***

"Irish Person of the Year" Award Recipients

    1981      Msgr. Joseph Houlihan
    1982      Gov. Joseph Brennan
    1983       James McGrath
    1984      Mary Joyce
    1985      Brendan & Mary McVeigh & Family
    1986      Aileen Carroll
    1987      Philip Foley
    1988      Corinne Cartwright
    1989      Claire Foley
    1990      John Nixon
    1991      Dr. Edward Sullivan
    1992      Bartley Folan
    1993      Leonard & Mary Regan
    1994      Mary Concannon
    1995      Ann Anderson
    1996      Michael Furey
    1997      Paul O' Neil
    1998      Thomas McCabe
    1999      Catherine (Pat) McCabe
    2000      Donna Gilbert
    2001      Don MacWilliams
    2002      Michelle Doyle & Robert Kearney
    2003      Susan Flaherty & Linda M. Hogan
    2004      Betty Pomroy
    2005      Catherine (Kay) Martin
    2006      Dr. Michael Connolly
    2007      John P. Tracy
    2008      Robert O' Brien
    2009      Brendan & Mary McVeigh
    2010      Matt Tracy
            

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Club Firsts

First President  Joseph Moran
First Membership Chairperson  Thomas Jennings
First Recruited Member  Bartley Flaherty
First Life Member  Martin J. Norton
First Formal Meeting  August 29, 1973
First Function  October 27, 1973;
a dance at Saint Dominic's Hall.

***

IRISH AMERICAN CLUB

CONSTITUTION

1.      ARTICLE I – NAME

This organization shall be known as the IRISH-AMERICAN CLUB and its location shall be in the greater Portland, Maine area.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSES

To increase our knowledge of Ireland, its history, geography, government, economy, and services.

To promote and experience the culture of the Irish people, their music, language, literature, art, architecture, science, sport, and folklore.

To promote and support projects beneficial to the people of Ireland, to Irish-Americans, and to our membership, through participation in the Irish-American Club and its activities.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be open to all those interested in the purposes of this organization.

Membership shall be non-sectarian and non-political.

Types of membership shall consist of Single, Family, Life, Courtesy, and Honorary membership.

Single membership is for individuals age eighteen or older.

3.3.2.      Family membership is for a husband and wife, or either alone, and all children seventeen years and younger.

3.3.3.      Life membership status shall be awarded upon review by the Board of Directors to active regular members who have reached the age of seventy (70) and have maintained active membership for twenty-five (25) consecutive years.  Both of these conditions must be met before life membership can be considered by the Board of Directors.  Life members shall be exempt from payment of dues.  Paying back dues for year(s) or non-participation is not allowable and, therefore, cannot be credited toward the requirement of twenty-five (25) consecutive years. 

3.3.4.      Any member who reaches his/her seventy-fifth (75^th) birthday and has been a member for ten (10) consecutive years immediately prior to that time will be exempt from paying dues.

3.3.5.      Courtesy membership is bestowed upon those selected for special recognition.  Their name and qualifications shall be presented to, and recommended by, the Board of Directors before submission to the Club for a favorable vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the membership present at a general meeting.  Courtesy members are given the option of free membership, and are entitled to the same privileges as single members for one year.

3.3.6.      Honorary membership is similarly granted as Courtesy membership, but carries a higher recognition.  Honorary members are entitled to the same privileges as Single members for their lifetime.

3.4.   Annual dues shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for Single membership and forty dollars ($40.00) for Family membership.

3.5.   Dues are payable in Oct of each year.  A member shall be deemed to be delinquent in dues and shall lose the privileges of the Irish-American Club when the dues have not been paid by Dec 31^st of the same year.

!4.      ARTICLE IV – GOVERNMENT

4.1.   The Irish-American Club shall be governed by its Board of Directors.  They will conduct the business of the Club as designated by this Constitution and the By-laws.  They will report such business at the next general meeting of the Club.

4.2.   Actions of the general membership and of the Board of Directors require a majority vote of those present at a meeting, provided there is a quorum.

4.3.   A quorum for a general meeting shall consist of a minimum of sixty percent (60%) of the members of the entire Board of Directors and a minimum of twenty (20) club members.

4.4.   A quorum for a board meeting shall consist of a minimum of sixty percent (60%) of the Board of Directors.

4.5.   Important business occurring between Club or Board meetings necessitating action may be decided by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and reported at the next Board and Club meetings.

    5.      ARTICLE V – AMENDMENTS

    5.1.   This Constitution and the By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of         those present at a general club meeting if a quorum is present, provided that the         proposed amendment has been in explained in a written notice to members at least fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting.                      

IRISH AMERICAN CLUB

BY-LAWS

1.      ARTICLE I – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1.1.   The Board of Directors consists of the Executive Committee (Officers) and the Standing Committee (Directors).

1.2.   The Officers (Executive Committee) are the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Membership Secretary, and Sergeant-at-Arms.

1.3.   The Directors (Standing Committees) are Cultural Director, Social Director, and Publications Director.

1.4.   Elected officers shall serve for two years and shall not serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

1.5.   Of the three directors, one shall be elected each year to serve for a term of three years.  No elected director shall serve more than one consecutive term.

1.6.   >The number of Directors needed shall be reviewed annually by the existing Board of Directors and recommendations for expansion or contraction of the Board shall be made to the members as necessary.

1.7.   Vacancies among the officers and directors shall be filled by election through the Board of Directors to fulfill the remainder of the term.

    ARTICLE II – DUTIES OF OFFICERS (EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE)

2.1.   President:  The duties of the President shall be: to preside at all regular monthly meetings of the organization, to call all special meetings of the General Assembly, and to appoint all committees as provided by the By-laws or vote of the organization.  The President shall have supervisory power over the duties of the Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Membership Secretary and Sergeant-at-Arms.  In addition, the President shall assign a Club member to send cards to hospitalized members or condolences to deceased members’ families.

Vice President:  The Vice President shall be vested with all the powers of the President and in the absence or disability of the President, may perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President and such other duties as may be delegated to him/her by the President.  The Vice President shall investigate and make recommendation for the organization’s annual charitable contributions and shall be responsible for the handling of advertisements in the Maine-ly Irish newsletter.

Treasurer:  The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the organization from the Membership Secretary and from all other sources and committees within the organization, giving due receipt thereof, and shall be the Treasurer of all committees of the organization.  The Treasurer shall handle the funds of all committees and of every activity of the organization, and pay all bills as ordered by the Board.  The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of the amount and source of cash receipts, and amounts and purpose of disbursements, taking proper vouchers for the various items thereof.  The organization shall furnish a surety bond on behalf of the Treasurer in such a sum as the Board may direct.  The Treasurer shall deposit all monies received, in the care and to the credit of the organization, in such depositories and in such form of accounts as the Board may designate.  The Treasurer shall prepare a projected annual budget for the entire organization.  The Treasurer shall give a review of finances at the Board and General meetings and a complete annual financial report at the Annual Meeting, and be audited once a year by an Accountant, not a member of the Club.

2.4.   Recording Secretary:  The Recording Secretary shall be present at and keep records of all regular and special meetings of the organization and Board of Directors.   The Recording Secretary shall prepare and mail all notices of said meetings and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President.  The Recording Secretary shall attend to all correspondence pertaining to the organization and upon completion from office shall deliver all records or property belonging to the organization to his/her successor.

2.5.   Membership Secretary:  The Membership Secretary shall collect and account for all dues of the organization, paying same to the Treasurer upon proper receipt thereof.  The Membership Secretary shall keep accurate records of the membership with respect to payment of dues, issue notices of dues payable, and perform such other duties as may be required in connection with those set forth herein.  Upon completion from office, the Membership Secretary will deliver all records and other property belonging to the organization to his/her successor.

2.6.   Sergeant-at-Arms:  The Sergeant-at-Arms shall inspect all current membership cards prior to meetings to ascertain whether or not all members present are in good standing and to report such findings to the President.  The Sergeant-at-Arms shall see to it that order is maintained during the meeting and that the flag of our country and the organization colors are in proper place before the meeting starts and perform other duties as may be assigned by the President.

  3.      ARTICLE III – DUTIES OF DIRECTORS (STANDING COMMITTEES)

3.1.   Director – Irish Culture, shall develop programs relating to dances, crafts, language, and other related interests in Irish culture.  Shall be responsible for overseeing such classes regarding location, time, and collection of tuition fees.  Shall be responsible for the overseeing of the Sunday céilí dances.

3.2.   Director – Social Events, shall develop programs relating to dinner/dances, picnics, trips, Club meetings and other forms of entertainment.  Shall develop a yearly calendar of Club meetings for distribution to members.

3.3.   Director – Publications, shall be responsible for producing, editing, printing and mailing of Club news in the Club publication, Maine-ly Irish.  Shall publicize the Club in other media by notice of meetings, programs, events, etc., with the inclusion of articles and/or advertising when indicated.  Shall maintain the Club’s website and internet mailing group.

3.4.   Directors are responsible for the operation of their committees, listing the committee members, and may be a chairman or appoint a chairman of the committee.

3.5.   The President can appoint special committees as needed.  These committees shall report to the Board of Directors and need not be chaired by a member of the Board of Directors.

   4.      ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS

4.1.   General (Club) meetings shall be held monthly from September to May of each year.

4.2.   Board of directors meetings shall be held monthly from June through May.

4.3.   The Annual Meeting shall be held in May of each year, at which reports of the Officers shall be read, and elections of Officers and Directors held.

4.4.   Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the procedural guideline for all meetings.

4.5.   Any Officer who fails to attend two consecutive Club meetings, and any member of the Board of Directors who shall miss two consecutive Board meetings, without reasonable explanation to the President, shall be relieved of his/her duties and office.

   5.      ARTICLE V – DUES

5.1.   Initial membership dues shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for a single membership and forty dollars ($40.00) for a family membership.

5.2.   Renewal annual dues shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for a single membership and forty dollars ($40.00) for a family membership.

5.3.   Dues are payable in October.  A member shall be deemed to be delinquent in dues when dues have not been paid by December 31^st of the same year.

5.4.   Single membership is available to those eighteen years and older.  Family membership includes a husband and wife, or either alone, and all children seventeen years and younger.

5.5.   Life membership status shall be awarded upon review by the Board of Directors to active regular members who have reached the age of seventy (70) and have maintained active membership for twenty-five (25) consecutive years.  Both of these conditions must be met before life membership can be considered by the Board of Directors.  Life members shall be exempt from payment of dues.  Paying back dues for year(s) or non-participation is not allowable and, therefore, cannot be credited toward the requirement of twenty-five (25) consecutive years. 

5.6.   The amount of the dues shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors and recommendations for changes shall be made to the members as necessary.

   6.      ARTICLE VI – LIABILITY OF MEMBERS

6.1.   No member shall be held personally liable for any bills or obligations of the Club past or present, except for payment of his or her own dues.

6.2.   No officer, director, member, or employee of the Club shall disburse any funds, properties, or monies in his or her keeping and belonging to the Club without authorization of the Board of Directors.

6.3.   No person shall use the name, mailing list, or official insignia of the Club without authorization of the Board of Directors.

6.4.   No member shall make any commitments, express any opinion, accept any payment, or undertake any project in the name of the Club without consent and approval of the Board of Directors

   7.      ARTICLE VIII – DISSOLUTION

7.1.   In the event that the Irish-American Club should at some future date find it necessary or preferable to dissolve, all club assets and property will be liquidated.  The money derived from this liquidation and any other money belonging to the Club will be donated to charitable organizations.  These organizations will be selected at the time of dissolution and will be subject to the approval of the Internal Revenue Service.

The Irish American Club photographs archive:
www.ringo.com/profile/irishofmaine.html

Counter tracking: 

6,486 individual visitors as of March 17, 2007 at 7:30 a.m. (one year count);

11,799 individual visitors as of March 17, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (two year count).