53rd Biennial National Convention Update, Thursday, July 15, 2010

Catholic Daughters of the Americas 53^rd Biennial National Convention

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Content provided by Tom Panas, Public Relations Director

Following the opening of the morning session by National Regent Libby Ramirez, National Secretary-Treasurer Theresa Kocer read Letters of Regret from clergy, past Catholic Daughter leaders and others who sent greetings and good wishes though unable to attend.

Theresa Kocer then presented the Auditor’s Report, which engendered discussion. A speaker from the floor suggested that the budget for SHARE Magazine seemed high and asked that the National Board consider ways to lower the expense by, for example, possibly making SHARE a members’ choice option.

Others expressed that SHARE as it is now published is especially good for the homebound and individuals in nursing homes, as well as a good marketing tool in which “pictures speak louder than a thousand words.” Another suggestion from the floor was that courts keep mailing lists up-to-date to avoid unnecessary postage charges.

Following the discussion, Theresa Kocer moved to adopt the Auditor’s Report and it was approved.

National Regent-Elect Joanne Tomassi then said, “It gives me great honor to introduce our National Regent Libby Ramirez.” As Libby Ramirez stepped to the podium she was greeted with a standing ovation.

Libby thanked the National Board, Tools of the Trade Committee, Bylaws Committee and those who work on SHARE Magazine. She expressed her pride in serving on the Board of Directors of SOAR! (Support our Aging Religious — one of the CDA’s National Charitable Projects) and her joy in presenting two checks this year to SOAR! on behalf of the Catholic Daughters.

Libby also represented the Catholic Daughters at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and believes the presence of the Catholic Daughters is now becoming more visible at USCCB meetings.

Libby was invited to represent the Catholic Daughters at the 50^th Anniversary of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception -- “the first time in a long time we (the Catholic Daughters) had been invited to the Basilica.” She also sits on the Board of the American College of Louvain.

Libby spoke of how rewarding her contact with the state regents has been, how happy she is with the CDA website (especially the new CDA on-line store and the work of Shirley Seyfried and webmaster Daniel Seyfried), how satisfied she is with Mercury Publishing who produces SHARE and the others who work on SHARE and how pleased she has been with the work done by the office staff at CDA headquarters.

She concluded by saying, “I would like to extend my thanks to God for giving me the grace to serve you, to Father Ruppert and Bishop Fellhauer and to the members of this board: you are the best; we have worked together, laughed together, cried together but most of all we have succeeded together. And I’d like to thank my daughter Valerie, who has done a wonderful job as my personal secretary during my term as National Regent.”

Past National Regents were then introduced, accompanied by a humorous emphasis that each would speak “no more than five minutes.” Immediate Past National Regent Claudia Bosch said, “Our personal commitment to serve CDA is uncomplicated. Simply put, it is founded on unconditional love and appreciation from the Catholic Daughter family and the good feeling we receive in return.”

Past National Regent M. Joan McKenna told the gathering, “You are an energetic group with passion and love for this organization or you wouldn’t be here— Success shines brightly in the rear-view mirror and we must now look forward to learn from our past experiences.”

Opening her remarks with humor, Past National Regent Grace DiCairano said, “Bless me, Fathers and Catholic Daughters, it has been six years since my last convention.” After hearing laughter, she added, “but I have not sinned against thee.”

Resolutions, bylaws and amendments to the bylaws were then discussed. The Bylaws Committee emphasized that some of the bylaws as they have existed were procedure rather than governance and therefore, should be moved to the Tools of the Trade.

The Bylaws Committee also concluded that in order to make the bylaws more user-friendly, they should be organized by local, state and national categories. Lunch break was taken during this discussion. Discussion was recessed until after lunch.

The afternoon session began with a prayer by California State Chaplain Rev. Stephen Porter in which he reminded the gathering that in response to “the Lord be with you,” the reply must now be “and with your spirits.”

Discussion of bylaw amendments then continued. A complete reporting of the discussion and specific details of bylaws and bylaw amendments is too long for the daily recap.

Upon ending the bylaws section of the meeting, Libby Ramirez said, “this committee has worked tirelessly on the bylaws section.” Her comment was met with prolonged applause and a standing ovation. She added that “by late September, you can order these bylaws from Headquarters.”