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Grand President's January Address by Michael Rossi Buon Anno! Welcome to the year 2009! It is amazing that every 365 days we are given a chance to start over, wipe the slate clean, and begin with a fresh vigor ideas and plans that a mere 24 hours before seemed unattainable. Why not start the New Year with a resolution that you intend to keep, and perhaps make a New Year's resolution for the branch too. These resolutions may include simply attending more meetings, chairing a dinner, or even giving a fellow member a ride to a branch or district meeting or event. Here is also a great time to pledge to refresh your branches and districts by creating an exciting program for 2009. Make an annual budget too. Choose energetic committee chair people and give them goals for the coming year. As installations begin around the ICF, this is a time of renewal for districts and branches. We give thanks to the outgoing officers and we congratulate the new officers. I will be visiting many of your areas, and I look forward to installing your new officers as they begin to fulfill their mission for the Federation. Membership is always at the top of our goals and concerns. Be sure to retain the members you have and always look for new members. Give prospective members a reason to join and give new members a reason to return. Ask a friend to join the ICF. Our membership is starting to grow, and we need to keep it growing. We cannot forget our charitable works. In this difficult economy, there are more people to help. By helping to improve the lives of the less fortunate we realize all the blessings we have in our own lives. This year we will celebrate the 85th anniversary of the ICF. During the coming year as your Grand President, my resolution is a promise to the Italian Catholic Federation to leave it a strong and viable organization ready to conquer the challenges of the future. Marcie and I wish everyone a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year! Italian Catholic Federation, 8393 Capwell Drive, Suite 110, Oakland CA 94621 tel: 888/ICF-1924; 510/633-9058; fax: 510/633-9758; Email: info@icf.org Website designed by HYPERSPHERE