Golden Rule Services

"Treat others the way you want to be treated, but even better!" 

Golden Rule Services Board of Directors

Michael Misha Kennedy, BFA, CNA, CMA, OPSII
President – Golden Rule Services
Michael Kennedy was born in San Bernardino CA  and lives in Sacramento since 2002. He is the Owner and Director of Kennedy Gallery in Midtown ; the heart of the second Saturday monthly art walk. Mr. Kennedy is a longtime community activist and philanthropist who believes in paying it forward. He has over the years raised over one million dollars for local charities such as Golden Rule Services, the Native American Health Center, CGNIE, Matthew Sheppard Foundation, the Jose Sarria International Scholarship Fund to name but a few. Mr. Kennedy has been a tireless champion for the community for outreach and prevention work in the HIV Community in Eugene, Portland and Sacramento. In the past he has been both an Outreach / Prevention Specialist and MSM Director of Services. He is a renowned award winning international artist who continues through his gallery to provide a platform for Minority Communities to have an equal platform and voice in the Arts to share their stories and culture.

Secretary: Matthew Burlingame-Couk
Secretary - Golden Rule Services
Mr. Couk is an award-winning journalist and playwright. He has spent over 20 years working with LGBTQ nonprofits and is a founding member of Sacramento’s Lavender Library, Archives and Cultural Exchange. He has served on numerous theater boards, including Sacramento City Theater, and was a board member for the Sacramento Gender Assoc. He is a nationally published journalist and has been the co-founder and/or Editor for over five Sacramento publications. He was also an LGBTQ radio talk show host, co-hosted a groundbreaking MSM focused sexual education podcast that was number one in seven countries, and is a Vicar (Reverend) of the Universal Life Church, focusing on pagan spirituality.

Treasurer: (Pending)

William Green III, MSW
Member – Golden Rule Services
William Green III earned the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from San Jose State University with honors, and achieved an MSW (Masters in Social Work) from California State University Sacramento. He works with SAPA (Sacramento Alliance to Prevent AIDS) and is chairperson of their Faith-Based subcommittee formed to engage and support the Faith Community’s efforts against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. He is also a member of the Sacramento County HIV Services Planning Council helping the infected community efficiently obtain access to health and social services. He is an HIV Counselor II certified by the California Office of AIDS, a certified Hepatitis C educator/tester, and Treasurer of the HCV Hepatitis C Virus Task Force in Sacramento, CA. In 2009, William founded MARPAY, INC., a faith-based nonprofit organization to increase community awareness of HIV/AIDS by providing pastoral training and ministry building to help churches effectively educate and support their congregations and the communities in which they serve.

James Douglas
Member – Golden Rule Services
Mr. Douglas became a volunteer for Golden Rule Services in 2008. Because of years of demonstrated dedication and commitment to the organization, he was elevated to board member in 2013.  Since then he has helped raise over $100,000.

Blair Phipps
Member – Golden Rule Services
Our Board of Directors are a group of qualified individuals dedicated to supporting the work of Golden Rule Services and providing mission-based leadership and strategic governance.  Our board reflects the demographic profiles of the target populations that the organization serves.  Their responsibilities include determining the organization's mission and purpose, selecting a qualified Executive Director, supporting the Executive and reviewing his/her performance, ensuring effective organizational planning, ensuring adequate responses, effective resource management, determining and monitoring the organization's programs and resources, enhancing the organization's public image, and serving as a court of appeal, and assessing its performance.

How To Become A Board Member

Golden Rule Services (GRS) is seeking individuals with professional backgrounds to join their Board of Directors. We encourage those with backgrounds in, or currently working in the fields of, law enforcement, education, employment development, social work, mental health, banking and finance, politics, and law. We strive to maintain a diverse board and encourage applicants from the People of Color, youth, HIV-positive, LGBT and differently-abled communities. Our board members actively participant in fundraising, community outreach, and furthering our mission objectives. We encourage GRS board members to become active participants in the communities we serve. All board members are expected to actively participate in twelve (12) scheduled board meetings and a board retreat annually. Individuals interested in joining the Board of Directors should call Clarmundo Sullivan at 916-427-4653