This is a brief report on the Grand Council Meeting, held at the Hilton Hotel Arden West, Sacramento, CA on September 17th and 18th. On Friday, September 17, 2021, the State Trustees had their audit meeting of accounts of the Grand Lodge. Immediately following, the state officers met for the executive meeting.

On Saturday, September 18th, at 9:00am was the Grand Council Meeting. With Roll Call of officers, Pledge of Allegiance, and the Invocation. There was reading and approval of minutes of the Grand Council Zoom meeting, held on March 20, 2021.

The State Officers gave their reports. State Financial Secretary, David Lavezzari, reviewed the report of the General Fund

I will be including in brief some information regarding Membership & Leadership in my article each month “Back to the Basics”: simple ideas to keep members engaged in Retention and Recruiting members.

For some members of our Order, recruiting is the easy part. Membership retention, however, is sometimes the most difficult and important. It’s great that you got those members in the door, but how do you make them stay?

The Lodges have learned that former members

Dear Brothers and Sisters.

Hoping you are all well and safe. It has been a challenging year, but we have continued with satisfactory progress despite the difficulties.

We had our State Grand Convention, and installation of state officers. Lodges are back to holding their monthly meetings and planning lodge social events.

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic some good has come out of it with all the technology we had to learn to get thru this world crisis!

I am happy to announce that I am a National Delegate for the term 2021 – 2023 and will be attending the National convention in Tampa, Fl. in October 2021.

National Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Past National President Joseph Sciame and committee members asked the delegates to attend on Saturday, July 17, 2021, a tutorial meeting at 11:00 am giving detailed

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
On June 26, 2021, we had our State Grand Lodge hybrid convention held at the Grand Lodge Hall in San Francisco, CA with all State Officers in attendance with some state delegates in person while others joined by zoom. State President John Costa opened the meeting and dedicated it to Past State and National President Frank J. De Santis, a very heartwarming gesture. We accomplished quite a bit of business in a short period of time. Two By-laws were presented, with a motion to approve. With some discussion the delegates moved to table the motion. The motion was passed. The delegates voted to table until next convention 2022. Our 2022 Convention will be held in Anaheim, CA on June 23 – 26, 2022. The budget and finances were reviewed and with the exception for a minor issue it was passed.

Installation of State Officers was held. Congratulations to the newly elected State Officers and a Heartfelt Thank you to the outgoing officers for their work and dedication the past two years.

There are three positions for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Vice President. Ballots will

Can you believe it is June and our Convention will be at the end of the month? I’m looking forward to seeing many of you on Zoom. Although the Convention will be different this year, we plan to get work completed. If you have any questions on the Convention, don’t be afraid to ask. We will get the answer to you.

I know it has been a hard year for everyone, but we know that the need for donations has increased as the fundraising has decreased. Please, if you can see your way clear, donate to one of the charities or scholarships through the Grand Lodge at Convention.

I hope many of you sent emails to the New York City Mayor DeBlasio. It is a shame that an Italian American led the removal of the Columbus Day holiday in the New York City Schools. Chancellor Ross Porter, who is not of Italian descent could possibly be excused but there is no excuse for the Mayor.

We in the California Grand Lodge have a Columbus