Duke Sella motioned to accept the May 7th minutes. Leo Matranga seconded it. The motion carried. The club’s web sight is: http://leejpappas.com/goiia.htm (case sensitive, all lower case).

Sec. Bill Poleri reported on a letter from POINT (Pursing Our Italian Names Together), announcing a national conference in October being hosted by the Los Angeles Chapter. He said the three-day convention would cost $165 if paid in full by May 31 and $185 there after. For the club to have a booth there would cost $50 but this fee doesn’t allow those manning the booth to attend the conference.

Treas. Tony di Milo read the financial report. Income from May 7th meeting was the Luncheon, $247. Luncheon expenses were $300 and gratuities, $20 for a loss of $73. Other incomes were 50/50, $20, and Dues, $70. Other expense was 50/50 tickets, $7.73. The balance is $2637.74. There wasn’t any motion, second or vote to accept the report since none was called for by Sec. Poleri.

Treas. di Milo again reported that he is still negotiating for the Man-of-the-Year Dinner. He explained that member Vito Marinelli, who prepared and served the wonderful meal when the meeting was held at Dr. Joseph Turcillo’s home is no longer with Bocco Trattoria.

OLD BUSINESS: Rocky Vitalia proudly showed an album of his ancestors and thought it was a great idea to honor our grandfathers by having their pictures entered in our web site. His album gave an excellent history of his family. Sec. Poleri explained that the easiest way to get your grandfather’s picture on the web site is to scan the photo and email to the site. He added that Kinko’s would scan and send it for anyone who doesn’t have a computer.

NEW BUSINESS: Dom Serafini of Westwood and New York City addressed the club about the upcoming Italian election. He is running for the Italian Senate for this Electoral College, which includes most of the Western Hemisphere. Serafini is the publisher/editor of the Video Age International Webcasting Magazine and lives on both coasts. He explained that he could run because he had both an Italian and American passports. He said that Italians, who don’t recognize Italian-Americans contribution to the high culture standard Italians enjoy the world over, are ignoring Italian-Americans. Vitalia said that he was talking to the actor, Joe Mantegna about the poor recognition the Italian-Americans are getting. The recognition should be at a higher level. Ronnie La Barbera, who just came back from Italy, asked Serafini why he as an American was treated as a terrorist everywhere except in Sicily, where his family migrated. He was in Italy 28 days. Serafini couldn’t answer him but went on to explain who is eligible to get a dual passport and how to get one. Any Italian-American who was born in Italy or anyone who was born here before any of his grandparents or parents became an U.S. citizen can apply for an Italian passport. Carmine Marinelli who was born in Italy said he got his at the Italian Consul. Anthony Friscia, a friend of Serafini, said that he has a dual passport and gave the Consul office address as 1204 Wilshire Blvd.

Loyacano said that we need to get more members, since the attendance at the past few meetings was low. He also said that we should support members’ businesses and hire those who are trade men. He cited as an example the great food at Casa di Pizza, which is owned by member Vito Gioveannelli. The restaurant is in Granada Hills at Woodley and San Fernando Mission. Couple of members said they have been there and recommend going on Thursday night when there’s entertainment.

Vice Pres. Loyacano adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be at 12:30 a.m. on June 4th at Villa Sorrento followed by the June 18th meeting.