Celebrating the Heart of a Volunteer Leader
Dear Pride Family,
When I joined the She Fest planning committee a few years ago, I had no idea it would launch me into a leadership role and now into a career and position I love. I just wanted to make friends and get involved in the LGBTQIA+ community. It did that and so much more. Because of She Fest and San Diego Pride’s model of volunteer leadership, I have had so much personal and professional growth and have found my passion and purpose. My fellow volunteer leaders and staff challenged me, supported me, encouraged me, and taught me along the way.
San Diego Pride was started by community members wanting change and fighting for their community. They used their personal time to organize and ensure Pride was made official in San Diego. At the heart of San Diego Pride is community, and the community continues to make Pride what it is today. Most of the work to make our Pride events and year-round programming happen is accomplished by our amazing volunteer leaders. They give their time, passion, and energy back to their community in the most beautiful ways, and continue to be motivated by wanting change and a better world for their community.
“In 2023, I emailed SD Pride to praise the updates in accessibility I had seen that year. As a disabled member of the LGBTQ community, it was important to me to reinforce the work that they were doing. Now 2024, I’m helping shape the Disabled LGBTQIA+ Coalition with Linda and speaking at Pride Power Summit alongside Dr. Kay Broussard who I met through the coalition. It really feels like SD Pride heard our need and gave us the tools to move it forward.”
Alyssa Salter (she/they), Disabled LGBTQ+ Coalition Member
“I started volunteering with Pride at the festival information booth in 1999. Then I cleaned up Hillcrest after Pride weekend. In 2018, I joined the Board of Directors, where I served as a member and co-chair. Volunteering at San Diego Pride has allowed me to be a part of, learn from, and give back to my vibrant and diverse LGBTQIA+ community.”
Sue Hartman (she/they), San Diego Pride Former Board Member & Co-Chair
Most Pride organizations and events are actually fully volunteer-led. What makes San Diego Pride unique is that we have a small full-time staff supporting these volunteers and working in collaboration with each other. This allows volunteer leaders to focus on innovation and community building while supporting our organization’s growth. Volunteer leaders are able to lean on staff and each other for skill development and problem solving, and staff leans on volunteers for valuable community input and carrying out many details of our events.
“My journey with SD Pride Leadership was fueled by a passion to empower others and create meaningful community. Participating as a volunteer leader allowed me to utilize my skill set to do just that; while the collaborative volunteer model ensured everyone on the committee had a voice. Pride’s focus on mentorship and skill development stands out, as it helped volunteers grow as leaders and feel ownership in the process.”
Kelcie Parra (she/her/hers), She Fest Founder and Former Planning Committee Member
Another aspect that makes San Diego Pride’s leadership model unique is the opportunities for growth, learning, and pathways to various leadership roles. We utilize training opportunities such as our Community Building Workshops, peer support in our coalitions and planning teams, and succession planning to strengthen our teams and equip leaders for generations to come. Many folks within the LGBTQ+ community and especially those that hold various intersections within our community are not given the training, skills, or opportunities to become leaders in their communities, or do not believe they can be leaders. We equip community members with skills and opportunities to take ownership of what events and programs they want to see for their community, and how they want leadership and collaboration to look.
“Volunteering with Pride has afforded me so many opportunities to step up and into power. I’ve been able to find my voice, develop a host of helpful skills, achieve things I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined, and connect with so many folks who have become life-long friends, colleagues, and mentors.”
Stacy Sakamoto (she/her/hers), San Diego Pride Volunteer, Former She Fest Chair, Former Parade Assistant Manager, Former Festival Co-Manager, Former QAPIMEDA Member
“By joining the Disabled LGBTQ+ Coalition, I wanted to contribute to the Coalition and SD Pride’s Accessibility Team, which led to leadership roles at SD Pride. Here I have found a supportive community where I can promote equity and justice and find joy and fulfillment through my work.”
Kay Broussard (she/they), Disabled LGBTQ+ Coalition Member, Parade Accessibility Coordinator
Many of our volunteer leaders and staff started as day-of volunteers, or attended an event and met a leader, or were invited by a friend (or voluntold by a partner). Volunteer leaders then foster these relationships and build the skills and knowledge of those they work with, to eventually be able to take over for them. The commitment to and reinvestment in the community that these volunteer leaders have is truly remarkable.
“My journey to SD Pride Leadership began the day that I walked through the festival site at the Naval Hospital parking lot in 1991. It was the first time that I felt “normal” and felt like I belonged, and I never looked back, I volunteered the next year and every year since. Realizing that it’s always someone’s first Pride, and that I have the capacity to help Pride create that space, inspires me to do what I can to ensure that Pride remains and grows!”
Cheli Mohamed (she/her/hers), Volunteer with Cheli Founder & CEO, San Diego Pride Volunteer and Community Partner, Former San Diego Pride Board Member
“My journey started by pushing myself to phonebank for a ballot initiative years ago. I wanted to meet people and make an impact. I challenge our community to show up and get involved in any of the year-round programs. Pride is not just in June or July. The parade and festival aren’t run by a faceless corporation, they happen because your neighbors show up to volunteer. Pride has changed a lot over the past 50+ years and it’s up to us to decide how we celebrate and fight for each other in the coming years.”
Beau Broughton (he/him/his), Assistant Parade Manager
San Diego Pride is always looking to grow our outstanding volunteer leadership team and build our community. If you are interested in joining our leadership team, building skills, and/or connecting with community, I invite you to join our next Community Building Workshop. You can also view our current opportunities here and email me at [email protected] with your interest and/or any questions! We would be so excited to have you join our team to make our Pride events and programs thrive. Your valuable insights and contributions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much,
Linda Glevy (she/they)
Volunteer, Event, & Access Coordinator
San Diego Pride
