GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA
Minutes of Oct. 17, 2009 Meeting
Pres. Vinnie Corbo called the meeting to order and led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Jimmy D’Arrigo led the group in prayer. Pres. Corbo called for a moment of silence for our deceased brothers, especially for Brother Mauro Sardi’s grandson, who died recently of cancer, those that are ill and servicemen
Vinny Raso motioned to accept Oct. 3rd minutes. D’Arrigo seconded it. The motion passed. The club’s web site is www.goiia.com (case sensitive, all lower case).
Treas. Tony di Milo read the financial report for the Oct. 3rd meeting. Members attending the luncheon were 25; Vitello’s Luncheon Tab, $350; 50/50 income, $27; DVD Sales, $100, and Dues, $315. Expense was postage, $56. The balance is $3299. Rocco Telese motioned to accept and Jim Valentine seconded it. The motion passed.
The treasurer emphasized that the Dues are due, Dues are due, Dues are due, Dues are due, and etc.
OLD BUSINESS: Pres. Corbo urged members to sign up for the picnic, which is on Sunday, Oct. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. in Brentwood, Adults, $5 and kids under 12 free. He thanked John Murgo for the note he sent about the picnic on the internet. Treas. di Milo passed around the picnic sign up list. Corbo said the directions are in the minutes and on the postcard and if you happened to lose both of them, they are on the web site. Sec. Bill Poleri said volunteers are needed and they should be at the picnic ground at 11:30 a.m. to help set up.
Pres. Corbo mentioned that the minutes are emailed to out of state members and asked Sec. Poleri if he needs help in emailing the minutes. Poleri said that he has everything under control. Corbo told the members the club has members as far away as Quebec, Canada and West Victoria, Australia. Poleri said that Carlo Pavia of West Victoria called him a couple of weeks ago to see if his house was damaged by the brush fire in his area. Murgo added that Pavia has called him to see how he was recovering from back surgery. "That’s the kind of guy he is, concerned for his brothers, which is the way the membership feels." Murgo said.
Sec. Poleri reported that the club was mentioned in the L’Italo-Americano article on the various community booths at the San Gennaro Festival. The article by Brother Frank De Santis, Jr., said "The Grandsons of Italy promoted their club by singing Italian songs with the crowd; their president, Vinnie Corbo also had available their humorous DVD ‘Cooking and Cursing’".
Brother Joey Sorice, who hosted the comedy "The Meatballs": at the Jon Lovitz comedy club at Universal City Walk recently, thanked the members for attending the show.
CAMPAIGNING: Pres. Vincent Corbo started off the Campaigning Portion of the Election Cycle. He is running unopposed. First, he praised those running for offices, saying that they are all fine, exceptional and wonderful men. He said being president is fun and at times difficult. He stressed that what a person needs to do at his job is being able to satisfy everyone’s desires and availability, which is personal time given to fill the needs of the club. He finished by emphasizing again all the men on the slate are here to serve the club.
Vice President candidate Vincent Raso thanked those for nominating him. He pointed out that he has been president for four or five years. "I love the club and love you guys," he said, "we have to back him (Corbo)."
Vice President Vincent Oliver who is running against Raso was unable to attend today’s meeting. Speaking in his behalf was Sec. Poleri, who mentioned that Oliver was scheduled to have an operation but it was postponed because of medical complications, but was absent today because he was performing a wedding. Poleri pointed out that Oliver conducted the club’s very successful speaking program for the past year.
Sec. Poleri’s comment was "I’m running unopposed because they can’t find another jackass to do the job."
Treasurer candidate Vincent Dino thanked those who nominated him but wanted his votes go to Treas. di Milo. He would like to be assigned assistant treasurer.
Treasurer Tony di Milo who is running again for treasurer thanked Candidate Dino for his support and would ask the board to name him his assistant, if he won.
5th Board Member John Murgo, who is running against John Oliva, said "you know me, I have been in the club a long time and what I do, I do well."
5th Board Member candidate John Oliva thanked those who nominated him and said that he is running because "I want to introduce more activities that we can participate in as a group." He said that the activities could even be outside the club where members can help others while promoting the club’s good name.
Sergeant-at-Arms candidate Greg Holzer, who has held the job before, jokingly said "if you vote for me I promise a chicken in every pot." He said that he has done this job for a long time.
Sergeant-at-Arms candidate Paul Pacheco said he has been in the club for a year, is from Orange County and thanks the club for everything.
NEW BUSINESS: Joe Manginelli asked if this was the club’s 20th anniversary since the brochure said that it was formed in 1989. Murgo questioned that date. He feels that it was a year or two before then. Murgo suggested that the 1989 date could have been the formal organization date. Sec. Poleri said the club didn’t become a nonprofit corporation until 1992 or 93 when he filed the papers. (Sec. note: The official date of the club’s corporation is Nov. 29, 1993.) This discussion led to the idea of having a formal anniversary dinner party with black ties and all. Pres. Corbo asked for hands of those who would attend such an event. Nearly everyone raised their hand. Sec. Poleri suggested that the board should discuss this and then present it to the membership. Corbo felt that the party is a done deal and all that needs to be decided is a date.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Vin Raso, who will be 80, reminded the members that his fellow workers are hosting a birthday party for him on Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Aloha Steak House in Camarillo, off Rte. 101 at Santa Rosa exit. The bash will cost $15 a person with 50 percent of the proceeds going to the club. He said his wife, Karen, and he will perform at the event. He added that they’re making a big deal of his birthday since no one thought he would live this long, with having out lasted a cancer battle, several wives and other nefarious happenings.
Treas. di Milo announced that Brother Derek Casari is holding a business seminar on Oct. 20th at the home of Andy Kriss, 1949 Rockford Road, L. A. The subject is "email and video communication as a marketing tool."
Carmine Marinelli donated his 50/50 winnings of $23 back to the club.
Pres. Corbo adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be Nov. 7th at Vitello’s Restaurant at 11:30 a.m. followed by the Nov. 21st meeting, which is the last meeting for 2009. Submitted by Sec. Bill Poleri.
Directory Additions:
John T. Leopardi
375 East 2nd Street #330
Los Angeles CA 90012
(303) 618-4414 (H)
(213) 955-3532 (B)
(213) 955-9885 FAX
j_leopardi@yahoo.com
Joe Marone
6254 Simpson Ave.
N. Hollywood CA 91606
(818) 284-1527 (H)
(626) 302-3671 (B)
(818) 509-0104 FAX
joe.marone@gmail.com
Frank Telese
27657 N/ Sutters Point Drive
Saugus CA 91350
(661) 367-4015 (H)
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