September 5, 2002
Dear Members of the Charitable Irish Society:
I hope you all had a restful summer. I just wanted to bring you up to date on the
Societyıs news and activities.
Although small, we had a nice group at the Irish Cultural Centre, June 30 with our own
room to watch the Irish football? welcome because the room was
air-conditioned and the day was 90 degrees!
As you may know, there is a new Irish Consul General to Boston--Isolde Moylan who started
her term here in Boston on August 1. She has had a diverse and challenging career.
We are hosting a luncheon October 2, 2002. Please see the accompanying flyer for details.
As many of you also know, Paul Harold, a long-time member and board member of the Society
died August 11 of stomach cancer. Some of us attended his wake and funeral where he was
remembered thoughtfully and humorously?.His wit was droll and his heart was big. He was a
contributor to the board?offering help behind the scenes, an attribute that seems to have
been part of his
modus operandi on many fronts. We will miss him. The board is addressing an
appropriate way in which the Society can remember and honor him in some
specific way. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.
This spring we received our legal non-profit status?that is we are now of 501 İ (3)
status. This means that our events will not have to support state tax as well as
other tax breaks. This new recognition also means that we must be accountable for
every penny spent on our events and particularly our fundraisers as proof that we are
not-for-profit and are primarily a fund-raising organization.
We will be having the Silver Key Award Reception in November. Details will be
forthcoming. A Christmas reception, following a board meeting to which
all members are invited (as is always the case) will be held in December. In January we
will have the Presidentsı Reception. We are hoping to hold it
at Harvard and offer a speaker from the Irish Studies program at the school. And of
course, mark your calendars for March 17 for the 266th Charitable
Irish Dinner.
The "Catch the Spirit" seminars continue as do our volunteering members to help
new immigrants who are seeking citizenship. The Silver Key Disbursements Fund also
continues to support "as-needed" cases brought to
our attention by our sister agencies.
We hope to see you at some or all of these events. And if any of you would like to work on
a committee or help out in any way you would really be welcome!
Sincerely,
Paula Carroll
President
508 655-8430 pec@gis.net