GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA

Minutes of March 18, 2006 Meeting

Sec. Bill Poleri 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 brothers, those that are ill, especially Frank Valentino, Chicky Russo, Steve (Lord) Loyacano and Jimmy D'Arrigo's wife who is in the hospital and those in the services.

Lee Pappas made a correction to the minutes. He said that he only paid for the registration cost of the web site and Vince Corbo paid for the site. Carmine Marinelli motioned to accept the March 4th minutes as corrected. Vinny Oliver seconded it. The motion carried. The club's web site is now: www.goiia.com (case sensitive, all lower case). Notice: this is a new web site.

Treas. di Milo read the financial report for the March 4th meeting. Income from the Luncheon was $396. Luncheon expenses were $348 and gratuity, $33 for a gain of $48. Other incomes were Dues, $297.50; 50/50, $45, and Bill Bellows' donation of his 50/50 winnings, $45. The balance is $2353.14. Larry Mascari motioned to accept. John Murgo seconded it. The motion carried.

Treas. Tony di Milo reported that Vice Pres. Steve Loyacano, who is visiting his mother-in-law in Wales, fell down a flight of stairs and broke his collarbone and eight ribs. di Milo said he will be laid up for eight weeks. John Murgo suggested the club send flowers or a basket of Italian goodies. Mike Policare, chairman of the Hospitality Committee, agreed but he will need an address. di Milo said he'll get it. (The address is: Steve (Lord) Loyacano o/o 21 Phillip's Parade, Swansea, Great Britain, UK.)

NEW BUSINESS: Sec. Poleri reported that he received a phone call from Tonia Caruso, widow of our late brother Anthony Caruso, about an idea of how to improve attendance at our meetings. She suggested that we ask fellow Italian Americans like Gary Marshall, Tommy LaSorda and Joe Campanella. Poleri asked if anyone would be interested in having a speaker at a meeting. The response was lukewarm to tepid. He then asked if anyone knows any of the possible speakers. Several shouted out that Al Molinaro knows Gary Marshall very well. Poleri reminded members that Molinaro no longer comes to the meetings and has no intention of coming to a future session. Murgo said that Jimmy D'Arrigo knows Campanella very well because both are active at St. Charles Church and he will speak to him about it.

OLD BUSINESS: Pappas and Corbo updated the new web site for the Grandsons of Italy. Its address is: www.goiia.com. They explained that the private section (the directory) can only be obtained by using a user name and password. Corbo said the user name is goiia and the password is meatball5. Mascari asked if someone does a search using the words Italian or Italian Club would the site come up? The answer was yes. They reported that the public could enter all of the web site areas except the directory.

Pappas added that it would be a good idea for anyone with a computer to have a backup hard drive, other words, to have a clone or mirror of your main hard drive in case it crashes.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Pres. Vinny Raso's upcoming play, a comedy by William Van Zant called "Lie, Cheat and Genuflect" is set for March 29-31 and Apr. 1 at 8 p.m. and Apr. 2 at 2 p.m. at Leisure Village in Camarillo. For reservations call Raso at (805) 383-3635. Carpooling was discussed, using the limo, which Greg Holzer drives. Anyone interested should call di Milo at (818) 907-6777.

Len Indelicato won the 50/50 and donated his $33 winnings to the club

Sec. Poleri adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. on April 1st at Villa Sorrento followed by the April 15th meeting. Submitted by Sec. Bill Poleri

Prior to the meeting, Sec. Poleri read a part of a letter the club received from the Union Pacific Railroad searching for workers. The opening paragraph read; "Our purpose in writing to you is to acquaint you with the Union Pacific Railroad Company and to inform you of employment opportunities that may be of interest to many of the people with whom you come in contract." Poleri asked if anyone was interested in an industrial or diesel mechanic, skilled or unskilled laborer jobs to contact him. There were no takers.