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DignityUSA
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RETURN TO > DATELINES > HOME
DignityUSA
Volume 13, No. 9
September 2004
DATELINE Editor: Bill Welch BillWVW3@aol.com
| Keeping you informed TABLE OF CONTENTS DignityUSA Regional Meeting in Ohio We Must Speak Our Truth: West Coast Regional Conference Happy Anniversary & Congratulations |
DignityUSA Regional Meeting in Ohio
"Call us to hear the voices that challenge, deep in the hearts of all people! By serving your world as lovers and dreamers, we become voices that challenge, for we are the voice of God!"
With that ending refrain from the song, "Voices That Challenge," those gathered for Mass at the DignityUSA regional meeting in Dayton, Ohio, July 31 - August 1, 2004, understood their mandate and the mission of our national organization.
The regional membership meetings are designed to allow the staff and board members of DignityUSA to report on the progress of the organization, what they are doing on our behalf, and to hear from the membership. As with other such meetings, the people gathered in Ohio got the chance to connect deeply with others who have shared their struggles to remain in the church and receive support in their witness to others about why it's important to stay in the church and become Voices that challenge church leaders and their dangerous doctrines of exclusivity.
Throughout the lively membership meeting discussions, one point came up again and again. As an organization, we are attempting to change the true core of the church – its members, rather than change the minds of bishops, cardinals and a pope. Through this grass roots approach, we will create a critical mass of understanding, compassion, and transformation in the hearts of Catholics and our friends. We do this through DignityUSA's impassioned, timely responses to the media when The Vatican and church hierarchy speak against us. For example, we developed an ad campaign focused on showing the world that "love makes a family." The staff and board of DignityUSA speak widely on our behalf to bring understanding and reason to the national debate on issues facing Catholic gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) persons.
Other organizations attempt to achieve this same goal, but with a different approach. DignityUSA supports their efforts, while remaining focused on the tactics that work for our organization. Other organizations seek change in the Church on issues important also to DignityUSA and its members, such as women's ordination. We support their efforts yet remain focused specifically on providing a unique Voice on issues affecting GLBT Catholics. We need all these organizations since there is much to be changed in our church. We need DignityUSA to remain as the singular Voice for GLBT Catholics.
Our new membership system helps us achieve this. Now that DignityUSA no longer has a minimum dues requirement, anyone can join DignityUSA if they believe in our work and want to support us. You can join by giving nothing but your name and address, or you can give $5, $100, $500 or whatever is the right gift for you. What is important, is to join. Invite ANYONE who loves and/or is friendly towards you to join as well. Invite anyone - G, L, B, T, Q, Catholic, or none of these - who believes there needs to be a truth-telling, counterbalancing Voice to the Vatican, church hierarchy and bishops of the United States .
We must tell our stories to our GLBT and straight Catholic and non-Catholic friends, family members, co-workers, and any strangers we might meet. We have to tell them of our struggles in this church, how DignityUSA gave us hope when we were hopeless, and how DignityUSA continues to fight on our behalf. Invite people to join! Make a list of 10 people you could invite to join Dignity. Say something like, "Would you join Dignity as a way to show your support for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics hurt by their church?" Membership applications may be found at the DignityUSA website to join or donate online.
The Ohio conference closed with brunch on Sunday and a speech by the Rev. Phil Hart, Executive Director of Sanctorum in Columbus Ohio - a group addressing the spiritual needs of the GLBT community and their families, and the first Methodist minister defrocked for coming out. As he related his experiences of growing up as a little boy perfectly in tune with God until he began to understand the worldly hatred of homosexuals, every person in the room related to the struggles of all people of faith to overcome the pain and damage a metaphor of abomination can create. He told of his pain in accepting his orientation as an adult and the unimaginable joy of coming out of the closet and replacing the metaphor of abomination with one of divine purpose of being created exactly the way we were meant to be. Our call is to be prophets to all we meet, by telling our own stories, in our own words. By becoming Voices that challenge, we bring transformation to God's people and God's church.
We Must Speak Our Truth
West Coast Regional Conference
October 16 - 17, 2004
Dignity Center, Los Angeles, CA
Hosted by
Dignity/Los Angeles
- Fundraising dinner on Friday Evening, Oct 16th
- Dignity/Los Angeles will be celebrating their 35th
Anniversary with a dinner and awards ceremony at the Taix Restaurant, Los Angeles, on Saturday evening. Conference attendees are invited to attend the event for an additional fee.
More details at
www.dignityusa.org/2004conferences/index.html
Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:
- Tampa Bay (FL) - 28 Years
- Rochester (NY) - 29 Years
DignityUSA Vision StatementDignityUSA 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. |
Board of Directors Meeting Report
In lieu of a scheduled teleconference, the Board of Directors of DignityUSA gathered for their quarterly meeting in Washington, DC, July 16 -18, 2004. The meeting began Friday evening with a report from Executive Director, Matthew Gallagher. Matt shared his thoughts on his work for the first eight (8) months including his accomplishments, frustrations, goals and vision for the future. He posed challenging questions to the Board concerning the future of DignityUSA.
The balance of Friday evening involved an in depth discussion on creating a document stating policy of our National Board regarding child abusers serving as presiders for chapters. Points considered were: chapter's rights to autonomy within the parameters of the Statement of Position and Purpose; the welfare of the organization as a whole; the difference between accused and convicted persons and how that makes a difference. Help in creating this document will be sought from well known experts and attorneys.
Saturday began with a celebration of accomplishments and events over the preceding three months, including these highlights.
- Fellowship of Southern Illinois (FOSIL), a local organization of Call to Action, at their own expense, mailed 1,800 letters and "The Vatican calls it violence. DignityUSA calls it love." ("Love Ad") cards to their membership suggesting they join DignityUSA.
- In June, received draft of paper by Patricia Beattie Jung on same-sex marriage.
- Theology Committee has two (2) new members.
- Membership meeting in Washington, DC was successful. Plans and registrations for the membership meeting in Ohio were going well.
- Ad for Ohio meeting placed in the Cincinnati archdiocesan newspaper. "Love Ad," considered the best work produced in many years, was used by many chapters during Pride activities and was well received.
- "Saints and Sinners" film is giving DignityUSA lots of positive recognition.
- The new DignityUSA brochure is completed and at the printers. Special thanks to Chuck Provancher for his amazing work.
- Great press releases are coming from DignityUSA. Matt Gallagher, Executive Director, has been quoted quite often in Associated Press articles, giving great visibility to DignityUSA.
- The Convention 2007 committee is established and starting their work.
- The Nominations and Election Committee's work completed. There was a good slate of candidates and a good return rate on ballots.
- The balance of the meeting on Saturday and Sunday was centered on updating and adding new items to the Strategic Plan.
Saturday evening, the Board gathered to celebrate President Sam Sinnett's 60th birthday with a fantastic dinner and evening of camaraderie.
The board will gather again in October 2004 to continue their work. In the meantime, we are looking for volunteers to be on the various national committees. Especially needed are members for the fundraising, marketing, membership services, membership meetings, and theology committees. If you would like to give a bit of time and share your talents with DignityUSA, please contact Paula Lavallee at Secretary@dignityusa.org
| The firm of Martin & Wall is providing CPA services for DignityUSA. For information about their services, visit www.martinwallcpa.com |
Empower the Voice – Join the FUNdraising Committee
DignityUSA's fundraising efforts provide the resources that empower the Voice for GLBT Catholics, our families and friends. There are 5 volunteer spots open on the committee. We are looking for:
2 researchers - individuals who can scour the Internet and other sources looking for corporations, foundations and other institutions who fund organizations with religious and GLBT focused missions (such as The Gill Foundation).
Our goal this year is to identify four corporations and four foundations which would likely support DignityUSA and begin to cultivate a relationship with them.
2 writers - draft appeals to DignityUSA membership and other constituencies for annual gifts and special support. Draft program support proposals. (Do you enjoy writing term papers? This job is for you.)
1 Party planner - Identify and recruit volunteers to host local house parties to support DignityUSA. Serve as a support resource for local hosts.
The fundraising committee meets monthly via conference call. To volunteer, or for more information about these opportunities, please contact Committee Chair Marty Grochala - mjgrochala@Yahoo.com.
DignityUSA works for respect and justice for all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy and support.