<p><strong>By Paula Lavallee DignityUSA Secretary</strong></p> <p>The DignityUSA Board of Directors met the weekend of March 1-3 2013 in Phoenix AZ. The meeting began with a welcome and &quot;State of the Chapter&quot; report from Dignity/Arizona members Elinor Crocker and John Orta. It was wonderful for the Board to hear the progress the chapter has made. Dignity/Arizona was one of the first chapters to receive grant money from DignityUSA for chapter strategic planning work. The chapter&#39;s vitality has benefited from their hard work.</p> <p>The Directors spent the weekend discussing programs and committee reports and other business of the Board. Chris Pett helped the Directors to focus on the final steps to the strategic plan and create action items for each strategy. The Directors focused on what can be accomplished in the next 2 years and what are the goals for the next 3-5 years. The plan will be presented and discussed with the chapter/caucus leaders and then presented to the membership during the convention in July.</p> <p>Much of Saturday afternoon was spent on Convention plans. Marty Grochala Convention Chair joined the Board via phone to discuss the progress of the Convention Committee. Plans and online registration are going well.</p> <p>Saturday evening members of Dignity/Arizona met with the Directors to take them to the chapter&#39;s weekly liturgy. After sharing a wonderful liturgy the Directors were treated to dinner at a local Chinese restaurant. It was great to be able to spend time chatting and getting to know the chapter members.</p> <p>The Directors will continue to meet monthly by phone. The next in-person Board meeting will be July 2-3 in Minneapolis. Any members arriving at the convention early are invited to drop in and observe the meeting. Anyone having any questions about the meeting may contact secretary@dignityusa.org.</p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p>