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DignityUSA DATELINE
Volume 12, No. 4
April 2003
| Keeping you informed TABLE OF CONTENTS Sheppard Kominars, Ph.D., to Present "Write for Life" at DignityUSA's 2003 Convention |
Sheppard Kominars, Ph.D., to Present "Write for Life" at DignityUSA's 2003 Convention
LOS ANGELES — Sheppard Kominars, Ph.D., has been confirmed as a workshop presenter during the DignityUSA 2003 Convention in Las Vegas, August 7-10, 2003.
Background Information
In October, 2000, Kominars faced chemotherapy and radiation treatment. As therapy in dealing with the trauma, Sheppard wrote four pages in his journal about his wish to help others recover from cancer.
During his stay at the UCSF Friend Cancer Center, a support group facilitator suggested he read James W. Pennebaker's "Opening Up: The Healing Power of Expressing Emotions."
Kominars said, "Pennebaker's studies of the effects of writing on people who endured severe emotional trauma made me even clearer about doing workshops." He found that the body-mind connection which occurs when the pen is allowed to flow over the pages without any censorship or judgment is crucial to every workshop session.
Workshop Development and Presentations
Sheppard's success with dealing with his own trauma led him to develop a three-day workshop called "Write For Life." The workshop consists of three consecutive sessions which consider the idea of survival and recovery. The participants find strength and courage in the simple activity of writing about the experience.
"Participants write about their daily lives in confidential journals, and heal themselves with their own wisdom," Kominar explained. "In the sessions, they share these personal insights. Putting pen to the page to write about what it means to live in our bodies, in our relationships, in the house and city and world where we breathe each breath, is the key to opening the door to living better."
The series was offered in 2001 to bone-marrow transplant patients at UCSF, Kaiser Permanente and the San Francisco Public Library. In the fall of 2001, workshops began at the Complementary Care Center at Stanford University, in Palo Alto.
One Stanford participant wrote "Affirmation! I can be my self and feel O.K. about it. I can continue to write as a way of life. I can stop worrying about the future and be grateful that I am in this place."
Kominars said, "Journal writing gets one into the light, from the darkness and shadows of illness, or emotional invisibility that sets in because we believe it safer to hide our suffering and pain from those we love. Every journal entry that is willing to share the pain and support the one who is struggling to endure it is an act of love. The writing is an effort at self-caring and supports us on the journey."
Voice in the Desert
"A
Voice in the Desert" is calling you to the Alexis Park Resort Hotel
in Las Vegas to attend DignityUSA's 16th Biennial Convention, August 7
- 10, 2003.
Plan now to be a part of the GLBT-friendly atmosphere of Las Vegas. Call 800-582-2228 (in the Continental US), or 702-796-3322 (outside the continental US), to make your room reservation today. For airline reservations, call American Airlines at 800-433-1790.
Room rates for the all suite hotel begin at $89/night (single or double occupancy) to a 1,275 square foot suite at $315/night. Rooms are taxed at the Clark County current rate of 9%. Additional guests are $20 each per night and children 12-years of age and under stay free. DignityUSA has also negotiated the same rates for you to arrive two days earlier and stay one day later at the same convention rates. When making reservations, ask for the DignityUSA Convention 2003 rates. If you are physically handicapped, ask for a room on the first floor.
Calling All Dignity Leaders
To honor all you give to Dignity every single week, DignityUSA is sponsoring a FREE Leadership Training Day just prior to the official opening of our 2003 national convention. This special event is open to all current Chapter leaders, and to those considering taking on Chapter leadership duties in the future.
Professional trainers from Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the Gill Foundation will lead sessions on "Getting the Good News Out: How to Work Effectively with Your Local Media" and "Show me the Money! - Fundraising to Further Your Ministry". A complimentary lunch will provide the opportunity for networking and sharing of best practices among Chapter leaders, most of whom struggle with the same issues you face.
The session runs from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Thursday, August 7, 2003, at the Alexis Park Hotel, Las Vegas, the site of our national convention.
Although there is no cost for this session, space is limited and pre-registration is required. Email or call the DignityUSA office at info@dignityusa.org or 1-800-877-8797 and speak with Ron Karstetter to sign up.
This event promises to provide all Dignity leaders with great information and skills to take back to your local communities. It will also be a day to recharge your batteries.
Please sign up now!
Christ is Risen!Wishing You & Yours a Blessed and Joyous Easter |
Give the Gift of Dignity
Why not give a gift membership in DignityUSA?
Your loved one, friend or associate will receive a card noting the gift you've given, a full year of the DignityUSA Journal, and membership in the premiere organization of GLBT Catholics, our families and friends.
Email us at info@dignityusa.org or call 1-800-877-8797 for more details.
Dignity on the Scene — outreach and coalition networking
During the months of March & April, 2003, Dignity is represented in various venues around the country.
Dignity will be represented at the National Policy Roundtable (NPR) March 20-21 in Washington DC.
Call to Action (CTA) - West Coast holds their Annual Conference March 21-23 in San Jose CA. DignityUSA President Pat McArron is facilitating a workshop highlighting the history of DignityUSA and its vocal significance in the Church.
The following weekend, the DignityUSA national board of directors meets in Las Vegas at the Alexis Park Resort (site of its biennial convention) for their Spring Meeting. Strategic Planning for the future of the organization was the highlight of the weekend.
Pat McArron is looking forward to representing Dignity at the Catholic Organizations for Renewal (COR) meeting, to be held in Alexandria, VA April 25-27, 2003. DignityUSA is one of many COR members.
Call to Action (CTA) - New England will hold their Ninth Annual Conference on April 26, 2003. The theme of the day is "Priestly People - Spirit Led." Keynote speakers are Joanna Manning and Michael Crosby. DignityUSA Director, Rosemary Ananis (Dignity/Maine) will lead a workshop with Chuck Provancher (Dignity/Boston), Rosemary Burdick (Dignity/Hartford) and Philippe Lachance (Dignity/New Hampshire). For more information, www.ctanewengland.org.
Editor's Note: For further information on Catholics Organizations for Renewal (COR), please go to www.cta-usa.org/COR.html.
Ashes to Easter
Ashes to Easter is a Lenten faith sharing program which has had much success at Dignity/Washington (DC) over the past several years.
Details of the program are available at the DignityUSA website http://www.dignityusa.org/lent/index.html.
REMINDER
Nominations for President and Vice-President of DignityUSA, as well as three (3) positions on the National Board of Directors, are now open.
Details on nominations may be found in the DATELINE Feb. 2003 edition.
May Christ's Resurrection and the Spring Signs of Rebirth Bring You
Peace.
May You be Blessed in the Rebirth of Love, Faith and Hope in Your Personal
and Collective Lives, Leading to New Enrichment and Healthy Growth in
all that You Are and Do.
