Hello everyone. We know Safer Scene has been quiet for a while, so we want to clarify our current situation and let everyone know what the future holds for Safer Scene.
Due to a combination of unfortunate circumstances and personal issues, Safer Scene’s previous Board of Directors has completely disbanded. We wish them all the very best. Our staff has been re-arranged to consist solely of writers for now. We have a very enthusiastic group of contributors who are passionate about these issues and excited to take the site forward.
Starting today, we will be running as a blog and moving to saferscene.wordpress.com. We will continue to publish written pieces, including op-eds and interview series just as we have previously. We will also work to educate people about and promote awareness of the same crucial issues that have always been our focus.
At this time, Safer Scene cannot take any further steps toward becoming a non-profit as the original Board had planned. We will no longer be selling any merchandise, compilations, nor will we be accepting donations for the foreseeable future.
We are not giving up on the cause. The issues of equality and safety for the alternative music scene’s marginalized members are too important. We don’t believe that silence is an option. We will continue to discuss issues in the scene and the ways that we can make things better. As a blog, we will continue to provide articles and interviews, and we will engage with musicians, labels, venues, and fans. We want to give a voice to those who need to be heard.
We also want to be completely transparent about our previous finances. All donations and pre-sales for the t-shirts went towards the manufacturing costs and shipping of those 50 t-shirts from bandsonabudget.com (a bill of $310.57) and what was left over was used to cover operating costs, specifically to acquire the .org domain and to pay for the upkeep of e-mail accounts. The $400 that was generously donated by our friend Autumn Lavis has been returned.
We previously stated that any profit made from the t-shirts would be donated to the Joyful Heart Foundation, a total of $180. Our current staff will ensure that they receive this money, even if it takes a little time. We feel that it is only fair that Joyful Heart sees what they were promised.
Some fantastic people have joined us – Paul Green, Rebecca Williams, Tasha Ostendorf, and others – and we would love to add even more dedicated, passionate contributors to our team. Whether you want to write articles, conduct interviews, or merely participate in the discussion by giving advice or ideas, we need your help. We want to give a platform to those who should be heard.
If you want to help, all you need to do is send us a message at http://www.saferscene.wordpress.com/contact and let us know how you want to contribute to the cause. Join us and help us continue to make the music scene a better place.
Thank you for reading and for your continued support in helping to create a safer scene.
