May 2016
 
Maggio Magnifico!
Membership Contest
 
The National Membership Commission is proud to announce the 2016 National Membership Contest which will be a competition among all the Grand Lodges in OSIA. With your help, your Grand Lodge could win the top prize of $1000. The rules of the contest are very simple. The Grand Lodge with the highest net percentage increase of members (includes both active and social members) for the period the end of 1st Quarter 2016 to the end of 1st quarter 2017 receives bragging rights and a $1000 cash award, to be spent or distributed at the winning Grand Lodge's discretion. There will be 2nd through 4th place winners receiving from $750 for 2nd place, $500 for 3rd place and $250 for 4th place. The contest will be administered by the National Membership Commission and will use the required quarterly per capita reports submitted by each Grand Lodge to the National Office for the data.

This contest is different than many of our previous membership contests as it is not solely just about recruiting new members. Now, not only is recruiting new members a factor, but retaining existing members is equally important. The contest will be a healthy competition among all the Grand Lodges. Because it is based on the net percentage increase and not the total number of members increased, the smaller Grand Lodges have a "level playing field" against the larger Grand Lodges. More importantly, this contest will allow the National Membership Commission to convene a session at a national meeting where the winning Grand Lodges will be able to share their strategy and ideas with all the other lodges. This sharing of proven winning ideas will ultimately help our organization grow stronger and utilize the strategies that have proven effective.

The presidents of the top 5 Filial Lodges with the highest net increase in members will be awarded admittance to the Golden Lion Program as a personal reward for their contribution to the long term success of OSIA. This part of the program will also be administered by the National Membership Commission with the assistance of the Grand Lodges.

So use your powers of persuasion and your salesmanship skills to recruit new members while engaging and retaining your existing members and your Grand Lodge might take home the top prize of $1000. Updates on the contest will be provided throughout the year. Please direct any and all inquiries, questions, or comments regarding the contest to the Chairman of the National Membership Commission, Mark DeNunzio at denunziodds@yahoo.com.
A Message from the OSIA National President

This year marks the 100th anniversary for a number of lodges. I would like to extend my congratulations for reaching this milestone to the following lodges:
Binghamton Lodge #487 in Binghamton, NY; Alighieri-Garibaldi Lodge #494 in Camden, NJ; Cambridge Italian Men's & Ladies Lodge #506 in E. Cambridge, MA; Peter B. Gay Lodge #540 in Taunton, MA; ITAM Lodge #564 in Pittsfield, MA; Savoia Lodge #570 in Homer City, PA; Vittoria Lodge #585 in Providence, RI; and the Dante Aligheri Lodge #648 in Waltham, MA. Auguri! 
Fraternally, 
Daniel J. Longo, OSIA National President 
Lodge Members - We want your opinion!



Sons of Italy® members, your assistance is needed. The National Membership Commission has developed an online member satisfaction survey in order to measure the opinions and desires of active members. This survey is specifically targeted for the lodge membership. The information gained from the responses will be used to guide OSIA in making changes and improving the organization. The satisfaction survey is being administered through the website Survey Monkey. The survey is completely anonymous and only takes 5-10 minutes to complete. There is even a section at the end to share any concerns or ideas you may have to improve our beloved Order. Thank you in advance for participating in this important project. To ensure security and data integrity only one survey response will be accepted from each individual computer.

For questions or comments regarding the member satisfaction survey please e-mail Membership Commission Chair Mark DeNunzio at denunziodds@yahoo.com.

Click here to start the survey!
Join us at the 28th Annual NELA Gala
Due to high demand, the deadline for tickets & sponsorships has been extended to May 6.  

On Thursday, May 26, 2016, join the Sons of Italy Foundation® for the 28th Annual National Education & Leadership Awards (NELA) Gala in Washington, D.C. to honor:

Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Service

Dr. Condoleezza Rice
66th U.S. Secretary of State  
Thomas & Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy, the Hoover Institution at Stanford University
Award for Excellence in
Business

Nicholas E. Calio
President & CEO 
Airlines for America

National Education & Leadership Award

Joseph M. Mattone, Sr. 
Chairman & CEO 
The Mattone Group
National Education & Leadership Award  

Mary Ann Pessolano Mattone, RN/MPH  
Philanthropist & Community Leader   
Humanitarian Award
 
Paul Rinaldi
President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Master of Ceremonies

Joe Mantegna
Award-winning Actor

Special Guest

Gary Sinise
Award-winning Actor
Founder, Gary Sinise Foundation
Featured Performer

Tenor Michael Amante

The NELA Gala is the SIF's most important fund-raising and public affairs event, highlighting the foundation's commitment to educational excellence, leadership and the betterment of society.   

Please direct questions to nelagala@osia.org or call 202.547.8115. Reserve tickets and sponsorships with this printable form or call us. Additional information may also be viewed on the NELA website. 
Italian Boxer, Irish Name:
Inside the Ropes of America's Ring 
  
This month we're giving OSIA members and supporters a look into the Spring 2016 issue of Italian AmericaTM. Learn about the 1,000 Italian professional boxers who went by Irish pseudonyms. Click here to read the article.

Learn more about IA and subscribe today!
The Sons of Italy Visa® Rewards Credit Card

The Sons of Italy Visa® Rewards card features a flexible rewards program with thousands of rewards options and additional cardholder benefits. Get the card that rewards you and supports the Sons of Italy everywhere you shop, dine, or travel! What's more, open an account and use your card within 90 days and the Sons of Italy will be helped even more! Click here for details.
 
To apply for the card:
Italian American Ryan Arcidiacono made headlines last month when he led the Villanova University to victory during this year's March Madness, the NCAA men's basketball championship. 
Lodge Anniversary

Sons of Italy® Nature Coast Lodge #2502 in Springhill, FL, is celebrating its 35th anniversary this month! Auguri!
Member Benefit of the Month 

Considering the high cost for Long Term Care, the Sons of Italy Long Term Care insurance program is designed to help protect you, your family and your retirement security. Protection is available should you need care at home, in an assisted living or nursing home facilities. This program offers special discounts not available to the general public for you and your family members. For the month of May, OSIA members, friends and supporters have access to this member benefit. To request information on this program, click here or call 1-888-305-4582. 




 

To see all member benefits, sign in to the OSIA MEMBERS ONLY website.
Social Media Post of the Month

 
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