Portland Gay Men’s Chorus Board of Directors Presents “Board Emeritus” Status to Calvin Harrison

Calvin Harrison joined the Chorus & the Board of Directors in September of 2005, 2 years after his partner, Cal Sims, began singing in 2003 as a Bass singer. In 2006, he stepped up to Board President Elect (Vice President) & joined the Executive Committee.

In 2007, Calvin became Board chair, after the Chorus had completed a major commission, the cantata “BraveSouls & Dreamers.” The Board Retreat was scheduled for January 2008. Calvin said “I should have known better than to schedule our annual retreat in the “balmy” Hood River.” We ended up being snowed in with undriveable conditions. 

2008 saw the Board actively working on a major change in Chorus structure called “Accelerando”, where the Board would move from a working Board to an oversight Board with Chorus Membership being led by elected leadership. In 2009, Calvin became Board Chair and served as Past President until 2011. Calvin came back to the Board in 2012-2013. From 2013-2015 Cal was Vice President and oversaw a very successful season; During this time, he oversaw the hiring of the first Executive Director in over 10 yrs and did a season of outreach to The Dalles, Bend, Richland & Longview, Washington. Under his leadership in 2015, Calvin established a SOFA (Support Our Future Audience) Fund to return & redistribute tickets to support youth attending concerts from various local non-profits. After a break from the Board of Directors, Calvin returned to the Board in 2017 when he became Treasurer. Calvin has seen many exciting events and transitions of the Chorus. He and his husband, Calvin Sims joined PGMC in 2018 when it toured mainland China and was on the Board during the transition from a long-time Artistic Director and the hiring of a new one… just in time for COVID to stop live performances. 

According to founding member, Gary Coleman,, “His 15 yrs of Board leadership, through good times & bad, was steady, patient, positive, accountable, committed, financially solid, and mission centric. This fine gentleman has earned his Board Emeritus status with his thoughtful & esteemed leadership. He also was given a Lifetime Member Award for his forward-moving work.”

Calvin Harrison left the Board in 2022 to spend time with his husband, Cal Sims.  

We are thrilled to recognize Calvin Harrison, recipient of the Board Emeritus Award.

The Emeritus Board Member is an elected Board leader no longer in office who gave “significant” amounts of service to the Chorus, as well as longevity. They are invited to stay on the Board in a non-voting advisory capacity providing strategic advice, identifying & addressing risks and opportunities, sharing best practices & lessons learned, mentoring incoming Board members, and collaborating with other members of the Board. This is only the 2nd time this status has been bestowed. Chorus Founder and former board member, Gary Coleman, was presented this status in October 2022.