Moose Jaw Pride talks dissolution at AGM; Rainbow Retro to close

MOOSE JAW — Moose Jaw Pride (MJP), which operates the Rainbow Retro Thrift Store and the Saskatchewan Pride Network, will meet Sept. 18 for its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and call a vote on whether to dissolve and liquidate the corporation.

MJP first incorporated as a non-profit in 2014. After eight years, the organization appears to have run into financial problems.

A press release from Aug. 28 states that during the AGM there will be “an extremely significant review” of the financial status of MJP, including information “unavailable at last year’s AGM.”

MJP warned in the same release that a motion would be proposed on Aug. 18 to dissolve and liquidate the non-profit.

Although the executive will propose the end of MJP, current chair Cole Ramsey said that isn’t a sure thing.

“The question of Moose Jaw Pride’s future operations has to be voted on and approved by the members at the AGM, so we don’t have a solid answer on that at the moment,” they said.

(Editorial note: Ramsey uses they/them pronouns, which we have followed in our publication according to Canadian Press standard.)

The Rainbow Retro Thrift Store is owned and operated by MJP. It will cease operations on Sept. 24, four years after opening.

MJP board secretary Nik Crawford said that “Rainbow Retro started as an idea to become self-sufficient while providing a safer space and a needed service to our community, and I got to watch as it became so much more than just that.

"The pride I felt and still feel about the impact that this space and this store created for Moose Jaw residents is overwhelming. I’m sorry to see it go, but I believe the footprint that Rainbow Retro leaves will remain for years to come.”

The store was also the site of Moose Jaw’s only warming space, which took on the challenge of providing a refuge during dangerous winter weather. The city’s housing-insecure population was warmed, sheltered, cared for, and fed by MJP employees and many volunteers.

Rainbow Retro will hold a Grand Closing BBQ Bash on Saturday Sept. 24. The first 100 customers at the store between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. will receive a free hotdog lunch.

The Saskatchewan Pride Network is a Community Initiative Funds project supporting members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in rural Saskatchewan.

“The Saskatchewan Pride Network is essentially another name under which we did some of Moose Jaw Pride’s activities,” Ramsey explained. “We’ve been in discussion with other rural Prides (sic) to take over the work of rural networking, resource sharing, and things like that.”

The AGM will be at MJP’s main offices at 345 Main Street North at 1 p.m. on Sept. 18. Only registered members can vote at the AGM. Those wishing to vote can register in advance at moosejawpride.ca/event/agm2022 — membership is $5.

In-person membership registration will also be available 15 minutes in advance of the AGM.