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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. 3 |
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 Begins Search for Executive Director
Dignity USA has initiated the process of searching for a new Executive Director — THE leadership position for our national organization. Our members can be an excellent source of talent and referrals. Please help us spread the word!
A search committee has been formed under the leadership of Directors Mark Matson (Dignity/Columbus) — serving as Chair, Lewis Tanner (Dignity/New York) and Marty Grochala (Dignity/Chicago).
Classified advertisements have been placed in numerous sources including the National Catholic Reporter, Washington Post and Washington Blade with the following message:
DignityUSA, the premier national organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) Catholics and allies, seeks an experienced, innovative Executive Director. Responsible for results-oriented management with a primary emphasis on programming, fundraising and public visibility. Requirements include:
- Strong verbal and written communications skills.
- Proven fundraising track record
- 3-5 years' experience in general management of a membership and/or nonprofit organization
- Required Education: 4 year degree strongly preferred or significant relevant work experience
- Required Travel: 25%
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Competitive compensation package offered for full-time position.
Applicants should apply or send a resume by March 14, 2005. For more detailed information on the Executive Director position and requirements, and/or to apply, please visit www.dignityusa.org/ed-search.html.
Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:
- Maui (HI) - 12 Years
- Cincinnati (OH) - 32 Years
President, Vice President & Directors Nominations Opened Feb 1, 2005
Nominations to fill DignityUSA President, Vice President and three (3) other positions on the DignityUSA Board of Directors (BOD) opened on February 1, 2005. The chosen officers and directors will serve for a period of two years commencing October 2005.
Any regular member of DignityUSA is eligible to serve on the BOD. 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.
For more information concerning the candidate’s desired skill sets and commitment of time, talent and treasure, as well as a nominations form and submittal requirements, please go to our website www.dignityusa.org/nominations05. There you will find sections dealing with Serving as President and Vice President of DignityUSA, Serving on the DignityUSA Board, and the nominations form with submittal guidelines. Nomination forms must be submitted to the national office by April 1, 2005.
Introducing DignityUSA’s Office Administrator
Michael Seneco was hired this past fall to be DignityUSA’s Office Administrator — the full time, paid staff position in our national office working for our Executive Director. Michael is now usually the one answering the phones when our members call in.
Michael resides with his husband Alfredo Alvarez on Capitol Hill. They have one cat, Petunia. Michael holds a Masters Degree in Divinity and a doctorate (honoris causa) also in Divinity.
Prior to DignityUSA, he worked for a year for Amtrak as a train chief, supervising first class services on trains from Washiongton, DC; was on the national curial staff of the Jesuits, and was one of the Masters of Ceremonies at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.
In addition to his job at DignityUSA, Michael is Associate Rector of the Cathedral of Saint John the Beloved, which is the National Cathedral for Independent/Progressive Catholics in the United States. He is also president of the National Conference of Independent Catholic Bishops (NCICB). He was ordained an Old Catholic Bishop in May of 2001.
Board of Directors Report
The DignityUSA Board of Directors (BOD) met via a teleconference call on January 8, 2005. The first order of business was to elect our new treasurer Christopher Lawrence. The Board then voted to grant chartered chapter status to Dignity/Palm Springs, and regretfully de-chartered Dignity/ Maine per the chapter’s request. There was a discussion of the progress of DignityUSA Convention 2005, to be held in Philadelphia, PA and Convention 2007, to be held in Austin, Texas, as well as the format for Convention 2009. Discussion on the latter will continue during the membership meeting of the convention in Philadelphia. See www.dignityusa.org/convention05.
Discussion then turned to the DignityUSA 2004 nominations process. There are openings for president and vice president, as well as three (3) directors. The nominations committee is working to obtain candidates for these positions. (If you are interested in being considered or nominating someone, please go to www.dignityusa.org/nominations05.)
The balance of the meeting was spent discussing and working on DignityUSA’s Strategic Plan.
The plan has four (4) major goals:
- Goal 1: Amplify the voice of DignityUSA to have 500 additional members by September, 2005. Membership has continued to expand due to DignityUSA presence and work at both the national Call to Action and Creating Change conferences, as well as work by chapters and individual members.
- Goal 2: Empower the voice of DignityUSA by increasing non-Convention income by $15,000 over that of fiscal year 2003-2004 by September, 2005. The Fundraising committee has been working on new ways to obtain and track donations. The Christmas Appeal was successful. The committee is also working on fundraising events to be held at Convention 2005 in July.
- Goal 3: Recruit sufficient volunteers and paid staff with the talents required to do the work of the DignityUSA Board, committees, programs, projects and office. Volunteers are greatly needed to help meet the goals of DignityUSA. Visit the new section on our website to see our current needs. (www.dignityusa.org/volunteer)
- Goal 4: Implement programs that effectively support DignityUSA’s mission and goals. This goal allows the Executive Committee to form the committees and programs needed to accomplish the mission of DignityUSA.
The Board acknowledged the work of retiring directors Patty Hayes, Pat McArron and Peter Caprise, and extended a thank you for their time and service to DignityUSA.
The next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled to be held in Philadelphia, PA, April 1-3, 2005.
Any DignityUSA member desirous of viewing minutes for BOD meetings may contact Secretary@dignityusa.org to request a copy.
The firm of Martin & Wall is providing CPA services for DignityUSA. For information about their services, visit www.martinwallcpa.com |
DignityUSA & Dignity/New York Hail New York State Court Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage
In a joint news release of February 7, 2005, leaders of DignityUSA and Dignity/New York applauded the February 4, 2005, New York State court decision which declared that denying same-sex couples the right to civil marriage violates the state Constitution. They called on New York City officials, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, not to appeal the ruling and to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in thirty days, as directed in the decision.
In her decision, Justice Ling-Cohan wrote, “Similar to opposite sex couples, same-sex couples are entitled to the same fundamental right to follow their hearts and publicly commit to a lifetime partnership with the person of their choosing.” She concluded that, “marriage is viewed by society as the utmost expression of a couple’s commitment and love; plaintiffs may now seek this ultimate expression through a civil marriage.”
The complete news release, including the remarks of Sam Sinnett, President, DignityUSA, and Jeff Stone of Dignity/NewYork, may be found at the following website address — www.dignityusa.org/news/050207ny.html.
Editor’s Comment:
In a New York Times article of February 8, 2005, entitled “City Will Request a Quick Decision on Gay Marriage,” Michael A. Cardozo, the city’s chief lawyer, said in a statement yesterday (Feb 7, 2005) that the city would takes its appeal directly to the Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, skipping an intermediate court, “so that a decision on this important issue can be reached as quickly as possible.”
Mayor Bloomberg and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer are calling upon the Court of Appeals to consider the issue. State judges in other New York cities have ruled against gay marriage in recent months. Only the Court of Appeals has the legal authority to apply the law evenly throughout the state.
Although Mr. Bloomberg believes that gay marriage should be legal, he said, “I think it is in everybody’s interest to have the courts finally decide what our current laws say, and then if we want to change those laws let the Albany Legislature do that or not do that.”
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.
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