L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 9 The Fundraising Drive of the Museo: The Auxiliary O n D e c e m b e r 1 0 t h t h e M u s e o I t a l o Americano's community celebrated a very special and eagerly anticipated event: Festa dei Dolci. The annual Holiday event was hosted by the Museo Auxiliary members, who provid- ed a bounty of home-made cook- ies and sweets as well as mouth- watering treats. The evening ended with a fun raffle and the s a l e o f a w h o l e w h e e l o f scrumptious Italian Parmigiano cheese. This beloved event is one of three organized by the Museo A u x i l i a r y a n d b e n e f i t s t h e Museo's cultural programs. In February they occasionally offer an exceptional and much appre- ciated Montecarlo Night – fea- turing Black J ack, Roulette, Craps and Poker tables, while in August they organize the famous Antipasti Dinner, spotlighting regional Italian appetizers, pas- sionately prepared by the mem- bers. The Museo Auxiliary was founded in 1990 with the impor- tant mission of promoting and supporting the Museo welfare through volunteer service and fundraising. Nowadays, it counts 40 members who meet every other month to plan their events. The Auxiliary is a body connect- ed to the Museo, but separate from a functional and organiza- t i o n a l p o i n t o f v i e w . I t s f u n d r a i s i n g w o r k h e l p s t h e Museo reach approximately 10% of its own budget and involves active and enthusiastic members, who enjoy volunteer service in a lively and inspiring environment. The backbone of the Auxiliary is represented by its Board, which includes two co-Presidents, a Vice President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary. It also includes the i m p o r t a n t r o l e o f Parliamentarian, assumed by M u s e o m e m b e r C a r o l y n Giannini, who is an expert in proper procedures for the con- duct of meetings and supervises both nominations and elections. We interviewed a few Board m e m b e r s w h o g a v e u s s o m e insight into their personal experi- ence with the Museo Auxiliary: S a n d r a B a g n a t o r i ( C o - President), Marisa Farenzena ( V i c e P r e s i d e n t ) , L a V e r n e Reiterman (Treasurer), Ginny Hanger (Secretary). Sandra, how long have you been in the Auxiliary and what are your main tasks? I joined the Auxiliary about ten years ago. My main task is to run our bi-monthly meetings, coordinate with the other board members and since I also serve on the Museo Board, I coordi- nate our activities with them and I attend the Museo Board meet- ings to report the activities of the Auxiliary. In reality, everyone on the Board does their job so well I don't have to check in with them often! We mainly meet to coordinate our three fundraisers. What does the Auxiliary have in store for 2016? We are organizing a big event that will take place instead of M o n t e c a r l o N i g h t : P a s t a Contest. This event has already been offered in the past by the Museo; it started back in 1996, when we gathered an extensive group of celebrity chefs from d i f f e r e n t f i e l d s : C i t y Government (George Gascón), Politics (Kamala Harris), Opera (Nicola Luisotti), SF Giants (Larry Nibbi, Dave Dravecky, Mario Alioto), Public Relations (Sam Singer), Academia (prof. Philip Zimbardo), Journalism (Andy Ross), famous Foodies ( R e n a t o S a r d o a n d A n y a F e r n a l d ) . P a s t a C o n t e s t i s s c h e d u l e d f o r S a t u r d a y , February 27 th 2016 at the Italian restaurant Il Fornaio, in San Francisco. Marisa, when did you join the Museo's Auxiliary? I joined the Auxiliary in 2002 when Maria De Martini, former Auxiliary President and one of my daughter's teachers, invited me to participate in their activi- ties. Being of Italian heritage and willing to be involved in the organization of Museo events, I enthusiastically accepted. What are your main tasks? I organize the mailing of event invitations, and I am the primary point of contact for sponsors and small donors. I make sure that we offer first-class prizes to our members and guests. I used to volunteer in a middle school where I helped out with their f u n d r a i s i n g a c t i v i t i e s . T h a t experience proved very useful when I started to work on the organization of the Museo's fundraisers. How do you like being part of an Italian American organi- zation? I was born in Genova, Italy and I lived there until I was 12. Although I was raised as an American, my Italian heritage is still very much alive, and that makes me want to be involved in activities and services that support the local Italian commu- nity. L a V e r n e , w h a t i s y o u r e x p e r i e n c e i n t h e M u s e o Auxiliary? I s t a r t e d a s a m e m b e r i n 2005, but I got involved in the Auxiliary's activities in 2010, after a year as a Treasurer. My main task is to collect member- ship dues at the beginning of the year and prepare letters to our members. When we have our events, I usually make sure that we have enough cash for the ticket sales, I collect the fees from the attendees, and I deposit t h e m o n e y w e g a t h e r . I a l s o oversee sales and donations, and the payment of vendors. How do you like being part of an Italian American organi- zation? M y f a t h e r w a s b o r n i n Torino, Italy. He emigrated to the U.S. when he was a little boy. I am therefore half Italian and I am very keen on being involved in activities related to t h e I t a l i a n c o m m u n i t y . A s a long-time member of the Museo Auxiliary, I would like to extend the invitation to join our group to younger Italian and Italian American folks with a penchant for all things Italian! Ginny, when did you join t h e M u s e o ' s A u x i l i a r y a n d what are your main tasks? I joined the Auxiliary in the mid-90s, when a friend invited me to an event. I immediately realized that the Museo has a vibrant Italian American com- munity and welcoming atmos- p h e r e . I a m c u r r e n t l y t h e S e c r e t a r y f o r t h e M u s e o A u x i l i a r y , a n d a s s u c h I ' m responsible for recording meet- ings and maintaining our mem- bership list. How do you like being part of an Italian American organi- zation? In the '80s, I started to visit Italy and enjoyed the art, culture and food. I love participating in an Italian American organization that provides community, lan- guage classes, art and cultural events that remind me of Italy and encourage me to travel there again and again. To join the Museo Auxiliary: 415.673.2200 or sfmuseo@sbc- global.net SAN FRANCISCO ITALIAN COMMUNITY BIANCA FRIUNDI Some of the Museo Auxiliary members: LaVerne Reiterman, Kris Getz, Ginny Hanger, Denise Bottarini, Sandra Bagnatori, Marsha Boyette, Jackie Svevo, Victoria LoBue, Celia Barbaccia, Carolyn Giannini Guests at the Museo Auxiliary's Festa dei Dolci 650.400.4747 AdeleDS@aol.com www.AdeleDS.com BRE# 00911740 Certied Trust, Probate and Estate Specialist Expert in preparation, promotion, and negotiation! SELLING HOMES THROUGHOUT THE BAY AREA Adele Della Santina "e Right Realtor makes all the difference."

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