AOH Hooley/Fundraiser

AOH National Convention 2018

St Louisville, KY

July 11-14, 2018

Joint AOH-LAOH Meeting: Meeting was opened by the official Churchill Downs bugler. After prayers and salute to the US Flag President McKay opened the meeting. Mayor Fisher welcomed all with a history of the Irish in Louisville and a proclamation was presented to the AOH accepted by President McKay. Archbishop Kurtz also welcomed the assembly.

Irish Ambassador to US, Daniel Mulhall addressed the meeting. He talked of Irish Immigration to the US and how proud the Irish are for the accomplishments of the Irish becoming part of the fabric of the country. A new generation of Irish Immigrants are still affecting the world by being “designers instead of diggers.” 17% of the Irish population are immigrants and are welcomed. The help from the EU has enabled Ireland to break the economic chains that bound them to the UK. Ireland is determined with the backing of the EU to not allowing an Irish Border. As the British withdraw from the EU, Ireland becomes the bridge to the EU for the US.

The Irish people are celebrating the 1918 Irish vote for independence and forming of the Dail. The Dail formed and declared independence from the UK. The Brits immediately declared the voting invalid and sent troops to Ireland beginning the war for independence.

Later the Ambassador came back to say the Irish Government is doing whatever it can to have an Executive selected in the 6 counties. Open border is paramount for the Irish. No mention of reunification.

AOH Business Meeting 

Sean Pender Treasurer spoke about the McGuinness Principles and action plan to see them implemented along with the Good Friday Agreement. Equality, Respect, Truth, Self Determination; these are the basis of the principles. http://mcguinnessprinciples.com/ for full info.

Convention sites for 2022 were presented. Denver, Pittsburgh, Reno. 

Pittsburgh was chosen by vote of the membership for 2022 Convention.

VP Report. Ask for support of National programs, IE address labels. Marketing and Promotion will be a focus for the next two years. We now have a committee dedicated to this effort. $50,000 proposed for next 2-year effort.

Treasurer Report Morgan Stanley now handling our accounts. Recommended Quick Books for every division financials. Once again emphasized need for every division to have an EIN and file tax return with the IRS using the AOH parent number along with our own. Proof will be required each year with our yearly Division Forms. Deadline for EINs is November1st. Expect follow-up from National. The cost of the Digest is $263K per year. Only 65% of annual dues (per capita) are paid on time.

Secretary Report All forms should be sent by email. All forms are in process of being updated. Changes will be implemented soon after the Convention. Many suggestions from the membership are being implemented. Member list process will be streamlined. Form 11 will now require proof of tax return or will be rejected. One check for all per capita will now be acceptable.

Director Reports These are listed in no particular order. A recommendation for Celtic Irish Studies.com. Banners are available for events loan available pay shipping or order your own; picture on website. Increase dollar amount of scholarship for Irish Way, current amount is inadequate. Guinness Principles, we should let govt. officials aware to build support. Marketing has video available, very good and professional could be used in presentations, new logo is done and available on web, utilizing Irish/Catholic theme papers with good results, ads available for use, membership down 3000 members 2013 to 2018.

Committee Reports:

Digest Looking into digitizing. Not now.

Webmaster Needs content for website please submit Division content. Website was totally redone and improvements ongoing, looking for recommendations, may begin monetizing the site. Selling goods and ads.

Audit Committee Morgan Stanley has our Money Market account paying 1.9%. AOH Charity is doing fine.

Organizer Recommends using Statisticalatlas.com to see what potential is for growth (IRC has a high Irish descent population 16%). New banners available for loan or sale. Photos on the web.

Pro Life Ireland vote was a defeat for Pro Life. Continuing education to the public. Hopeful US may overturn Roe v. Wade.

History New archives on the National website. Now there is great deal of info on the website, asking for any Division material or milestones in our area.

Immigration Undocumented and OTR from the 80s are currently under threat/attack. Working to help them with Congress. New “White Paper” on the issue will be available soon for us to work with political leaders.

Ritual Major Degree Pin is being revised, need more degree teams, statistics show members with the Degree are more likely to stay involved. The Blue Book (AOH manual) is being revised,

PEC New Irish American PEC video and brochure. Can be used in meetings with politicians. Available on website. Still fighting derogatory  t-shirts especially at St Patrick’s Season. Joe Crowley congressional loss is a blow to Irish America, but it is not a death nell on Irish politically. Neil Cosgrove is available for Congressional meetings (DC)

Veterans Affairs nothing new

FFAI Martin Galvin gave a report on Relatives for Justice (Mark Johnson) tour in NYS. Has asked that we all remain vigilant as things are not rosy in the 6 counties. FFAI will provide more info so we can do a better job of informing the public. They will provide a list of Christmas Appeal dollars, who received and results of meetings. FFAI and the AOH Board still not encouraging members to go to the 6 counties to present the checks. Also, still encouraging cross community donations.

AOH National Board Elections No seat was contested; current officers were re-elected.

Director Elections, Committee Chairs, Board Liaisons

See website: https://aoh.com/national-officers/#

By Brother Frank Corcoran