53rd Biennial National Convention Update, Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Catholic Daughters of the Americas 53^rd Biennial National Convention

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Content provided by Tom Panas, Public Relations Director

“The Fifty Third Catholic Daughters of the Americas National Biennial Convention will please come to order.”

With these words followed by three sharp bangs of her gavel National Regent Libby Ramirez formally opened the convention. The gathering then sang “God Bless America,” after which Libby Ramirez crisply stated, “Attention. Salute. Pledge.” The Catholic Daughters spoke the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America and sang “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Most Reverend Edward Grosz, Auxiliary Bishop of The Diocese of Buffalo said, “let’s hear it for the lord!” after which Libby Ramirez introduced Most Rev. David Fellhauer, National Chaplain, with the following words:

“Bishop Fellhauer, I present to you the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.”

Representing Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Commissioner Martin F. Kennedy welcomed the Catholic Daughters to the city of Buffalo. “From your founding as the Daughters of Isabella….your history and growth and charity has been awesome,” Mr. Kennedy said, extending a gracious invitation to the Daughters to visit Buffalo City Hall.

New York State Regent Penny Martin then welcomed the gathering on behalf of New York State, followed by National Director and National Convention Chairman Helene Shepard who thanked “all the bees in the hive for making this a wonderful ‘honey’ convention. So glad you’re here with us. God bless.”

Libby Ramirez then introduced National Clergy Consultant Father Donald Ruppert whose keynote address focused on the history of the Catholic Daughters. We hope to have Father Ruppert’s keynote address posted on the CDA website tomorrow morning: Father Ruppert’s keynote address.

(This daily and subsequent daily recaps, along with five photos each day, will also be posted on the website Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, thanks to webmaster Daniel Seyfried. When you visit the CDA website, notice that Daniel Seyfried has established an online Store of Catholic Daughter items: the farthest link, right, on the blue heading bar).

Parliamentarian Cecina Koeijmans provided a brief description of the rules of order governing the convention. “It was my dream to be Parliamentarian for a national convention,” she said, “so when Claudia Bosch asked me it was a dream come true and then Libby asked me to serve again.” Standing Rules Chairman Vickie Bentley from Nevada then explained the Standing Rules, which were voted on and accepted. National Secretary-Treasurer Theresa Kocer pointed out corrections to the program, which were voted on and accepted. Libby Ramirez announced the names of the timekeepers for each day and after a 15-minute recess, Susan Mone of Arizona gave the Credentials Committee Report, which was adopted. There were 626 delegates present, in addition to many alternates and members.

Libby Ramirez explained that there would not be nominations for National Regent because the National Regent-Elect automatically becomes the National Regent. National Regent-Elect Joanne Tomassi will be the new National Regent.

There were no nominations to oppose three of the four remaining national officer nominees. Those three national officer nominees were voted upon and elected: First Vice National Regent Anne B. Nelson is National Regent-Elect; Second Vice National Regent Shirley Seyfried is First Vice National Regent; National Director Helene Shepard is National Secretary-Treasurer.

National Director Letty Calvetti was chosen by the nominating committee for the position of Second Vice National Regent. Kim Spicka from Nebraska was nominated for this position from the floor. A vote will be taken on Thursday, July 15, to determine who will be Second Vice National Regent. National Directors chosen by the nominating committee were Delma Ariza, AZ; Helen Arndorfer, IA; Maryann Grabasky, NC; Maryann Kizer, AR; Olga Samaniego, TX. Helen Arndorfer withdrew her nomination because of health issues.

These four nominees were joined by the following nominated “from the floor:” Julia Dolen, PA; Janet Martineau, MT; Sherry Nilles, IA; Emily Guilherme, CA; and Vicki Boeckman, MN.

Nominations were then announced for the 2012 Nominating Committee. Space does not allow us to name each one.

Newsletter Chairman Duchess Collins announced the Newsletter Contest winners and Education Chairman Letty Calvetti announced education and scholarship winners. In his closing prayer, Rev. Robert Lacey, South Dakota State Chaplain, thanked God for a productive day and asked his blessing for our food, those who prepare our food and those who are hungry.