Normally I would be packing my car and heading to our State Convention on the day I am writing this. This will be the first time in 17 years I will not be attending Convention (except one year for my daughter’s wedding). Many of you also, would be checking in to our Hotel for the week to share some laughs, and fraternity. This will be a different year. I hope everyone continues to be safe, and hope for that day when we can break bread, share a conversation, and share an adult beverage will come soon!!

By now you have probably received the Western Foundation donation forms for 2020. Even though we are not meeting at convention you are still able to donate to our scholarship funds, Medical charities and our civic projects. If you have not received the forms please email the Grand Lodge office and we will get them to you.

Another month has passed and we are continuing to live a different world than what we are use to. I hope everyone is doing well and abiding by the rules set up by our elected State officials.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the De Santis family for the loss of Past State and National President Frank. I will always remember the first time I met Frank at the 2003 convention. He will be missed by all of us for his knowledge and his kind smile. He will now look over all of us in The Grand lodge above!

We will be sending out the Western Foundation donation forms you would normally receive at convention and be able to donate to our charities. Even though a lot of lodges have had to cancel

Usually I would be starting out my article with I had the pleasure of attending this event, this anniversary, But no, this is a new dimension we are living in now following the rules set forth by our elected officials. I am hoping that all of our members are staying safe and well. This is has been a difficult time for all of us. By now you have heard that the Grand Council had a conference call last month, and with all of your lodges input, the decision to cancel the 2020 Convention in Concord was made. This was the right thing to do for the safety and wellbeing of our members. I would like to thank the C. Colombo lodge for the hard work in helping the Grand Lodge as host lodge for the Convention. Information will be going out to the delegates soon as to what will needs to be voted on.

First of all I hope this article finds everyone well and safe. This is a very hard time our country in facing, actually world is facing. Fortunately we have family to rely on and be with. Please check in with our elderly members who are by themselves and please let us all listen to our elected government officials. Please everyone stay safe and if you need anything reach out to your fellow members. Many of our members are older and they should not spend much time around groups. BE SAFE!!.I’m hoping the next article I write for the Il leone will be more upbeat.

We were just able to complete our Grand Council meeting with the use of a conference call and webinar. Thank you all that participated, I personally think things went well and we were able to get our agenda done in a timely manner. Thank you Mark and Lori Rossi for all your help in making this successful, I appreciate the feedback I received from the officers and members. Thank you for your support.

The year keeps on trucking, the first two months of 2019 are complete and they have been very busy to say the least. What is that old saying, no rest for the wicked and the righteous don’t need it. I do not know where I fall into that, but I know rest will be coming. It seems like I have not been home for a complete weekend since the New Year has started.

I want to extend my condolences to our 3rd VP Sadie and Past Trustee Aldo from the Central for their losses. Everyone will miss Sid and Pam greatly. My thoughts and Prayers are with you and your families.

A special Thanks to our Financial Secretary David and our Budget and Finance Chair for your time to go thru the budget to be presented at Grand Council and at Convention. It was a long process, so thank you both for taking the time!!

As I am writing this I have just returned from the National Winter Plenary. It is nice to report that all three legs of National, Supreme, Sons of Italy Foundation and CSJ are all running in the positive. Mostly due to the Legacy donations that they have received. Our Membership numbers for ending 4th quarter 2019 was 32,367. (this does not include at large members). NELA is once again planned for May 22nd 2020 where National will honor the national scholarship recipient’s s and they have (4) honorees along with a Medal of Honor Recipient that they will honor also. More info will be available soon. National will once again be having a fundraiser where they will sell calendars for the month of October where you can win cash. I will have calendars available at the Grand council meeting in March. All officers will receive them and we will be getting more from national shortly.