The leadership of Dignity/USA has commenced a process for the development of a long-range plan and goals for the organization. Twenty-one of the current and former leaders of Dignity/USA met in Chicago on August 6-7, 2005, to start the process. The weekend involved small-group and large-group discussions that ended with the beginnings of a five-year strategic plan formulated around six goals.

The work began with small groups looking at the data collected by a survey, that was available both at the national biennial Convention in Philadelphia in July 2005 and online for members to give their input as to the important issues facing DignityUSA, as well as the areas that they are willing to support. Some surprises were encountered in the course of looking at the data included the number of members concerned with the full participation of women in the church and the need/desire for a new theology of sexuality. After sharing small-group discussions, the whole group came up with six recurring themes:

• Identity/Self Identification
• Leadership & Talent Management; and Organizational Development
• Advocacy; Coalition Building; and Education
• Membership – both individual membership and chapter membership
• Communication
• Financial Stability

Then, working in small groups, each group took one of these themes and created a goal for Dignity/USA to be met by the year 2010. These goals were discussed and modified by all assembled, then re-worked by the small groups. Strategies to attain these goals were developed, with specific thought as to what should be accomplished by incremental years 2006, 2007, etc., in order for the goal to be fully met by 2010. When the time ran out for the weekend, some groups took their strategic plans home to continue working on their strategies.

The initial result of the weekend was a list of six goals for 2010, including a strategic plan for each. These preliminary goals will be further refined and clarified and then given to the Dignity/USA Board of Directors to consider for adoption at its next meeting, in October 2005. The preliminary goals are as follows:

Goal 1: Identity and Redefinition
Dignity/USA will be widely known as having led the development and articulation of an affirming theology and sexual ethics of and for the GLBT Catholic community and allies that reflect and guide how we fully live our faith in Church and society.

Goal 2: Organizational and Leadership Development
Dignity/USA will have a continual supply of capable leaders who can engage and draw people toward the Dignity/USA vision and aspirations, while effectively directing and managing the organization’s operations.

Goal 3: Education and Advocacy
Dignity/USA will effectively advocate and communicate change in the Church and society to accomplish the full inclusion of GLBT people, through education and coalition-building.

Goal 4: Membership
Dignity/USA will achieve a net increase in membership by 3,600 members by 2010 (500 in 2006, 550 in 2007, 700 in 2008, 850 in 2009, 1000 in 2010) and will increase membership diversity through greater participation by women, ethnic minorities, and the straight community.

Goal 5: Communications
By 2010, Dignity/USA will have a nimble and highly effective communications operation (both paid staff and volunteer advisors) in place to forcefully communicate DignityUSA’s vision and advocacy both internally and externally. This communications team will advise the national Board of Directors by defining key audiences and strategies for reaching them. The team will provide professional support and expertise to fundraising, membership development, and administrative functions of the organization.

Goal 6: Financial Stability
DignityUSA will have the financial resources and independence to carry out its mission and to ensure its long-term viability, including a $3 million endowment by 2010.

The Dignity/USA Executive Committee wishes to thank all those in attendance at the Chicago meeting, who so generously contributed not only their time, expertise, and knowledge, but also their finances. Each person paid his or her own expenses to be there. DignityUSA is truly blessed with intelligent and generous people willing to work hard for the good of the organization and its membership.