COMMITTEES
Development Committee
Paul Allen, Chair
The Development Committee creates opportunities and relationships to support membership activities and funding initiatives. In conjunction with the Managing Director and Board of Directors, the Committee assists in identifying and pursuing funding from individual, business, foundation, and government sources. The Committee also helps identify and execute special activities that enhance the donor experience.
Finance Committee
Matteo Ragusa, Chair
The Finance Committee provides financial analysis, advice, and oversight of the organization’s budget. Its sole responsibility is to ensure the organization is operating within the means of its financial resources. It’s tasks include budgeting and financial planning, financial reporting, and the creation and monitoring of internal controls and accountability policies. The Board Treasurer is, by default, Chair of the Finance Committee.
ImageOutArt Committee
Undesignated, Chair
The ImageOutArt Committee produces an annual art exhibition and events unique to Western New York which expand ImageOut’s scope as a supporter of regional LGBTQ+ artists. The show is typically a juried exhibition highlighting LGBTQ+ art in general or focusing on a particular subject, such as marriage or gender. ImageOutArt has taken some departures from the juried format, hosting several curated shows in recent years.
ImageOutWrite Committee
Tamara Leigh, Editor
The ImageOutWrite Committee prepares, designs, and produces the annual ImageOutWrite LGBTQ+ literary journal. Prior to the pandemic, ImageOut produced a new volume annually for nine consecutive years.
Marketing & Public Relations Committee
Michele Thornton, Chair
The Marketing & Outreach Committee manages the organizations brand identity and broader public presence. It produces public statements and press releases, coordinates messaging with local news media and publications, as well as program and events promotion on social media. The committee produces marketing materials and purchases advertising for programs and events.
Outreach & Engagement Committee
Michele Thornton, Chair
The Outreach & Engagement Committee coordinates year-round tabling opportunities at and participation in relevant community events across the city and county, working toward our goal of reaching more people every year. The Committee coordinates outreach to specific community organizations with special discounted or free ticket offers.
During our Film Festivals, the Committee connects ImageOut’s patrons with community organizations through the Community Partner Program, wherein arts and culture organizations, social clubs, volunteer groups, etc. are paired with film programs and are given the opportunity to briefly address our audience.
Programming Committee
Adam Lubitow, Interim Chair
The Programming Committee screens hundreds of films and videos to create the final Festival schedule. This requires research and awareness of current and available films for LGBTQ+ film festivals. They send out a Call for Work to solicit films worldwide. Finally, members of the committee write the film descriptions for the Festival program.
Special Events Committee
Michael Hardy, Chair
The Special Events Committee coordinates events throughout the year, from our pride parade float during ROC Pride to the kickoff parties and closing receptions during our film festivals.
Theatre Operations Committee
Joe McCrank & Deb Oppenheimer, Co-Chairs
The Theatre Operations committee is responsible for the operations of all the film related events throughout the year. Tasks include taking tickets, handing out and collecting surveys and ballots, setting up reserved seats and interpreting equipment, and keeping the theaters neat and clean between movies.
This Committee also currently oversees all accessibility requests and needs during our film festivals, such as venue accessibility questions, interpreting requests, and captioning inquiries.
Ticketing Committee
Undesignated, Chair
The Ticketing Committee, well, not surprisingly, coordinates the sale of tickets (and passes!), both during our Spring and Fall film festivals, as well as for any special screenings and events throughout the year. The committee takes care of hundreds of orders each year.
In recent years, the committee coordinates not only in-person paper ticket sales, but also online sales via the Eventive platform.
