GALILEO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 10, 2009
GALILEO ACADEMY, ROOM 210
Prior to the general meeting, a short period of silence was observed in memory of Kay Michelis.
DIRECTORS PRESENT: Toni Alissandra, Sisvan Der Hartoonian, Dennis Eleen, Monica Kirkland, Janet Neilsen, Joe Scafidi, Ron Sligar, Vaughn Spurlin, and Cordy Surdyka
DIRECTORS ABSENT: Jim Dresser and Augie Venezia
ALUMNI PRESENT: Charlene Fachner Mori (’66), Lance Hughston (’66), Barbara LaRocca (’69), and Lenore La Rocca (’64). It should be noted that the “above and beyond” award should go to Lance, as he flew in from Florida to attend this meeting, and flew out the following day.
The meeting was called to order by President Dennis Eleen at 6:30 p.m. The Minutes of the September 10, 2009, meeting were read and approved.
Dennis read a note that the GAA received from the Salesian Boys and Girls Club for the donation made in behalf of Frank Clima, as well as a note from Nina Clima, expressing her thanks to the GAA.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Joe Scafidi reported a balance of $11,903.41 in the checking account as of 11/19/09, and a balance of $17,525.66 in the endowment fund as of 11/19/09.
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS: President Dennis Eleen thanks Jim Dresser, Vaughn Spurlin, and Janet Neilsen for their past service for their terms of office in the GAA. Dennis also expressed his thanks to Vaughn Spurlin for setting up the new website.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
MEMBERSHIP: Dennis reported that we have 390 members as of November, 2009. Dennis also elaborated on the dedication of the football field, and thanked Char, Toni, and Lance for working and attending the festivities. A GAA table was present and their efforts led to the recruitment of twelve (12) new members and one renewal. Char also volunteered to ride in the Columbus Day Parade and handed out pencils and GAA badges, plus a group attended a small reunion and recruited new members. Due to their efforts, we ended up with a grand total of twenty-six (26) new members. A discussion was held about revising the current membership application and will be discussed, in detail, at a future meeting. Also discussed was the possibility of using “PayPal” on the Internet as another means in which members can make a donation to the GAA. It was reiterated that all membership forms should be sent directly to Joe Scafidi for processing and distribution.
NEWSLETTER: The deadline for the next Observer is January 1, 2010. Sisvan asked that if anyone had interesting picture, to please send him a copy. Sisvan will do the editing and hard copy and Janet will continue to handle the distribution to those who do not have e-mail, approximately 108.
WEBSITE: Vaughn, along with his team of Char and Lance, reported that he was very pleased with the appearance of the new website. With the new system, it will be much easier to keep the site up-to-date, as events occur. Vaughn is hoping that additional people will become authorized to access the website with updated information. Word Press is to run the Galileo Web.
SPORTS HALL OF FAME: Ron stated that the Sports Hall of Fame has the opportunity to join with Galileo’s Athletic Department’s Crab Feed on Friday, January 23, 2010, at the Irish Cultural Center, to announce the new inductees into Galileo’s Hall of Fame. Ron, Pete Pompei, and Jim have been meeting with the Athletic Department and have three (3) new applicants; letters have been sent to several more potential applicants. However, Ron reported that he had just received notice of a possible conflict regarding the upcoming Crab Feed on January 23, 2010. Dennis will check into this matter.
NEW BUSINESS:
Election of members to the Board of Directors: The following members were nominated for Board of Directors for a two (2) year term, effective January, 2010: Sisvan Der Hartoonian, Jesse Figueroa, Lance Hughston, Monica Kirkland, Barbara LaRocca, Lenore LaRocca, Mario Lechuga, Charlene Fachner Mori, and Augie Venezia.
Election of officers of the Board of Directors: Vice President: Augie Venezia; Secretary: Secretary Position is still open.
Ballots were distributed to those present and the above were unanimously elected to their terms of office.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS: Dennis appointed Charlene Fachner Mori to chair the Public Relations Committee, and Toni Alissandra to chair the Membership Committee. There is also an open position for an Events Chairperson. Monica suggested that a calendar be created, denoting all upcoming events and activities.
There was also a discussion regarding the San Francisco Alumni Council and that we should continue to attend their meetings to exchange ideas to improve membership, etc.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Neilsen
Recording Secretary
The next meeting of the GAA will be held Thursday, December 10, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. at the Galileo Academy, Room 2010.