A History of Achievement

The National Office continued to offer support to regional groups which grew out of the national conference. Its Executive Director attended regional meetings in various parts of the country. Those with strong regional groups include: the Florida Catholic AIDS Network (FCAN), Washington, DC (DCCAN), and the Western States Catholic AIDS Coalition (WSCAC).

Completed planning for the 13th National Catholic HIV/AIDS Ministry Conference, "Proclaim Jubilee," held in July 2000.

Processed over 600 referral, technical support and networking inquiries into the Network office.

Continued promotion of the Youth Initiative to raise awareness about the special challenges facing youth and young adults in response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The Network established a steering committee and sponsored dialogue meetings with youth and youth ministers in San Francisco, CA; Chicago and Joliet, IL; Galveston-Houston, TX; and Newark and Paterson, NJ.

The Newsletter, Connections, published quarterly, provided network news, information and resources to its members and friends. The four issues for the year 2000 contained a special feature marking the 10th anniversary of the Network.

The Network website underwent significant updating, revision and expansion of features including online ministry conference registration and excerpts from the Connections.

Annual convening of the leadership roundtable of representatives of national Catholic organizations to address the issues and needs faced by Religious and Clergy living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Publication of the liturgical resource, "Give Hope In A World of AIDS," for World AIDS Day 1999. Continued collaboration with Oregon Catholic Press on a more complete liturgical resource for HIV/AIDS Ministry.

Hosting bi-annual roundtable discussions at the United States Catholic Conference.

Continued work with the National Association of Church Personnel Administrators to publish the resource, AIDS in the Catholic Workplace.

Work with the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) on the revision/updating of the video AIDS: Shadow on the Family.

Elected three new members to the Board of Directors adding ethnic diversity, youth and additional expertise.

The board staffed and financed a retreat day for members of the Network at the 2000 ministry conferences.

The Board held a strategic planning session in October 2000. The long-range goal of locating to a permanent office site was re-articulated. Additional plans for financial development were considered.

Speaking engagements and/or informational exhibits were held at the following events: the National Federation of Priests' Councils Convention; the Diocese of Fresno, CA Catholic Health Association Convention; Jubilee Justice Gathering; the Leadership Conference of Women Religious Convention; Center for Disease Control Prevention Conference; Catholic Charities USA Conference; the Multicultural Interfaith HIV/AIDS Conference; the National Organization for the Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy Conference; AIDS Compassion Sunday in the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ; National AIDS Update Conference; the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress; the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministry Conference; and the Christian Service Charities Conference.