Vol.3 A Publication of the GEAR Foundation Issue 4

HIGH GEAR

1976 GEAR

FORUM SPURS NEW CENTER SEARCH

By Rowe Davidson

An almost unanimous show of hands at the close of the Open Forum, held at the Vaults on November 21st, indicated a new direction for GEAR's search for a Community Center. It was felt by the majority attending the meeting that a large Center with extensive operations and costs would take too great a time to

plan and finance. The immediate need for a small drop-in center, with a place for Rap Groups and counseling, as well as a permanent location for the Gay Switchboard is too pressing now to delay any longer. Office space for about $200.00 a month or less, was what the Forum wanted.

A new search committee was formed at the GEAR Board Meeting on November 29th. Four days later committee Chairper-

son Dan Richmond and his group made their report at a special meeting of the Board. A new site for the Gay Community Center had been found. Office space including three large rooms totaling 2500 sq. ft. above the Adonis Theater on W. 9th Street Downtown is available for only $100.00 a month. There is cleanup, painting and other work needed to be done.

1600 sq. ft. at Mayfield-Euclid in Other potential sites include the University Circle area and similair offices in Coventry Yard in Cleveland Hts.

Whatever Center site is chosen (The G.E.A.R. Board has imposed a deadline on itself of January 14 to make a commitment to some site) support and energy from the women and men of Cleveland's Gay Community must continue to be visible.

Photos by Al Morrill

Photo by Jon Gilmore

PHILLIPS LEAVES GEAR

JOURNAL FUTURE IN QUESTION

Matt Phillips, advertising overtaxed, no one is able to coordinator for High Gear since December of 1975, has submitted his resignation, effective immediately. Phillips, who came to the rescue of the journal last year when it appeared to be sinking from a lack of revenues not only provided a modest profit for the G.E.A.R. Foundation, but also expanded the paper's distribution to cities outside of Northeastern Ohio.

Matt was affectionately referred to by staffers as a "four man work team." The Gear salesperson, he collected all ad information, lay-out non-camera ready ads himself, did the billing, handled Akron-CantonWarren-Youngstown

hand

disbribution coordinated all out of town mailings. He will be sorely missed.

Phillips' resignation puts the future of High Gear up in the air. The remainder of. the staff is so

shoulder the additional responsibilities of advertising. As such a plea is being issued to the gay community for people to take portions of Matt's load. No experience is necessary and Phillips is available as a resource person for direction. The most immediate post to fill is the actual sales contact toward old and new advertisers. It is felt other I volunteers might be able to handle ad layout, billing and mailing.

While Matt's work was all voluntary, the staff is considering offering the advertising coordinator(s) a percentage increment if they also handle ad lay-out. Some staff are opposed to this because from its inception High Gear has been exclusively staffed by volunteers. (so that profits can go toward a Gay

Center and Hotline). Those reluctant to pay ad people feel providing financial rewards for some and not others may demoralize some staff members. Nonetheless, High Gear will consider the action if one person (as opposed to a collective of volunteer ad people) handles all collection and layout.

The critical question now

appears to be that unless someone or some people come forward to help, specifically for the January issue, High Gear may vanish. Even if you can only spare two hours a week, please contact High Gear at P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio 44101 or call the Gay Switchboard at (216) 321-6632 evenings. Many in the community have said High Gear is the best thing to have happened in a long time. If you care enough, then please helps before it's too late!