DATE: September 15, 2025
FROM: Shari Guinta, National Past President
TO: Provincial Presidents and Secretaries
CC: National Officers
National Life Member Liaison
Please forward this message to past presidents
according to your provincial communications protocol.
“Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence.”
(St. Augustine of Hippo)
It is a big change to transition from president to past president—one I find to be pleasant. Being national president is quite demanding; however, it is also rewarding to look back at accomplishments. If you are curious about me, please see my biography on the national website under Meet Our Executive.
Looking back is important, almost as important as looking and planning for the future. The past president is tasked with archiving—looking back to examine and save for the history of our councils, unique and perhaps substantial accomplishments. The League’s history is very important.
I encourage all councils to ensure that records are kept and reviewed at least every two years, as executive members change and new goals are set. I will challenge councils in future correspondence to report on what has been done to ensure the archiving of their council’s history. You will see an updated National Manual of Policy and Procedure (#615) soon. The national past president before me, Honorary Life Member Fran Lucas, has been working for the last two years with a dedicated committee to review and revise the manual. Did you know that every council should have their own policy and procedure manual, parish, diocesan and provincial, as well as national? More on that in the future as well.
I wanted to touch base through this memo to let you know that work continues in all areas of the League and to emphasize the importance of the past president’s role in this regard. We are here to support, guide and instruct without interfering. Past presidents are the “living history” of League councils.