THE CENTER WEST DEFINED

The Center West shares a 501-C-3 non-profit corporation status with The Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. As such they are two branches of the same organization. The mission and goal of the Center West is to provide support, resources, education, referral and networking services to the GLBT community. The Center West also advocates for equality and a safe inclusive environment for everyone.

A diverse Board of Directors governs the Center West according to the laws of the State of South Dakota. The staff and volunteers at The Center West are accountable to that Board of Directors and its bylaws. The Center West is also accountable to the rules and regulations and policies of the various grants that it receives.

The Center West is not now nor has it ever been a product, outgrowth or legacy of any organization that may have preceded it in this community. While we have great admiration, appreciation and gratitude for all those individuals and organizations that worked hard to build community, The Center West is a new organization with no encumbrances, allegiances, debts or ties to the past.

The Center West is not a membership organization. It does not claim to represent the GLBT community. While The Center West respectfully tries to meet the wishes, needs and concerns of the GLBT community it serves, members of the GLBT community do not automatically have a seat at the decision making table. This is a privately run non-profit corporation not a community organization.

Volunteers at The Center West are considered staff members and are held to the same standards of conduct and rules as any paid staff member. They are expected to follow the rules and policies of the organization and to respectfully work toward the fulfillment and realization of the mission. The Board of Directors reserves the right to deny use of the facilities to anyone for just cause.

The Center West has partnered and shares facilities with another 501-C-3 non-profit corporation, which shares the same mission and goals. The Black Hill GLBT Youth Support and Resource Center works with The Center West in providing services to GLBT youth in Western South Dakota. It however is a separate organization.

The Center West works with Equality South Dakota in advocating for equality and fairness for GLBT people. It is however, a separate organization. The Center West will from time to time enter into contract with Equality South Dakota and other organizations to provide services that fall within the scope of our 501-C-3 designations.