GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA

Minutes of August 5, 2006 Meeting

Sgt.-at-Arms Greg Holzer called the meeting to order. Vice Pres. Steve Loyacano led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. A moment of silence followed for our deceased brothers and those that are ill.

John Murgo motioned to accept the July 15th minutes. Victor Russo seconded it. The motion carried. The club’s web site is now: www.goiia.com (case sensitive, all lower case). Sec. Bill Poleri announced there would be no meeting on Sept. 2 due to the Labor Day holiday. The next meeting will be on Aug. 19 followed by the Sept. 16th meeting.

Treas. Tony di Milo announced that the financial report would be different because we now pay for the luncheons differently. The report for the July 15th meeting is as follows: Members attending, 36; Vittello’s Luncheon Tab, $504; 50/50 income, $40; and Vinnie Corbo’s 50/50 winning donation, $40. The balance is $2576.56. Leo Matranga motioned to accept. Carmine Marinelli seconded the motion. The motion carried.

di Milo said the Man-of-the-Year dinner will on be held Sunday, Sept. 17 at Maggiano’s in The Promenade, 6100 Topanga Canyon, Woodland Hills, next to Macy’s. The phone number is (818) 887-3777. He reported that 30 persons have signed up so far. He added that we need 50 people to attend.

The treasurer also announced that the picnic would be held on Sunday, Oct. 29, at Crestwood Hill Park in Brentwood.

OLD BUSINESS: Leo Matranga asked members if they know of any old persons who are shut-ins to let him or any member of the Luncheon for Senior Shut-Ins Committee know so the club can take them to the club’s annual senior shut-ins luncheon. Sec. Poleri added that the club not only needs volunteers to act as escorts but also as chauffeurs to pick the seniors up from their home or nursing home and take them to the luncheon at the St. Charles Church Parish Center, corner of Moorpark and Lankershim, North Hollywood. Murgo reminded all that the event is on Saturday, Sept. 9.

At this point Sec. Poleri reiterated the upcoming schedule: The next meeting, Aug. 19; no meeting, Sept. 2; senior shut-ins luncheon, Sept. 9; a meeting on Sept. 16; and Man-of-the-Year dinner, Sept. 17.

The discussion on whether the club should have a booth at The Feast of San Gennaro was postponed since the two members who were to look into it weren’t at the meeting. The festival will be held on Sept. 21-24 at Hollywood and Hawthorne, one block south of Hollywood and Highland, in Hollywood. Frank Lonardo, one of the two who were looking into having a booth, showed up and reported that there is no charge to having a booth if you don’t sell anything. He added that we could share a booth with another group if we don’t plan on having someone there all the time. He told Sec. Poleri he would have an official from the festival call him.

NEW BUSINESS: Dax Litto announced that his film is coming along nicely, he needs one more location. He reminded members that if they want to be in it as extras to contact him.

Looking at all the unused name tags, Litto said that we should be going after these members to come to the meetings now that we are meeting at Vitello’s.

Ian Castellucci donated his $28 50/50 winnings back to the club.

Vice Pres. Steve Loyacano adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 19th at Vitello’s Restaurant followed by the Sept. 16th meeting.

Submitted by Sec. Bill Poleri