a new two-year term were Emy Ritt (Paris) as Co-President, Jon Baldan (Sydney) as Vice-President for Operations, Paul Oostenbrug (Albuquerque) as Vice-President for Membership, Doug Litwin (San Franciso) as Officer for Marketing, Sebastien Datiche (Tours, France) as Officer for Sports, Paul White (Sydney) as Officer for International Development, Dennis Sneyers (Chicago) as Officer for Site Selection, and Sonia Abécassis (Paris) as Officer-at-Large.

Elected for the first time were Sonya Jaquez Lewis (Denver) as Officer at Large, Shamey Cramer (Los Angeles) as Officer for Ceremonies, and Roger Brigham (Oakland) as Officer at Large. Last week, Michael Tolliver was elected as Officer of Culture and David Killian was elected as Officer of Development.

Memorial Moment

A highlight of each Annual General Assembly of the FGG is the Memorial Moment. This year the event took place under the direction of Brent Nicholson Earle just before the important closing session of the meetings, with Kyle Chang (delegate from Team Chicago), Bettina Dietmann-Winter (board member from Munich), and Mac Gunter (delegate from Outsport Toronto) reading names, and Barbara Strewinski (delegate from SC Janus, Cologne, and 2010 Volunteer of the Year), Erica Munoz (delegate from Team Chicago), Tom Nobbe (executive director of Gay Games 9), and Wessel Van Kampen (co-president of GLISA International) carrying out the quilt ceremony.

Gay Games VIII

Following Games Cologne’s final report, FGG Delegates applauded Cologne for Gay Games VIII, noting the excellent sport events, the great village, and outstanding volunteers. The Games Cologne team had a very strong presence in Toronto with all key leaders attending, including Annette Wachter and Michael Lohaus. Games Cologne is still working diligently to finalize the financial outcome of Gay Games VIII."

Gay Games 9

The hosts of Gay Games 9 (2014), the Cleveland Special Events Corporation, presented reports to the Assembly. The FGG Assembly was impressed by the status report from Cleveland-Akron, and, in particular, the hiring of sports manager Rob Smitherman.

1QE 2018

Several sessions were held during the 2011 AGA in Toronto to present and discuss the 1QE 2018 project. GLISA Co-President Wessel van Kampen travelled from Rotterdam for the week to participate in the meetings.

FGG Members expressed their support for 1QE 2018 and provided feedback for many of the proposals. Members expressed their support for the proposed name “Gay Game – Out Games – Together 2018”. There was strong support in favor of “no proxy voting” during 2018 Site Selection. Members reiterated their support for the 1QE negotiations as carried out by the 1QE Working Group under the auspices of the FGG Board. Kurt Dahl announced that the RFP will be shared with FGG members and stakeholders before distribution to potential bidders.

The 1QE Working Group continues its negotiations, under the auspices of the FGG and GLISA boards. FGG Board and the 1QE Working Group recognize the importance of the FGG Bylaws and principles and are aware of concerns from some members. The membership reiterated their support for and the importance of the need of a successfully organised 1QE "Together in 2018”.

More information about the 1QE meetings and discussions are posted on webex in the General Assembly forum. Additional teleconferences will be scheduled with FGG members, Honorary Life Members and Gay Games stakeholders as soon as there is a slate of proposals to review.