The 87th Grand Convention

The following is a brief summary of the 87th Convention of the Grand Lodge. We were honored to have National President Michael G. Polo in attendance at our Convention.

Michael arrived late Tuesday night to meet with our Grand Council early Wednesday morning. In the afternoon, he teamed up with our State President Arlene to play in the Bocce Tournament. Winners will be announced later in the report! As usual, there was much enthusiasm and energy displayed at this event, along with the traditional competitive spirit of our Italian ancestors.

Thursday morning, we were all geared up and ready to kick off our convention. However, one of our officers was missing! After an hour, and with the assistance of the local fire department our Past State President, John Costa, was released from the elevator and thankfully joined us.

Past State President Lynn Lawrence Murphy served as Grand Herald and introduced our State Chairs, Past State Presidents, and State Officers who were escorted by our Masters and Mistresses of Ceremonies to their seats. The Mistress and Master of Ceremony of the Day escorted National President Michael Polo and then our State President Arlene Nunziati to their seats. Lori Rossi then introduced the Host Lodge President Carol Esposito from the C. Colombo Lodge #1315 who gave a welcoming speech. Lori then instructed the Color Guard (members of the Delta Veterans Group) to post the colors.

Past State President John Costa led us in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the singing of the U.S. National Anthem. Lori thanked the Color Guard and they retreated. Lori instructed State Trustee Renee Adair to give the invocation. Lori handed the gavel to State President Arlene and turned the meeting over to her. Arlene opened the meeting of the 87th Grand Convention. Lori took roll call - all present. Arlene thanked National President for attending our meeting and asked him to say a few words.

Royal Court of the Golden Lion Chair Pamela Ricci presented the Necrologio Report. It’s a somber time for us as we bid farewell to many of our dear brothers and sisters. May they rest in peace! We miss you.

Arlene then gave her State President’s Report as did the Vice Presidents. All asked if there were any questions (see reports in the Convention Report Book).

Marlene Romanazzi presented the Credential Report, which indicated that Maria Pignati, a past State President, and the Queen Emeritus were missing. There should have been a total of 109 delegates, however, only 76 were present. Among our Lodges, 20 had full representation, 8 had partial representation, and 10 had no representation. It was disheartening to see that many Lodges were completely absent and that there were a high number of partially represented Lodges. During the meeting, we discussed strategies for increasing representation of the Lodges at our Conventions.

At the meeting, State Financial Secretary David Lavezzari shared several key points in his report. He discussed the successful sale of the San Francisco Building and the purchase of a new building in Orangevale, California. The good news is that we did not have to pay taxes on the sale of the building. The Finance Committee has made secure and wise investments, and we are currently earning about 5% on our investments. It’s estimated that we will make a profit of around $18,000 in 2024.

The Grand Council suggested providing a one-time per capita credit to assist our filial Lodges, based on their second-quarter membership numbers minus any supplies purchased and the IL Leone. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved by the Convention delegates, costing the Grand Lodge approximately $48,000.

Following this, David presented the budget for the next year for approval. During the discussion, Past President John Tedesco suggested increasing the budgeted amount for membership from $1,000 to $30,000, possibly to create an incentive program or prizes aimed at encouraging members to recruit more members. It was proposed that this be further discussed at the next Grand Council Meeting at Sea on September 27-30. The delegates approved the Budget. Genny Arietta presented the State Treasurer’s Report with no questions, and Head State Trustee Pamela Buldo provided a summary of the trustees’ audit, confirming that all is well.

A luncheon was held to honor all the past First Ladies and Gentlemen and the Presidents and Spouses of the State Lodges. Carol, the President of C. Colombo Lodge, hosted the event and delightful gifts from the Continente Family Ranch were given to all the honorees.

The afternoon resumed with Judiciary Chair John Bianco’s presentation of the by-law changes submitted.

Article 20 regarding the State Recording Secretary’s duties -several new items were added. The delegation approved the changes Article 46 regarding Local Lodge’s Recording Secretary – new words were added and a new job Q was added. This was also approved by the delegation.

Article 57J regarding reimbursement of Grand Convention Expenses- new proposal states “The Grand Lodge shall advance the State Officers, Past State Presidents, and invited Chairpersons of Committees, etc. $0.65 per mile for ground transportation or the cost of coach fare for air transportation and the payment of $150.00 per diem for overnight stays and a payment of $60. Per diem when there is no overnight requirement. The delegates approved this change.

Article 57A regarding reducing the number of State Delegates to two per Local Lodge

This would require a 2/3 majority vote by the delegates to pass It did not pass Articles 20, 46, and 57J will be submitted to the National 2024 Summer Plenary taking place in August in St. Louis, Missouri for approval.

During the meeting, Anna Graeber, the Webmaster, presented her report. She emphasized that our current website needs a revamp. If we choose to work with DiGrande Web Designs, the cost for creating a new, robust site would be $5,500, with an additional $100 per month. During the discussion, John Tedesco requested Anna reach out to DiGrande Web Designs to see if they would agree to a 6-month payment plan for the rebuild. DiGrande Web Designs did agree to a 6-month payment plan via text.

Alternatively, opting for the iMembersDB website (provided by National) would involve a $189.00 setup fee, as well as an annual cost of $189.00 thereafter. Anna assured that it will be feasible and secure to accept donations for the state and filial Lodges, regardless of which direction the delegation chooses to go. Further exploration on this matter will be conducted after the convention as there are more questions regarding the iMembersDB website for the Grand Lodge. Anna also highlighted that iMembersDB offers an excellent mobile app called ‘Ignite’, which facilitates connections with other Lodges and members at both local and national levels. For the Lodges and members to utilize the various offers from iMembersDB such as their website for the filial Lodges and the ‘Ignite’ app, the filial Lodges must be utilizing the iMembersDB system. Training for utilizing iMembersDB and the ‘Ignite’ app will be provided.

In her capacity as the IL Leone Editor, Anna reminded everyone that the deadline for submitting all articles is the fifteenth of each month to ensure USPS delivery to the members takes place on or before the first of the month. The pricing details for articles and ads are available in the IL Leone. For any inquiries, individuals are encouraged to contact Anna directly.

Thursday evening, State President Arlene invited all delegates to her room for a champagne reception at 5 p.m. It was a great time with old and new friends. Thursday night had a “An Italian Luau” theme, with drinks starting at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Members of the C. Columbo Lodge greeted everyone with a lei and the room was decorated with a tropical theme. A buffet supper and music by a DJ followed. Lodge

President Carol got everyone on the dance floor, even getting a Congo Line going. It was a lot of fun and there was plenty of laughter! Many thanks to the C. Columbo Lodge.

Day 2 Friday came early! State President Arlene reopened the meeting, and the State Recording Secretary took a roll call of officers. Everyone was present. Then, State

President Arlene suspended the Grand Lodge meeting and handed over the gavel to CAO Mark Rossi to open the meeting of the Western Foundation. The State Recording

Secretary took a roll call, adding the Western Foundation Trustees Pauline Richmond, Anna Graeber, and Joe LaPorta (who was excused).

At the meeting, CAO Mark Rossi briefly described the role of the Western Foundation. Then, the State Financial Secretary, David, provided the Financial Report of the Foundation. He explained that the Foundation has invested only the long-term funds in safe and secure investments. He also mentioned that they anticipate making approximately $11,000 this year, which indicates that the Foundation is performing well.

Under Italian Language and Culture Chair Maria Pignati’s Report., It was noted that the Fondazione Italia Language School in Los Angeles is now offering Italian classes of varying levels at a discounted rate to our members. Go to www.osdia.org for more information.

The Royal Court of the Golden Lion Chair, Pamela Ricci, has challenged the Grand Council and the delegates at this convention to participate in the charity arm of the Grand Lodge. With the assistance of Mary Lucido, they have arranged for guest speakers from the U.C. Davis Research Center to give a presentation during the luncheon. Scholarship Chair Rosemarie Vanderharr stated the committee received seventy-six applications this year. The committee awarded twenty-six scholarships including the Study Grant to Italy. Four of the scholarship recipients will be attending the Black & White Ball. The approved monies awarded totaled $43,500. not including the cost of the Student to Italy.

State President Arlene provided a brief report about the CSJ as she serves as the Secretary for the National CSJ. The National Alzheimer’s Leaders have agreed to reinstate Columbus Day on their calendars. Additionally, the Native American community has expressed a preference to be referred to as Native Americans rather than Indigenous People. The group is actively working to restore Columbus Day and honor the contributions of our Italian Ancestors.

John Costa provided a brief description of Janet Capello and her life dedicated to the Order. He then announced that Pauline Richmond from the Enrico Caruso Lodge (Visalia, CA) was the recipient of this year’s Janet Capello Distinguished Member Award. It was a well-deserved honor for a hard worker and a true daughter of the Order!

“Our FOTO (Future of the Order) California Grand Lodge representatives attended the 2023 National Convention and shared a video showcasing the activities and work they accomplished at the event. They stay connected through Zoom and are committed to engaging the younger generation. The group comprises men and women between the ages of 21 and 40.”

The Royal Court of the Golden Lion Luncheon took place from 12 to 2. Approximately 45 people attended the event. There was a short slideshow of the Golden Lion’s history, showcasing the numerous charities the organization has donated to over the years, as well as recognizing the generous members who have contributed. At the top of that list was our Gloria Garibaldi, who has donated in excess of $18,000 and Emelia Englese who has donated in excess of $17,0000.00. Two representatives from the UC Davis Research Center, Alexandra Eller Schwarz, Assistant Director, External Engagement and Corporate

Sponsorships, and Jennifer Navarro, Senior Director of Development, Neurosciences shared information about the work being done at the Alzheimer’s Decease Research Center. CAO Mark Rossi presented them with a $5,000 check from the Royal Court of the Golden Lion. Additionally, John Bianco received his Silver Lion, and Rene Adair received her Bronze Lion.

The afternoon started with two breakout sessions. Mary Lucido and Monica Domini met with the filial Lodge Presidents to discuss ways to increase and retain membership. The presidents also shared successful events and activities from their respective Lodges and requested that the monthly Zoom meetings that Past President Barbara Wisniewski started be resumed. Mary and Monica distributed information sheets that provided a clearer explanation of the duties of the filial Lodge officers, especially for the benefit of the many new people involved.

Presidents Breakout Session

1. The Lodge Presidents and representatives found the handouts on “Officer Duties and Responsibilities” to be helpful.
    
2. There was a suggestion to create an idea database containing programs to guide Lodges through challenges. This database could provide useful information, event ideas, troubleshooting, and more.
    
3. “Lodges  vary in their landscape, so what works for one Lodge may not work for another. It was suggested that having more breakout sessions, such as this one, could be more effective. Breaking the group into smaller pods, grouped by their landscape (city Lodges, suburban Lodges, and country Lodges) could help with connections. There was also discussion about knowing the demographics and determining the targeted age bracket.”
    
4. It is important to have consistent and ongoing collaboration among the presidents of the Lodges. Many appreciated the monthly Zoom calls led by Barbara and would like to see them reinstated. If Arlene is unable to continue, it would be helpful if someone else could fulfill her role. Although not all presidents attended the monthly meetings with Barbara, many found them beneficial. Another suggestion is to record all Zoom meetings and use an AI feature to generate a transcript, ensuring that all presidents, whether they attended the meetings or not, can access the information.
    
5. We also discussed the initiatives taken by Lodges, and many of them are engaged in remarkable activities. For example, some Lodges are involved in community events like the American Heart Walk and collaborate with the local Chamber of Commerce. They also attend car shows, establish connections with the Italian Catholic Federation, participate in Italian festivals, and have formed partnerships with the local Police Department. Additionally, some Lodges have membership applications easily accessible at all events, meetings, and within the community. Others host family dinners and create space for encouraging family ties. Some Lodges organize potlucks, crab feeds, parades, lunches at a local affordable restaurant, and advertise events through newsletters. They also have a bar at their events, lunch bunch gatherings, and offer scholarships. Furthermore, some Lodges use word-of-mouth and work to make personal connections in the community. Napa Lodge serves as a great model, having attracted a significant number of new members.
    
6. Some Lodges are experiencing a loss of culture and are interested in youth programs to engage junior members. These programs could include activities like cooking classes, Italian language classes, and sponsored children’s bocce tournaments. Additionally, some Lodges are finding it challenging to keep members engaged, as some members struggle with inconsistent attendance to meetings and events. This is especially difficult for Lodges with aging members.
    
7. There was a discussion about member retention, which includes visiting members at their homes to establish personal connections and meet them on a more personal level. Some Lodges use different approaches such as holding quick business meetings and organizing quality four-course dinners with the chef, while others are focusing on using virtual platforms on the Internet. The importance of providing support to members during difficult times and creating a sense of family was also emphasized. Additionally, the presidents shared that putting in the work at the beginning is crucial. They also discussed the use of a “train the trainer” platform. Dolly Sinatra Lodge found success by offering entertainment that was enjoyable for their large membership base.
    
8. Some Lodges meet monthly, while others meet bi-weekly or weekly. Some have their own brick-and-mortar building, while others don’t.
    
9. There was also a discussion about rebuilding the organization after the pandemic. This involves bringing in younger people, especially those in cross-marriages. The focus is on promoting OSDIA to Italians in the community to ensure sustainability. They need enthusiastic leaders who can leave a legacy for their Lodge. The main takeaway is that ongoing, consistent communication and contact are essential.

Delegates Breakout Session

State First Vice President Mark Vaona led the second group, which consisted of the remaining delegates, in an informal discussion of ideas to improve their convention and motivate more people to join our Lodges and attend the convention.  The following suggestions were shared at this meeting:

• Have a meet-and-greet time before the start of the convention.
• Have delegates stand and introduce themselves at the beginning of the convention.
• Have State Officers and Past State Presidents sit with different Lodges for dinner, and luncheon events.
• Have more small group breakout sessions at the Convention.
• Put the city and district on the Convention name tags and the seating signs.
• Instead of always seating the convention the same i.e. North, Central, and South, mix everyone up with their seating
• Have a special sticker for first-timers to the Convention.
• Work on becoming more visible in your communities - get info into the local papers
• Set up information booths at Farmers’ Markets, Festas, and Car Shows- pass out free waters, cookies, etc. with Lodge info printed on them
• Reach out to other clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, Native Sons, etc.) to attend and help at their functions, and they will reciprocate.
• Carry membership cards (with you at all times) with club info., meeting times, and places with your name and phone number to contact you.
• Create membership incentives ( i.e. if a member brings in 4 new members, get their dues paid for 1 year)
• Contact those with Italian names in the phone book and ask to join.
• Hold Penny Socials Pot lucks - get children involved.
• Include National information in your New Members’ packets
• Partner with other groups for events.

The delegates returned at 3:15 to hear from Christina Olivolo, a Historian of Italian Internment and a representative of the Le Donne d’Italia of San Francisco. Christina delivered a powerful PowerPoint presentation on “The Internment and Treatment of Italians during World War II” that most people are not aware of. She also had a display of the Sharp Park Internment Camp in Pacifica with additional information for anyone interested. We ended with a free night. A baseball game, dinner, and entertainment in the courtyard were provided by Louie Lodi, Sacramento Lodge, Charles Solivan, a personal friend of Louie Lodi, Lee Sparks, Virgilio Lodge (Vallejo) and Larry Capeloto, Dolly Sinatra Lodge (Palm Springs).

Saturday morning, it was back to work. We started with Lee Sparks of the Virgilio Lodge   (Vallejo, CA) singing the United States National Anthem, and Maria Pignati singing the Italian Anthem through a Boom Box.

Brian Watson, the Youth Chair, introduced the 4 youths and chaperons who participated in this year’s Youth Group at the Convention. He thanked everyone for their support and expressed hope for more youth attendance next year. They then handed out color-changing cups (purple and blue) to the delegates as a small token of thanks from the youth.

Next order of business was Bocce Chair, Hugh Ricci, who awarded medals and monetary prizes to the top 3 winning teams. Third Place went to the team from Centinela Valley Lodge (Anaheim, CA): Mark Vaona, Annette Porter, Brian Singuglia, and Steve Guthrie.

Second Place went to the 2 person team from the Enrico Caruso Lodge (Visalia, CA): Larry and Marlene Romanazzi, and the 2 person team from the Rodolfo Valentino Lodge (Clovis, CA): Brian and Tyler Watson. First Place went to the team from the Napa Lodge: Alan and Marisa Miller, Scott Williams, and Otto Deleon. The Tournament consisted of 10 teams and was played in single elimination. Congratulations to all the winners. Fun time for all! Thank you, Hugh Ricci!

Old Business:

Past State President John Tedesco will be speaking at the 100th Anniversary Gala, scheduled to take place in the Sacramento Area in September 2025. Past State President Maria Pignati and John are the chairs for the event. John mentioned that they will require the assistance of many volunteers for this project. If you are willing to help, please get in touch with Maria and John

State President Arlene announced the successful sale of the Liquor License for $180,000, minus a 10% commission.

State President Arlene called Queen Brianna Simon of our Grand Lodge to the podium. She thanked Brianna for her six years of service as Queen and presented her with a small token of the Grand Lodge’s appreciation. Brianna expressed her gratitude for the hospitality extended to her and remarked on what a wonderful experience it had been and how it helped her grow in so many ways. The Queen Contest was officially closed at the March 2024 Grand Council Meeting due to a lack of interest over the past several years.

State First Vice President Mark Vaona and State Financial Secretary David Lavezzari tabulated the results of the donations. Mark shared the results:

Scholarships - $35,887.

Career Education - $1,200, and $5000 in honor of David Prisco

Medical Charities - $15,550.

Loma Linda and Stanford Hospitals - $2,850.

Italian Language - $300.

Garibaldi Meucci Museum - $1,075.

Youth - $1,150.

Commission for Social Justice (CJS) - $100.

General Fund - $25.

IL Leone - $ 5,250.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

Good and Welfare of the Order:

Thanks and compliments were given to State President Arlene for a great convention. National President Michael G. Polo thanked everyone and complimented State President Arlene on a great convention. He will be sending an espresso coffee machine with coffee to our new office and he donated $1,000. to the Western Foundation Royal Court of the Golden Lion.

State President Arlene wrapped up the Convention by thanking National President Michael for attending our State Convention and all the delegates that attended. She thanked the C. Columbo Lodge and its president, Carol Esposito for being an outstanding host. Last but not least, she thanked Recording Secretary Lori Rossi for all her hard work in getting this Convention ready. She hopes to hold an Open House at the new Grand Lodge Building in Orangevale in October, more information to come. The 2024 87th Grand Lodge of California Convention was officially closed.

Fr. Richard Mangini from St. Ignatius Catholic Church conducted Mass at 4 O’clock..

The Black and White Ball was an elegant and special event as usual. Jennifer DePalma Chandler President of the Cornelia Vita Nuova Lodge in San Francisco served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening. She introduced all of the chairs, Past State Presidents, and our present State Officers, National President Michael and State President Arlene, Fr. Mangini gave the invocation, Past National and State President Vera Girolami led us in the Pledge and it was time to eat and enjoy a beautiful steak dinner. CAO Mark Rossi thanked National President Michael for his donation and presented him with a Bronze Lion from the Royal Court of the Golden Lion. And gave our Western Foundation Honoree Trustee Phil Privitera a big thank you for his generosity of donating $10,000.00 to the Western Foundation.

After dinner, we had the honor of meeting four outstanding young ladies and gentlemen along with their parents or grandparents. Rosemarie Vanderharr, the Scholarship Chair, introduced each of the recipients, shared their amazing accomplishments, and then presented them with their certificates alongside a representative for the donor. It was truly an amazing group! Then it was time to dance, celebrate, and say goodbye until next year.