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DignityUSA DATELINE

May 2000
Volume 9, No. 5

MEMBERSHIP 2000 CAMPAIGN DISCOUNTED DUES

A Reminder: As part of our ongoing Membership 2000 Campaign, April through June 2000 have been designated for a national dues discount. New members and renewing members will receive a $5.00 discount when joining DignityUSA.

This is a perfect opportunity to reach out to folks to become part of the nation's first and foremost organization of GLBT Catholics. A single membership during April, May and June will cost $40 and a couples membership will cost $74.00.

Chapters are invited to piggyback on to the national discount with a discount of your own. Why not match the $5.00 national discount with a discount of your own?

People of Dignity, Speak Up…& Take Personal Responsibility!

Many Thanks

Thank yous are appropriate at this time for all who have assisted with the preparations for Dignity's participation in the Millennium March on Washington. In particular Dignity extends gracious thank yous to: Bob Miailovich for his tireless representation of Dignity on the MMOW planning committee, Dignity/Mid-Atlantic, Dignity/Washington DC, & Dignity/NOVA for all that they have done to make everyone feel welcome, Ron & Blake for the Prayer Service, and to Laura Newport as our point of contact with MMOW, and to all who helped with the numerous tasks that needed to be performed. Thank you so much.

Millennial Pilgrimage to Italy to Benefit DignityUSA

Save the dates! From November 7 - 16, 2000, DignityUSA will be sponsoring its first ever trip to Italy for members, family and friends. This 9-day tour includes stops in Florence, Assisi and Rome, with plenty of time to enjoy the highlights of each city. It even includes a Papal audience! A portion of the $2,895 fee (which includes round-trip airfare, accommodations in superior tourist class hotels and many meals) is a tax-deductible contribution to DignityUSA, so your foreign vacation will help further Dignity's ministry here at home. Space is limited, so please sign up early.

NEWS FROM THE DignityUSA BOARD MEETING

The National Board of DignityUSA met in Washington, DC, the weekend of March 24-26, 2000. Some key outcomes from the meeting:

The response to Dignity's first ad, published in the Advocate magazine in the April 11th issue was enthusiastic. Two more will follow in May and June. See entire ad campaign… (may take a few moments to download at slow speeds)
Past President Bob Miailovich was asked and has agreed to stay on the board for a second term as a Member-at-Large. Bob will continue to serve as DignityUSA's "Domestic Liaison," representing the organization at many external functions.
New donor recognition policies were approved by the board and were implemented immediately.
The Board approved a dues structure for organizations wishing to support Dignity. They must agree to endorse DignityUSA's Statement of Position and Purpose and pay a fee based on their annual budget. Recruitment will begin in May.
Much of the meeting focused on Re-Imagining Dignity. Returns of questionnaires sent in to date were discussed. The board brainstormed and agreed to a set of "success factors" for the initiative. A "Re-Imagined Dignity" must support our mission of transforming lives, being a catalyst for change, and being a formidable voice for the GLBT Catholic community. The complete list of success factors is being finalized and will be discussed at upcoming Regional meetings.
The Board created a job description for candidates considering running for national board positions which will be vacant in the fall. Giving candidates and Chapters ideas of the national priorities should help produce Board members who come truly prepared for the tasks at hand. A subcommittee is working on the final description, which will be published soon.
Marianne Duddy was asked and agreed to stay on as Permanent, part-time Executive Director.
We had the opportunity to meet with the Board of the Millennium March on Washington, which was meeting simultaneously at the same hotel.

The board welcomes your comments and/or suggestions. Please feel free to call or write us.

Thank you !

Thank you to D/Rochester for a gift of $250.00, D/Maine for $146.00 and Grand Rapids for $2911.71. There were also two gifts to the Mulcrone Scholarship fund totaling $126.00. A special thanks goes to those who while taking advantage of the April-June discount period, have included gifts to Dignity.

Be on the watch for our continuing series of eye-catching ads in the Advocate. Issue # 809, cover date 4/11, has already been in circulation. The next ad to look for will appear in issue # 811, cover date 5/9.

Friendly reminder: Submit your Calendar items to Pat McArron for inclusion in the National Website Calendar in accordance with the guidelines found on that web page.

Permanent Executive Director of DignityUSA Named

The board of directors of DignityUSA is pleased to announce that Marianne Duddy has been hired as permanent executive director of DignityUSA, effective immediately. Marianne has been interim executive director since December 1999.

Marianne's leadership experience with Dignity on the local and regional levels, as well as serving as national president for four years, is invaluable to our organization and to our relationships with kindred organizations. We are excited and energized by her contributions, and look forward to new and expanded possibilities of bringing our message of transforming lives, being catalysts for change, and speaking as a formidable voice for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith to our Church and society.

While the board of directors would like to have a full-time executive director, we feel that the best use of our resources at this time is to continue the position as part-time. To that end, Marianne will focus her work in two primary areas, visibility and development. She will coordinate DignityUSA response to media events and participate in national workshops and panels. Her development work will include increased fundraising efforts within our organization, as well as securing foundation and corporate grants. The officers and directors will continue to supervise chapter/member services, program services, office operations and other administrative areas.

It has been the goal of the board of directors to maintain a high level of service, improve inefficiencies in our operations and increase our visibility in the national arena. Along with Marianne, the addition of Ron Karstetter as office manager and Richard Ressa as database manager, we are confident that our goals will be reached.

Many, many thanks to our chapter leaders, members and friends who have been so supportive of our efforts. Please keep in touch with your officers, directors and staff. We are available by email or by calling the national office.