News from the National Convention

Hi All,

We are back from the National Convention, which was held at the Parc 55 Hotel in San Francisco. Andre' DiMino was elected Executive VP, Gene Santoli was re-elected National Treasurer, and I was re-elected National Secretary. Our chapter is the only chapter with three members on the Executive Committee, something of which we are very proud.

Kathleen Strozza from the Temecula, CA chapter was elected National President. As everyone knows, Kathi is our first woman President. She is very qualified and has our wholehearted support. David Donnini from the West Los Angeles, CA chapter was elected 3RD National VP, and Gerry Heytink of the Westwood chapter was re-elected National Expansion Director. Our Immediate Past District Governor Rick D'Arminio was elected National Membership and Retention Director. Our new District Governor is Joseph Verdone of the Greater Ramsey chapter. A full report of the convention will be in the next issue of ComUNICO, and I will post a few pictures here and on our website as soon as I receive them.

Many donations to our national programs and charities by chapters, districts, and individuals were made from the floor, totaling in excess of $150,000. As usual, our chapter made its annual donations to the UNICO Charities. We donated $250 each to COOLEY'S ANEMIA RESEARCH, MENTAL HEALTH, THE V FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH, UNICO SCHOLARSHIPS, & UNICO ITALIAN STUDIES CHAIRS, and $593 to ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL.

We have a busy year ahead of us with our fundraisers and events, including those to support Convention 2009 when our chapter will be honored to have Andre' Di Mino installed as National President. Additional information will provided soon, so watch the blog and the website in the weeks to come.

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer.

Best regards,
Mike Pisano