Howdy friends, I need your help. Thank you!

TLDR: In the past year, I was honored in many ways by this years challenges and opportunities, firstly I was especially honored to be asked to be Seanchaí (Storyteller) for our Easter Rising 2024 Comemoration, I was thrilled in fact to conduct a self defnese seminar (with the help of my friends) for the consul staff and attendees at the St. Brigid's & Womens day conference, to represent the ICLF at many events, like the Scottish Highland Games, at budget hearings to advocate for the ICLF and our artists, at meetings with strategic partners like the city of Phoenix, I understood the duty ahead when I was voted VP of the ICLF and my clear mission is to support our arts cultures at the ICLF-- and most importantly, I need your support to continue this work!

My name is Robert Dale Nolan, and I am a trustee of the board for the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library (ICLF) in Phoenix, Arizona. Like many of the Irish diaspora, my ancestors headed westward from our ancient homeland in search of what all subjugated people sought. I believe we continue that journey today, which is why I write this now to belabor the efforts of the ICLF and our communities. Here in Phoenix, we have painstakingly carved from the very desert a dùn or castle that is the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library. It is a fortified refuge where we Irish and Celtic folk, or any inquiring mind, can find resources, connect with our history and culture, and participate in a myriad of local events hosted by local organizational partners or our exceptional staff.

It is my great honor to serve on the board of the ICLF, but it is also a greater honor to extol the facets of Irish culture that manifest our unity with other peoples. A better understanding of the trials, tribulations, and customs of the Irish, diaspora, and all is directly insightful into how our ancestors and we have changed and adapted. Ultimately, this insight shows how we relate to those suffering from similar circumstances, past and present, across the world.

At the ICLF, our grand vision for an inclusive, inviting, and collaborative space is made real with an equally rich array of cultural classes and affiliate clubs and organizations. Each brings enriching activities, games, and valued community services, like our genealogy library or unique exhibits that reflect the culture and the community. Many of these exhibits are on display around the majestic grounds and great hall, here in the heart of Phoenix. It's unmistakable and a local landmark we hope to highlight more through our collaborative efforts with the City of Phoenix and other community organizations. All of these assets, tools, and services are only possible through the donations of people like you who support our mission.

For this third year of my tenure as a member of the board of trustees, I'm quite happy to report that I was elected to the officer role of Vice President of Advocacy. In this role, I hope to leverage my experience as a tenured civil servant and my understanding of advocacy and resourcing mechanics for the benefit of the Irish cultural center, our community, and members to create opportunities to engage with strategic partners. During the previous year, I began to understand that there was a dual need: first, to reconnect with our crafters, creators, artists, and other creative folk who have intrinsic value to our community and benefit our organization in their own right, but also to struggle to connect with resources and opportunities, an issue that I am all too familiar with as Vice Chair of the Phoenix office of the Arts and Cultures Commission. The second need was one we all share: the need for a mission. I recognize that our volunteers, members, and community need a clear resource when calls to action are necessary. In addition to my role as Vice President of Advocacy, the board approved my authority to create our 'Irish/Celtic/Community Arts and Cultures "Advocacy Council"'(I'm workshopping the name still), which aims to connect artists, creators, and community members to the center as members, in turn to create an action-ready network of Irish/Celtic/Artists and community members to act on advocacy opportunities with strategic partners, relate opportunities for work, grants, and workshops to our creative community to ensure our creators have the resources to succeed. By supporting our artists, creators, and crafters, my hope is that the Irish Cultural Center could be seen as a location to showcase, educate, and create; art and culture manifest in form.

Thanks to your contributions, the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library can continue our mission to celebrate and promote Irish and Celtic heritage and its influence on and partnership with other cultures, and I would be personally empowered by your support to continue my work in highlighting these facets of Irish and Celtic culture that bring us closer together and stand as a bulwark against division, bigotry, and injustice of any kind.

I ask you to join me on this righteous journey and solemn mission through your generous support and donations!