Mary Alice joined the board as the first replacement of the original 7 board members, but could easily have been one of that founding group. Her Irish Fest roots run long and deep having been with the old Brookside Irish Fest since the very beginning. She joined the KC Irish Fest board in 2005 and was asked, by virtue of her long experience in the world of Irish dance to began working on KCIF partnership with our sister Labor Day event at Crown Center, the Kansas City Feis, then in its first year. In subsequent years MA branched out into, among many other things, oversight of the always demanding and wildly popular Children's Area and the all-important sponsor hospitality area. In board decisions and discussions, Mary Alice has been invaluable, drawing her unrivaled festival experience to provide smart opinions and insight to the building up of what's become one of the biggest and best Irish festivals in the world. The fact that that growth happened on Mary Alice's watch is no coincidence. She's never been afraid to speak her mind, even if it meant being the lone voice at the table on a particular issue. She's a leader and an innovator and her voice will be sorely missed around the board room table.
Please join all of us on the board in thanking Mary Alice for her service and friendship and wishing her all the best. If you want to offer your wishes in person, I have a hunch you'll be able to find her in the sponsor hospitality area at Irish Fest next year. You know, just sort of making sure things are running smoothly.
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3 comments:
Boy howdy, y'all sure know how to grow 'em up there in Missouri. What an amazing woman.
Actually, 2 and one-half things come to mind...
1. If Mary is having to 'step-down' because of some rule about how long someone is allowed to serve then y'all might want to re-think that silly little rule.
2. Has Mary considered running for Senator? We sure could use more people in the beltway who know how to stick to their guns in a closed-door meeting.
2b. If the tickets are full up in Missouri, would Mary consider coming down to Arkansas and run for the Senate? We CERTAINLY could use her.
Gosh Kevin I have seen you replies in the past and thought what insight you have on the festival and Irish music circut. Your comments today are very kind.
I will sorely miss my time on the board of KCIF and the being in the "know" so to speak. My friendships that have come about because of this group is life long; some of them prior to the festival and some new ones each year. I am also saddened by the friendships lost.
This amazing group of people who put this festival on year in and year out are AWESOME! I sit in wonder because of them. I hope some day I will be asked back in some way or another but as Danny said if you are looking for me next year I will be in the Sponser Area....doing a little consulting work.
Mary Alice
Oh and yes Kevin, we do have 5 year term limits with the founding group staggering off. Next year Uncle Bloggy.
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