Ready...Set...Grow!

Taking a semi break from our “informative” posts regarding the website. Again a huge thank you to our team and special thanks to Matt Roach, our Digital Community Coordinator for all of the incredible work he does to keep this up and running. So . . . what’s next? Members and supporters have provided amazing feedback on how they have benefited from joining the KGS. We have also had members who have wanted to support the growth and sustainability of this group by contributing their passions and skills. So in this blog post we will be exploring the two areas the KGS is growing; KGS becoming a non-profit and featuring another incredible KGS member’s contribution. 

As we approach the one year anniversary this May, the KGS has become a grassroots movement. This means that the community is responsible for the creation, growth, and direction. The website, planning, and events are all volunteer driven by the amazing team who all were members themselves. As we have grown, some of our “team” has expressed avoiding labels such as “Admin”. We didn’t know what role to use that described what we were doing. Each one of us was doing what we enjoyed and loved. It's work, only if you’re not having fun. We have loved doing this for the community. So why call us “admins”? We literally are the same people who just joined looking for a community. Nonetheless, here we are and again so much gratitude belongs to the visionary, to the newest member. So what's next for us as a group? We are currently working on obtaining non-profit status. Why? Maybe another, shorter blog post to discuss this. For now we have officially been registered as an incorporation with the Secretary of State. Our end goal is to create a community resource that the members can contribute to at little to no cost and if they do we would like for them to be reimbursed on their taxes. Another benefit we foresee is group discounts and the ability to pay for events as a group. We will also be upgrading our website and domain as well. More to come here…

With all that being said we are excited to introduce our next step in growing. Content contributors. This is a way to continuously explore Knoxville outside of coming to events. Some are not able to make the bi weekly “weekend” events.  These members can still see and explore with us through photos shared after the event. As our website grows, we have explored options to provide more resources for our members by way of sub groups and blogs. One member has offered to continue to grow our online presence by contributing a food and drink blog reviewing some of Knoxville's well known establishments downtown and in the old city. In fact some of you may know of his instagram yummy_or_die . Check out our “About Us” to learn more about Chase Sisk who is now the author of our first member content contributor blog, “Thirsty AF”. Chase has also kindly volunteered to also be our editor for the KGS. We cannot say thank you enough! As always we are speechless on all the support and participation from everyone that makes KGS what it is. Please be on the look out for this amazing personality and turn of phrase queen! Don't let his wit and charm mislead. Chase is passionate about sharing what he loves and supporting the LGBTQ+ community. He is always mindful of local establishments you would feel good about supporting. He is also passionate about Knoxville as a community! His first blog is highlighting one of his favorite pastimes, First Friday’s,  that some of you may not know about if you are new to the area. Just to note, this Friday will be a First Friday! Check out Thirsty AF’s post and then go check on First Friday downtown and be inspired to explore.