As my term of office is over, I wish to thank each and everyone on my National Board, Past Presidents and Appointees. Most of you have been there for me through thick and thin. Father Healey you have been a great chaplain through all the LAOH ups and downs. You have given us spiritual guidance as well as great advice and I must say, in my own way, you are a great thinker before you speak, I wish at times I thought before I spoke.  Being around you for the last two years has been an inspiration has helped me manage some pretty difficult situations.  I thank Margaret Hennessey and Beth Lynch for all their efforts, especially working with the AOH to resolve a few issues.  I anticipate we can all work together to achieve our common goals of helping the needy and our organizations can both work in unison toward a productive future.

Many long hours and thoughtfulness have been put into the voting process which brings the LOAH another step closer to defining and documenting procedures and guidelines for our Officers and members.   A special thank you is in order for Pat Doyle for leading the team to an amicable solution.  Pat has been an incredible source of support and sounding board for the team with her legal expertise and leadership.   Along with the team members, Carol Ann Carley, Mary T. Leathem, Sheila Lynch, and Marilyn Magigan you have all produced a solid process for our current and future LAOH members to benefit from.   A very grateful and heartfelt thank you to all of you for your dedication and extra hard work throughout the entire process.

Carol Schyler and Judy Letty have both been working very hard over the past two years organizing and planning the next 2010 LAOH National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio for July and their work will continue throughout the Convention.  My most appreciative thank you seems so small for all They’ve done bringing the next LAOH National Convention to fruition.

Thank you to Sheila Lynch for doing such an outstanding job on the 500 Club and raising so much money in her fundraiser that we had to increase the ticket sales and call it the 750 Club.   Sheila’s enthusiasm, dedication and hard work for the LAOH are admirable and I owe her many, many thanks.

I give a special thank you to Beth Lynch who held the position of National Secretary these past two years.  More has been asked of her during her two year term than normal and I appreciate all her patience during the many issues we resolved together during some pretty difficult times.   As secretary, the normal responsibilities would have included such things as communicating National Board updates to all 28 states and their Divisions.  However, these past two years our LAOH organization asked a lot more of its National Secretary and Beth has certainly gone above and beyond her duties.  Beth Lynch was asked to work on the constitutional changes, having the AOH look at revising their constitution so that we, the LAOH and the AOH are all on the same page.  Her work on our new beautiful Charters was a job and half.   Those of you who have been past secretaries can realize the time commitment the normal responsibilities require.  Yes, Beth stepped up to the plate and delivered more than traditionally is expected of one in this position and I’ll always be grateful for her help, her expertise and her friendship.

This National Board has done an outstanding job and can take pride in its accomplishments. Some of these accomplishments are as follows:

1. New Tax reports for Annual Reports – Margaret Hennessy
2. Two new state divisions Delaware and Arizona – Dorothy Weldon
3. New Protocol Books – Donna Reidy
4. The History of the LOAH (final document to be submitted)  – Mary Dolan
5. Credit Cards for the National Board – Mary Hogan
6. A New Voting Process – Pat Doyle and her committee
7. New Charters – Beth Lynch
8. Constitution agreement with the AOH – Beth Lynch and Margaret Hennessy
9. New dues cards for the LOAH and Juniors – Mary Ryan and committee

The hard work of my National Board was evident when they gave their reports. Their dedication and caring ways give credit to their living the life of our motto, Yours in Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. They don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk and I’m proud to be a Hibernian with them all.

My humble thanks and sincere appreciation to all of you who gave me your support over these past 10 years of my journey in the LAOH, Inc.    Since joining the LAOH, Inc. and serving as Mission and Charities Chair through the various ranks and ultimately to my current position of National President, your unending support is appreciated more than my words can express and I’ll always cherish your friendship as we continue our journey together.

My congratulations to those of you who were elected in Ohio, I hope everything goes smoothly and my best wishes to you all for a successful two year term.  To those of you who were not elected at this convention, there will be future elections to consider and many positions needing your energy and talent so please consider running again.  In the meantime, as Hibernians, there is always work to be done within our own Divisions and States.  Start planning your strategy now and set yourselves up for future success as the elections approach, the LAOH, Inc. is always in need of new leaders.

I wish everyone a safe and happy summer and please keep our men and women in the armed forces in your prayers and say a special prayer for the protection of the unborn.