OCEANSIDE -- The North County LGBT Coalition is not only changing their name, but furthering their ability to act as a valuable resource for their community, and they want you to help.

The North County LGBT Coalition became a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit in 2008 and puts on their own "Pride at the Beach" celebration every year in October.

In July, the following was released from founder and Executive Director Max Disposti:

Saturday July 23, 2011 was a historical day for our North County LGBT community and families. The North County LGBT Coalition board members had a daylong retreat to discuss the future of the organization.



Thanks to your financial support and trust through the past few years, our leadership is now ready to move forward with the creation of a North County LGBT Center.

 In the next few months, we will transition from the North County LGBT Coalition into our new entity where new leadership and participation will be needed.  
 
Our mission, vision and culture that made us so successful in the past will not change. It is a metamorphosis from the young organization we initiated few years ago to the establishment of a North County LGBTQ Resource Center. 

The name that has been chosen for the future center is The North County LGBTQ Resource Center.

On September 30, 2011, they will hold a town hall meeting to offer more information about the new center, including how it will function, present existing board member vacancies, request input going forward and answer any questions attendees may have.

Be a part of North County history

The board members of the new North County LGBTQ Resource Center also want your help in creating a new logo to go along with their new name -- one that also reflects the new resource center and its purpose -- keeping north county a safer place for LGBTQ residents.

Here are the general contest rules:

• Contest began August 1 and will close August 27th.
• Submissions should be sent to info@northcountycoalition.org with "Attention Art Contest" in the subject line.
• You can also mail your submission to the North County LGBT Coalition, PO Box 551, Oceanside, CA 92049. This entry must be received by the August 27 deadline.
• The board will determine a winner by September 14th.
• The winning logo becomes property of The North County LGBTQ Resource Center.
• Each submission will be acknowledged.
• Winner will be announced at the town hall meeting on September 30.

Note: You must indicate on your submission that you have read and agree to all the contest rules. There is a check box available on the online form. If you are submitting your entry through the U.S. mail, include this documentation below with your submission (make sure you check the box):

Conditions 

• Winners name to be published on website, if desired (you may remain anonymous).
• Winner may use entry in their portfolio 
• The Center is not obligated to accept any entry.
• Copyright notice to be owned by the Center  

Guidelines 

• Logo MUST be scalable -- it must look good on large displays as well as on business cards.
• It is strongly recommended that text and graphics be no more than two colors; black is considered a color. 
• Font must be a commonly available font so that it can be matched as needed.
• Pictures, drawings, art, etc., will be considered.
• Pictures may be submitted as .PDF, .JPG, .EPS files, as well as a vector file, or on an 8.5" x 11" piece of standard printer paper. 
 
[ ] Checking this box indicates that I have read and agree to the terms and conditions listed for the logo contest.

 
More about the current North County LGBT Coalition

Pride @ the Beach 2011 will take place October 8, 2011.

The event funds the NC Coalition's annual Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) Awards, given to GSA clubs in middle and high schools throughout north county.

According to their Pride at the Beach website, these clubs "promote respect for diversity in their schools, play a critical role in stopping and prevent harassment and discrimination against LGBTQ students, and help ensure that schools are safe for everybody. Our youth need our support. This is a great way to give back to our community."

To learn more about this burgeoning non-profit organization, visit their website.

You can also follow NC Coalition on Twitter and also on Facebook.