<div> <p>Being President of DignityUSA has been the culmination of a journey that first started when I became a member in 1985 pre-Ratzinger pre-Halloween letter the time before our mass expulsions from parishes.&nbsp;&nbsp; I have been actively involved in Dignity for two-thirds of its existence.&nbsp; I grew up with Dignity. It is my home.</p> </div> <p>It has been a labor of love to serve Dignity in so&nbsp;many capacities director secretary vice president and president.</p> <p>I could not have done this work as President without a wonderful board of directors over the last two years. Your board of directors works hard.&nbsp; The board has connected with over 25 chapter communities as we traveled around the country for our meetings.&nbsp;</p> <p>We had a fabulous conference in Boston tremendous thanks go to the National Conference Committee and the Boston committee for envisioning and living the Conference theme A Place at the Table.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>With the approval of DignityUSA members we expanded our Statement of Position and Purpose to include queer and intersex persons.</p> <p>We will continue to have our challenges whether it's the hierarchy or local state and national government.&nbsp; History will judge us by how we deal with them.&nbsp; I am confident we will be able meet those challenges by our growth.</p> <p>Our voice has grown stronger over the years by having such a passionate membership who believes in our mission and vision.&nbsp; We do it by having a wonderful staff.&nbsp;&nbsp; We do it by having volunteers who want to see DignityUSA succeed.&nbsp;&nbsp; And we do it with your contributions from dues your response to the various appeals the monthly donors who give from $5 to $500 or more a month.&nbsp;&nbsp; We thank you for your generous support.</p> <p>We should be proud of our participation and leadership in this movement and we should know that our fight is not over.&nbsp; Our relevance as a faith filled organization engaged in advocacy and inspired by the witness of so many is stronger than ever.</p> <p>I am proud to have had the opportunity to join so many dedicated leaders before me to get to this time.&nbsp; And I count in the leaders yet to come to bring us through the challenges and changes ahead.</p> <p>The Board is thankful to and for all of you - for the many ways that you have supported and been engaged in the work.&nbsp; We also need to ask you to stay connected faithful and generously give to the next steps yet to come.</p> <p>It has been for me personally an honor and a privilege to have worked alongside many skilled and committed individuals these past 2 years as president.&nbsp; No one can do this work alone. I give deep thanks to my partner in crime Alice who has only been a phone call away.&nbsp;&nbsp; We really have been a great team and for that I am grateful.&nbsp;</p> <p>We have counted with efficient officers in Glenn and Bob.&nbsp; And all Board members who have given generously of time talent and treasure.&nbsp; I expected almost everything that happened when I accepted the call - the push - to be President. &nbsp;Being President is so much different than any office!&nbsp;&nbsp; This board has been the best!&nbsp;&nbsp; They take their work seriously but at the same time are able to laugh.&nbsp;&nbsp; We have had fun!</p> <p>My mentors have been Sam Sinnett Peggy Burns Mark Matson and Lourdes Rodrgiuez-Nogues.&nbsp;&nbsp; I consider them friends.&nbsp; They have led DignityUSA in partnership and led it well.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have been truly blessed to work alongside Marianne Duddy-Burke.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She is a brilliant and strategic leader and her work made it so easy for me to be President.&nbsp;&nbsp; To have competent and committed people around us like Peggy Logan ...I am very grateful for the many ways they have helped the Board in the last 2 years.&nbsp; We can't thank them enough.</p> <p>I am proud to have come from the New York chapter.&nbsp; They have supported the work of DignityUSA and support it - by generously supporting USA with funds and by being a strong community of faith nourishing me spiritually at every step.&nbsp; Thank you.</p> <p>The power of our own personal energy and ability to do what we have committed to do always comes from those behind us.&nbsp; The Women of Dignity hold a special place in my heart.&nbsp;&nbsp; Many have prayed and supported me in so many ways.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I am eternally grateful for the love support and understanding of Ben my spouse.&nbsp; I can't say he was always happy of my many travels phone calls or hours returning e-mails and yet he was unwaveringly supportive.&nbsp; With an ever-present sense of humor keeping me on task - don't you have a call tonight?; cooking me delicious meals for me every night cheering me and most of all loving me unconditionally he has been quite the first husband.&nbsp; My love and gratitude to him always.</p> <p>Every action every witness every small step and every gigantic one is what it takes to build Dignity into the future.&nbsp;</p> <p>We are onto something let's keep it going Dignity.&nbsp; I will continue to join you all in the journey ahead.</p> <p>Lewis Speaks-Tanner</p> <p>Outgoing President DignityUSA</p> <p>September 30 2017</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>