AOH policy clarifications from president Seamus Boyle

Brothers, Please note the clarification on the much-misunderstood 501-C3 in the letter below from national AOH president Seamus Boyle. - Ed Blank


From the desk of Seamus Boyle:

Brothers and Sisters,

It seems there is a lot of confusion concerning working for politicians who are running for office in this or any other election. I would like to clear up a few things so that there is no confusion as to what we can and cannot do.

No member or officer can ENDORSE any candidate for public office in the name of the Ancient Order of Hibernians or the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. This does not mean that you cannot work for or campaign for a candidate or be on that persons election committee.

Be sure that you do not use any division, county, state or national membership lists to contact people. There are hundreds of lists out there that people have acquired on their own with many AOH names on them. These can be used as they are public lists.

Many people wrongfully believe that the Division, County State and National Boards are 501-C3 organizations. They are not.

Some individual Divisions may be 501-C3, but the majority are not, nor is Philadelphia County Board, Pennsylvania State Board nor the National Board.

If you are working on a campaign make sure you totally separate the AOH and your candidate's campaign. Most division halls, if not all of our halls, are separate from the division and are rented to individuals, organizations or other groups for parties, weddings, etc., and may be used for political functions as long as the division or an officer does not run the affair in the name of the Division.

Please remember to separate AOH and politics in order to protect your Division and yourself.