MEMBERS - President's Speech

The President's speech at the Annual General Meeting
on January 23, 2008

This time last year, on taking over as President from my esteemed predecessor Natalie Pray, I described a few objectives that, it seemed to me and our excellent executive committee, were not only achievable but would contribute to putting St. Gorge’s Society on an even stronger foundation for the future. I am glad to report that substantial progress has been made in building on existing programs but also introducing new ideas that I am confident will bear fruit in the years ahead. I said last year that St. George’s has much to talk about as a significant British –American charity but that we could do more to strengthen its resources, both financial and human. With the support of our board and many volunteers we have begun to do just that.

Our development campaign, which went public at this dinner last year and which had already raised $1million has made great strides during the year and now stands at $2.5 million. A major gift of $1 million from the Manton Foundation in memory of Sir Jimmy Manton, one of our longest serving and fondly remembered Directors, plus several very generous additional Royal and Noble category gifts from others such as Sir Howard Stringer, have placed us within sight of our goal of $5 million. Our thanks to Natalie and others who have helped push ahead with this important program.

I am delighted at this juncture in the proceedings to present the St. George’s Development Campaign Silver Alms Plate from Aspreys to Sir Dennis and Lady Weatherstone who helped launch the Campaign with a Royal Circle gift in 2006. Dennis is Chairman of St. George’s Society’s Advisory Council and has been a major supporter of the Society for many years. It has previously not been possible to make this presentation but I am very pleased that Sir Dennis and Lady Marion are present with us to-night.

To further institutionalize our giving programs we have been very fortunate in recruiting Paul Sharpe as part-time Development Officer to organize and lead our initiatives in foundation and corporate support and in planned giving programs. Already significant progress is being made in reaching out to foundations and corporations to provide year on year support.

Last year we were delighted to welcome Carol Chetrick as our first full-time social worker. She has now completed her first year and has replaced Sandra Grassby who retired at the end of last year after many years of service. Strengthening our help to our beneficiaries is a critical part of the St. George’s Society role and our increased resources are now helping us to do this. Our sincere thanks to Missi Gibbs and her excellent beneficiaries committee for their critically important work.

On another front I am delighted to report very real progress with our educational program. A scholarship program has now been established to help students of British and Commonwealth backgrounds who need additional financial assistance to complete their studies at New York Colleges. Mark Pigott, one of our Advisory Council members and CEO of Paccar Corporation, has very generously given $50,000 to launch this program, which we are confident will broaden the appeal of St. George’s Society as a charity which can help both old and young. Our thanks to John Hilliard for designing this program.

The English Ball, thanks to Vicki Downey and her wonderful team, goes from strength to strength not only as a major fundraising event but as a highlight of the British-American social calendar. This year Martin Sullivan, CEO of AIG will be our corporate honoree and Barbara Taylor Bradford will receive the first St. George’s Society award for Excellence in the Arts. In a magnificent gesture of generosity towards the Society AIG has purchased a Britannia table at the Ball for $100,000.

By launching the arts award the Society is building upon our wonderful Arts Initiative which is so successfully run by Margot Astrachan and Jim Dale. Our sincere thanks for their dedicated support of the Society. If you havn’t yet attended an Arts evening then you should!

And, of course, our activities program throughout the year continues to grow in creativity, increased attendance and just plain good fun. Many thanks to Michael Charles and his committee for their great work in 2007 and highlights such as the Christmas lunch and the first golf tournament.

Our Advisory Council is an important part of the Society and it is our intention to not only grow it in size but in its influence. I am delighted to report that 4 leading members of the British-American community have recently joined it: Lord Saatchi, last year’s Ball honoree; Francis Finlay; Frank Price; and Sir Thomas Harris, our fomer Consul-General and Honorary President in New York . We are grateful for their support and help to the Society.

None of the Society’s good works would be possible without a dedicated staff so ably run by John Shannon, and a highly committed band of directors and committee members. My particular thanks go to Steve Storen, Bob Titley, Victor Stewart and John Harvey who make up our executive committee. There are many others whom I have not mentioned but who make great contributions to the success of our Society. I look forward to the continued success of the Society and to your continued support of its important work during the coming year.

My thanks to one and all.

Peter M. Felix, CBE
President

January 23, 2008