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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 > 1999 > DATELINE
HOMEPAGE > HOME
DignityUSA DATELINE
December
1999
Volume 8, No. 12
DIGNITY'S Y2K MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN
Almost one-third of the recent Board of Director's meeting concerned itself with membership. The main goal is to increase awareness of Dignity's message and ministry to the larger GLBT community and to our supporters. Coming out of that meeting, and now being handled by the DignityUSA Membership Task Force, is The Year 2000 Membership Campaign. First proposed by Tom Streeper, Task Force member and newly elected Mid Atlantic National Director, this will bring together a comprehensive action plan creating goals and objectives for increased DignityUSA membership.
Two of the most aggressive changes are the establishment of a "Friend of Dignity" supporting membership category and an ad in an upcoming issue of a national magazine. The board established that the annual assessment for the Friend of Dignity category will be $35. If you have a friend who would like to support us, simply write FRIEND OF DIGNITY on a membership form and submit it to the national office with payment of $35.
Interest at the Denver Convention was so high for another nationwide ad that Mark Vespa, Northern Virginia member and the chapter of Dignity/Maine both came forward with $1,000 donations toward it. The HOD action plan was sent out to all chapters and it is our hope that local chapters will join with the Board in this challenging "Y2K" membership plan. If anyone has comments or suggestions for the Task Force, feel free to contact Michael Flynn, Committee chair, through the National office or directly at: MICROSFLYN@aol.com.
Thank You!
We wish to thank Big Apple for their recent contribution. They recently contributed a portion of their remaining treasury to DignityUSA. Big Apple is now a part of the New York chapter. Thank you, Big Apple, for your contribution to the ministry of Dignity over these years!
The month of October saw a large number of people renewing their membership. Thanks to those of you who sent a gift to Dignity along with your renewal.
CTA CONFERENCE A SUCCESS
This year's annual Call To Action conference, held in Milwaukee from November 5-7, 1999, was attended by over 50 Dignity members from across the country. Dignity hosted a well-attended reception, and facilitated a caucus session on Saturday afternoon. Many thanks to the volunteers who helped staff our information table.
Make plans to attend next year's CTA conference, to be held in Milwaukee from November 3-5,2000. DignityUSA will sponsor a day-long program on Friday, November 3.
CATHOLIC ORGANIZATIONS FOR RENEWAL
For two days prior to the CTA conference, over 20 organizations comprising the Catholic Organizations for Renewal (COR) met in Milwaukee. DignityUSA president Mary Louise Cervone and past president Bob Miailovich represented Dignity at this meeting. Bob participated in a panel discussion "What Does It Mean To Be Catholic."
Our participation in COR is just one example of our worldwide ministry in the church reform and renewal movement. Reports and discussion ranged from the International Movement We Are Church (IMWAC) and the European Bishops' Synod; Women in Church Leadership Project; Women's Ordination Worldwide Conference in Ireland; and the possibility of an international church reform conference.
NO ON KNIGHT!
A press release in response to the California Catholic Bishops support of the Knight Initiative was issued by DignityUSA on Monday, November 8, 1999.
You all should have received a copy of that in the President's Email. Yes there is a Dignity Email-Tree. If you aren't on it and want to be, tell your local chapter email contact person to add you to their list.
People of Dignity, Speak Up…& Take Personal Responsibility!
MORE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE OCTOBER BOARD MEETING
The first Board of Directors meeting under the new administration of DignityUSA was held in Washington, DC, from October 29-31. The Friday evening session was held at the Dignity/Washington center, followed by a reception hosted by the chapter for us. We thank the chapter and all the volunteers for their gracious hospitality. The meeting focused on three topics: membership, ministry, and money.
In conjunction with membership (which is discussed in an earlier article), the board discussed internal Dignity communication. All chapters receive the Dateline monthly, and we encourage you to reproduce it for your members. Chapters also receive a monthly mailing from our national secretary Peggy Burns and a monthly mailing from the national office, in addition to the President's Emails. If your chapter has had an event which was covered by your local press, please do send a copy to the national office for our files.
In the ministry session, the board focused on internal and external ministries. Convention 2001, Solidarity Sunday, Millennium March on Washington and Re-Imagining Dignity were the major topics of discussion. Look for news on each of these projects in upcoming Datelines, monthly mailings and president's emails.
The money session, ever the most engaging session of a board meeting (inside joke for anyone who has ever been or ever will be a board member — no disrespect intended), resulted in a commitment from board members of raising $35,000 this year towards our annual budget of approximately $210,000.
We have budgeted $10,000 for the Membership 2000 Campaign and $5,000 towards the Re-Imagining Dignity process. These two projects will change the face of Dignity in the new millennium, and the board is committed to providing the financial resources to assist our volunteer efforts to "build a better Dignity."
If an individual or chapter would like to make a contribution directed towards either of these projects, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Simply indicate on your check Membership 2000 or Re-Imagining Dignity.
Christmas Greetings
The officers, directors, and staff of DignityUSA extend to our chapters and friends greetings and best wishes during this holiday season. We thank you for your support during this past year. We look forward to continuing our ministry as prophets to each other and the world in the new millennium.
Solidarity Sunday Participation
If you haven't already done so, please email the national office at info@dignityusa.org with the results of your chapter's observance of Solidarity Sunday.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
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NEW HAMPSHIRE |
5 |
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MID-HUDSON |
12 |
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TULSA |
16 |
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BOSTON |
27 |
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
