GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA

Minutes of February 4, 2006 Meeting

Sgt.-at-Arms Greg Holzer called the meeting to order. Pres. Raso led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. A moment of silence followed for our deceased brothers, those that are ill, especially Frank Valentino and Jimmy D'Arrigo's wife who is in the hospital and those in the services.

Prior to the start of club's business, Sec. Bill Poleri said that he filled in for Treas. Tony di Milo, who was in the hospital, at the last meeting. He conducted the treasurer's business including holding the 50'50 raffle. He had a guest of Ronnie La Barbera, named Andy Alba, draw the winning ticket. The holding of the winning ticket was he, Sec. Poleri, who after playing the raffle for 16 years finally won one.

Since that meeting, two members called Treas. di Milo, complaining that Poleri picked his own ticket. Poleri said he was unjustly accused and was about ready to quit the club. La Barbera said that his guest, Andy Alba, drew the winning ticket. Poleri said that he had the $28 winnings into two piles of $14 and threw them down on the table to be shared among the two complaining members. Mike Policare told Poleri he is insulting the club if he doesn't keep the money.

di Milo said that he spoke to the two accusers and set them straight. He told Poleri to forget it. Lee Pappas and Vito Giovannelli also told Poleri to consider the source and forget it. John Murgo and Policare also urged Poleri not to quit. Policare again urged Poleri to keep the money, saying that he shouldn't be concerned about what two complainers said but what the membership thinks. Poleri conceded Policare's point and took back the money and his threat of quitting.

Leo Matranga motioned to accept the Jan. 21st minutes. La Barbera seconded it. The motion carried. The club's web site is http://goiia.pbwiki.com/ (case sensitive, all lower case).

Notice: This is a new web site address.

Treas. di Milo read the financial report for the Jan. 7th meeting. (Note: Treas. di Milo was in the hospital during the last meeting therefore there was no financial report at the last meeting.) Income from the Luncheon was $180, and non-eaters, $10 for a total of $190. Luncheon expenses were $200 and gratuity, $20 for a loss of $30. Other incomes were Dues, $35 and 50/50, $28. Income from the Jan. 21st meeting was $247 and non-eaters, $6 for a total of $253. Luncheon expenses were $300 and gratuity, $21 for a loss of $47. Other incomes were Dues, $40 and 50/50, $28. The balance is $1470.81. Steve Loyacano motioned to accept both reports. John Murgo seconded it. The motion carried.

The $35 dues for 2005/2006 are now due. A March 4th dateline has been issued. Anyone not paid up by then will be dropped from the club. This means you are OUT.

NEW BUSINESS: La Barbera proposed that we take part of the 50/50 and buy lottery tickets and any members in good standing will share in the winnings. Murgo said that we did that for some time with unfavorable results. Sec. Bill Poleri added that the club discontinued the practice after the original enthusiasm faded away. Poleri asked for a hand for La Barbera for thinking about the betterment of the club, which was given wholeheartedly.

OLD BUSINESS: Pappas, the club's computer guru, announced a new web page address: http://goiia.pbwiki.com/. He said that it will eventually be shifted over to Brother Vince Corbo's servicer, where it will be hosted free. Corbo will join Pappas as the club's computer gurus. Pappas and Corbo said that the new site will have a protected area where only members would have the password which will be their names. Pappas said that it would cost the club $15 in start up fees and a $15 a year fee. Murgo motioned that the club go along with the new site. La Barbera seconded it. The motion carried.

Vice Pres. Loyacano suggested that members with digital cameras bring them and take pictures of the

club's meeting and have the pictures put on the web site. He said he would bring his to the next meeting.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Policare announced that he was the chairman and Murgo a member of the Hospitality Committee, whose job is to bring comfort to members who are in the hospital or have a serious accident. He laid out the requirement for members to receive a gift. "If a member is in the hospital for less than three days for a minor problem, he gets this," he explained holding up a tiny empty basket. "For any member who doesn't make it, he gets this," he said as he held up an emaciated looking wreath of artificial flowers. "But for those who are in the hospital with a serious problem for three days or more, get," he paused as he held up several bottles of wine, "this. And," he then held up a big basket of Italian cheeses, meats and other goodies, "this." He presented the basket and wines to di Milo who was in the hospital for more than three days recently due to the loss of three/fifth of his blood. di Milo thanked the club for the basket. A big hand was given to Policare for his humorous and entertaining presentation.

La Barbera won the 50/50 and donated his $30 winnings to the club

ANNOUNCEMENT: Pres. Raso explained the reason why he wasn't at the last several meetings because he was in rehearsals. He is in a comedy by William Van Zant called "Lie, Cheat and Genuflect." The play will be on March 29-31 and Apr. 1 at 8 p.m. and Apr. 2 at 2 p.m. at Leisure Village, Camarillo. Call Raso at (805) 383-3635 for reservations.

Pres. Raso adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 18th at Villa Sorrento followed by the March 4th meeting.

Submitted by Sec. Bill Poleri

Change to the directory:

Tom Paliferro's new phone numbers:

(818) 347-6118 (Home)

(818) 312-2222 (Office)