My Journey from Skepticism to Appreciation
I would like to preface this article by saying that what I have written below is not directed toward our past leadership in any way. Instead, it is my testimony of the early days of my membership and my ignorance that would soon be put into check.
When I joined the AOH in 2014, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you much about our National Board, if anything. If you’d have asked me if I knew names like Murphy, Wallace, McGinley, Meehan and Boyle, I’d tell you I’d probably heard them in a movie or read them in a book. Names like Brendan Moore or Jim McKay may have come across my radar but, again, I would have had a better chance of guessing correctly the $2,000 questions on Jeopardy. My ignorance would ultimately be fixed, and I would learn the importance of our National Board.
My first introduction to the National Board would be in 2016 during my time as Vice President of my local Montana division in Great Falls. We were told that our nonprofit status would soon be expiring if we failed to get our information updated with the IRS and the National Board. I think we all remember those dark days of the AOH when we thought the IRS paperwork was never going to end. Here I am, not once ever hearing of this elusive National Board, being told by “Big Brother” that we were in danger of losing our division. I thought, Who are these guys? Who are they to dictate what we do in our division? Like most Irishmen, my patience and calmness immediately kicked in, and I was ready to embrace these men as brothers… I can’t even use words like Irishmen, patience, and calm in the same sentence without cracking a smile. It would take almost seven more years before I would totally understand the purpose and goals of our National Board.
Now, as I sit on the National Board, elected by you, my Bothers, I come, asking you to take a better path than I did. See the National Board for what it is: a group of dedicated Brothers just like yourselves who are trying to make the Order better for all involved. Please be patient with us as we guide the Order through this technological time, have compassion for us as we send you emails for the 20th time. And mostly, say prayers for us and your fellow Brothers as we try to navigate this Order through a tumultuous time in our country.
Lastly, we are always here to respond to your questions or concerns. Our email addresses are on the website and it’s our job to be here for our membership. I hope everyone had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!