NEWS Bollettino Highlights In Touch Calendar Winners

Grand President'S Message by Michael Rossi Amazingly enough, in February I will have been your Grand President for 100 days, and has the time flown by. Installation ceremonies for new officers are almost complete, and will be done by the end of February. I offer my congratulations to the newly sworn in officers, and my thank you to them for their dedication to their branches, districts, and to the Italian Catholic Federation. These have been afternoons offering New Year's good wishes and camaraderie that I hope can carry us all throughout the year. As branch and district members please remember to listen to the new officers and let them explore new ideas. Do not stifle the enthusiasm of your new officers simply because you do not think their ideas will work. Change is good. We do not know an idea's value until it has been tried a few times. Give your officers a chance to make these ideas successful. Give them your support as they help your branch evolve and thrive. Our common goal is the same: success and continuation of our branches, districts, and the ICF. Not only is my time as Grand President moving swiftly along, so is the year 2008. The liturgical calendar has us already into the Lenten season, which means Easter is quickly approaching. With Easter and the start of spring bring outdoor activities and functions and fundraisers that draw people out of their houses after a dismal and wet winter. Use the change of season to your benefit, and if you haven't already done so, now is the time to create your branch's calendar and program for 2008. Make it exciting and show your parish how good the ICF is. As it is now February, membership dues should be paid, so please follow up on members who haven't renewed their membership. We want to keep our members, so if dues have not been paid, please make a phone call to find out what the situation is and if some help can be given. Speaking of help, the So. Cal Fire Relief Fund that the Central Council set up to aid those whose homes were destroyed by wildfires last fall is in need of your financial assistance. We are hoping to send the first check off to the Catholic Charities and would like it to be a substantial contribution, but we can't do that without your help. One cannot forget that February is also the month to express your feelings to those you love. As Henry David Thoreau said, "There is no remedy for love but to love more." With these sentiments Marcie and I wish you a Happy Valentine's Day. 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