GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA

Minutes of April 5, 2008 Meeting

Sgt.-at-Arms Greg Holzer called the meeting to order and Pres. Vinny Raso led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Jimmy D’Arrigo led the group in prayer. Pres. Raso then led the group in a moment of silence for our deceased brothers, those that are ill, and our servicemen.

Anthony Santoro motioned to accept the Mar 15th minutes. Nick Oliver seconded it. The motion passed. The club’s web site is www.goiia.com (case sensitive, all lower case).

Treas. Anthony di Milo read the financial report for the Mar 15th meeting. Members attending the luncheon were 31; Vitello’s Luncheon Tab, $434. Incomes were 50/50, $32; Vinnie Corbo donated $10 of his 50/50 winning, and Dues, $35. Expenses: MOTY Dinner Deposit, $500; Contribution toward a member’s dental work, $500, and Office Supplies, $40. The balance is $4107.06. Jerry Tassone motioned to accept. John Murgo seconded it. The motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS: Treas. di Milo urged members to make their Man-of-the-Year Dinner reservations early. Pres. Raso called up committee member John Murgo to go over the details for the event. He reminded all that it would be a dinner instead of the usual luncheon and be held at Maggiano’s Restaurant on Sunday, May 18, from 5 to 9 p.m. The cost per member and one guest is $30 each. For all other guests it will be $35. He added that reservations for a table of eight could be made. He suggested that you make your reservations early. The deadline for all reservations is May 10.

Mike An’gileo reported that he received an email from Curator Marianna Gatto at the Los Angeles Italian Hall Museum. An’gileo explained that the Museum is looking for items relating to Italian-American history regardless of what part of the country they came from. See page two for list of items needed by the museum.

GUEST SPEAKER: Pres. Raso introduced Ty Ritter, a guest of Brother Santoro, as our speaker. Ritter is the founder of Project Child Save, an organization that rescues children who are kidnapped for sexual endeavors. Ritter explained that at one time rich children were kidnapped for ransom but today children of all social levels are kidnapped so they can be photographed nude and the pictures are sold on the pornography market. He had recently brought back nine 11-year-old children from Brazil. In doing so, Ritter was shot in the leg. He still needs a cane to get around. Ritter complimented those who assisted him in the rescue. Ritter wrote a book on the subject, entitled “My Body Is My Own.” For more information his email is tyritterprotection@sbcglobal.net and his web site is www.projectchildsave.org

Project Child Save, a non-profitable charitable organization, is holding an annual golf tournament and charity fund raiser on Friday, June 6, at Brookside Golf Course, 1133 North Rosemont Ave., Pasadena, next to the Rose Bowl. For further details call: (818) 606-4464

Vice Pres. Vinnie Corbo asked for volunteers for the various committees. He said that Chairman D’Arrigo of the Senior Luncheon Committee needs help. Murgo added that Corbo is now forming a nomination committee. Pres. Raso said that the club will have a booth at this year’s San Gennero’s Festival in September and volunteers will be needed to man the booth.

The president also reported that our web site has gotten 560,000 hits which is giving the club good notoriety.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Pres. Raso announced that Brother Nick Oliver has been accepted to Cornell University. Oliver is a senior at Thousand Oaks High School.

Pres Raso adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be May 3rd at Vitello’s Restaurant at 11:30 a.m. followed by the June 7th meeting. There will be no meeting on May 17 due to the fact the Man-of-the-Year Dinner is scheduled for May 18.

Submitted by Secretary Bill Poleri.

(1)

Items Needed for Italian Hall Museum

Photographs

Including portraits, school pictures, videos, films, albums

Personal Belongings

Clothing, accessories, grooming tools, personal memorabilia, books, diaries, school papers, yearbooks

Legal Records

Census papers, immigration and naturalization documents, alien registration cards, property titles, tax records, probate records, bank records, patents, church records, maps

Personal Records

Birth, baptismal, death and marriage certificates, passports, tickets, citizenship papers, diplomas and certificates, ration books, report cards

Oral Histories and Biographies

Journals, diaries, letters, voice and video recordings

Homemaking Items

Cookbooks, utensils, recipes, crafts, cleaning tools, clothing patterns, appliances

Art and Music

Composition books, musical instruments, art supplies, works of art, musical recording, music sheets

Motion Pictures/Theatre

Costumes, wigs, scripts, programs, fan letters, announcements, posters, props

Military Experience

Uniforms, medals, induction and discharge papers, stamps

Sports and Amusement

Toys, sports equipment, period bicycles, trophies

Club and Organizations

Membership/organizational documents and records, newsletters, ceremonial regalia, membership cards, badges, plaques, banners

Religion and Culture

Religious artifacts, mementos, photos of feast day celebrations such as St. Joseph Table

Labor, Business and Professions

Business records, invoices, business cards and records, payroll records, uniforms, union materials, political propaganda, medical instruments, advertisements, lunch boxes,

This is only a brief list. Should you be interested in donating an item that does not appear on the above list or have any questions, please contact Marianna Gatto at (213) 485-8432 or email mariann.gatto@lacity.org.

(2)