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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 > 1997 > DATELINE
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DignityUSA DATELINE
APRIL, 1997 VOL. 6, NO. 4
Board Meeting Recap
The DignityUSA Board of Directors met March 1 and 2 in Boston's Park Plaza Hotel, the site of the 1997 Biennial Convention. In addition to reviewing convention plans and schedules, many other issues were discussed. National Secretary Ben Boerkoel provided these highlights from the busy weekend:
- A $5,000 grant from the Paul Rappaport Foundation of New York has been finalized. The first $2,500 is a gift; the second $2,500 will be received as a challenge grant. DignityUSA members and friends are invited to help our national organization receive the entire amount by meeting this challenge. The Dignity/New York chapter was also invited to apply for funds in a grant of its own.
- All 200 copies of "Claiming the Promise" and 20 leader's guides have been distributed and sold, so Board members are now investigating the possibility of obtaining additional copies of this ground-breaking study on the Bible and homosexuality. Chapters or individuals desiring copies should continue to submit orders to the national office. They will be notified when additional copies become available.
- Dignity experienced an increase of 153 individual members in January, continuing the upward trend begun in 1996. As of March 1, records show that the Advocate advertisement had produced 52 requests for information, primarily from areas without Dignity chapters. FScholarships to attend the AIDS Watch lobbying effort in April and the U S Conference on AIDS in September are available to Dignity members. Contact National AIDS Project Chair Fr. Tom for details.
- The audit results for fiscal year 1996 show DignityUSA to be in sound financial shape.
- The "new look" JOURNAL will soon be in the mail. In other actions taken, the Board:
- Approved the guidelines for Holy Unions proposed by the Couples Task Force. Chapters will soon be receiving copies of the guidelines as well as suggestions for implementation;
- Commended resigning Defenders liaison Kent Epperson for his leadership and strong presence in expanding Dignity's ministry to the leather-levi community;
- Approved a budget for Solidarity Sunday 9197 scheduled for October 5.
- During the weekend, the Board spent an extended period of time reviewi ng the recommendations of the Basile Ryan report. The review concentrated on the areas of membership development, donor base expansion, and raising Dignity's visibility. The Board has already begun implementing some recommendations and will be making others to the HOD in July.
- The recommendations of the Renewed Priestly Ministry Task Force were also reviewed. The full report is included in this month's mailing. Task Force spokesperson Mike Hogan noted, "The report contains the results of the chapter and Board surveys and some recommendations from the committee. There are some interesting statistics, challenges and questions in it to help us as we examine our liturgical lives as faith communities. I urge chapter leaders to share this report with the all chapter members."
House of Delegate Details . . .
- CREDENTIALS: The official HOD registration form for credentialing of delegates is in the mail. Delegates registered by April 10 will receive HOD information directly at their homes. Chapters who do not name delegates by April 10 will receive the second mailing at the chapter's P.O. Box. Name delegates now to facilitate the HOD communication process.
- HOD PREPARATIONS: Second round motions ended March 23. While motions may be submitted through the beginning of the HOD, those submitted by the March deadline will be able to have a full hearing and discussion at the Spring Regional HOD's. Ideas for motions should directed to chapter officers or delegates.
- Convening Time: The HOD will convene at 2:00 PM. on Monday, July 7, and continue through Wednesday afternoon, July 9th.
- National OFFICERS: Candidates who wish to stand for election for the National President and Vice President for the 1997 to 1999 term must submit their names and qualifications to National Secretary Ben Boerkoel. Candidates are nominated and elected as a two person slate reflecting gender parity. Nominations close 60 days before the opening of the July, 1997 HOD.
Convention Update
- Board of Directors: July 5 to 6 20
- House of Delegates: July 7 to 9
- Leadership Institute: July 1020
- General Convention: July 10 to 13
- Registration confirmation will be sent out on April 15. Complete
registration info can also be downloaded from the convention committee's
web site or requested from the national office.
Contact:
DignityUSA Convention '97 PO Box 956, Back Bay Annex Boston, MA 02117 dignity97@aol.com
Changing Dues?!
Chapters and regions making changes to dues amounts or offering temporary discounts are asked to notify the DignityUSA office prior to instituting changes. Lack of notification may result in inaccurate accounting.
Happy Anniversary:
- Baltimore 24
- Hartford 22
- Fort Lauderdale 12
Dignity/San Diego invites friends to its Silver Anniversary Banquet on Saturday, May 3, 1997. The cost is $25 per person for a fine evening at Tom Ham's Lighthouse on Harbor Island.
Contact D/SD at PO Box 33367, San Diego, CA 92163-3367 or call 619-645-8240 or email dignity4sd@aol.com OR check out the website http://www.lanz.com/dignity
For news, information, resources, links, publications: www.dignityusa.org
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