EMBRACE YOUR IRISH HERITAGE, say it in the Census!

Amidst the current healthcare crisis, we can not lose the importance of the United States Census to Irish America.  Results of the U.S. 2020 Census will influence individuals, communities, governments, for-profit entities, and nonprofit organizations throughout the next decade. Data obtained will inform decision-makers in all sectors and lead to the allocation of political power and financial resources.  

For the first time in many years, the Census form will have a question on Ethnic Origins (question 9 for the Head of household, question 7 for remaining household members).  It is vitally important that every Irish American record their Irish ancestry and for all other household members when appropriate. 

Sadly, we have seen many “pundits” claim that Irish America no longer exists; low “Irish” response to the Census Ethnic Origins question will only further that belief and see Irish American causes and concerns further deprioritized.  “The first rule of Politics is learning how to count.”  We have recently witnessed an unreasonable delay in the appointment of an ambassador to Ireland.  Out of 55,000 Diversity Visas given last year, the entire island of Ireland received 32; compare that to 435 from Fiji.   Indian nationals received over 38,000 employment-based green cards in 2018 and are, as per their right in a democracy,  using their political clout to ask for more.

If we as a community don’t make an effort to be counted, we will see even less traction on such vital causes as Immigration and Irish Reunification.  Far too many of our government educational and cultural institutions already ignore the contribution of the Irish, a low Irish American turnout on the census will give them further justification to do so as “they allocate funds to serve the largest communities.”

Many of us were disappointed that we could not make a public statement of our Irish pride this March as St. Patrick’s Day Festivities were canceled out of proper concern for the COVID-19 crisis.  Let us, therefore, resolve instead this year as a community to celebrate our Irish pride and “say it on the census.”
​Neil Cosgrove

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LAOH 125th ANNIVERSARY (1894 - 2019)

National Celebration:
October 10 - 12, 2019 Dearborn, MI
Full Details:  ladiesaoh.com

National Irish Historian Letter
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NYS CONVENTION 2019 Albany

LAOH Meeting Schedule

Tues., July 9th
7:30pm - LAOH NYS Board Officers Meeting

Wed., July 10th
10:00am - Audit Committee
1:00pm - Rules of Order
2:15pm - Bylaws

Thurs., July 11th
9:00am - LAOH General Session Opens
10:00am - Joint Meeting with the AOH
11:15am - General Session Resumes & Nominations

1:00pm - Committee Meetings:
Missions & Charities
Freedom for All Ireland
Juniors
Public Relations
Elections
Resolutions
Fundraising

2:00pm - Committee Meetings:
Catholic Action
Grievance
Immigration & Education
Irish History
Appeals for Aid
Scrapbooks (Adult & Juniors)
Website & Information Technology

3:15pm - Resume General Session;
Presentation and Acceptance of Bylaws Committee Report

Fri., July 12th
9:00am - LAOH General Session 
Officer & Appointee Reports
Committee Reports Presentation

12:15pm - lunch on your own
1:15pm - General Session Resumes
Final Credentials
Unfinished Business
New Business

Sat., July 13th
7:00-9:00am - Elections
9:15-9:45am - Major Degrees Registration  (registration form)
10:00am - Major Degrees Ceremony
12:30pm - General Session Resumes (if necessary);
Election Results

Room assignments posted to the LAOH Meeting Schedule

Tuesday:
St. Brigid's Charity Project (10am - 2pm)
Roarke Center of Catholic Charities, 107 4th Street, Troy, NY. 

The Roarke Center is approximately a 15 minute ride from the Albany Hilton. We will meet in the lobby at 9:30am. They will be having a food truck delivery on July 9th and we will be sorting food, in addition, the court yard needs some cleaning. 

Contact JoAnn Gundersen, LAOH NYS Missions and Charities Officer if you are attending so she can let the staff know how many LAOH members will be helping out.

Wednesday Night:
Opening Mass

Icebreaker: “Luau” theme with dinner buffet featuring Big Fez and the Surfmatics; A four-man group with roots in rock, country, bluegrass, and Celtic music, performing classic surf and beach music from the 1960’s and beyond. 

Thursday: Open Night
Convention Cruise Aboard the Dutch Apple: Enjoy a sunset cruise of the beautiful Hudson River. 6pm - Buses board at the Hilton. 7pm - Sail Time. $50 per person. ​Includes transportation, light fare, cash bar and entertainment. 
Click here to purchase your ticket.

A Night of Great Craic at the Albany Hall: Join us on our new patio, or in our air-conditioned newly renovated Pub, for music, drink specials, and food trucks with food for purchase.

Buses will be circulating throughout the night between the Albany Hilton, The Dutch Apple, and the Albany Hall.

Friday Night:
Irish and Awards Night

Saturday Night:
Closing Mass
Installation of Officers
Banquet Dinner

Registration with dinner(s) must be received by July 3, 2019.
Visit the Convention website for details, registration forms, and online registration.
​
www.2019NYSHibernianConvention.com 
also on Facebook

Hotel Reservations
Albany Hilton
Reservations call 1-866-691-1183.
​Code: NYSHibernian 

OverFlow Hotel - must book by July 3rd
Hilton Garden Inn
62 New Scotland Ave.
Albany, NY 12208
 
-$154/night plus taxes
-Free parking
-Free Wifi
 
Shuttle available to the Convention Hotel (Hilton Albany) 1.6 miles away.
 
Limited rooms available only until 7/3/19.
 
Contact Liam McNabb directly via email at liammcnabb@hotmail.com or leave a message at 518-207-6990 to reserve your room.

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New York State
​Board Meetings

LAOH NYS
Spring Board Meeting
Gavin's Irish County Inn
Cornwallville, NY
​May 4, 2019

Fri., May 3rd, 11:00am - Annual James F Hayes Golf Tournament (Sign-in at 10:30am)
Sunny Hill Resort and Golf Course,  352 Sunny Hill Rd, Greenville, NY 12083

Includes: Continental Breakfast, Green Fee, Cart, Bar-B-Q at turn and Awards Dinner. Format for this event is a four person scramble, we encourage golfers of all levels to participate.
Registration form

Fri., May 3rd, 7:00pm - Gift Card Bingo Fundraiser (view flyer)
Gavin's Irish Country Inn, 118 Golden Hill Road, Cornwallville, NY 12418

Sat., May 4th, 9:00am - Officer's Meeting (Sign-in at 8:45am)
Gavin's Irish Country Inn (Tea Room), 118 Golden Hill Road, Cornwallville, NY 12418

Sat., May 4th, 1:00pm - General Meeting
Gavin's Irish Country Inn (Main Dining Room), 118 Golden Hill Road, Cornwallville, NY 12418

We will once again be collecting baby items (diapers, wipes, etc.) for donation to Catholic Charities Community Maternity Services.

Sat., May 4th, 3:00pm - 125th Anniversary Celebration (view flyer)
Gavin's Irish Country Inn (Deck), 118 Golden Hill Road, Cornwallville, NY 12418

Sun., May 5th, 11:00am - Mass
Mass Rock, outdoors on the property of The Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural Centre, 2267 NY-145, East Durham.

Ask for the LAOH rate when making reservations at:
Gavin's Irish Country Inn 518-634-2582
Shamrock House 518-634-2897
Blackthorn Resort 518-634-2541

Call to the Board Meeting

Attendance/Registration Form

LAOH NYS Board Meeting Guidelines

Minutes from the Fall 2018 Board Meeting are available on the Members page. Officer's reports for the upcoming meeting will be posted by April 25th.

Brush up on Robert's Rules of Order with Roberts Rules Cheat Sheet. Visit the Resources page for more information on Robert's Rules.

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