Brothers,
This past month have seen a lot of activity. First, on July 24th, we had the installation of officers. The installation, as is customary took place after the 5:00 pm Mass. Mass was held at St. Victor's Parish. State Deputy Ivan Reek was unable to attend due to a prior commitment so State Secretary Charles Clark installed our officers with the assistance of State Advocate Tim Carvalho. I want to thank both Brother Charlie and Brother Tim to installing us. After the installation, we all went to Zahir's Restaurant in Milpitas where we had a delicious dinner.
Next, On August 7th, we had two events. First was PSD and Brother Frank Nigro's, kick-off meeting on this years People with Intellectual Disabilities in the morning with the Chapter Presidents and DDs from all of Northern California. Our goal this year is to raise $1.5 million dollars. The afternoon saw us at the DD Workshop. We had a busy but productive day.
Then on August 9th, we attended a town-hall meeting at St. Victor's Parish Hall on membership and recruiting hosted by State Deputy Ivan Reek. Brothers Pat Brown, State Membership Director and Patrick Maloney, PSD and Supreme Representative accompanied him. Grand Knights, Council Membership Chairmen, DDs, chapter officers and any other council officers that wanted to attend attended this meeting. Brother Ivan opened the meeting stating he did not want to hear from DDs or chapter officers. He only wanted to hear from Grand Knights and Council Membership Chairmen. The big news was for the first time in history, California beat Texas in recruiting. The meeting went well and I believe we are on track to improve our current recruiting efforts. Out of nineteen councils, we had a total of eighteen attend the meeting. Thank you for your support as the State Deputy was impressed with the showing.
Our next activity was on August 21st, where Chapter Chairman and Past Chapter President Bill Glover held the annual kick-off meeting for our People with Intellectual Disabilities Drive held at Our Lady of Peace. I want to thank Brother Carlos Balgos, PCP for once again securing the facility at Our Lady of Peace for this annual meeting. I also was invited to the installation of the Oakland Chapter Officers. It was a gala event held aboard the USS Hornet. There were around 100-125 people in attendance.
We also are in need of a council to host the November 19th chapter dinner meeting. Any Grand Knights, whose councils would like to host the November meeting, please contact me. All other meetings are covered, with one being tentative, and that is the Feb. 25th meeting with Our Lady of Peace Council needing to confirm.
Last, there are three key items that need to be addressed. One is all council non-profit status. This item is so important that I wrote a separate article in this newsletter, which covers this important item. Second, we are still in need for Council Delegate Forms. Even if you feel you have filled out the form, please do it again. Without this form filled out and turned into the Secretary, Robert Nguyen, your council cannot vote. Every council is authorized three delegates, which is three votes. If you fail to turn in the form, you are shortchanging your council. Last, there are still councils that have not submitted the Form 185CA, whch was due June 15th. Councils that have not turned in the Form 185CA are listed in a separate article in this newsletter. Also, the current calendar of events for CY 2010-2011 is included in this issue.
I want to also take this opportunity to congratulate PCP Jesse Raphael and Marilyn on their wedding on August 21st. I look forward to working with each of you this coming year, and feel free to call me if you have any questions, comments or recommendations on how we can make the San Jose Chapter better and make it grow.
Yours in Christ,
Ralph Manfredo
