Dear Members,
Happy New Year to all of our wonderful members and welcome to the first year under our new Non-Profit status as the United Irish Cultural Center. 2016 was a turning point in our history and we have much to look forward to in 2017 and beyond as a 501c3 Corporation.
I’m delighted to inform you that we anticipate a profit (before depreciation) for the first time in 4 years for 2106, not counting the dues we collected, which will assist us in our 2017 strategic planning.
Some things you can expect as we enter 2017:
- Keep tabs on our regular progress on our website.
- Tax Deductible dues and contributions! Watch for our letter in the mail soon.
- The music continues every Friday and Saturday in the Restaurant!
- Watch for more Member restaurant specials, and unique evening programming.
- Keep an eye on upcoming enhancements to our building, including bathroom renovations, painting, lighting, a new awning, and improvements to our sound and projection equipment!
- We will have renewed discussion of our long term strategic plans, led by the Generations Fund Committee. Stay tuned for news about that! Volunteers needed!
- Speaking of volunteers, we are so blessed by what happens behind the scenes. Our amazing volunteers are plugging holes in our roof, fixing bathrooms, repairing old doors and locks, getting our Newsletter out, working as Hostesses, arranging events, and other untold efforts. Their efforts and labor are worth so much to us you cannot believe it! Heartfelt thanks to all of our volunteers including, but not limited to : Martin Falvey, Gerry Cassidy, Mike Bowler, Joe O’Leary, John Manning, Liam Reidy, Margaret Gavney, Terri Leonard, Mitzi Samson and Maureen Hickey. A special thanks to Dorothy Hourican, who passed in 2016, and took care of our beautiful flower pots for years.
One more special person I’d like to mention is Bill Luqué, VP of our Board. For more than a decade, Bill has been a guiding force of stability on several of our Boards of Directors, and for our members and staff. The Center is truly blessed with the amazing contributions of this gentle soul and wonderful human being. We love you Bill!
Looking forward to a great 2017 and beyond at the Irish Center!
Sincerely,
Michael Barnacle, President