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DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA
02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email:
info@dignityusa.org
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RETURN TO > 1996 > DATELINE
HOMEPAGE > HOME
DignityUSA DATELINE
September 1996
Board Report
National Secretary Ben Boerkoel provided the following highlights of the DignityUSA Board of Directors meeting held by teleconference on July 13, 1996.
- Vic Basile gave a verbal summary of his report on Phase One of the Basile Ryan Membership Project. (See story below.)
- The Membership Task Force is also continuing its work; current plans involve investigating the placement of an ad in a national gay/lesbian publication sometime in the fall.
- The draft copy of the Bible Study being co-sponsored by Dignity is in the hands of the reviewers and is expected to be released in November. Dignity chapters and members will be able to purchase the study at a reduced cost.
- The DignityUSA Web Page should be up and running by the end of the summer. It will contain the Statement of Position and Purpose, a chapter listing, and news releases and be expanded as needed. Several chapters already have their own sites.
- Chapters will soon receive a draft of a grant application prepared by National AIDS Project Chair Fr. Tom that can be used to obtain funds support activities such as Solidarity Sunday. Many activities are planned for October's display of the AIDS Quilt in October.
- The Couples Task Force received responses from approximately 35% of the chapters and is in the process of developing its final report.
- The Gay Catholic Hour prepared by Dignity/New York premiered on cable TV on July 2 and was very well received.
- The Convention "97 Planning Committee reports several major speakers entertainers have been secured. Those who pre-registered for the convention will be receiving updated information in the near future.
- Dignity/San Fernando Valley (California) now has ten members and is in the process of requesting full chapter status.
- DignityUSA will release a statement in response the U.S. House of Representatives vote on same-sex marriage.
- The Board expressed its condolences to former National Treasurer Bob Miailovich on the death of his mother.
Membership Expansion: Phase One Ends
The National consulting firm of Basile Ryan Inc., contracted by DignityUSA's Board of Directors to delineate methods for expanding Dignity's membership program, is concluding Phase One of the project. Vic Basile, the firm's founder, updated the officers and Board during the July 13 teleconference.
During the Spring, the Board contracted with Basile Ryan for a three phase approach to studying Dignity as an organization. Phase One was designed to identify the primary causes of attrition in Dignity's membership. Information has been gathered through interviews with many former members by three of Basile Ryan's team members. As he discussed the final part of Phase One during the teleconference, Basile briefly touched upon the current strengths of the organization, areas of concern, and defining Dignity's mission. A copy of the completed Phase One report will soon be sent to all chapters from the national office.
Based upon the information contained in this initial report, Basile Ryan is now designing Phase Two, a membership retention plan. This will then be followed by Phase Three, a growth plan for the entire organization. Plans now call for these next two phases to take four to six weeks each. Upon completion of all three phases, the Board will then consider undertaking Phase Four, which would entail Basile Ryan"s direct involvement The National consulting firm of Basile Ryan Inc., contracted by DignityUSA's Board of Directors to delineate methods for expanding Dignity"s membership program, is concluding Phase One of the project. Vic Basile, the firm"s founder, updated the officers and Board during the July 13 teleconference.
Second Annual Solidarity Sunday, Oct. 6, 1996
ARE YOU READY? WHAT ARE YOUR CHAPTER"S PLANS? For information, talk with your chapter leaders or contact National Coordinator Bruce Jarfster at (210) 545-9097 or brucesj @ aol.com.
I/D Madison Hosts Midwest Region Conference: Reinventing Church
Reinventing Church was the theme for an exciting Midwest Region Conference attended by 101 folks and hosted by Integrity/Dignity Madison during the last weekend of July. The weekend, the product of a two year planning process, was called a popular and enjoyable gathering by Regional Director Don Easton.
The biennial convention centered around four feature presentations including talks by National President Marianne Duddy and Robert Ludwig, Director of Ministry at DePauw University and author of Reconstructing Catholicism for a New Generation.
Many positive responses arose from the session entitled How Women are Reinventing Church. Five women panelists shared their stories about the spiritual and practical realities of their lived experiences in the vocations and traditions of the Catholic Church, often under oppressive and challenging circumstances. The speakers" energies sparked the audience into eager questions and additional sharing. Many in attendance were inspired and blessed by the event.
Throughout the weekend registrants from across the country refreshed themselves in mind, body and spirit as they shared three days of challenging workshops, panels, and liturgies as well as social and recreational activities under delightfully sunny and dry conditions. Three powerful liturgies, filled with impassioned music and inspiring homilies, provided all with an opportunity to share in the Holy Spirit and give witness to the lived experiences of gay and lesbian persons of faith.
New Ways Plans Rome Pilgrimage
Join a prayerful pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, Florence, and Sienna led by Sr. Jeannine Gramick and Fr. Robert Nugent of New Ways Ministry from January 14-23, 1997. Cost is $1469. For a detailed brochure call Sr. Jeannine at (301)927-7540 or Fr. Bob at (301)927-8766.
Happy Anniversary
Grand Rapids-20; Rochester-21; Louisville-25.
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