Lenny's Blog
June, 2025
My fellow members and esteemed friends, thank you for placing your confidence and trust in me to be your Grand Lodge President. I am filled with gratitude and excitement for the journey that lies ahead. Together, we embark on a new chapter, one that not only honors our past but also ignites our shared vision for the future of our lodges and communities. Thank you to Immediate Past President Linda Buccini Anderson for 4 years of leadership, along with all the Grand Lodge officers, for the effort they have put forward on behalf of the Grand Lodge and OSDIA. I welcome the newly elected officers. Thank you for stepping forward to assist and guide our Grand Lodge.
It is my hope that in our pursuit of fellowship and purpose, we remember that our meetings should not only be a time to gather but a space to create joy and celebrate our Italian culture. I envision our meetings as lively celebrations of our spirit, where there is laughter, ideas flow, and everyone feels valued. We need gatherings with energy and creativity, ensuring every member leaves with a sense of belonging and inspiration.
But fun alone will not sustain us; we must also focus on the heart of our organization—our lodges. Together, we have the power to build and strengthen them, making them thriving hubs of community engagement and support. I encourage each of you to voice your ideas and passions, to roll up your sleeves and actively contribute to the growth of our lodges. Retention is not merely a statistic; it is a reflection of our ability to be of service to one another. We must strive to be useful, offering support, resources, and opportunities that resonate with our members' needs and aspirations. When members feel valued and see the tangible impact of our work, they will stay.
Here are the goals I have set for the Grand Lodge. Please read through them and respond with any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas you might have.
I have asked Director of Communication Danny Volpone and former Director of Communications Patrick Jacoby, along with their committee, to implement a plan for making NWIN self-supporting.
Bill Haberstock has agreed to take my place as GLNW Scholarship Chairman. I have asked the committee to revise the application, the application process, and how we score the applicants. The committee needs one more member. If you can do this, contact Bill Haberstock at habpal@hotmail.com. The scholarship committee was surprised to receive a donation from the estate of James Michael Vettori, (Bella Vita Lodge) in honor of his parents Sylvio and Gina. He served both the OSDIA and his country. Thank you, James, may you rest in peace. November fundraising raffle: A volunteer is needed to replace me as the November Calendar Raffle Chairman. There should be very little change from last year, so it will be easy to do. Membership: We are working on starting up a new lodge, so I will keep everyone informed of the progress.
Both the Grand Lodge and National websites have, under member resources, a ton of information on how to obtain and retain members. That information does no good if it’s not utilized. Although we take a break during July and August from our regular meetings, we’re still rocking! Check the coming events column online and in the NW Italian News for what’s happening during the summer break. Memorial Day is the time to say a prayer of thanksgiving and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Be sure to thank a Vet.
Father’s Day: I saw a T-shirt that read: “Anyone can be a parent, but it takes someone special to be a father”. Happy Father’s Day to those who have chosen to be that special person.
Again, thank you for your trust. I look forward to our time together.
My fellow members and esteemed friends, thank you for placing your confidence and trust in me to be your Grand Lodge President. I am filled with gratitude and excitement for the journey that lies ahead. Together, we embark on a new chapter, one that not only honors our past but also ignites our shared vision for the future of our lodges and communities. Thank you to Immediate Past President Linda Buccini Anderson for 4 years of leadership, along with all the Grand Lodge officers, for the effort they have put forward on behalf of the Grand Lodge and OSDIA. I welcome the newly elected officers. Thank you for stepping forward to assist and guide our Grand Lodge.
It is my hope that in our pursuit of fellowship and purpose, we remember that our meetings should not only be a time to gather but a space to create joy and celebrate our Italian culture. I envision our meetings as lively celebrations of our spirit, where there is laughter, ideas flow, and everyone feels valued. We need gatherings with energy and creativity, ensuring every member leaves with a sense of belonging and inspiration.
But fun alone will not sustain us; we must also focus on the heart of our organization—our lodges. Together, we have the power to build and strengthen them, making them thriving hubs of community engagement and support. I encourage each of you to voice your ideas and passions, to roll up your sleeves and actively contribute to the growth of our lodges. Retention is not merely a statistic; it is a reflection of our ability to be of service to one another. We must strive to be useful, offering support, resources, and opportunities that resonate with our members' needs and aspirations. When members feel valued and see the tangible impact of our work, they will stay.
Here are the goals I have set for the Grand Lodge. Please read through them and respond with any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas you might have.
I have asked Director of Communication Danny Volpone and former Director of Communications Patrick Jacoby, along with their committee, to implement a plan for making NWIN self-supporting.
Bill Haberstock has agreed to take my place as GLNW Scholarship Chairman. I have asked the committee to revise the application, the application process, and how we score the applicants. The committee needs one more member. If you can do this, contact Bill Haberstock at habpal@hotmail.com. The scholarship committee was surprised to receive a donation from the estate of James Michael Vettori, (Bella Vita Lodge) in honor of his parents Sylvio and Gina. He served both the OSDIA and his country. Thank you, James, may you rest in peace. November fundraising raffle: A volunteer is needed to replace me as the November Calendar Raffle Chairman. There should be very little change from last year, so it will be easy to do. Membership: We are working on starting up a new lodge, so I will keep everyone informed of the progress.
Both the Grand Lodge and National websites have, under member resources, a ton of information on how to obtain and retain members. That information does no good if it’s not utilized. Although we take a break during July and August from our regular meetings, we’re still rocking! Check the coming events column online and in the NW Italian News for what’s happening during the summer break. Memorial Day is the time to say a prayer of thanksgiving and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Be sure to thank a Vet.
Father’s Day: I saw a T-shirt that read: “Anyone can be a parent, but it takes someone special to be a father”. Happy Father’s Day to those who have chosen to be that special person.
Again, thank you for your trust. I look forward to our time together.