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DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA
02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email:
info@dignityusa.org
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RETURN TO > DATELINES > HOME
DignityUSA
Volume 14, No. 6 |
Download in PDF format…DATELINE Editor: Bill Welch, EditorDateline@dignityusa.org
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.
DignityUSA National Elections
Ballots for election of President and Vice President and for three (3) National Directors have been mailed to individual members. Mailings to chapters are in progress as we go to press. There are two distinct ballots: one for the president/vice president slate, the second for the national director candidates.
Every current regular member of DignityUSA whose start of membership is at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of balloting shall have the right to vote according to the rules established in the DignityUSA Bylaws.
All Chartered Chapters chartered at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of balloting shall have the right to vote, and shall receive two (2) [sets of] ballots, according to the rules established in the national Bylaws.
Please let the National Office know if you have not received your ballots. Contacts are (800) 877-8797, (202) 861-0017, Fax (202) 429-9808, email info@dignityusa.org.
If you have received your ballots, please let your voice be heard. Return completed ballots to the national office, DignityUSA - Ballot, 1500 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite #8, Washington, DC 20005-1805, or by fax to (202) 429-9808.
All ballots must be received by the close of business June 15, 2005.
The firm of Martin & Wall is providing CPA services for DignityUSA. For information about their services, visit www.martinwallcpa.com |
Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:
- Greater Columbus (OH) - 10 Years
- Lexington (KY) - 13 Years
- Southern Colorado (CO) - 13 Years
- San Jose (CA) - 21 Years
- Houston (TX) - 31 Years
Traffic Increase at DignityUSA Website
DignityUSA’s response to the death of Pope John Paul II, and the election of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger as his successor, led to increased traffic to the DignityUSA website www.dignityusa.org.
During the month of April, 24,597 people visited our site, compared to 18,669 in March. The highest daily traffic was on April 19, the day Pope Benedict XVI’s election was announced, with a record-breaking 3,112 visits.
DignityUSA Convention
2005
Leadership Training Conference
A Leadership Training Conference will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2005 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the convention site, in conjunction with DignityUSA Convention 2005, in Philadelphia, PA.
Advocacy is a key component of DignityUSA's mission.
Educating the public and organizing faith communities around GLBT issues is an important part of our public ministry, as well as showing how GLBT civil rights are supported by our Catholic faith. People of faith throughout history have played an important role in advocating for equal rights.
Learn how to organize your faith community (both within DignityUSA and in your larger community) to take action and win concrete victories around issues important to us as GLBT Catholics, families and friends.
You will learn how to:
- build a strategic plan for advocacy,
- develop advocacy goals and carry out an action plan to achieve your goals,
- meet with church leaders and political leaders and educate them on GLBT issues,
- use your voice to educate the public on GLBT issues from a faith perspective.
The morning session will be led by Beverly Tillery, Outreach Director for Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, and Martin Grochala, DignityUSA board member and gay rights activist.
The afternoon session will focus on dealing with the press, how to write press statements and how to create the elevator speech and practicing it. This session will be led by past DignityUSA directors Jeff Stone (Dignity/New York) and Peggy Hayes (Dignity/Boston).
Please sign up for this event on your registration application to attend.
In the event you have registered but did not indicate an intent to attend or participate in the leadership training confrence, you still have the opportunity to do so. Please call the national office at 1-800-877-8797, or send an email message to Conv2005@dignityusa.org.
Registration Extended
DignityUSA’s 17th Biennial Convention, “Through Truth to
Freedom,” will be held at the Loews Hotel in downtown Philadelphia,
PA, July 7th to 10th, 2005.
Registration for the 2005 National Convention has been extended through May 31st. Time is running out, so register today. In order to avoid late registration charges you must be registered by May 31st.
Attendance at the full DignityUSA Convention includes: all ceremonies, caucuses, liturgies, plenary sessions, workshops, Saturday dinner dance and Sunday brunch. All rates are per person.
For registration and other details, including a downloadable complete program, see www.dignityusa.org/convention05.
Contact us at Conv2005@dignityusa.org for further details.
Hotel Booking Deadline
DignityUSA has negotiated terrific room rates for the convention at the Loews Hotel. Convention rates are available from July 3 - 13, 2005. Room rates start at $125 per night for single and $150 for double occupancy or Deluxe Double room (plus 14% PA room tax). Additional guests are $25 each per night and children 12 years of age and under stay free. Special rates may also be available for suites. Please check with the hotel for availability. Make your reservations early. Room availability is limited and these rates may not be available after June 3, 2005. You must contact the hotel directly by phone to make your reservation by calling 215-627-1200. Just mention our group name “DignityUSA 2005 Convention” to receive the discounted room rate. You will not receive the convention discount via the Internet Web address.
DignityUSA Silent Auction = Big Travel
Are you looking for a honeymoon spot, or maybe just a quick get-away with a friend for an exciting weekend? If you enjoy travel, then the DignityUSA Silent Auction is the place to shop for great deals on great travel packages.
The theme of this year's auction to be held at the DignityUSA Convention 2005 in Philadelphia, July 7th to 10th, is “Travel, Travel, Travel.” The auction committee, headed by Edwards Buice, of Dignity/Chicago, is seeking exciting packages from DignityUSA chapters and members across the country which will give auction winners a wonderful adventure.
A request has gone out to chapters inviting them to participate by putting together a great weekend with hotel weekend stay, restaurants, theater tickets, spa, museum passes, limousine service (to and from airports or rail stations), a romantic activity, a city tour, and other items unique to the locale. Air transportation is a plus.
The ultimate package would consist of everything to make a stay in that location a wonderful experience.
There is a prize for the chapter or individual donor putting together the best package. Proceeds from the highest-bid auction item will be split with the donor chapter or individual.
Lucky for DignityUSA and the winners that we have chapters in great locations such as Boston, Washington, D.C., New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Palm Springs, Seattle, Chicago, Twin Cities, Dallas, Ft. Lauderdale, and, of course, Hawaii. We are looking for chapters or individuals in those areas to put together an auction package which will boast the best of their locale.
The auction committee is also looking for smaller convention carry-home items to enhance the auction.
Bidders on the travel packages won't have to be at the convention to participate. Bidding will begin one week before the convention. Non-attendees will have an opportunity to have a proxy bid for them on July 9th in Philadelphia.
Look for more information in the coming weeks via the DignityUSA News Service. If you are not already a subscriber, send an email message to majordomo@dignityusa.org. In the body of the message put: subscribe dusa.news. To unsubscribe, send an email message to the same address with the words: unsubscribe dusa.news in the body of the message.
Massachusetts State Senator Jarrett Barrios to Speak at DignityUSA Convention 2005
Massachusetts State Senator Jarrett Barrios, nationally recognized for
his support of equal rights for GLBT families and residents, will speak
at DignityUSA’s Major Donor Luncheon as part of the Philadelphia
convention.
In 2005, the Equality Forum has named Senator Barrios one of forty (40) heroes of the national GLBT rights movement.
At Harvard University, Barrios chaired the Harvard Radcliffe Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Association. After college, he practiced law at the Boston firms of Hill & Barlow and Piper Rudnick. At Hill & Barlow he was awarded the "Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year" for his representation of a gay Dominican in asylum proceedings.
In 1998, he began his legislative career as the first openly gay man elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. In 2004, Senator Barrios headed legislative opposition to a constitutional amendment that would deny marriage rights to same-sex couples.
Senator Barrios has been asked to speak on the topic of how his Catholic faith and values informs his political life.
The Major Donor Luncheon honors and thanks donors to DignityUSA who have supported the organization with gifts of $1,000 or more in the past two years. If you wish to make a gift, or increase your current level of support, and receive an invitation to the luncheon, please contact Michael Seneco in the National Office at 1-800-877-8797.
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.