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DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA
02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email:
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RETURN TO > DATELINES > HOME
DignityUSA
Volume 15, No. 6June 2006 |
Download
in PDF format…DATELINE Editor: Bill Welch, EditorDateline@dignityusa.org
Keeping you informed TABLE OF CONTENTS National Board of Directors Meeting in Washington, DC President Renews Matching Gift Challenge |
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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.
National Board of Directors Meeting in Washington, DC
The DignityUSA National Board of Directors met in Washington, DC, April 21-23, 2006.
The meeting began on Friday evening with board members reviewing positive things which have occurred since the last board meeting, including:
- Membership growth committee established and working.
- Directors' calls to major and potential major donors completed.
- Brendan Fey's movie, on Father Mychal Judge, Saint of 9/11, had its world premier on April 27, 2006, kicking off the 2006 Tribecca Film Festival. Brendan was Co-Producer of the film.
- Finance committee established. Regular meetings are being held.
- Draft of the DignityUSA financial audit completed. Final version expected very soon.
- Fr. Tom is doing research to find grants for DignityUSA to apply for.
- Successful identification of software for fundraising which will help move the organization forward.
- Two new writers for the QV (Quarterly Voice) have been identified.
- Two chapters have offered to host DignityUSA membership meetings. Two other possibilities also identified.
- Human Resources committee has two (2) new members.
- Membership policy has been written and accepted by the national board of directors.
- Good strong slate of nominees for the upcoming elections to the national board of directors. Ballots at the printers at time of meeting subsequently distributed.
- President Sam Sinnett's initial challenge for fundraising has been met. An additional $5,000 has been added for continuing the fundraising challenge.
- Lenten fundraising mail has received over $9,000 so far.
The Friday meeting continued with committee reports. A motion was made and passed by acclamation to thank the members of the nominations committee for their great work.
Saturday and Sunday were spent working on the budget and reviewing the current financial situation of DignityUSA. Beth McMaster, our auditor, met with the national board on Saturday morning to explain what was done while performing the audit. Beth made some recommendations to the board for future accounting practices. The directors worked in small groups and as a collective group to review expenses and fundraising efforts, to establish priorities in spending and to create a balanced budget.
The weekend meeting ended on Sunday afternoon with a balanced budget, as well as new methods for fundraising and keeping in touch with donors.
Any DignityUSA member wishing a copy of the minutes or of the financial statement may contact the secretary at secretary@dignityusa.org.
President Renews Matching Gift Challenge
DignityUSA President Sam Sinnett's initial gift challenge to match each $3.00 increment made by a donor with his $2.00 increment, for any new or increased gift to DignityUSA up to a total match of $5,000, during the period March 1 through April 30, 2006, has been met. The generosity by members for new or increased donations amounting to $7,500, coupled with Sam's very generous matching gift of $5,000, generated $12,500.
Sam has extended the gift challenge with another $5,000 through June 30, 2006. This is a perfect opportunity to increase the power of your gift — Sam will match your gift with a gift of his own. For example, if you give $60, Sam will give $40.
I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity by going to our website and making a gift today. Just like magic — $15 becomes $25, $30 becomes $50, $75 becomes $125 and on from there.
If you've not made a gift before and can only give a little, then increase the power of your gift through this matching gift challenge. Help us meet Sam's Match to grow the Voice of DignityUSA.
DignityUSA accepts contributions and payments by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Diners Club.
Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:
- Greater Columbus (OH) - 11 years
- Lexington (KY) - 14 years
- Southern Colorado (CO) - 14 years
- San José (CA) - 22 years
- Houston (TX) - 32 years
Election of Candidates to National Board of Directors
Election ballots for candidates to the National Board of Directors have been mailed.
If DignityUSA members and chapters have not yet received them, please contact the national office by phone at (800) 877-8797 or (202) 861-0017, by FAX (202) 429-9808, or by e-mail info@dignityusa.org.
Five members have announced their candidacy for four open positions.
Members are to vote for four (4) nominees to sit on the Board of Directors for a two (2) year period beginning October 1, 2006.
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) ballots, according to the rules established in the national Bylaws.
Upon receipt of your ballots, please let your voice be heard. Return completed ballots to the national office:
DignityUSA — Ballot,
1500 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite #8,
Washington, DC 20005-1805
or by fax to (202) 429-9808.
All ballots must be received by the close of business Friday, June 30, 2006. This will allow time for a voluntary and cooperative transitioning period.
Defenders (Leather/Levi) National Run, August 4-6, 2006, Chicago
Defenders/Chicago is sponsoring a national run in Chicago the weekend
of August 4-6, 2006, in conjunction with its fifth anniversary celebration. All
interested members of DignityUSA are invited to participate.
The Defenders USA is an affiliate of DignityUSA.
The experience of the leather communities speaks to all those who seek to integrate a non-standard combination of sexuality and spirituality.
This is the first nationwide Defenders event since 9/11 2001, which will bring together the six Defenders chapters, which are spread coast-to-coast. Other gay leather clubs in Chicago are not only participating, but are assisting in organizing the run. (In the leather communities, a meeting or retreat is called a run, harkening back to the days when most leather folk road motorcycles.)
The event hotel is the Best Western, in the northern Chicago suburb of Evanston. Many activities will take place at the Leather Archives & Museum and the city's renowned leather bars. Buses will be provided. Along with Andrew M., Ed Luisi of Defenders/Chicago, is the principal organizer. The event combines bonding, learning, worship, and lots of fun. There will be workshops on connecting our leather life and spiritual life, two nights of bar crawls, and banquet. The entire event is a labor of love.
Every effort has been made to make the event financially accessible to as many people as possible. Airfares to Chicago are often inexpensive from most parts of the United States. Thanks to the generous support of many individuals, businesses and Chicago leather clubs, the event fee is only $110, including much of the weekend's food, as well as amenities such as a run pin and t-shirt. The hotel rate is only $109 plus tax per night for up to four people in a room.
All interested DignityUSA members are invited to participate. For registration materials and details, please e-mail Luisibear@aol.com or RPAC@aol.com
Announcements
Sister Jeannine Gramick will be leading a pilgrimage to Southern Spain
and Gibraltar for friends and advocates of lesbian and gay Catholics,
Nov. 2-10, 2006.
For further information, phone Jeannine Gramick at 301-864-3604 or e-mail gramick@juno.com.
The annual Feast of St. Mary of Magdala is July 22nd.
The feast is being celebrated by more faith communities, including DignityUSA chapters, each succeeding year.
To order a free Mary of Magdala brochure and prayer service, an organizing kit, or other resources, go to www.futurechurch.org or call 216-228-0869 x5, or e-mail magdala@futurechurch.org.
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.