What a great weekend! From around the country (every region was represented and most Chapters), Affirmites gathered in D.C. to Celebrate "Gay Our Way." We were treated royally by all who brought us into their homes. Even non-members of Affirmation but certainly friends of our community hosted us, housed us, and entertained us! So much great work was done in particular on the Youth Services Mission Statement, NewChapter Development, Affirmation Literature Review and the Affirmation Endowment! The Pride parade and Festival Booth were both hugely successful. Watch Affinity for a full report!

Now, get ready for Cornerstone IV in conjunction with the Portland Conference! Prepare to arrive early on Friday. Leadership sessions will be held starting at noon and going to 4:00. There will be a thorough review of: Where Affirmation is Today, Training in Youth Services, Our Literature, New Chapter Mentoring and Development, and the proposed Endowment. Budgets, Affinity etc. Candidates for Affirmation Exec Dir, 99 will be given an opportunity to speak and lay out their vision for our Community.

Chapter Directors: This activity is INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. Please have as many of your mebership present as possible, both leaders and "potential" leaders. Make plans now to arrive and start on time. I would have started the sessions earlier but am trying to accommodate morning arrivals. There will be two hours to check-in prior to the start of the evening activities. Conferences are incredible oppotunities for fun and family--but they are also our very best means to gird us with the tools needed to fulfill our Great Work!