<h3>By Gary Kayler <a href=http://www.gayindy.org/dignity>Dignity/Indianapolis</a> <em><b>Requiescat in Pace</b></em></h3> <p>Recently Lewis Tanner DignityUSA Secretary and I were discussing DignityUSA&rsquo;s Convention 2009 in San Francisco next summer. He asked me to write a few words about it and why I never miss a convention. Like the rest of you I haven&rsquo;t received the latest information about details. However with registration come some free meals a dinner-dance and loads of fun.</p> <p>Here are some suggestions:</p> <ul> <li>Share your room with others. I have had as many as four people in my room. Granted two people per room works best but if finances are a problem&mdash;and nowadays aren&rsquo;t they for us all&mdash;four may work better.</li> <li>Those of you living close enough can carpool.</li> <li>Central U.S. and East Coasters might want to use frequent flyer miles. Just book far in advance.</li> <li>Consider flying into Oakland Airport which has airfares often less expensive than those to San Francisco Airport and has just as good access to San Francisco.</li> <li>A car isn&rsquo;t necessary in San Francisco. Both airports are easily accessible by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains and San Francisco has extensive service on its Muni transit system.</li> <li>If you need a cab share one. No place is very far.</li> <li>You can do what I always do&mdash;ride the historic street cars and cable cars. The streetcar which passes in front of our convention hotel goes to both the Castro and Fisherman&rsquo;s Wharf.</li> <li>Eat in less well-known restaurants which many times are even better than those resting on their laurels and reputations.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I joined Dignity three weeks before Convention 1983 in Seattle WA. There was insufficient time to arrange a trip there; otherwise I would have gone. What really upset me was that my local chapter members kept telling me I didn&rsquo;t need to join national. I refused to consider any other option.</p> <p>As a collection of members and chapters DignityUSA is positioned as a stronger Voice of challenge and support and able to respond more quickly as the need arises. Working within networks of national and international groups and allied organizations DignityUSA as a national organization promotes and assists in the development and consensus of human and social justice values beneficial to the GLBT community and community at large.</p> <p>My first DignityUSA convention was held in New York City in 1985. I told Lewis I never miss a DignityUSA convention nor Call To Action Conference because I experience another family reunion. You people are now and have been for many years my family and I love you.</p> <p>Please consider coming to San Francisco for Convention 2009. Join our reunion and celebrating DignityUSA&rsquo;s 40th Anniversary. You&rsquo;ll see what you have been missing.</p>