Sons, Daughters Of Italy Hold Plenary Session in Blauvelt

From GMG Public Relations, Inc.: The Grand Lodge of the State of New York Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America held its quarterly Plenary Session recently at the Rockland Lodge #2176 located in Blauvelt New York on Van Wyck Road. Newly elected Grand Lodge President Robert Ferrito opened the meeting with the traditional candle lighting ceremony along with State 1st Vice President Anthony Naccarato of Long Island and State 2nd Vice President Michele Ment of Westchester.

The purpose of the plenary session is to review various reports from the President, State Treasurer, State Principal Trustee, State Orator, State Historian as well as various committees including membership, fundraising, foundation, culture and education and more. The next Plenary Session will be held on January 27 at the District 1 Lodges at Constantino Brumidi Lodge Hall in Deer Park on Long Island.

The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) is the oldest and largest fraternal organization of Italian American men and women on the North American Continent. It was established on June 22, 1905 in New York City. The organization was originally created to assist Italian immigrants seeking to assimilate and to become educated. OSIA has provided a community in which men and women of Italian descent have preserved and nurtured their Italian heritage. The Grand Lodge of New York was the first Grand Lodge formed on January 10, 1911.

In any given year, the New York OSIA, through the New York Grand Lodge Foundation, Inc. and the local lodges, provide approximately $250,000 in scholarships. While many local lodges sponsor their own programs, the New York Grand Lodge Foundation, Inc. has an overall state competitive scholarship process in place since 1982. The funds for the Foundation scholarship endowment, which now hovers near $1 million, has grown substantially due to the generosity of individual lodges, members of OSIA, as well as benefactors and friends. Promoting, encouraging and supporting scholarship and grant assistance has been the core piece of OSIA’s efforts to honor young collegians in their academic pursuits.

Individuals are encouraged to find out more about the organization by seeking out their local Lodge of which there are more than 60 throughout New York State. A list can be found here. Activities of the lodges vary but often include weekly or monthly meetings, fairs, fundraising dances and events, and more.

Photo Credit to Risa B. Hoag:

(Image 1) Robert Ferrito, NYS State Grand Lodge of New York Order Sons and Daughters of Italy of America President (center) and State 1st Vice President Anthony Naccarato of Long Island and State 2nd Vice President Michele Ment of Westchester, open the quarterly Plenary Session recently at the Rockland Lodge #2176 in Blauvelt with the traditional candle lighting.

(Image 2) Robert Ferrito, NYS State Grand Lodge of New York Order Sons and Daughters of Italy of America President (left) presents Blauvelt Sons of Italy Lodge 2176 Second Vice President Bill Barbera, with a plaque for hosting the plenary session in October.