by Steve Lenox | Sep 8, 2015 | All Chapters, Blog
Last week Steve Lenox, President, INUSA, had the opportunity to attend the Global Irish Parliamentarian Forum in Dublin- following are his thoughts on the conference:
It was a pleasure to attend parts of last week’s Global Irish Parliamentarian Forum hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin.
While I don’t hold public office, getting a chance to speak with elected officials from not only the U.S. but also Canada, UK and Australia gave me even greater insight into the Global Irish which will serve me well with both efforts on behalf of the clients I represent and in my role as President of Irish Network USA.
Of special significance for me was the attendance of two members of the New Jersey Legislature, both of whom I have great respect for. Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo and Assemblyman Tim Eustace took time out of their busy schedules to attend this Forum, not just for the “craic”, but also to be part of the meaningful discussions that took place with their counterparts from across the globe.
What I heard, first during their time speaking on the floor of the Dail, a rare honor accorded to very few foreign elected officials, and then throughout other parts of the program, reminded me again that connecting with each other online is valuable, but there is no substitute for a face to face connection.
In addition to their “Irishness”, all of the participants, regardless of political party, have a passion for the work they do, and put remarkable efforts towards making the communities they serve stronger and even better. From jobs creation to educational opportunities, those in attendance were reminded again that there is much more that unites us than divides us, and often came back to the realization that there is something in their DNA, a passion for helping others, a desire to give just a little bit more, that gives them a particular focus and drive to do their jobs.
The compassion in their hearts, and deep understanding of the suffering of generations past, also brought them back to the current global crisis that is bring us disturbing images of great suffering among Syrian refugees forced to leave their homes in hopes that something better is waiting for them. How can the lessons of the Irish Diaspora be applied to helping these poor families who have lost so much, and likely face years, if not generations, of difficulty in being forced to assimilate into a new culture?
Were all of the problems and issues these lawmakers face on behalf of their constituents solved? Absolutely not. But meaningful conversation leads to meaningful solutions, and all in attendance have returned home, with more than they started with when the gavel was brought down to convene the Forum. Minister Jimmy Deenihan and the Global Irish Unit outdid themselves again, and deserve great credit for bringing this wonderful event to Dublin.
by Matthew Krayton | Aug 29, 2015 | All Chapters, Blog, News
Summer isn’t over yet, but we’re already gearing up for this year’s INUSA Annual Conference which will take place on November 5th-November 8th at the Seaport Boston Hotel. While the conference is just over two months away, we wanted to get the conversation going now by telling you about two features on our conference page that will allow you to start engaging with fellow INUSA community members.
When you RSVP for the conference you will receive a link to setup an account and public profile. Once you are logged in, scroll down and you will see your name on the right side of the screen. Click on your name and you will see your public profile. You can fill in details here like your Twitter handle, a short bio, a photo (so attendees can put a face to a name), a longer bio and how you want other attendees to be able to reach out to you before, during and after the conference.
RSVP soon to reserve your spot and join the conversation.
We are also excited to announce that, to kick off the countdown to the conference, a donor has come forward with a dollar-for-dollar match up to $1,500 total for the next 72 hours, so every dollar you donate is worth $2. Help INUSA continue to grow and further connect the Global Irish by making a contribution today!
INUSA is able to connect the Global Irish Community through programs such as our Annual Conference because of the generosity of our donors, sponsors and supporters. Thank you in advance for being a partner in our growth and success as a community.
by Matthew Krayton | Jul 3, 2015 | All Chapters, Blog, News
As we prepare to celebrate America’s birthday, what better time to remind our members of our upcoming national conference, in one of the birthplaces of America.
For our third year we’ll join together to continue building on the links that Irish Network USA has built among Irish, Irish Americans and ‘friends of Ireland’ across the United States, as well as at ‘home’. This year our National Conference will be in Boston from November 5th–8th at the Seaport Boston Hotel.
As we celebrate America’s independence this weekend, we look to this year’s conference as an opportunity for us to commemorate the events of 1916, when Irish patriots declared their own independence from the United Kingdom, but also celebrate the future as we aim to strengthen relationships that transcend borders.
We hope to see you at our Third Annual National Conference, and hope you enjoy a safe Fourth of July!
If You Haven’t, RSVP for the National Conference Here
Support the INUSA National Conference and Donate Today to Help Us Reach Our Goal
by Steve Lenox | Jun 5, 2015 | Blog, News
Over the past two days members of nine Irish Network USA chapters joined over 200 delegates from 17 countries in Dublin for the inaugural Global Irish Civic Forum.
Hosted by Minister Jimmy Deenihan and the Department of Foreign Affairs this forum was an opportunity for leaders from within the Irish community around the world to come together to speak about engaging the Irish Diaspora which is estimated to include 70 million people worldwide.
Panel discussions focused on topics such as Irish identity and heritage, reaching out to Irish citizens abroad, and challenges facing new emigrants. With several members asking questions from the floor, Steve Lenox moderating one of the panels that also included Nancy Wormington from Irish Network Kansas City and members playing key roles in the afternoon workshops, INUSA was front and center throughout this important event.
This forum was a great opportunity for INUSA to network and build relationships with organizations, from across the US and the globe, which share a common mission to engage the Irish community. The time in Dublin also gave us an opportunity to spend considerable time with decision makers in the Government to share our successes and to discuss our plans for future growth. INUSA was reassured that our relationships with the Irish Government and with the Irish Embassy and Consulates across the US are stronger than ever!
Finally, the Forum gave us an opportunity to invite our counterparts from around the globe to join us in continuing these conversations at our annual conference which will take place November 5-8 in Boston.
Click here for more information about #INUSA15
Click here to donate $15, $30, or $50 today to help continue to grow INUSA
by Steve Lenox | Apr 1, 2015 | Blog, News
An integral part of our mission is to create and strengthen economic opportunities between and among Irish Network USA chapters as well as to strengthen trade links between our INUSA cities and Ireland. Ireland and the United States have a deep and rich history that has been shaped by the presence of vibrant Irish-American communities across country, whose pride and appreciation of their heritage have maintained a special bond with Ireland.
Irish Network USA prides itself on being able to provide our nationwide membership network with opportunities to connect with social, economic and cultural opportunities both in the United States and in Ireland. Currently, we connect members from twenty one chapters across the United States and have several chapters in formation. Through our national reach and relationships, we’ve played a significant role in helping to facilitate economic and cultural exchange on both sides of the Atlantic through programing, partnerships and support from the Irish Government.
This year, we are excited to announce that we are participating in Gateway to Europe events in two of our chapter cities, Atlanta and Chicago. The events will bring together speakers, companies and organizations that highlight the benefits of doing business in Ireland. Irish Network USA will be there to not only help attendees connect with Ireland, but also connect with other chapters across the United States.
For more visit: http://www.gatewaytoeurope.org/
Chicago
April 14, 2015
Atlanta
April 16, 2015
by Steve Lenox | Nov 21, 2014 | Blog
Last night, October 20, at 8PM EST, the nation stood by as President Obama announced his long awaited executive action on immigration.
While there have been many articles written about the President’s announcement, we wanted to make sure that each point was clearly explained in detail so that our clients can fully understand the executive action.
The main points of the executive action are as follows:
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