GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA

Minutes of October 6, 2007 Meeting

Pres. Vinny Raso called the meeting to order and led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Jimmy D'Arrigo then led the group in the prayer. Pres. Raso called for a moment of silence for our deceased brothers, those that are ill and our servicemen.

Chris Lanieri motioned to accept the Sept. 15th minutes. D'Arrigo seconded it. The motion passed. The club's web site is www.goiia.com (case sensitive, all lower case).

Treas. di Milo read the financial report for the Sept. 15th meeting. Members attending the luncheon were 20; Vitello's Luncheon Tab, $280; 50/50 income, $20; Corbo's 50/50 winning, $20, and Dues, $105. Expenses: Postage, $52.82 and Picnic Reservation, $96. Fundraising cost, $1385.49 and donations to date, $504. The balance is $2583. Gene Valentino motioned to accept. John Murgo seconded it. The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS: Sec. Bill Poleri called for nominations for officers. He explained that the board could be reelected by acclamation. Murgo motioned to reelect the present board by acclamation. Charlie Gallo seconded it. The motion was called and passed. The board includes: Vincent Raso, president; Vincent Corbo, vice-president; Bill Poleri, secretary; Tony di Milo, treasurer; Leo Matranga, fifth board member; Greg Holzer, sgt.-at-arms, and Jimmy D'Arrigo, chaplain.

OLD BUSINESS: Treas. di Milo announced the annual picnic will be on Oct. 28 from noon to 4 p.m. at Crestwood Hill Park, Brentwood. Seven dollars for adults and children under 16 free. Bring your own beverage but no alcohol is allowed. He added that Sec. Poleri will put the directions on the next postcards.* (See below.)

Murgo said he has an issue with charging the members $7 for the picnic. He said that the club is supposed to do things for its members and motioned that members go free and only guests have to pay. Sec. Poleri asked to amend it by wording it that members who want to pay can do so. Murgo said if they want to donate that's their business. The amendment was dropped. Poleri called for a second but none came forth. The motion died.

Pres. Raso thanked all those of you participated in the San Gennaro Festival last weekend. He especially praised Vice Pres. Corbo for the professional job he did on the brochures, sponsor program and poster. Chaz De Simone said the brochure gave the club a professional look. As he passed out the brochures, Corbo explained the sponsor program, which benefits our Christmas Party for Handicapped Children and the Senior Shut-Ins Luncheon. The categories are Bronze, $20-$25 and the donor gets the Club's Cooking DVD; Silver, $200-$250, donor gets DVD and a plaque; and Gold, $500 and up, the donor gets a plaque, DVD and be our guest at the Man-Of-Year Dinner and Picnic. A portion of the DVD, which stars Raso, Murgo and Pasta Jardula and was directed and produced by Corbo, was shown. The comical show has many members becoming sponsors. He hoped to get more donors with posters and T- Shirts.

The San Gennero Festival effort brought in eight new members and two former members. Corbo reported 107 persons signed our mailing list. Sec. Poleri said he sent postcards to 97 of them since 10 were women. Dax Litto suggested postcards be sent out for the next meeting and also email those who listed their email addresses.

Dr. Joe Turcillo gave a short-talk on GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease) prior to the meeting.

Ty Ritter a guest of Anthony Santoro gave a talk on Project Child Save, an organization that rescues kidnapped children used in child pornography activities. It was a shocking eye opener.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Treas. di Milo announced that there will be a remembrance gathering for member Joey Herrington's dear friend Else Ward at the Moose Lodge, 1901 Burbank Blvd, Burbank on Oct. 21, noon to 2.

di Milo also asked if anyone knows of store space in the valley because member Al La Rosa needs space for his jewelry store which is being lost at the Sportsmen's Lodge due to upcoming renovation.

$35 dues is due NOW.

Santoro donated his $55 50/50 winnings back to the club.

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Pres. Raso adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be Nov. 3rd at Vitello's Restaurant at 11:30 a.m. followed by the Nov. 17th meeting.

Submitted by Secretary Bill Poleri.

*Directions for the picnic: From I-405 exit at Sunset Blvd., head west to Kenter Ave., turn right onto Kenter Ave., head north, turn onto Hanley Ave., proceed one mile to the park.

Additions to the Directory:

Charlie Alessi's cell phone: (818) 825-9213