NEWS Bollettino Highlights In Touch Calendar Winners

CENTRAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Saturday, June 9, 2007 Francesco's Restaurant, Oakland, Ca Grand President, Leonard Rossi (GP Leonard), called the meeting to order at 1:05pm. Opening Prayer was led by Spiritual Director, Fr. Daniel Cardelli. Salute to the Flag and ICF Pledge were led by GP Leonard and recited by all assembled. ROLL CALL was taken with 23 members present. Excused was Albert Teglia. GP Leonard introduced Life Members Emeritus and Members Emeritus present. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS GP Leonard welcomed guests in attendance and asked them to introduce themselves. MEETING MINUTES Minutes for the February 10, 2007 Central Council meeting were reviewed. Motion made by Vince Picciola/Mike Cannady to accept the Minutes as corrected. Motion Carried. COMMUNICATIONS 1, Thank you from family of Victor Mangini-donation to Providenza Fund in memory of Victor. 2, Thank you from Dan Petrolino-donation to Providenza Fund with get well wishes. 3, Thank you from Josephine Arieta-donation to Providenza Fund in memory of her Father. 4. Thank you from Dave Rose-donation to Providenza Fund with get well wishes. 5. Thank you from Most Reverend George Niederauer, Archbishop of San Francisco for Seminary Burse donation and Spiritual Bouquet. REPORTS Spiritual Director (Fr. Daniel Cardelli) Fr. Cardelli stated he is looking forward to being with us for as long as he can. He will do the best he can to help the ICF and will solicit our help to help him help us. He has always been impressed with the ICF and the people who belong to it. Italian people always get involved in their Parishes and help their Pastors. Also, they always maintain their heritage and their healthy cuisine. God Bless and thank you. Grand President (Leonard Rossi) GP Leonard reported the following: -All Installations are complete. -Attended Orange, Chicago and East Bay/Contra Costs District Bishop Days. -Met with several Committees and reports will be given later on today. -Workshop panels have been selected and letters will be sent out next week. -Dealt with Branch leadership issues. Report will be given later. Grand Treasurer (Carmen Kilcullen) Grand Treasurer, Carmen Kilcullen reported the following: -Quickbooks is up and running. Special thanks to Jane Dianda who spent the last 6 months transferring data from the old system to new system. Also, thanks to Patty Smith for her efforts in completing this huge task. -Financial reports, produced in Quickbooks, for period ending April 30th, 2007 were reviewed and discussed. -All UBS funds are doing well. -UBS recommended that the Apostolate Fund be moved to a more diversified portfolio. Finance Committee approved this recommendation. -UBS also offered to speak at our Annual Convention on the topic of Legacy Planning which would enable individuals to bequeath money into trust fund for the ICF. -Bob Acquistapace commended Carmen for getting the new system up and running and providing reports that we can all understand. Carmen thanked Bob and also commended Patty and Charlene from the ICF office for all their hard work . Grand Deputy (Mike Rossi) Grand Deputy, Mike Rossi reported the following: -April issue of In Touch included section regarding importance of meeting minutes. Next distribution scheduled for July 1st, 2007. -Deputy Workshop in Sacramento was cancelled. -Mike listed several branches which he has been made aware of that have problems. Main topics of concern throughout branches are membership and leadership issues. -Met with Task Force Committee to discuss the Deputy Program. I would like to make sure we have strong Deputies in week branches or have Central Council members involved in the branches. Field Operations Director (Josephine Arieta) Field Operations Director, Josephine Arieta reported the following: -Has learned a lot about the ICF and thanked us all for our input and support. -Past the visiting stage of where the problems are. Will be moving from the react mode to the planning mode. -There are a lot of branches that need help, but there are also many branches that are doing well. We need to share information of strong branches with weak branches. -Need consistency, more action and more planning to achieve better results. -Branches may look into ICF business card with branch information and website info., etc. -Will be assessing long-term and short-term areas of importance. Will be visiting San Diego and Arizona in the next two weeks to look into opening new branches.. -Overwhelmed with letters, donations and condolences for her father. Nettie reported the following: -We all need to help troubleshoot problems in branches. Opening new branches is goal for Josephine -Discussion ensued regarding the task of identifying specific areas of expansion. -Josephine will be publishing an article in future Bollettino issues. COMMITTEE REPORTS Apostolate/Charity Committee (Joseph Polselli) Apostolate Chairperson Joseph Polselli reported the following: -Motion made by the Apostolate Committee to obtain $300.00 for convention awards. Motion Carried. -The following 3 charities were voted on for our National Charity: Cooley's, Catholic Youth Foundation and Sisters of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Cooley's won the election and will once again be our national charity. -Judging of the Apostolate Reports will take place on July 20th, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. Only the top 5 winners will be announced at the Convention. Honorary mention certificates will be available at the Apostolate Table which will be set near the Delegate Registration tables. -Discussion ensued regarding possibly modifying the Apostolate/Charity Report. This task will be tabled until after the 2007 Convention. By-Laws Committee (Harry Pacini) Chairperson Harry Pacini reported the following: -An article will be published in the Bollettino regarding process for submitting By-Law Changes. -The following By-Law Changes were reviewed: 1) Submitted by By-Laws Committee -Chapter XV - All branch funds must be deposited in federally insured financial institutions, add words and must be in the name of the Branch ; 2) Submitted by By-Laws Committee - Chapter XII Duties of Officers - Treasurer: Add words On Branch checks that require 2 signatures, the signatories shall not be related either by marriage or birth; 3) Submitted by Br.72, San Domenico: Elections Article 2C -No person shall be elected to office of President in an existing branch unless that person has been a member within the branch for 6 months prior to election. Change to read "unless that person has been a member of the ICF for 6 months prior to election. 4) Submitted by Finance Committee - Chapter 3, Article 7 - Add Grand 2nd Vice as ex-officio member of the Finance Committee. Add the 2nd Grand Vice President to serve as an ex-officio of the Finance Committee. Also, Change "members to include up to 3 Central Council Members" to read - the 2nd Grand Vice President and up to 3 Central Council Members". -Motion made by By-Laws Committee to approve the above changes and additions as presented. Motion Carried. Convention Committee (David Botta) Chairperson David Botta reported the following: -August 1, 2007 will be the deadline for any reports to be included in the Delegate packets. David requested that we limit reports to one page. -Any ads for the Souvenir Book must be turned in to Nettie Descalso-DelNero no later than July 1. -Nina Malone has volunteered to chair the Novelties for the Convention. -Karen Rossi with be Cantor for the Convention Mass. She will be assisted by Pat Mueller and both will work with Fr. Cardelli. Karen will be calling on ICF members to join in the choir. -Bishop Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson will be in attendance at Saturday's Banquet and the Sunday Mass. Bishop Almstead will be attending Sunday Mass. -Mayor of Scottsdale will be attending Saturday Banquet. -Thursday night dinner will be held at Rawhide. Buses will be available from the hotel. Trip is approximately 40 minutes. Finance Committee (Carmen Kilcullen) Chairperson Carmen Kilcullen reported the following: -Separate expense vouchers for CC should be turned in separately. Do not combine expenses for more than one person on vouchers. -Rent for the ICF office will be increased by 5% which will amount to $3,083.00 per month. Finance Committee has recommended that the Executive Committee look into possible other office locations. -Travel reimbursement for CC members and Officers to be re-evaluated. -Incentive Awards for all Committees need to be re-evaluated and decide whether incentives are necessary or not by October, 2007 for budgeting purposes. -The Finance Committee presented Suggested Recommendations for 2007 CC Convention Expense Reimbursements. Motion made by David Botta/Dante Galeazzi to pay transportation to/from airport at actual cost with receipt. Motion Carried. Motion made by Mike Cannady/Joseph Polselli to pay actual mileage but to be capped at $450.00 and to pay actual airport parking costs per receipt. Motion Carried. Gifts of Love (Albert Teglia) -Awards in the amount of $10,850.00 were granted in March, 2007. Current balance is $10,804.96. Total awards granted to date equal $168,207.60. -Gifts of Love Program is very well received throughout California and other States. Heritage Committee (Ario Gregori) Chairperson Ario Gregori reported the following: -A Heritage Table will be set up in the lobby at the Convention. Presentation will be done by Jim Jones and Maria DiPaolo. -Judging of Heritage Reports - A total of 9 awards will be given. Certificates will be placed in Delegate packets. Hospitalization Committee (Jane Dianda) Chairperson Jane Dianda reported the following: -As of April 30th, 2007 the total number of plan members is 792 the total plan assets are $1,004,123.38. . -The Committee met with UBS representative, Michael Yochum to discuss possible options of utilizing plan funds to benefit the four ICF programs. Mr. Yochum agrees with the Hospitalization Committee that the Plan should remain in place. However, he does realize the benefits Plan funds could provide to the ICF programs. He provided several options and suggested that we contact an attorney to find out legalities of these options. -The Committee recommends that no changes be made to the Plan or its funds at this time. -The Committee will be placing an information sheet in the Delegate packets with frequently asked questions and basis information, as well as the Convention Report. Membership Committee (Dante Galeazzi) Chairperson Dante Galeazzi reported the following: -ICF membership is now below 13,000. -Thanked Josephine for following up on branches in need of help. -There are 55 branches that have not signed up any new members and there are 27 branches which have only signed up 1 new member in the past two months. -In the last 3 months there are 33 branches with no new members. -ICF Leadership needs to take a more active role in recruiting new members and we must work as a team. -Membership has dropped by 13.8% between January 2001 and March 2007. -Dante gave several examples of efforts being made throughout various ICF branches to obtain new members. -Discussion ensued regarding retaining members as well as obtaining new members, methods for identifying membership issues, why members are canceling and more benefits to members, publicity, etc. -A total of $2,425.00 was awarded to branches for signing up 5 new members or more. -Last 2 months 128 new member signups, however there were 129 cancellations and 35 deceased members. Public Relations (Harry Pacini) Chairperson Harry Pacini reported the following: -Convention agenda ready for Bollettino. -July Bollettino will announce Young Adult Award winner. -Andy Pappani is working on ICF publicity in Scottsdale. -Calendar items and ICF articles to be sent to Italo-Americano by end of June. -Motion made by Public Relations Committee for $1,000.00 to purchase giveaways at Festas to promote ICF. Giveaways to include ICF website information, etc. Motion Carried. -In the first 6 months the ICF website received 87,000 hits. In the months of April and May, 2007 website received 95,000 hits, most likely due to Scholarship information. Scholarships are good publicity for ICF. -Amount of words for Branch Bollettino articles will remain at 150 words. Seems to be an increase of articles received from Branches. -Convention Awards - Extension was published after deadline. Committee to screen applications to ensure candidate is applying for correct award. -Convention Award Winners were voted on and the results are as follows: Family of the Year: The Tallarida Family; Pope John XXIII Award: John Lencioni; Mother Theresa Award: Sr. Patricia Davis, PBVM; Grand President's Award: Rose Haupt Scholarship Committee (Steven Fuentes) Chairperson Steven Fuentes reported the following: -1st year scholarship judging was completed on April 20th. -Thanked Charlene Kramer for all her hard work with the scholarship applications. -Thanked the Santa Rosa District for donating a total of 28 scholarships. -Will be eliminating the reference in scholarship applications pertaining to 1040 information. Income bracket will be on application form. -395 1st year scholarship applications were received and194 scholarships awarded. -2nd, 3rd & 4th year scholarship judging will be done on August 17th. Received $7,000.00 in donations. -Motion made by Scholarship Committee to use $1,000.00 from Marini Trust Donations for scholarships. Motion Carried. Task Force Committee (Richard Valli) Chairperson Richard Valli reported the following: -Committee has been meeting on a monthly basis tackling a variety of subjects. -Recommendation & Approval Process for Compensation Packages: Motion made by Task Force Committee to change Chapter V-Committee-Article 8-Finance Committee-G-Finance Committee shall submit to Executive Committee amount of funds available for salary and benefits for ICF employees by October 1 of each year. Executive Committee than shall make recommendations to CC and CC shall vote at its October meeting. Motion Carried. -Proper Protocol for all CC, District and Branches at Installations, Bishop's Days and various District Functions was addressed. Guidelines along with a list showing proper order in introducing CC Officers and members will be distributed to all CC members. District Presidents will receive 2 copies so that he/she can distribute copies to each Branch President. District Deputies will also receive copies. -Task Force Committee recommends that the Apostolate/Charity Report form seriously consider overhauling the form or possibly eliminating the form. -As requested by the Deputy Chief, time was spent discussing value of Deputy Program, areas of weakness and need to find members willing to be Deputies. No changes to Deputy Program will be made at this time. -An initial discussion was entered into concerning a "5 year plan" or strategic plan. Discussion ensued regarding future of the ICF. A final recommendation from the Task Force to GP Leonard was to have the Chair of every committee submit a report on their committee regarding responsibilities and timelines for the committee. These written reports should be in the office no later than August 1, 2007. -Richard thanked the members of the Task Force Committee for their hard work. They are Bob Acquistapace, David Botta, Nettie Descalso DelNero, Steven Fuentes, Carmen Kilcullen and Larry Marsalli. Also serving as ex-officio were Grand President Leonard Rossi and Grand First Vice President Mike Rossi. Ways & Means Committee (Nettie Descalso DelNero) Chairperson Nettie Descalso DelNero reported the following: -2007 Calendars - A total of 2087 were sold, realizing a profit of $24,436.00. Biscotti at Convention!! -2008 Calendars - Received many recipes, could not use them all, will try to cover as many Districts as I can. -Souvenir Books - Ads to Nettie today or no later than July 1st, 2007. -Ornaments - 2004, 2005 and 2006 ornaments will be sold in sets of 3 for $7.50. -Golf Tournament-July 26th, Laguna Seca Golf Course. GP Leonard thanked all players who have signed up as well as hole sponsors. Also thanked George Bacigalupi for paying for insurance, Hole-In-One donation, Jim & Janice Jones and Mike & Marcie Rossi for handling raffle and Dante and Julie Galeazzi for bringing in several groups to play. -Motion made by Jim Jones/Carmen Kilcullen for CC to donate $100.00 for raffle prize. Motion Carried. Workshop Committee (Jim Jones) Chairperson Jim Jones reported the following: -Last year the Committee put on 11 Membership Workshops in 11 Districts, this year 2 Membership Workshops were done with 1 cancellation and 1 District turned down offer for a workshop. -Received a lot of positive feedback on Membership Workshop. -Discussion ensued regarding creative ideas for workshops and motivation to increase membership. The possibility of developing programs which are young family-friendly were discussed as well as bringing in Seminarians to give talks. -Bob Acquistapace suggested that the Committee offer a broad spectrum presentation so there is something for everyone. UNFINISHED BUSINESS -Presentation of Young Adult Award: A motion was made by Roselynn Jarrett/Jim Jones to present the Young Adult Awards at the Annual Convention rather than at the District Level. Award recipient would be reimbursed for 1 night hotel stay, transportation and banquet ticket. This practice would begin at the 2008 Convention. Motion Carried. -Motion made by Richard Valli/Dante Galeazzi to present a stipend of $1,000.00 to the Pope John Award winner and $500.00 to the Mother Teresa Award winner at the Convention. Motion Carried. NEW BUSINESS -Central Council Life Member, Albert Teglia, was recognized as Life Member Emeritus. -Election of New Central Council Life Member: Jane Dianda nominated Leonard Rossi for Life Member. No other nominations were made. Leonard Rossi won election and is now a Life Member of the Central Council. -Motion made by Joseph Polselli/Carmen Kilcullen to again co-sponsor activities for Cooley's Anemia patients in the amount of $2,500.00. Motion Carried. ACTION ON COMMUNICATIONS None. GOOD OF THE ORDER -Jim Jones congratulated Elaine & Bob Osario on their 61st Wedding Anniversary. -Jim Friebel presented a 3 column article regarding the ICF and Festa held at Casa Defrutti which he and members of his branch worked on. -Bob Acquistapace suggested GP Leonard write a letter to Past Grand President, Life Member Emeritus, Thomas Poggi congratulating him on being the oldest living Past Grand President of the ICF and thanking him for all he has done for the ICF. -Mike Rossi congratulated GP Leonard for the fine job he has done while Grand President. -Dante Galeazzi announced he and his Ministry group were highly recognized by the Diocese for holding a live auction fund raiser to benefit the building of a new church in Tracy. The group received a $3,500.00 bid for an 8 course meal for 10 people that will be hosted and prepared by Dante Galeazzi and the group. -GP Leonard thanked the Central Council for all their support while he served as Grand President. CLOSING PRAYER Spiritual Director, Fr. Daniel Cardelli led us in Closing Prayers. Fr. Cardelli also stated that he does not have to do Penance this month because he lasted through the entire Central Council meeting. The next meeting of the Central Council will be Sunday, September 2, 2007 at 1:00pm, Chaparral Suites Resort - Arizona. ADJOURNMENT GP Leonard Rossi adjourned the meeting at 5:45pm. Respectfully Submitted, Jane Dianda Grand Secretary 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