Nominations Open for DignityUSA Board of Directors

Nominations, for four (4) positions on the DignityUSA Board of Directors, open on February 15, 2004. All elected members serve a two (2) year term.

Now is your chance to help maintain the vitality of this organization. Become involved in the election process by nominating someone (or yourself) for one of these key leadership positions.

Job description: Board of Directors

The DignityUSA Board of Directors (BOD) is comprised of individuals who are elected by the members or appointed by the President and the BOD, to assist and promote the mission of the organization. The BOD is responsible to monitor the financial, business and legal affairs of DignityUSA. Board members should be prepared to engage in the following tasks:

The DignityUSA board is a working board of directors. As such, board members should plan on contributing a minimum of eight (8) hours per month to board activities.

Timeline for nominations

Nominations open on February 15, 2004. Any regular member of DignityUSA is eligible to serve on the DignityUSA Board of Directors. You may place yourself in nomination or be nominated, with your consent, by other members of DignityUSA. All members are ensured the opportunity to be placed in nomination. Those who accept nomination must have their candidate statement and photo to the Nominating Committee by April 15, 2004.

How to nominate

If you, or someone you know, is qualified and willing to run for a leadership position in DignityUSA, you may submit their name on a Nomination Form, found on the DignityUSA website at www.dignityusa.org/nominations/nominate-form.html. These documents can also be obtained by calling the national office (1-800-877-8797).

Send the completed form to:

Your participation in this essential process ensures that DignityUSA remains a vibrant and life-giving organization, ready and able to serve you, the member.

Questions, comments or concerns can be addressed to Bob Lohrentz, National Director/Nominating Committee Chair at rwlohr@msn.com.

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DignityUSA Stategic Planning

On January 10, 2004, the DignityUSA Board of Directors held a conference call to review the first quarter list of priorities from the DignityUSA strategic plan, including the first drafts of the plans from the following DignityUSA committees: commÐunications, marketing, fundraising, finance, theological resources, membership meetings, human resources, nominations, and elections, as well as from the following programs: chapter services, membership services, Solidarity Sunday, worship and liturgy, and the National AIDS Program.

Following input from Board members, these committees and programs will now work with strategic planning coordinator Ben Boerkoel to refine their plans and present them for final approval along with a budget request at the April 2004 Board meeting in Washington, D.C.

In addition to the plans, the following "celebrations" of progress were noted concerning work accomplished during the last three months:

As noted by DignityUSA President Sam Sinnett, the efficiency of the conference call, as well as the amount of progress being made in addressing the goals of the organization, are clear evidence that the strategic planning process has been an effective model in moving DignityUSA forward. Look for a more complete update on the work of the DignityUSA committees and programs after the April 2004 meeting. In the meantime, anyone interested in being part of either the committee or program work is invited to contact DignityUSA Vice-President Peggy Burns at VicePresident@dignityusa.org.

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DignityUSA Vision Statement DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality and, as beloved persons of God, participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.

Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:

Austin (TX) Ð 25 Years

Dallas (TX) Ð 29 Years

Milwaukee (WI) - 29 Years

San Francisco (CA) 31 Years

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Catholic Pilgrimage to Europe

Fr. Bob Nugent, SDS, co-founder of New Ways Ministry (Mt. Rainier, MD), will be leading a Catholic pilgrimage to England, May 24 to June 2, 2004, departing from Philadelphia (PA).

Cost per person is $1,999, which includes air fare, hotels, meals, tour bus and guides. Sites include Canterbury, Norwich, Walsingham, Lincoln, York, Birmingham, Coventry and London.

Registrations should be made by May 1, 2004.

For brochure, contact Fr. Bob at 410-207-2084 or CNEW292@aol.com.

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Profile of a Director

Mark Matson has been active in Dignity since attending the DignityUSA 1997 Convention, ÒProphets to the World,Ó in Boston, MA. As a result of that encounter, Mark says, "It was my lifeline at the time. I did a turnabout and decided to stay in the Church on my terms Énot those of the hierarchy."

Since then, he served as President of Dignity/Columbus (OH); founded a Defenders Chapter co-sponsored by Dignity/Columbus and Dignity/Dayton (OH), and involved his chapter in founding an ecumenical organization called The Shepherd Initiative, which has pulled together over 300 Christians from 12 denominations working to build inclusive congregations. Mark was honored with DignityUSA's Kevin Calegari Award at the DignityUSA 2001 Chicago Convention for his work with The Shepherd Initiative.

Mark served with the DignityUSA House of Delegates which shaped the new structure for DignityUSA ("re-imagined Dignity") and threw his hat into the ring to help lead the new organization. He started working with the National Board early at the DignityUSA 2003 Las Vegas Convention.

"I have met so many good, passionate people from across the country through DignityUSA. Now I am working side-by-side with many of them to realize a shared vision of a Roman Catholic Church that welcomes us and honors our relationships. Serving on the National Board of Directors has opened my eyes to how much work and how many resources are required for us to have a national voice. I was not so aware when I was focused on the needs of my Chapter. I see fully now how the success of one depends on the other. I am committed to do whatever I can to increase our membership and increase our resources, because there MUST be a voice that counters the voice of exclusion from Rome and the USCCB (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)", said Matson.

Mark and his partner, Chris Stringer, live in suburban Columbus (OH) where he works as Director of Corporate Human Resources for OCLC (Online Computer Library Center, Inc.) OCLC owns the world's largest bibliographic database, linking the card catalogs of over 46,000 library systems in 68 countries.

In addition to their involvement in Dignity/Columbus, Mark and Chris also attend St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center at The Ohio State University, as do many members of the Columbus chapter.

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GodÕs Blessings and Love to You and Yours as You Celebrate St. ValentineÕs Day

Ash Wednesday – Feb 25, 2004 – Lent Begins

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