We are into a new year and millennium. Most of us are weary of the hoopla, conjecture and predictions. Perhaps we have reached a more mature and questioning time. Many in the Irish American community wonder what will it mean for our established institutions that have existed for many, many years. Certainly there is reason to feel trepidation about the future of these groups. It is no secret that many of our organizations are not in the best of health. During St. Patrick's season (roughly Feb. 15 to April 1) attention focuses on various Irish American associations.
They schedule all manner of events during the festival period.
A casual observer would surmise that these groups are in great shape. There are big crowds at annual dinners; hundreds of parades honoring St. Patrick take place throughout the country. Cultural festival performances by leading entertainers and other events paint a picture of a vibrant and healthy community.
So what's the problem! Though not an obvious one, it's an old one the so-called generation gap. There is nothing unusual about it. Younger people are influenced by the music, movies, sports stars and political figures of their maturing years. They're not interested in the heroes of the past--the heroes of older Irish Americans who are the backbone of the Irish organizations.
What to do! First, decide that the organizations are worth keeping active because of the past contributions they have made to our community and are fully able to continue to make in the future. Examine those contributions, see how worthwhile they have been and can continue to be in the future. We can concentrate on the organizations most at risk--the 32 Irish county societies and associations in the NY metropolitan area and like groups nation-wide.
Many Emerald Societies have a natural fount of membership. People of Irish birth and descent are constantly joining governmental agencies and public companies that are represented by these societies. Also, the Hibernian Divisions have a steady membership pool drawing on relatives and friends of current members.
So it is the county organizations we must worry about. In New York about 15 of the 32 associations are in good shape. Of the other 17 county associations about nine are sustaining--the remaining eight, virtually moribund. these organizations need an infusion of new members. The only place they can come from is the sons, daughters, grandsons and grandfathers of current members and, most importantly, from recent immigrants. These younger people have a right to expect change. But so too, the older folks have a right--and a duty--to expect continuity and a dedication to the traditions of the past.
Each group has something special to give to the venerable county societies. By utilizing the strengths of all generations, a pattern of success is assured. The Irish Immigration Reform Movement scored some of our community's greatest victories in the late 1980's and 90's. Manned by young, dedicated people who did most of the work, the organization benefited greatly from the assistance, support and counsel of older Irish Americans. This is a blueprint for our county organizations-particularly the ones who have fallen on bad times.
The legacy of the Irish County organizations is an awesome one. We need the wisdom, perseverance and dedication of these associations.And we need the enthusiasm and durability of the younger generation.A little give-and-take is all that's necessary to turn the socalled generation gap into an era of cooperation.
--John J. Thornton
