Virtually nothing in this world is impossible if you just put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude. - Lou Holtz
It’s been just over a month since I sent my first email as president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life (MCFL) and shared a broad vision for the organization. Today, I’d like to provide a brief update and offer some of the specific goals I plan to achieve in the next several months. Following the August 10 Board meeting, I’ll share additional benchmarks that will have been collectively set by my colleagues.
As is to be expected with any leadership transition, my team and I spent time over the last few weeks closely studying various aspects of the organization, acknowledging both its strengths and opportunities. As we wrap up this initial review, I am pleased to share that we could not be more excited by the potential we sense! I wish to thank Chairman David Franks, Catherine Roman, our newly-elected treasurer, and Alice White, one of our talented new Board members, for significant time they have already given in their respective roles. Of course, it is because of our veteran directors’ longtime dedication that MCFL is so well-positioned overall. And none of our work is possible without our members’ support. If you are not yet part of this influential group, I encourage you to join today.
In early July, I represented MCFL at the National Right to Life Convention in Charleston, South Carolina. I was a first-time attendee with high expectations. The event exceeded them. I lost count of the number of impactful, informative, and inspirational sessions I attended, as well as the number of ideas I’d love to incorporate at MCFL. A few of those are already in the works, and I look forward to sharing more about them soon.
On the legislative front, MCFL continues to monitor the status of and educate constituents about the so-called “ROE Act” and the effort to legalize doctor-prescribed suicide. We also participated in the kickoff rally for a ballot initiative to end taxpayer-funded abortions in Massachusetts, one of 15 states which mandates public funding. Now that lawmakers are in summer recess, count on us to spend much of August gearing up for our next moves on each of these. Stay tuned for ways you can help once the formal legislative session resumes in September.
Now to a few of my short-term goals:
- Block passage of the ROE Act or, at a minimum, significantly curtail its most radical provisions
- Get to know as many of you as I can
- Continue to develop strategic partnerships with pro-life resources across the state
- Revitalize MCFL’s educational initiatives, specifically by harnessing the power of storytelling through video
- Plan at least three events west of I-495 (yes, all the way to the NY border!)
- Provide informative weekly email updates
I’ll try to keep these messages short, my solicitations rare, and the Lou Holtz quotes to a minimum—though I’m a bit of a Notre Dame fan, and my Lou loyalty runs deep. But, as he said, nothing is impossible. So I’ll try my best.
And my best is exactly what you can expect from me as MCFL’s president. Please feel free to get in touch anytime with your ideas, feedback, tips, or questions. I eagerly anticipate hearing them all and applying them to further strengthen this tremendously vital organization and continue its lifesaving work alongside fellow citizens like you.
Many thanks for your continued prayers and support. Enjoy your weekend!
Myrna Maloney Flynn, President