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DignityUSA
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RETURN TO > 1998 > DATELINE
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DignityUSA DATELINE
FEBRUARY 1998 VOL. 7 NO. 2
Committee and Task Force Update
Since October, 1997, DignityUSA's task forces and committees have been busy organizing and beginning their work. Preliminary reports will be presented to the Board of Directors during their January teleconference . Four task forces established priorities at the July, 1997 meeting of the House of Delegates in Boston.
- Membership will focus on the information packet sent to prospective members, a membership brochure, a new member packet, and advertising.
- Visibility will develop communication strategies and guidelines.
- Church Relations will help to promote a stronger voice for Dignity.
- Youth will develop programs and materials on Catholic faith and sexuality for gay, lesbian, bisesexual, and transgender youth.
In addition to the full schedules for these task forces, several committees have also been busy recently setting goals. The Northeast Region is piloting a Leadership Project to develop guidelines and resources at the local and regional level. The Electronic Media Committee will be developing resources using the internet. The Worship Committee is working to provide information, resources, training, and opportunities to improve and maintain quality liturgical experiences for chapters and members.
Look to future issues of the Dateline and Journal for news on the continuing progress of these groups' work.
Always Our Children Pamphlets
The National Conference of Catholic Bishops has now published its recently released document Always Our Children in pamphlet form and in a complete Spanish language version entitled Siempre Seran Nuestros Hijos. The DignityUSA national office has purchased a limited supply of each and will provide a sample of each free upon request. Be sure to indicate whether the English or Spanish version is desired. Individual and bulk quantities can be purchased directly from the NCCB; the DignityUSA office can provide an order form for larger purchases.
Membership Discount
During the February, March and April Dignity chapters across the country are urged to promote membership growth with a reduced fee membership program offered by the national office. During this time, renewing members and new members are eligible for a $5 reduction in their annual membership dues. This program is a great incentive for chapters to promote new and renewing memberships and to therefore increase the membership bases of the chapters and regions and of course, DignityUSA.
Jerry Deas, DignityUSA National Secretary, also suggests that the recent letter from the administrative committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops provides an excellent opportunity for membership chairs to promote this growth. DignityUSA's leadership has applauded the efforts of the committee in creating the letter Always Our Children. Dignity now calls upon Bishops and priests around the country to implement this document. Jerry points outs, "Membership chairs can point with pride to the work of Dignity in promoting this effort and call upon members to continue their support by joining or renewing their memberships within the local chapters."
Please note that members can take advantage of this $5 reduction through April regardless of their renewal month. Couples receive a $5 reduction off of the couples' rate.
Southern Region Plans Weekend
On Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28, the Southern Region will be holding a conference at St. Pete's Beach, Florida. Designed to build on last summer's national convention in Boston, the two day conference will include a business meeting of Southern Chapter delegates, time to gather in prayer, and a series of workshops. Topics will include sessions on youth, church relations, visibility, consensus building and leadership. DignityUSA President Bob Miailovich and Executive Director Charles Cox will be joining the meeting. For more information on the weekend, please contact either Nick Cardello or Stephen Koch.
Brooklyn Chapter Creates Blessing of Expectant Parents During Advent
As Christians around the world prepared to commemorate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, the Brooklyn chapter created a special blessing for expectant parents on the fourth Sunday of Advent. All gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight families expecting the birth of a child or who were in the process of an adoption of a child were invited for a special blessing during the Sunday liturgy. Announcements about the blessing also appeared in the local press and a festive potluck followed.
According to Chapter President Robert Peters, "Parents-to-be are partners in God's love because they already cherish the child they await. Just as the Advent season calls Christians to wait in joyful hope for the coming again of Jesus Christ, these families who wait in faith and hope for the birth or adoption of their child are called to rejoice in God's blessing over them."
He continued, "As the song says, 'There's no place like home for the holidays'-and what better way to celebrate the holiness of a household's love for children than at Christmas!"
For more information, contact RobZ35@aol.com or write or call the Brooklyn chapter.
Extra Journals
Chapters and members are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to obtain extra copies of DignityUSA's quarterly publication, the Journal. Back issues can be helpful additions in membership solicitations, information tables and other occasions where we are trying to stimulate interest in Dignity's work. Please write or call the National Office and one or several copies will be on the way! Copies of the Summer and Autumn 1997 issues are available. Contributions to cover postage fees are welcomed but not necessary.
Happy Anniversary
Los Angeles 29; San Francisco 25; Dallas 23; Milwaukee 23; Richmond 22; Austin 19; Vermont 4
