Our PCSD community is diverse and rich in perspectives.  PCSD is about people, about personal fulfillment, about relationships, about networking, about building a community that nurtures the individual and about contributing creatively to the Gay community.  While Nancy and I are the directors, the custodians of the CSD vision, the ones who have the responsbility for making it a reality and for making the meetings and conferences happen, we are not controlling the vision but letting it expand as it evolves in each participant, whose personal vision enriches the crown that belongs to all of us, each of us a separate jewel.
       
Now comes the sales pitch: how about considering joining us in the adventure of creative self-development.  How would you like to --
    1. Explore and apply innovative concepts and techniques in a Gay-affirmative environment? 
    2. Network with like-minded professionals and service providers?
    3. Participate in a professional support group? 
    4. Pursue professional development at educational retreats and the annual conference?
    5. Advertise PCSD-affiliated services in the Newsletter at no cost?
      6. Attend selected PCSD courses free of charge?

What's the catch?  Very, very little and no fee at all. You have nothing to lose.  Try us out for several meetings and a retreat.  If  you then decide to join us, we do expect that you --       
    1. Promote one or more PCSD principles in the service you provide.
    2. Attend one retreat and several progress meetings yearly.
    3. Charge reasonable fees (if possible, slightly lower than customary when providing a PCSD-affiliated service).
    4. Permit at least one eligible person per PCSD-affiliated event/group to attend in return for documented volunteer work in the Gay community.
    5. Adhere to the code of ethics of your professional association.
    6. Notify recipients of PCSD-affiliated services of  your relationship with PCSD and of its purpose and principles.
    7. Provide the directors with your resume or curriculum vitae.
       
Now what happens if you are not yet a provider?  You can make a creative contribution without having to belong to a professional organization.  We will help you tap your potential.

Before I close, I want to introduce you to one more among us, who is invisible but very present: the PCSD Guardian Angel, who is called  Felicity.  On 1/31/92 before the first reception to publicize PCSD, she told us the following: "I can help.  The moment for growth is an exciting one.  May the vision you hold prosper and flower.  Even if  the beginning is modest, the color of success is already painted.  My name will be Felicity for you. I begin now to explore those wonderful concepts which you have begun."   
       
Last weekend she told us,  The Program is no longer a bud.  Now the flower blooms.  Its fragrance will call many.  Your tending of the garden is just right.  She ended her greeting with Happiness!" 
       
On a TV interview on 1/12/95 Deepok Chopra said, "If you seek happiness and joy and comfort in your life, then your health will improve."  He talked of "shooting for the stars" and of doing "lifestyle management" rather than medicine. 
       
So, in the interest of promoting health and well-being all around, I will end my speech with the same closing as Felicity and wish you "Happiness!"
       

On February 23, 1992, ten years and one day ago, 17 people met in this house for the official opening of the Program for Creative Self-Development (PCSD) to empower Gay women and men and their friends psychologically, spiritually, and creatively. Nancy and I had developed 12 Principles to guide this program, the first one of which is "Evolving as an individual is a joyful and amazing process." (Actually the word amazing was added by one of our founding members, Joe Izzo,
                                                                        continued