Legatus was created for times like these

The infamous year of 2020 is finally coming to a close. While it certainly contained some incredible challenges, the silver lining is that it also provided many opportunities for growth, including within Legatus.

In January of 2020, Legatus hosted one of its most successful summits in its 33-year history in Naples, FL. February saw two new chapters chartered back to back in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Then March came and I made the decision, like many organizations, to ground our staff.

Immediately, the Legatus team began brainstorming avenues we could create to keep in touch with our members and continue to be an active organization amid a national lockdown. From this was born our “Catholic Leadership Through Crisis” series. Over three months, we hosted 13 speakers who presented on a range of topics ranging from the medical perspective on COVID, to business impact and necessary adjustments, to the psychological impact on our communities.

In April, our International Board of Governors conducted its first-ever fully virtual board meeting. At this meeting, the governors decided not to raise dues in 2021 and encouraged the staff to continue providing as many national benefits to the membership as possible.

During July, we hosted our only national event since the lockdown: the Cooper Executive Physical, offered by the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, TX.
I was personally encouraged to see that we were joined by a member who had attended the executive physical with us last year, and as a result had lost over 50 lbs.!

August brought the launch of our new website. We utilized our time in lockdown in working on its development, with the goal of giving prospects and members a better online experience with Legatus. We also chartered a new chapter in Albany, NY, alongside Bishop Edward Scharfenberger and our founder, Tom Monaghan.

In October, we hosted our first-ever virtual business conference, again born out of chapter and staff initiative, with over 4,100 participants and 60+ speakers.

Looking forward, I am very enthused about our 2021 Summit East at The Breakers in Palm Beach, FL taking place January 14-16. We already have over 200 members registered and expect to cap attendance at 350 in order to observe the appropriate social-distancing protocols. We are hosting some incredible speakers such as Matthew Kelly, Cardinal Pell, Lamar Hunt Jr., Cardinal Burke, and many more. It will be a great opportunity to show leadership as an organization: we can meet responsibly while satisfying our wish for true interpersonal connection.

2020 has been quite the year, but as the president of this organization, I am immensely proud to have witnessed such creativity and faith among our members and staff. Moving into 2021, I am enthusiastic for our future knowing we have such a great membership with a great mission. Legatus was created for such a time as this.

From all of us at Legatus, we wish you a Merry Christmas and pray this new year brings you many blessings and cherished memories.

STEPHEN M. HENLEY is Legatus' executive director.