Fall 2010
Georgina Bourke, Past President and Historian

Dear Past Presidents and Historians:

Greetings to all Past Presidents, whether this is a new position for you or you have been the keeper of the hi(story) in your council your position is of special importance especially when councils celebrate anniversaries or occasions when an up to date council history is required you can be proud that you made it happen. As Past President have you compiled your two or three page summary of your term as president.? Remember that these summaries should be kept in a three ring binder in your archives for further reference.

Being Women of Faith and Hope we treasure our council history just as we treasure our family history as sisters, mothers, aunts and grandmothers. In this Year of the Family in Hamilton Diocese let us also celebrate our League Family, perhaps this may be the only family that a member has due to long distance separation or other circumstances.

The important aspect of Archives is council minutes. As Past President please make sure that they are kept in a safe place; not in someone's home. With permission of the parish and if space is available a filing cabinet at the parish is an ideal and handy location. Minutes must be kept indefinitely, they are your council's story.

Your April meeting or around the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel on April 26 would be a good opportunity to revisit the photo albums for some fond past memories.

The tools of the Past President include the Constitution and Bylaws (2006), the National Manual of a Policy and Procedure, the Executive Handbook and the Hamilton Diocesan Manual of Policy and Procedure. Provincial past president Margaret Ann Jacobs has compiled some activities that will help us to become familiar with the contents of these resources. This Crossword Activity on the next page is a fun activity. Try it yourself and then try it at one of your council meetings. The answers should be at the back of the Spectrum. Good luck.

As a reminder to past presidents, according to Article XI Section 7 of the Constitution & Bylaws, she shall:

• serve in a consultative capacity
• be responsible for archives and history
• facilitate the study and implementation of the Constitution & Bylaws
• perform other duties as assigned by the president

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us in faith as members of the League,
Georgina Bourke, Hamilton Diocesan Past President

Fall 2009
Georgina Bourke, Past President and Historian

Past Presidents and Sisters in the League:

Greetings to all Past Presidents, whether this is a new position for you as it is for myself or you have been the keeper of the hi(story) for many years your council looks to you for guidance and direction. The Diocese of Hamilton has a great tradition of Past Presidents who are willing to step forward when needed to lend a hand or offer advice when asked.

As Women of Faith and Hope, the most treasured service that we perform for our council is being the keeper of the Parish Archives. The most important aspect of Archives is the minutes of each meeting. As Past President please make sure that they are kept in a safe place not at the President's house. The best place is at the parish in a filing cabinet if space is available and permission is granted. These minutes must be kept forever, it is your council's story.

Then of course, there are all those lovely photos and articles about members of your council. Make sure that all pictures are identified and dated because down the line perhaps no one will remember who that lady is with the blue dress or big smile. These memorabilia can be brought out once in a while to remember our past members. Some councils take the time to read parts of meeting minutes from former years. Perhaps a once a year nostalgia night might not be a bad idea for a meeting.

The tools of the Past President include the Constitution and Bylaws (2006). Make sure that your council has this latest edition. Other reference material includes the National Manual of a Policy and Procedure, the Executive Handbook and the Hamilton Diocesan Manual of Policy and Procedure (page 408). I know that this is what is expected at the diocesan level but it can be easily adapted to the parish level. Your president can photocopy it for you or I will get it to you if you want it.

According to Article XI Section 7 of the Constitution and Bylaws, the past president shall:

1. serve in a consultative capacity
2. be responsible for archives and history
3. facilitate the study and implementation of the Constitution and Bylaws
4. perform other duties as assigned by the president

As provincial past president Margaret Ann Jacobs states in her first directive in July, "... it is essential that we revisit our manuals, guidelines and handbooks. They are the foundation upon which solid building blocks may be laid."

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us as faithful members of the League,
Georgina Bourke