TSOI Lodge 2817

Executive Council Meeting Minutes

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Executive Council Members Present:

President – Bob Gianuzzi

Vice President-Pete Barletto

Trustee – Geri Barletto

Mistress of Ceremonies-Donna Dobrogosz

Master of Ceremonies-Frank Andrassy

Executive Council Members Not Present:

Past President-Mark LaMantia

Financial Secretary-Jennifer Green

Recording Secretary-Vivian Dewey

Trustee-Margaret Confalone

Orator-Jay Confalone

Guard– Walt Dobrogosz

The Executive Council gathered at the home of Frank and Cheryl Andrassy. President Bob Gianuzzi welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming. The meeting was called to order at 9:45 am by Bob.

Frank Andrassy, our Chaplain, opened the meeting with a prayer.

First Order of Business

  • Pete Barletto, Vice President, had called Fred Nesta of OSIA National, to discuss what latitude our lodge has in interpreting our governing constitution. Mr. Nesta stated that we can establish our own by-laws, BUT they must be approved by National.
  • Mr. Nesta asked if our lodge could sponsor a Wounded Warrior as a guest at the Sons of Italy Foundation NELA gala next month in Washington.

Election Closure

The Council discussed unfavorable incidents prior to, during, and after the February 27 election meeting. It was agreed that lessons learned dictate that more care must go into the nomination/election process going forward.

Appointment of Temporary Trustee

  • President Bob Giannuzzi appointed Fran Giannuzzi to the vacant trustee position for six months. The position will then be put up for election by the general membership.

Financial Report

  • Mark LaMantia is in the process of clearing up our non-profit status with the IRS.
  • Bob reported on March 31 bank balances forwarded by the Treasurer as $4030.83 in checking and $6014.89 in savings.
  • The Treasurer will send the Quarterly per Capita Report and payment to National after Bob sends her the count of paid members.
  • Bob Giannuzzi suggested that he (Bob) bring a proposed budget for the term for discussion at the next Council meeting.

Website Update

  • Charlotte DiLeonardo has switched vendors for our TSOI Website to one that is free. The website is being updated and will include forms that may be needed by our members which can be downloaded for convenience.
  • Bob will get basic website content management training from Charlotte.

Membership

  • Bob reported that he had met with Jay Dewey on membership recruiting and retention. Jay indicated that he did not want to be the membership chairman. Bob subsequently appointed Fran Giannuzzi to that role.
  • Payment has been received from 63 members; 14 remain outstanding.
  • The new TSOI Membership Profile Bob had distributed needs to be filled out by all members.
  • Bob proposed that the membership chair go through all the applications to see what each member is willing to do to serve.

Scholarship

  • No applications have been received to date, but 4-5 are expected.

April Events

  • The Pot Luck Dinner is scheduled for April 18 at the Calabria’s home. Thirty-two people have responded to date.
  • Bocce Tournament is scheduled for April 20 in Clayton. This is a regional qualifier as part of a statewide tournament sponsored by the Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks Dept.
  • Bob Giannuzzi said he would like more teams to sign up. He has contacted local organizations to see who would like to participate and had sent out a press release to several media.
  • Frank Andrassy recommended that the net proceeds from this event go to charity, as an incentive to get more people to sign up. Bob suggested that we apply our gains toward sponsoring a Wounded Warrior to the SIF NELA event. All agreed that pending suitable information/documentation from National, the Lodge would pay the $250 sponsorship.

Good and Welfare

  • If anyone knows of an illness or death of a family member within our club, please notify Cheryl Andrassy. Bob advised that Tina Caffera has a serious illness as does Vera Cicero’s mother.

Old Business

  • Bob Giannuzzi moved to approve the minutes of the last Council meeting, which was held on March 14, 2013. The motion was seconded and approved.
  • There was discussion concerning finding a suitable place to rent for our events and also to have a “home base” where we can have general membership meetings. This is something that needs more research. Bobreported that the director of the International Festival was placing our need in her next newsletter.

New Business

  • Frank Andrassy proposed that we purchase a flag stand to display the American and Italian flags. He will research options/costs.
  • Fran recommended we consider purchasing a portable microphone and speakers for use at events. She’ll research options.
  • Canyon DiLuomo, leader of the Italian Club at PantherCreekHigh School, will be contacted by Fran about the possibility of his making a presentation to us on Italy.
  • Fran proposed the following event calendar:
  • May 16, 2013 –Mozzarella Making Class with Tony from Capi’s Deli—Light Supper—place TBD.
  • June 2, 2013—Annual Picnic and Scholarship Presentations—DiLeonardo home. A vote was taken to approve the cost of the magician at this event. The cost of $250 was approved
  • June 8, 2013—LafayetteVillage Italian Festival.
  • July 21, 2013—Summer Pasta Sauce from the Garden and Making Limoncello—Andrassy home. Collecting cans for the Food Bank-more to follow.
  • August 15, 2013—General Membership Meeting with dessert/coffee—Joe Smolenski.
  • September 14, 2013-- Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser—O’Charley’s.
  • October 13, 2013—Celebrate Columbus Day—Dinner at Dino’s Capri Restaurant . Hoping to honor an outstanding Italian-American in the area.
  • November 7, 2013—General Membership Meeting—place TBD. GoPlaySave books will be distributed to members to sell.
  • November 16, 2013—Simple Supper before the Holidays begin. Donation of presents for Guardian ad Litem children—place TBD.
  • December 8, 2013—Christmas Party at Mia Francesca’s in Raleigh.
  • January, 2014. Service Month. Frank Andrassy suggested a “hands on” service event where members give their time and service to an organization like the Ronald McDonald House or the Rescue Mission. Details to be worked out.
  • February, 2014—“That’s Amore”—Valentine desserts and coffee at Andrassy home.
  • February, 2014—Election of New Council.
  • March 6, 2014—General Membership Meeting.
  • March 9, 2014—Movie night in Apex at the Jones Cary Community Center.
  • March, 2014—Installation of new council.
  • April, 2014—Annual Potluck at Calabria home.
  • June 2014—Annual picnic/Scholarship presentations to winners.

Charities

  • Among the charities we discussed for consideration were Hospice, Ronald McDonald House, Guardian ad Litem, and Wounded Warriors.
  • Perhaps it would be helpful to have information on our website which would indicate what kind of special training is needed to volunteer at Hospice.

Fundraising

  • Main fundraising events are pancake breakfast, movie night, and bocce tournament. Also selling GoPlaySave coupon books and hopefully cookbooks.

Cookbook

  • Loretta DelPalazzo volunteered to collect St. Joseph’s Day recipes to be added to a new edition of our cookbook. It will be compiled and printed by Charlotte DiLeonardo. Bob had sent out instructions on how to contribute recipes. Copies will be made available for sale.

Next Council Meeting and Monthly Schedule

  • The next council meeting will be May 1, 2013, 7-8 pm, at the home of Walt and Donna Dobrogosz, 2805 Hawtree Drive, Raleigh.
  • It was decided that the first Wednesday of the month would be convenient for monthly meetings.

Adjournment

  • Frank Andrassy made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 pm.

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