Minnesota Chapter

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Mission
To build positive and on-going relationships between Minnesota and the northern part of Ireland and particularly St Patrick’s Country in Counties Armagh and Down. To learn about and experience the cultures of Northern Ireland and the reconciliation work which is going on there through the Saint Patrick Centre and other organisations. Through education, action and celebration, Friends of St. Patrick – Minnesota will take forward and nurture Patrick’s legacy both in America and Ireland.

Goals
Learn actively about the different cultures and history of Northern Ireland through visits, talks and demonstration. This should be delivered through personal updates from the Director, speakers representing the traditions and cultures of the northern part of Ireland and, when called upon, Young Ambassadors.

- Offer support for continuing links between the Minnesota Chapter and the Saint Patrick Centre through initiatives like the Friends of Saint Patrick Young Ambassadors Program, which will annually send young people to Saint Patrick’s Country in Northern Ireland to experience the cultures and traditions of the region and the reconciliation work of the Saint Patrick Centre and other organizations.

- Partner with other local organizations working for a positive future in Northern Ireland.

- Support the cross community education programs conducted in Northern Ireland by the Saint Patrick Centre

- Promote the Friends of Saint Patrick at Irish Fair of Minnesota and other suitable events.

Chapter History/Details
The formation of this Chapter dates back to Dr. Tim Campbell’s visit to the Irish Fair of Minnesota in August 2007. While there, he spoke with a number of people who became interested in starting the first chapter of the Friends of Saint Patrick outside of Downpatrick. After organizational meetings in the fall of 2007, the Minnesota Chapter of the Friends of Saint Patrick was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in February 2008. Its initial Board of Directors was selected in March and began regular meetings in May. The Chapter currently has 20 members.

The Irish Fair in St Paul, Minnesota 2007, an annual celebration, commemorates a conversation between people celebrating their Irish heritage and Dr. Tim Campbell, director of the Friends of Saint Patrick Centre, which began a connection with possibility. His goal is to educate people of Saint Patrick’s vision for reconciliation and familiarize them with the unspoiled beauty and preserved culture of Northern Ireland introducing the history and truth of a legend. He did this well encouraging adventurous Minnesotans with ancestral ties to Ireland and others to consider there is a part of the emerald isle full of rich golden heritage untapped and ready to connect in friendship with the world. Those with a pioneering spirit accepted the invitation to lay a foundation for American chapters partnering with the Centre to continue Patrick’s vision. A group met in October 2007 at a local pub and the chapter vision became a reality.

In February 2008, the sesquicentennial year of Minnesota statehood with America, the first North American chapter of Friends of Saint Patrick was formed in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Tim Campbell was present to launch the official incorporated chapter at Saint Catherine College. The chapter has since elected its board of directors including Bill Amberg, Caitlin Burns, Kathy McGorray-Dougherty, Deborah Knowles-Erickson, Kathi Jones, and Mary O’Keefe and selected four young ambassadors from a wealth of qualified applicants for the program. Preparing for upcoming events is high on the priority list to spread the Minnesota mission and goals including support of the Saint Patrick Centre in Ireland and charitable organizations within our community, the Young Ambassador’s Program, partner with other local organizations working for a positive future in Northern Ireland and support the cross community education programs conducted in Northern Ireland by the Saint Patrick Centre.

As a friend, who once was an acquaintance, The Friends of Saint Patrick-Minnesota Chapter has become a confidant familiar with the Friends of Saint Patrick Centre’s goals, interest and shared ambitions and is ready to champion them on in their activity. Through this pledge an alliance of friendship is achieved to spread the vision.

Honorary
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Jim Brooks/Editor of "The Irish Gazette", Archbishop Harry Flynn (retired).

Charter Members