GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA

Minutes of January 17, 2004 Meeting

President Joe Picarella called the meeting to order and led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. A moment of silence followed for our deceased, ailing brothers, especially for Vinny Raso who is recovering from a broken foot, and those in the services. Pres. Picarella then gave a prayer of thanks, after which, he welcomed back Brother Mike Ardizone from the armed services.

Larry Mascari motioned to accept the minutes for Dec. 6. Jimmy D’Arrigo seconded it. The motion carried. The web sight is: http://leejpappas.com/goiia.htm (case sensitive, all lower case).

Treas. di Milo read the financial report. Incomes from Dec. 6th meeting were: Luncheon, $384, and non-eaters, $0 for a total of $384. Luncheon expenses were $326 and gratuities, $5 for a gain of $53. Other incomes were: 50/50 winnings, $42, and Dues, $175. Other expense was Postage, $39.50. Children’s Christmas Party expenses were: Toys, $387.50; Villa Sorrento, $700; Clown, $100; Santa Claus Suit, $80; Polaroid film, $121, and parking and food, $68.90 for a total of $1657.60. When questioned about buying a Santa Claus’ suit in lieu of renting, the treasurer explained that we got the suit with all the accessories for $80, while renting would have cost over $150. di Milo commented that the club only received one donation for the party and that was from Steve Loyacano. Balance is $2798.10. Duke Sella motioned to accept. Ronnie La Barbera seconded it. The motion carried.

The treasurer reminded members that the $35 dues are due. He urged them to mail their check to him at P.O. Box 2028, Toluca Lake CA 91610-0028. Checks are to be made out to G.O.I.I.A.

He reported that 25 brothers have not pay their dues. Sec. Bill Poleri explained that he is holding the completion of the phone directory, waiting to see who will be obliterated from it, in other words, which member will be kicked out of the club. Several members voice the opinion that we just do that. Vice President Loyacano suggested writing each delinquent member a personal letter. Sec. Poleri said that they are notified about the dues on the post cards. He pointed out that two different sets of cards are sent out, one with no mention of the dues since those members have paid and the second with the mention of the dues being due in big bold letters. Sec. Poleri added that he would give them two more meetings to come with the dues. Treas. di Milo said he would start phoning the delinquent members.

NEW BUSINESS: After welcoming Ardizone who holds the rank of E-6, Pres. Picarella asked him to give a talk about his experience. He explained he’s a member of the National Guard and has just completed a year tour of active duty. His unit consisted of Army Rangers with special classification. During the past year, the unit served in Utah guarding the chemical weapons and twice during that time it was sent to Iraq for special guard duty, like protecting the Sec. Donald Rumsfeld , etc. Ardizone explained that his unit was fired upon while in Iraq, in which its members fired back. In Utah, he said that they were guarding 100 million tons of chemical weapon. Ardizone has fought in the Panama Conflict and Desert War. He reported that while he was in the service, Verizon not only kept him on as a business sales executive but also paid him a full salary. Ardizone did show with pride to all who would look at his new sports car.

Mike Policare felt we should honor him in some way. Sec. Poleri suggested that we forgive his dues for one year and asked for a motion to that effect. Loyacano thought we should also give him a hat with the club’s logo. Vito Giovannelli motioned to forgive Ardizone’s dues for one year and presented him with a hat. Carmine Marinelli seconded it. The motion carried.

Leo Matranga brought up a subject, which he claimed he has brought up every year, that is, doing

something for the shut in old persons. He said that we do something for the handicapped kids and he felt

that we should also do something for the forgotten old folks. Policare thought it was a great idea. He mentioned that there are many old persons in homes that never get visitors or ever go anywhere. Loyacano said the easy way to do it is to have each member bring an elder person to any place they want.

John Murgo suggested doing what deceased member, Jimmy Ceasar used to do. He would put on a show at the nursing home for Italian Americans.

Matranga said the idea is to get these people out of the home for a while. They just stared out of the window and watch the parking lot. He remembered when he did TV repairs that he would visit these homes and would become upset as he watched so many old folks, all alone with nothing to do but watch the TV or parking lot. Policare agreed that we should take them out. He volunteered to work on the project. Pres. Picarella appointed Policare to the committee to look into it.

Chris Lanieri felt we were going over board. He felt we should not accept this idea at this time. He motioned that we table the idea to a future date. Ronnie La Barbera seconded it. A long discussion followed where a few felt we aren’t going in the right direction and others who felt the opposite. Murgo said that since some and not all like to commit to a program like this, we shouldn’t kill Matranga’s idea. Matranga said that all he is suggesting is that we take someone out. Loyancano agreed with Murgo on not voting it down. Tom Ray suggested we go to the parish priests to find these persons and Joe Blasco suggested bringing them here to the luncheons. Sec. Poleri reminded everyone that there is a motion on the floor and we should only be discussing it. Lanieri and La Barbera both felt that we were taking on too much. La Barbera said we all have relatives and friends who are old and are busy taking care of them. Poleri said that we are only talking about the seniors who are shut out of the every day world and called for a vote. The motion was defeated by 16 to 8.

Policare then motioned that the club go the next step: Pursue the idea to have special luncheons for people you can’t get out. Norman Panto seconded it. Loyacano called for an amendment to the motion: That a three-man committee pursues the next step. Al Molinaro seconded it. Policare and Panto accepted the amendment. Loyacano said that it’s difficult to find members to serve on committees. Poleri called for the motion. It was accepted: 24-3.

Speaking of the elderly, Pres. Picarella reminded all that last year he decreed that the club will honor Mickey Grasso with a party this year, hi 90th year.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Actor Nick Collura was written up in his hometown’s newspaper, The Times-Picayune of New Orleans. The lead feature article on the paper’s Living Section tells about Collura being seen on CSI on CBS and about his many casting potentials.

The Thousand Oaks newspaper, The Acorn, had Accordionist Norman Panto performing at an event.

Sec. Poleri reported on two pieces of literature on Italian-Americans and Italy. The first was an article in the Southern California Quarterly of the Historical Society of Southern California. Titled “Italians of Los Angeles,” the article gives a statistical account of the Italians’ migration to the area starting in 1823. It is written by Gloria Ricci Lathrop.

The second one by Paul Paolicelli gives a great description of Southern Italy and its’ struggle with Northern Italy. Titled “Under the Southern Sun,” the book gives the reasons why so many immigrants left the area starting in the 1880’s. It details the acrimonious feelings between the North and South and even explained why Italians talk with their hands.

Submitted by Sec. Bill Poleri

Additions to the Phone Directory:

Joe Charles Blasco Tom A. Ray

14491 Glorietta Dr. 4751 Allott Ave.

Sherman Oaks CA 91423 Sherman Oaks CA 91423

(818) 783-5322 (818) 784-4624