NEWS Bollettino Highlights In Touch Calendar Winners

Grand President'S Message by Michael Rossi As the year moves swiftly by, we have reached the completion of our Installation ceremonies for new officers, and as many of you are well aware, Bishop's Days, and the planning of these festivities, are now in progress. These time-honored events are great opportunities for the ICF on the District and Branch level to build better relationships with all of the Church pastors and bishops. By reminding them of our commitment to the clergy, we show them how much we value them and support them. The pastors and bishops hopefully show their support for you by supporting our branches and in helping to increase our membership. The need for membership may sound like a broken record, but it is a crucial element in the future success of the ICF. We need the next generation to carry on our great Italian traditions and the Catholic faith. There are potential new members everywhere you turn: in your parish, families, friends, and community. Sometimes all that is needed is to ask. Aside from new members, though, it is imperative that we retain those who are already members of the ICF. Follow up on members who haven't renewed their membership to see why they are delinquent or have chosen not to continue. A personal connection may be all that is needed to hold on to one of our valued members. Offer a ride to a member who can't drive at night. Bring a dinner home to a member who is ill. And please, always show families how much the ICF appreciates them and their children. If you or your branch needs help with membership or conducting a membership drive, please contact the Membership Committee via the ICF office. As members of the ICF, one of our greatest success is awarding deserving outgoing high school students with a college scholarship. The applications are all into the ICF office, and soon the judging will take place. When your recipients are announced, please invite the students and their parents to your meeting. Encourage them to talk about their education plans and what they hope to accomplish in their future careers. Because of your generosity, these students are the recipients of your scholarships and wouldn't it be great to meet them? We all know how generous the members of the ICF are, and another such instance has been your donations to the victims of the Southern California fires. Thanks to your contributions the ICF was able to donate almost $20,000 to Catholic Charities. God bless you and thank you. As Marcie and I start planting this year's tomato garden we wish all of you a blessed Spring season. Michael Rossi Grand President Italian Catholic Federation, 675 Hegenberger Road, Suite 230, Oakland CA 94621 tel: 888/ICF-1924; 510/633-9058; fax: 510/633-9758; Email: info@icf.org Website designed by HYPERSPHERE