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RETURN TO > 1996 > DATELINE
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DignityUSA DATELINE
May 1996
Dignity Joins Bible Study
One of DignityUSA’s less recognized but truly exciting projects began last January after the Board of Directors agreed to join with the United Methodist Reconciling Congregation Program to become joint producers of the Bible Study Resource Project. The project, which is now underway and making strong forward progress, is developing an ecumenical Bible study curriculum focusing on the Bible and homosexuality.
Recognizing that there is no such published educational curriculum intended for lay persons, the project will include a student text for individual study as well as a teacher's guide to aid study groups. The project is looking at the Bible in its historical and cultural context with one of its goals to empower believers of today.
Three Dignity members are serving on the project. Daniel Helminiak, Ph.D., the author of the best selling book What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality is Dignity's official representative and consultant for the project. He will work as a resource and guide with the project's editor, Dr. Mary Jo Osterman. Dugan McGinley of Dignity/Philadelphia and Denver, and Frank Tamburello of Dignity/Suffolk, are serving as official readers and critical reviewers. It will be their responsibility to offer constructive evaluations of the curriculum as it is drafted.
In Phase One, Daniel offered various suggestions concerning the author's approach while Dugan and Frank examined the initial curriculum outline. After considering Dignity's comments as well as those of other consultants and readers, modifications were made to the overall outline. Phase Two, the actual writing of the curriculum, is now underway. As Dr. Osterman produces each chapter, Dugan and Frank will read and offer suggestions to improve the curriculum. The current time line calls for an autumn finish date.
Other groups participating in the project are the Association for Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns, O & A Ministers Program of the Glad Alliance, and the ONA Programs of the United Church Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Concerns.
Couples' Task Force Seeks Local Input
The Couples' Task Force, established by the Los Angeles House of Delegates in 1995, was charged with gathering, compiling, and developing information about couples' ministries now in place in local chapters.
After completing initial groundwork, the Task Force met by teleconference on March 16. Members of the group have begun to develop a questionnaire which will be sent to all chapters in late May. Responses to the survey will be due by July 1. In addition, as part of the process, the Task Force will also be requesting copies of all current documents related to the support of couples' ministries such as commitment ceremonies, music, prayers, and other materials. After analyzing the information from the questionnaire and related material submitted by chapters, the Task Force will present a preliminary report to the DignityUSA Board of Directors at its October, 1996 meeting in Washington, DC. After receiving comments from the Board, the Task Force will then prepare a report for the HOD meeting in Boston in July 1997.
The Task Force is comprised of representative from across the country. Cochairs of the group are Deb Meyer and Nickie Valdez of the Mountain/Plains Region. Rosemary Ananis and Janet O'Day represent the New England Region; Honour Maddock and Kathleen Kane represent the Northeast Region; Tim Moore and Al Natali represent the Southern Region; Dolores Anselment and Jeanne McCamish represent the Mid-West Region; and Michael Bekemeir and Mile Gallarneu represent the Pacific Region.
Board Looks to Consultant
At press time, the Board of Directors was scheduled to hold its regular meeting in Washington, DC during the third weekend of April. According to Marianne Duddy, National President, a major focus of the meeting was to be work with the consulting firm of Basile-Ryan to begin work on a multi-phase project focused on reversing our decline in membership, and ultimately developing and implementing a plan to grow Dignity. This project was endorsed by the Board after consultation between the officers and the Membership Task Force, chaired Mid-Atlantic Director Michael Flynn, and "out of everybody’s recognition that we need an immediate and effective response to current realities," said Marianne.
"Both local chapters and the national organization are -- or have been -- suffering from reduced membership, fewer volunteers, burnout of leadership, and stable or even increasing demand for services. The Board has agreed that the national, regional, and local leaders as well as members of Dignity need objective, professional advice about the root causes of these challenges, help in refining our message and marketing our programs, and a solid plan for revitalizing Dignity.
"We all firmly believe that Dignity still has an important role in the Church, and in the g/l/b/t community, but we may need to adapt our operating procedures and how we think of ourselves in the face of vastly changed realities."
Basile-Ryan, is headed by Vic Basile, whom many credit with making the Human Rights Campaign, a major national force. Vice President Terry Mischel said the firm is "committed to helping g/l/b/t and AIDS organizations reach their full potential."
The consulting group will conduct an analysis of our membership attrition, review and help us upgrade our membership recruitment and renewal program, and develop a growth plan. Funds to hire Basile-Ryan come from several designated donations as well as from the treasury.
A complete report on the Board meeting including information about caregiver retreats, the Quilt weekend, DignityUSA's publications and outreach, and requests for assistance from abroad will be featured in June’s Dateline.
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