DignityUSA

The Who, What and Why of DignityUSA Membership Meetings

At the DignityUSA 2001 Convention in Chicago, the former National House of Delegates Re-Imagined DignityUSA. New by-laws were written and tradition was broken.

Prior to that convention, the National House of Delegates meetings were the place where decisions were made. Under the Re-Imagined DignityUSA, the National House of Delegates was dissolved. The national membership decided that the Board of Directors would be responsible for making sure DignityUSA would be the voice of GLBT Catholics. According to the new by-laws, DignityUSA would hold a membership meeting at each national biennial convention. The membership meeting at the convention would be the place where people could connect with the board and see where the organization was headed.

It seemed like a long time between conventions. Thus, it was written into the by-laws that membership meetings would be held at other times between conventions at locations throughout the country. The purpose of these meetings would be:

Three conferences are planned for 2004. They will be held in:

Speakers are being picked as we write this article. Two special speakers for the conference in Washington, D.C. are Daniel Helminiak, Ph.D., acclaimed author of, What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality, and Chrissy Gephardt, daughter of Congressman Dick Gephardt.

Join us for these meetings. Let your voice be heard. Check www.dignityusa.org/2004conferences for further information.

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DignityUSA Couples Ministry & National Registry

The GLBT community in Massachusetts will have the opportunity to marry come May 17, 2004. The situations leading up to this have not been easy. Many discussions, vigils, prayer services and much letter writing have taken place in order to make this possible.

The controversy is not over. Since the Massachusetts Supreme Court has ruled in favor of same-gender marriage, the people will move forward. We wish those folks who decide to marry much happiness.

The DignityUSA Couples Task Force introduced the Registry, as well as the Couples Ministry Resource Guide, at the National House of Delegates meeting during the DignityUSA 1995 Convention in Boston. The Registry was established "to support and validate committed relationships" and "is documentation that we, as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, do have and desire long-term monogamous relationships that are consonant with Christ's teaching, Christian values, and are loving, life-giving, and life-affirming." [Couples Ministry Resource Guide]

Many DignityUSA members have celebrated holy unions, commitment ceremonies or other public expressions of life- or living-partnerships in their respective chapters. Have you recorded this ceremony or event in the National Registry?

If you would like to register your chapter sponsored or hosted union ceremony with DignityUSA, please complete the form found in your Chapter's copy of the Couples Ministry Resource Guide and mail or fax it to the national office. For more information on the National Couples Registry and the Couple Ministry Resource Guide, please go to www.dignityusa.org/couples or call DignityUSA at 800-877-8797.

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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:

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Executive Director Visits San Francisco and Dallas

Matthew Gallagher, DignityUSA's Executive Director, attended Dignity/San Francisco's 21st Annual Pax et Bonum Award Ceremony on Saturday, March 27, 2004. The annual event acknowledges not only local chapter members for their work in the community, but also community groups and individuals who work to support the greater community.

One nice surprise for Matthew was to see Paul Scarbrough, Co-President of Call to Action (CTA), and a member of Dignity, at the event. Paul accepted a Pax et Bonum Award on behalf of CTA-USA for their work in our Church.

The following morning, Matthew met with officers of both the San Francisco and San Jose chapters. He participated in a discussion with the leaders to determine how the chapters might support each other. That same evening, Matthew worshipped with members and friends of Dignity/San Francisco. Afterwards, he participated in a community discussion with the chapter's members.

"The San Francisco chapter's membership is not as large as it once was, but the spirit is still very strong", Matthew acknowledged. "The chapter leadership is working hard to continue the mission and work of the organization, as well as provide a weekly liturgy for the community."

On Saturday, April 4, 2004, Matthew attended Palm Sunday liturgy with the Dallas Chapter, then joined them for dinner. During dinner, discussions ensued about holding DignityUSA Convention 2007 in Texas. The Sunday breakfast meeting continued the discussion. Matthew is very optimistic that we all need to dust off our boots and saddles and learn the Texas two-step by 2007.

National Board member, Chellie Griffin, served as Matthew's driver and tour guide during his stay in Dallas.

Matthew is very appreciative of his hosts in San Francisco and Dallas. "It is wonderful that folks who don't know me, will open their home and make me feel very comfortable. San Francisco co-president Joe Curtin met me at the airport and took me to the home of the other co-president, John Brown. Chellie Griffin drove me around Dallas. Dallas Board member Patrick Senkel and his partner, Paul Dela Garza, opened their home to me to stay. The spirit of hospitality is very alive within our Dignity family."

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DignityUSA Launches Secure Online Memberships and Donations

DignityUSA launched the capability for secure online memberships and donations via its national website at www.dignityusa.org/mem_reg as of March 24, 2004.

At the top, right side of the homepage, you will find a hotlink button "JOIN OR DONATE to DignityUSA." Clicking on this button will take you to the webpage allowing secure electronic options to join DignityUSA, make a donation or update your contact information.

Thanks to M.A. Ladd and Chuck Provancher who volunteered their time, energies and expertise to make it happen.

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Ballots to be Mailed Late May

Nominations, for four (4) positions on the DignityUSA Board of Directors, were closed on April 15, 2004.

Ballots, containing the names of the nominees, their pictures, a brief bio and declaration as to reasons why they chose to run and solicit your vote, will be mailed to Dignity members by the end of May 2004. The ballots will have space for write-in candidates.

Ballots will be due back to the DignityUSA national office by early July 2004.

Elected members will take their place on the national board of directors on October 1, 2004. They may be invited to attend national board meetings before that date. However, while they may have a voice during proceedings, they will not have the authority to vote.

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DignityUSA's Working Priorities

As DignityUSA's Board of Directors pray about and work on our great life-saving, Spirit-inspired Mission, we are working on two priorities:

AMPLIFY the VOICE are our watch words. People come first. We must grow the membership base for our Voice to be heard. Many people believe that GLBT Catholics need a Voice. We want and need those people as national members whether they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, family members, friends, associates, supportive allies, Catholic or other. Many of these potential new (or former) members may be interested in joining and participating in our marvelous chapters. Others may already have a faith community. We offer full DignityUSA national membership without a required financial payment. This is called our No-Minimum-Dues policy. People come first!

EMPOWER the VOICE are our watch words for doing the necessary fundraising within the growing membership to be more professional in accomplishing our Mission. Our annual budgeted costs exceed $100 per member. We are totally dependent on the passionate and generous support of our Angel donors.  Thanks for YOUR support!

O God, Who will speak? Who will be the Voice? - if not us?

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Reminders to Chapter CEO's