National Vice President’s Report – Jan/Feb/March 2025

Resources

Organizations are stronger when information flows in all directions as each of us benefits and learns from one another. I noted this in my most recent column as this Board, your National leaders, are interested in hearing from you about how we can best meet your needs.

An important resource that is now available to State Chairs are meetings with National Chairs. Consistently held meetings, via Zoom, with National Chairs have been underway and these are opportunities for others to learn about specific subjects or issues. We hope any information or presentation is then shared with others such as your Division leaders and members. Despite the expertise of our National leaders, these meetings are also an opportunity for you to share information with them. We are always learning and welcome new information, strategies, or successes from each of you.

Pledge and Service to Others

We need your help! The Hibernian Charity mailing is our annual appeal to our membership to support our many charities. I respectfully ask for you to pledge a donation this year. As an organization, our charitable presence grows each year. Our charitable work not only demonstrates our commitment to many causes, it is also in response to the increasing needs of others. While there is tremendous charitable work at the Division level and in many communities, our national efforts are very targeted and consistent with the mission of our organization. This was especially true several months ago as many of our members and their respective communities were impacted by storms in the Southeast part of our country.

I strongly believe that service to others is at our core as Hibernians. The Hibernian Charity Fund supports the following areas and needs:

• Hibernian Disaster Relief,
• Hibernian Hunger Projects,
• National History Day,
• Seminarian and Religious Vocation Grants through Project St. Patrick,
• Irish Way and Study Abroad scholarships.

These are just a few examples, and our goal, once again, is to improve member participation in the Hibernian Charity Appeal. It matters more that you donate than it does what you donate. If 10 per cent of our members participated by returning a donation as part of this appeal, our efforts can serve more people. Thank you for your consideration.