GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA

Minutes of January 19, 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 the prayer. Pres. Raso then led the group in a moment of silence for our deceased brothers, those that are ill, our servicemen and Len Idelicato's wife who is ill.

Sec. Bill Poleri said he omitted listing in the announcements section of the Jan. 5th minutes that Vice Pres. Vinnie Corbo is performing with his 10-piece band at the King King Club, Hollywood, on Jan. 30. Treas. Tony di Milo made a correction to the minutes. He said that he didn't say that he felt that the members could pay for plastic name tags. What he said was that the club pays for tags for old members and new members pay for their own. Michael An'gileo motioned to accept the corrected minutes. Holzer 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 Jan. 5th meeting. Members attending the luncheon were 28; Vitello's Luncheon Tab, $406. Incomes were 50/50, $32; and Dues, $195. Expenses were: Postage, $53.82 and Dues Overpayment, $35. The balance is $4593.06. John Murgo motioned to accept. Carmine Marinelli seconded it. The motion carried.

Sec. di Milo said that 20 members have yet to pay their dues. He said he would call them again. Pres. Raso said that the delinquent members had four months to pay their dues, they should be told pay up or get out.

OLD BUSINESS: Vice Pres. Corbo announced that committees are being formed for the various events so more members can be involved with the club's activities. The events are the picnic, senior shut ins luncheon, Handcapped Children's Christmas, Man-of-the-Year Dinner and San Gennero Festival. He asked for volunteers for each event. All are welcome. Call him at (818) 376-1225.

Corbo reported that Brother Chaz De Simone is designing new badges. Murgo questioned the need for new badges. He said that the ones we have are fine. "It's a waste of money to buy new badges - no one wears them." Corbo replied that De Simone is working on them and let's see what he comes up with.

Corbo also reported that our DVD, "Cooking and Cursing with the Grandsons of Italy," is selling well. Its trailer is on the You Tube and so far 95,000 persons have watched it and this brings them over to our site. Pres. Raso said this is letting the outside world know what we are doing with our charities although we're a little nutty. He added that we can grow into a well known organization by combining the new ways with the old ways.

NEW BUSINESS: Corbo reported that we could get T-shirts with our club's logo on them from CafePress.com by loading up our art work on their site. He explained that once we have our logo filed with CafePress.com we can have it put on any kind of shirts or hats - whatever items we want. He said that a T-shirt would cost $20. Holzer questioned where they are made since the east-coast clothes do not correspond in size to those made on the west coast. Corbo said he didn't know, but he will get one and bring it to a meeting.

John Antonucci suggested that we get a card for Brother Joey Dorando who is in a nursing home and have all of us sign it. Murgo felt that calling him would be better since he probably wouldn't know who sent the card. The idea was left hanging.

Ronnie La Berbera motioned that we buy a flag. Poleri said that we have one but it's too big to haul around. He added that we did have two small ones, an American & Italian, but they were stolen. Corbo said he will get one.

John Oliva suggested that we hold a pancake breakfast like the Lions Club does as a fund-raiser. He said it's a way for us to net work with businesses, who might donate to the club. Murgo doubted that if members would attend and it would cost too much. Oliva said that he would do some research and get back to us. Al Miller said that a breakfast can be tied in with a holidays like Valentine's Day, etc.

Pres. Raso adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be Feb.16th at Vitello's Restaurant at 11:30 a.m. followed by the March 1st meeting.

Submitted by Secretary Bill Poleri.