Sláinte Milford, Inc. is a 501c(3) Corporation. Its mission is to advance the cultural interests of the Irish Heritage Society of Milford and to support local charities and organizations.

• Sláinte supports scholarships that are awarded to graduating students from Jonathan Law High School (Charlie Bristol Memorial Scholarship and Marty Hardiman Memorial Scholarship), Joseph A. Foran High School (Lyle James Memorial Scholarship), Platt Technical High School (John and Margaret Fagan Casey Scholarship), and Lauralton Hall (Maureen Coyne Richetelli Memorial Scholarship). It also supports the William McNamara Memorial Scholarship (awarded to a graduating student who is related to an IHSM member in good standing).

• Sláinte supports the Irish cultural interests of IHSM as well as activities and events that promote an understanding of Irish arts and culture in the greater community.

• Sláinte supports local charities and organizations that work to ensure the health, education, and well-being of those living in the greater Milford community.

President – Paul Flynn (Slaintemilford@gmail.com)
Vice President – Judy Berard
Secretary – Maureen Moore
Treasurer – Howard Fanning

Pictured is Foran’s Jahnavi Buluso with Nancy Smith, President of Slainte Milford, Inc. and Kathleen Stern, Vice President, Slainte Milford, Inc.

Pictured (left to right): IHSM – Alana Finlayson, Lauralton Hall – Leni Wisniewski, IHSM – Helen Chizmazia, Platt Tech. – Shyanne Ortiz

Slainte Milford, Inc. is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2024 scholarships. Each of the students was selected based on established criteria that includes academic excellence, good citizenship, and hard work. Congratulations to all and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Slainte Milford Inc., awarded 8 scholarships to deserving students for the 2024 High School Season.

1 – Foran High School – Jahnavi Bulusu
2 – Jonathan Law – Oliver Harrigan and Zoe Johnson
2- Platt Tech – Xhyanne Ortiz and Nana Osei Agyei
1- Lauralton Hall – Leni Wisniewski
2- Scholarships to Irish Heritage Society of Milford family members:
Alana Finlayson and Helen Chizimazia

Congratulations to all.

Annual Slainte Golf Tournament – Check out the Golf tab up above for more details!

Thank you to all who volunteered at the 2024 Annual Slainte Scholarship Golf Tournament to help make it a success. A special shout out goes to Allen Grealish, Slainte Board member, who chaired the event again this year. Proceeds from the event are used to fund our six annual scholarships as well as other philanthropic activities of the Board.

Sláinte Milford meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of the month at 7 p.m. On the agenda will be updates from our committees, as well as disposition of any funding requests. Requests for funding should be directed to Slaintemilford@gmail.com at least one week prior to our meeting and should include a proposed use of funds and budget (if applicable for event related requests).

BYLAWS OF SLÁINTE MILFORD, INCORPORATED

ARTICLE I
NAME AND OFFICES

Section 1. Name. The Name of the Corporation is SLÁINTE MILFORD, Incorporated. SLÁINTE is a word in the Irish language literally translated as “health” and is commonly used in a toast in Ireland as “cheers” is in the United States.

Section 2. Offices. The principal office of the Corporation shall be located in New Haven County, Connecticut, within the greater Milford area. The Corporation also may have offices at such other places as the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint or the purposes of the corporation may require.

ARTICLE II
PURPOSES

Section 1. General Purposes. The general purposes of the Corporation are to operate exclusively for charitable, literary and educational purposes as referred to in Sections 501 © (3) and 170 © (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provisions of any subsequent United States Internal Revenue Law), referred to below as “exempt purposes”, through any lawful acts or activities which a nonprofit corporation may conduct in accordance with the Nonstock Corporation Act of the State of Connecticut.

Section 2. Specific Purposes. The specific purposes of the corporation, without limitation on the powers of the Corporation, include, but are not restricted to, the following specific purposes within the scope of such exempt purposes:
a. To develop, maintain and operate a facility in New Haven County, Connecticut, within the greater Milford area, as a community cultural center for the encouragement and advancement of an appreciation of Irish culture and its impact on American life and education in that regard.
b. To encourage and advance public enjoyment and understanding of Irish arts and culture through participation, sponsorship or support of the public display, performance and reading of Irish arts, history, language and sports.
c. To conduct, promote, sponsor or support classes, lectures, seminars or workshops in Irish arts, history, langua and sports for present and future generations in New Haven County.
d. To grant scholarships and make other charitable donations.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Nonvoting Members. The Corporation shall have only members who are not entitled to vote. Members are eligible for election to the Board of Directors where voting rights are installed by elsewhere defined in this document

Section 2. Membership Qualifications. All persons interested in the advancement and diffusion of knowledge concerning Irish arts and culture in their various aspects and their impact on American life shall be eligible to be members.

Section 3. Membership Rules. The admission, retention, withdrawal and expulsion of members shall be governed by reasonable rules adopted and equally applied by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Membership Committee.

Section 4. Membership Rights. Members, while in good standing, shall be entitled to receive such publications and participate in the activities of the Corporation upon such terms and discounted rates as the Board of Directors shall determine.

ARTICLE IV
DIRECTORS

Section 1. General Powers. The direction and management of the affairs of the Corporation and the control and disposal of its property and funds shall be vested in its Board of Directors.

Section 2. Number and Qualifications. The number of directors of the Corporation shall be no less than nine and no more than fifteen but, in all cases, a multiple of 3. Each director shall be a member of the Corporation.

Section 3. Term of Office. At the organizational meeting of the Corporation, the initial directors of the Corporation shall have their numbers divided into three classes which are to serve staggered terms, and elect from amongst themselves by affirmative vote of the majority of them, a class of three to five directors to serve for a term of three years, a second class of three to five directors to serve a term of four years and a third class of three to five directors to serve a term of five years. Directors elected thereafter shall serve a term of three years and shall remain divided into three such classes which are to serve staggered three-year terms. Each such class shall be comprised of those directors whose terms expire in the same year. There shall be no limit on the number of terms a director may serve.

Section 4. Election of Directors. Each of the directors of a single class of directors shall be elected annually by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. The election of one-third of the directors shall be a part of the order of business at the third and each subsequent annual meeting of the Board of Directors. Each Director so elected shall hold office for a term of three years or until his or her successor is elected and assumes office.

Section 5. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by giving thirty days written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors through the Secretary. A director who fails to attend three consecutive non-Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to have resigned, but such resignation shall not become effective until confirmed by a majority vote of the Directors present and voting at the next meeting.

Section 6. Removal. Any director may be removed from office at any time with or without cause by the Board of Directors by an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the directors then in office.

Section 7. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors, the Secretary shall notify each director and request each director to express his or her nomination for filling the vacancy. The results of such canvass shall be considered by the Nominating Committee and all the nominations, together with the recommendation of the Nominating Committee shall be reported to the Directors. The vacancy shall be filled promptly at an annual, regular or special meeting by affirmative vote of the majority of the directors present and voting at such meeting. Any director so elected by the Board of Directors shall hold office for the unexpired term of the vacated office holder.

ARTICLE V
MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the board of directors shall be held at 7:00 p.m. on the third Monday of July of each year, for the purpose of electing Directors and officers of the Corporation, making appointments to committees and for the transaction of such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting. If the annual meeting shall not be held on the day designated by these Bylaws, a substitute annual meeting may be called by or at the request of the Board of Directors and notification issued to all members by the Secretary. Such meeting shall be designated and treated for all purposes as the annual meeting.

Section 2. Regular Meetings. Four or more regular business meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held annually on dates determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the President or any three Directors.

Section 4. Place of Meetings. The annual, regular or any special meeting of the Board of Directors may be held at the principal office of the Corporation or any such other place, either within or without the State of Connecticut, as shall be designated in the notice of the meeting or in a waiver of notice of the meeting signed by all the Directors then in office.

Section 5. Notice of Meetings. The Secretary shall give notice of each annual and regular meeting of the Board of Directors by e-mailing such notice to each Director at his or her designated address at least five days before the meeting. The President or other directors calling a special meeting of the Board of Directors shall give notice thereof (or cause the Secretary to give each notice) by e-mailing such notice at least three days before the meeting. If postal notification is used, an additional 3 days must be allowed for delivery time for either type of meeting notice. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a meeting of the Board of Directors. Attendance by a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver or notice of such meeting, except where a director attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called.

Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Manner of Acting. Except as otherwise provided by law or in these bylaws, the act of the majority of the Directors present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS

Section 1. Titles. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of President and Secretary.

Section 2. Election and Term. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors from among their number at the annual meeting. Each officer shall hold office until the next annual meeting or until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.

Section 3. Removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors by an affirmative vote of the majority of the directors then in office when in the judgement of the Board the best interests of the Corporation will be served by their removal.

Section 4. Vacancies. Vacancies among the officers of the Corporation may be filled by an affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office at any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 5. President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall supervise and control the management of the Corporation in accordance with these Bylaws. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. He or she shall sign, with any other proper officer, instruments which may be lawfully executed on behalf of the Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent. In general, the President shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 6. Vice President. The Vice President shall exercise the powers of the President during that officer’s absence or inability to act. Any action taken by the Vice President in the performance of the duties of the President shall be presumptive evidence of the absence or inability to act of the President at the time such action was taken. The Vice President shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds, financial records and securities belonging to the Corporation and shall receive, deposit or disburse the same under the direction of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the Board may appoint a custodian or depository for any such funds or securities, and the Board may designate those persons upon whose signature or authority such funds may be disbursed or transferred. In general, the Treasurer shall perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.

Section 8. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep accurate records of the acts and proceedings of all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have general charge of the non-financial corporate books and records. The Secretary shall give all notices required by law and these Bylaws and shall sign such instruments as may require his or her signature and in general, shall perform all duties incident to the Office of Secretary and such other duties as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the President or by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES

Section 1. Executive Committee. All of the authority and powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the Corporation during intervals between meetings thereof, shall be vested in an Executive Committee composed of at least five (5) directors elected annually by the Board of Directors from among their number by an affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present and voting, which Executive Committee shall include the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Chairperson of the Program Committee; provided, however, that the Executive Committee shall not have the authority as to the following matters:
a. Any dissolution, merger, or consolidation of the Corporation; or the sale, lease, or exchange of all or substantially all of the property of the Corporation;
b. Any designation of an Executive Committee or any other committee of directors to have power to exercise any of the authority of the Board in the management of the Corporation, or the filling of vacancies in the Board of Directors or in any such committee;
c. Any amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board of Directors.

Vacancies in the membership of the Executive Committee shall be filled by the Board of Directors in the same manner vacancies in the Board of Directors are filled. Minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee shall be prepared and kept with the records of the Corporation.

Section 2. Standing Committees. At each annual meeting, the President shall nominate, whether then directors of the Corporation or not, members for election to the following committees by a majority vote of the directors present and voting, for a term of one year or until their successors are elected. They shall be in an advisory only capacity to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee in the management of the Corporation, and shall have the general duties indicated and such other duties as delineated by resolution of the Board of Directors.

a. Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall consist of at least three members who shall elect its own Chairperson. Three members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Committee shall do all things necessary to ensure that the Corporation’s accounting records and financial affairs are in good order. It may call upon the Corporation’s officers or staff as may be necessary and employ outside professional assistance with the approval of the Board of Directors in the performance of its assigned duties if considered advisable. The Committee shall report its findings directly to the Board of Directors at appropriate intervals as charged but at least once per year.

b. Membership Committee. The Membership Committee shall consist of five or more members, two of whom shall be directors, whose duty shall be to inquire as to the eligibility of all applicants for membership whose names shall be referred to it, to act upon such applications and to report thereon to the Board of Directors through the President. It shall also review at regular intervals all aspects of membership policies and operations, and report its findings with appropriate recommendations to the President.

c. Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the President and four other members of the Corporation whose duties shall be to nominate persons to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors. The committee shall consist of the President and four other Directors. The four participating Directors expected to serve shall be first from the class group serving their second year term in office. If insufficient number of Directors from that group fails to serve, solicitation shall next be made from the class group serving their first term. Third year term Directors shall lastly be solicited should the required number remain unfulfilled. The Committee shall be named in April and present their nominations(s) to the Board in May for the June Board voting. Three members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum whether by in-person, remote, or digital participation.

d. Program Committee. The Program Committee shall propose and coordinate the activities of the Corporation to conduct, promote and sponsor a balanced calendar of events highlighting Irish culture for the enjoyment and education of the public which complements the activities of other local Irish organizations and groups

Section 3. Other Committees. Other committees not having and exercising the general authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the Corporation may be designated, its members appointed and its authority delineated by a resolution adopted by a majority of the directors present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

Section 4. Vacancies. Vacancies in the membership of a committee shall be filled by appointment made in the same manner as provided in the case of the original appointment.

ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall contain the name of the Corporation and shall be in the form appearing in the margin of the page containing the Secretary’s certification at the conclusion of these Bylaws.

Section 2. Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given to any director or other person under the provisions of these Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law, a written waiver of such notice signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the stated time shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice.

Section 3. Checks. All checks, drafts or orders for the payment of money shall be signed by officers or other individuals as the Board of Directors may designate from time to time.

Section 4. Bond. The Board of Directors may by resolution require any or all officers, agents or employees of the Corporation to give bond to the Corporation, with sufficient sureties, conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties of their respective offices or positions, and to comply with such other conditions as may from time to time be required by the Board.

Section 5. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the calendar year ending on December 31 of each year.

Section 6. Amendments. These Bylaws may be amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors then in office at any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board provided, however, that notice of such proposed action shall have been announced at a previous meeting and shall have been included in the notice of the meeting or shall have been waived as provided in these Bylaws.

Section 7. Dissolution. In the event of dissolution or termination of the Corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision of the payment of all of the liabilities of the Corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the Corporation exclusively for the purposes of the Corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501© (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law), as the Board of Directors shall determine.

Revised: 12/15/21