The BOSCONERO Society of Los Angeles

THE FORMATION OF THE   SOCIETÁ BOSCONERESE DI LOS ANGELES

The community of Bosconeresi in Los Angeles continued to grow and flourish. The "Compaisani" or fellow countrymen gathered to celebrate birth, marriages and other happy occasions. In times of grief or hardship they rallied to comfort and support those in need. They eagerly sought American citizenship and proved themselves to be honest, hardworking and able businessmen. These men, who came from the most humble of homes in Bosconero, now commanded respect as leaders within their community.

As was the custom in their homeland, the men and women often gathered separately to socialize, at first the men met in different homes, but as their numbers continued to grow, they began to meet at the businesses of the local paesani's, at the Pacific Garage (Domenic Merlo), Bozzani Motor Company (Amerigo Bozzani) and after hours at the Basso Winery (Ottavio Basso), where there was plenty of room and no doubt plenty of wine.

The Basso Winery was the perfect meeting place, easily reached by most of the emigrants who settled in the general area. These informal gatherings gave rise to parties, picnics, and dances that the Bosconeresi planned for the enjoyment of their families, and grew to include may others as well. Dressed in their finest clothes to "faré la bella figura" (make a good impression)the entire family, young and old alike gathered to feast on good food, drink, play bocce and dance to the accordion music provided by the Orchestrina Bosconerese.

During the Christmas Season of 1935, the men from the Societá Bosconero decided to try their hand at organizing a public dance. They rented a Hall ( the old Garibaldina Hall) and advertised the Bosconerese's First Dance The timing seemed perfect for a festive dance. The men worked very hard to insure a successful event. Each man had his own job assignment. They tended bar, sold and collected tickets, managed the band entertainment and prepared and served the food. It was a sellout crowd and a great success!

Robert Pene (front row center) at 8 years of age

The community of Bosconeresi in Los Angeles continued to grow and flourish. The "Compaisani" or fellow countrymen gathered to celebrate birth, marriages and other happy occasions. In times of grief or hardship they rallied to comfort and support those in need. They eagerly sought American citizenship and proved themselves to be honest, hardworking and able businessmen. These men, who came from the most humble of homes in Bosconero, now commanded respect as leaders within their community.

The men worked hard to organize these functions. They charged a nominal fee for the food and wine and agreed unanimously to send all their profits to Bosconero to help the needy. In 1940 they sent their first check to Bosconero, $50.00 (9,000 lire). To insure that these funds would be used for projects that would benefit the entire community, the funds were sent to the Pastor and the Mayor. A grateful pastor wrote back that he would save the money and then use it to establish a Casa Di Riposo (Home for the Elderly) with a small Chapel for those retirees that could not attend the normal services. This was the beginning of the relationship between the Societá Bosconerese di Los Angeles and Don Seren, Provost of San Giovanni Battista parish in Bosconero.

For many years Don Seren directed the generous donations of the Societá Bosconerese di Los Angeles towards the Asilo Infantile and the Casa Riposo. He corresponded with the Societá Bosconerese on a regular basis to keep them apprised of the progress. He was appreciative of the generous donations made by the Societá and always communicated their news and reported their donations in the Bolletino, the local newsletter in Bosconero. In an article printed in December 1946 entitled Non Parole Ma Fatti or Not Words But Actions, the Rev. Don Seren reprinted a letter sent to him by Domenic Merlo and Cesare Dezzutti in which they sent $1,148.00 (a fortune in those days). The letter stated it is necessary to beat the iron when it is hot in order to finally establish this much desired Casa di Riposo in the near future. Don Seren admonished his community. "Our fellow citizens of America are taking all of this very seriously and we must do the same if we want to realize our goal before long".

Don Seren came to Bosconero on January 24, 1935 at the age of 44. He had served the church in many capacities. His special emphasis however was in his service to young people as a teacher and director of several educational institutions. Among his other accomplishments, he founded the Oratorio Maschile, where young men could gather for recreation, entertainment and educational activities. On April 24, 1960 at the age of 71, Don Seren was honored by the people of Bosconero to whom he had given moral and spiritual leadership for 25 years. At the commemoration ceremony his courage during World War II was recalled, he had been imprisoned twice, once in Courgne and again in Torino. On the fateful night of October 5, 1944, he had been among the men and boys who were incarcerated in the cemetery by the Germans. The town remembered his courage and inspiration to his flock during those difficult and frightening years.

The Societá Bosconerese di Los Angeles sent a donation to the executive committee of his 25th anniversary celebration. Don Seren personally wrote to thank them and said that the committee had chosen to purchase three new pews for the church in their name with the money.

In 1962, Don Giuseppe Manavello replaced Don Seren as Pastor of San Giovanni Battista church in Bosconero. The Societá Bosconerese has continued through the years to support their favorite charities in Bosconero and is well known and respected as a philanthropic organization by the residents of the Comune. Don Manavello was also a man of great energy and enthusiasm. He promoted many improvements in Bosconero and succeeded in seeing many of his projects completed including the cinema for young people, the new Oratorio, the new Casa Di Riposo and the new Asile Infantile. He also directed major improvements in the church including new heating and lighting systems, new flooring and other works of restoration. At first many Bosconeresi were somewhat skeptical of this new young pastor with his obsession for building and spending money. But with the opening of each new facility the reputation of Bosconero as a progressive town spread and gave the community a new sense of identity and pride.

On April 17, 1946, twenty six Bosconeresi gathered to form a permanent society, known and incorporated within the rules of the State of California under the name of Societá Bosconerese di Los Angeles, California. The purpose for the formation of the of the Societá Bosconerese (referred to as the Bosconerese) was to promote close friendships among the Bosconeresi and their families residing in California. Membership was limited to men, 18 years or older who were either born in Bosconero, were of Bosconerese extraction or who were related to such persons. The Societá reserved the right to review applications for membership and refuse those who were undesirable or ineligible. An admission fee of $5.00 was to be paid by the applicant at his first meeting and subsequently he was to pay his monthly dues of fifty cents. Regular monthly meetings were scheduled for the fourth Friday of each month and business could be conducted in either Italian or English. The original by-laws also provided for a floral tribute at the funerals of the members and intimate relatives. Expenditures for these tributes were limited to $25.00 for members and $15.00 for intimate relatives. If there were insufficient funds in the treasury, each member could be assessed no more than $1.00. It was the duty of every member to notify the president in the event of illness or death of another member and to attend the funeral of any deceased members. At this time (1984) the $25.00 limitation has been lifted. Flowers are now sent for members only and are also sent to those members who are ill. Relatives receive an appropriate card or letter. The one dollar assessment and funeral obligations remain the same.

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Sept. 8, 1908 - Dec. 25, 2008

Teresina Pene Pagliassotti Cantello was the first woman to become a member on February 17, 1967. After twenty one years (and much heated debate), the members of the Societá di Bosconerese voted, by a narrow margin to grant full membership to qualified women who wished to become members of the Societá Bosconerese.

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The Societá has maintained the same standards for membership as defined by its founders in 1946, (with the exception of the admission of women in 1967). There are currently about 80 members of the Societá that can all trace their ancestry or that of their spouse to Bosconero.

The Societá Bosconerese di Los Angeles adopted as their logo an emblem that has an Oak Branch (Bosconero means Black Woods of Oak Woods in Italian) topped by a winged foot. Various meanings have been given for the winged foot design, one is that it portrays flight or motion symbolizing the emigration of the Bosconeresi to Los Angeles. Another theory is that John Meaglia, the emblem's designer, just liked the classic look of the winged foot.

SOCIETÁ BOSCONERESE of Los Angeles, California

BY-LAWS

PURPOSE

The purpose for the formation of the Societá Bosconerese di Los Angeles shall be; To promote close friendship among the Bosconerese and their families residing in California, eliminating politics and religion, also to distribute timely philanthropy.

ARTICLE I

The 26 Bosconerese gathered on the 17th day of the month of April, 1946, and under the direction of a temporrary President, deliberated to form a permanent Society, known and incorporated within the rules of the Laws of California, USA and named "The Societá Bosconerese di Los Angeles, California."

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1

Membership in this Society shall be held by persons 18 years of age or older, who were born in Bosconero, Italy, or are blood related to persons of Bosconerese extraction or by marriage. All members shall have equal rights.

Section 2

New members:  The Society shall furnish a prospective new member with an application form. The completed form shall be submitted to the Membership Committee to check eligibility. If the applicant qualifies, his or her name is presented to the membership for acceptance at the next regular meeting. Admission fee of $5.00 shall accompany the application.

Section 3

Honorary members:  The honor will be bestowed to visiting Bosconerese from Bosconero, Italy, and to Benefactors of the Society by a vote of the membership.

Section 4

Honorary members will be allowed to attend meetings and participate in Society activities.

Section 5

Honorary members are eligible to hold office but none higher than trustee.

ARTICLE III

ANNUAL DUES

Section 1

Members shall pay dues of $12.00 annually. Dues are due and shall be paid in January.

Section 2

Dues of new members will be prorated.

Section 3

Members excused from paying dues are:
           a.  Those residing in convalescent homes.
           b.  Those reaching eighty years of age with at least twenty (20) years membership previous to their eightieth birthday.

ARTICLE IV

ARREARS OF DUES

Members who have not paid their dues by March 31, will be considered in arrears and may not vote or participate in any activity of the Society. Those in arrears for twelve (12) months shall automatically be dropped from membership. Delinquent notice shall be sent by the financial secretary at the end of March 31.

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

The general meeting of the Society shall be called monthly on the (3rd) Friday of each month. Meeting shall begin at 7:30 o'clock (PM) in the designated place of meeting.

ARTICLE VI

LANGUAGE

The language spoken in the transaction of business may be English or Italian - as the need arises.

ARTICLE VII

ELECTED OFFICERS

Section 1

Elected officers shall be President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer and three (3) Trustees. The past president automatically becomes a Trustee.

Section 2

A term of office shall be for (1) year. No officer shall hold the same office more than (2) years. They may be elected to another office or wait a year and then be reelected to the same office.

ARTICLE VIII

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICER

Section 1

Prospective officers must be in good standing for a period of one (1) year previous to the date of the next general election. A member is in good standing if his or her dues are paid

Section 2

Qualification for President. The person must have served one term as 1st Vice President

ARTICLE IX

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1

Nomination and election of officers shall take place on the third (3rd) Friday of April.

Section 2

Officers shall assume their duties immediately following the installation meeting on the third (3rd) Friday of May.

ARTICLE X

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1

The President shall be the principal officer of the Society and shall:

1. Preside at all meetings of the Society.
2. Appoint standing and special committee chairman.
3. He may call special meetings for the benefit of the Society.

Section 2

The First Vice President shall:

1. Perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President.
2. Become President for the unexpired term in case of death, resignation or incapacity of the President.

Section 3

The 2nd Vice President shall:

1. Assist the President and 1st Vice President as needed

Section 4

The Secretary shall:

1. Take, record and read accurately minutes of the proceedings of all meetings of the Society.
2. Preserve in a permanent file all records and letters of value to the Society
3. Transact all the correspondence.
4. Keep a roll book of the members.
5. Notify all members of meetings of the Society.

Section 5

The Financial Secretary shall:

1. Collect all dues from members and turn over such monies to the Treasurer at the following regular meeting.
2. Report to the Society the members who are in arrears of dues.
3. Compile, and keep an up to date roster of members.
4. Notify members when their dues are in arrears.

Section 6

The Treasurer shall:

1. Receive from the Financial Secretary all monies collected as dues from members.
2. Have charge of all monies of the Society and shall report there on to the officers, and give a summarized report at the regular meetings when requested by the President.
3. Pay all bills upon the authorization by vote of the Society.
4. Keep an itemized record in a permanent file of all receipts and expenditures.
5. Be posted under bond.

Section 7

The Trustees shall:

1. Audit the Financial record of the Treasurer quarterly.

Section 8

Remove from office:

An officer may be removed from office by:

1. Death, resignation or incapacity.
2. A vote of the members --- when an officer is deemed not to have full filled his duties adequately.

ARTICLE XI

OPENING OF MEETINGS

Section 1

Order of Business:

1. Pledge of Allegiance and "Thought of the Day", and a moment of silence for departed members>
2. Roll call of Officers.
3. Reading of the minutes of the last meeting.
4. Treasurer's report and payment of bills.
5. Reading applications of candidates for membership and report regarding their status.
6. Reading of communications.
7. Report of existing committees.
8. Report of the Financial Secretary.
9. Unfinished business.
10. New Business.
11. Welfare of the Society.

Article XII

MEETING PROCEDURES

Meetings shall be conducted by the rules of parliamentary practice as found in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order. Members wishing to speak or put a motion before the Society shall rise and be recognized by the President. A motion is proposed, seconded, discussed, then brought to a vote. It can be a Viva voce vote by the raising of hands, or a ballot vote, if requested.

ARTICLE XIII

DUTIES OF THE MEMBERS

Section 1

The membership shall have the power to expel or to suspend any member who willfully disrupts the meeting disorderly conduct.

Section 2

An officer may be removed by a vote of the majority, when an officer is deemed not to have fulfilled his duties adequately.

Section 3

No officer, nor member may draw out or spend any monies or properties belonging to the Society, without authority from the general assembly.

ARTICLE XIV

DONATIONS FOR FUNERALS AND HOSPITALIZATION

Section 1

The Society shall provide a floral tribute only to a deceased member's funeral.

Section 2

Only members shall receive flowers when hospitalized.

Section 3

In case of illness, hospitalization, or death of the immediate family of members, appropriate cards of concern or sympathy will be sent.

Section 4

In case of insufficient funds the president shall be authorized to assess each member the amount not to exceed one dollar ($1.00).

Section 5

It shall be the duty of each member when he is aware of an illness or death of a fellow member to notify the President or other Officer as soon as possible. Hospitalized members may have the flowers sent to their home if that is their wish. Flowers for a deceased member must be sent in time for the funeral.

Section 6

It shall be the duty of each member ( if possible) to attend a member's funeral.

ARTICLE XV

BY-LAWS AND RULES OF THE SOCIETY

Section 1

Every member shall receive a copy of the By-Laws.

Section 2

    The membership list shall not be used for social or commercial purposes at any time. It shall remain club property exclusively.

ARTICLE XVI

BENEFITS AND DISSOLUTION

Section 1

No monies of the Societá Bosconerese of Los Angeles may insure to the benefit of any member or person. IRS Law #557, Page 7-8.

Section 2

In the event of the dissolution of the Societá Bosconerese of Los Angeles, dissolution shall be that the beneficiary or beneficiaries of its assets shall be designated for Philanthropy or Philanthropies at the time of dissolution in a meeting of its members and executed according to IRS Publication No. 557, 1978 Edition, Page 18-19. If no agreement is made at the time of dissolution, the assets shall be distributed for purposes within the scope of IRS Publication No. 501 (c) Page 18.

ARTICLE XVII

PHILANTHROPY

Section 1

The principle philanthropies of the Societá Bosconerese shall be:

1. L'Asilo Infantile di Bosconero, Italy.
2. La Casa di Riposo di Bosconero, Italy
3. La Chiesa di San Giovanni Batista di Bosconero, Italy

These three philanthropies shall at all times take precedent over any other philanthropies which the Societá may consider.

Section 2

Timely philanthropy may be administered in the event of a catastrophic event such as an earthquake, a flood, etc., in which the entire community at large may be involved.

The following is a list of departed members of the "SOCIETÁ BOSCONERESE".

LAST NAME	FIRST NAME	BIRTH DATE	DEATH DATE
Actis	Lucy	na	Dec 2004
Albini	Battista	na	na
Albini	John	1908	1979
Albini	John Jr	na	March 2004
Appino	Antonio	na	na
Appino	Peter	1901	1987
Aprato	Frances	1918	April 2011
Aprato	Joe	1912	1994
Aprato	Mary	1892	1976
Aprato	Peter	1913	1975
Aprato	Rose	1919	1996
Avenatti	Agostino	1883	1973
Avenatti	John	1910	1975
Baiotto	James	na	1979
Baiotto	John	1885	1969
Barnes	Jennie	na	December 2006
Bartolomea	Caterina	1893	1980
Bartolomea	Celestino	na	na
Bartolomea	Gabriele	na	na
Bortolomea	John	1921	1991
Bartolomea	Victoria	1918	1986
Basso	Giacomo	1892	1987
Basso	Giuseppe	na	na
Basso	Otavio	1896	1973
Baudino	Caterina	1900	1993
Baudino	Joe	1895	1980
Baudino	Leo	1926	2002
Beltramo	Simone	1898	1966
Berta	Frank	1906	1978
Berta	Mary	1913	1988
Billi	John	1906	1988
Billi	John	na	1961
Billi	Vera	1907	1990
Boccalero	Alberta	1924	Aug 2009
Boccalero	Joe	na	na
Bollero	John	na	na
Bordes	Anselme	1889	1979
Bordes	Mary	1900	1997
Bozzani	Amerigo	1883	1964
Brackett	James	1908	1976
Brackett	Mary	1911	1978
Bria	Domenic	1914	1992
Bria	James	1950	1999
Bria	Joseph	1885	1981
Bria	Emma	na	April 2004
Bria	Laura	1913	1989
Brio	George	1908	1977
Brio	Mary	1908	1980
Brown	Charles	na	na
Browm	Dorothy	na	March 2004
Brown	Richard	na	May 2006
Brusso	Domenico	na	na
Brusso	Dominic	1907	1997
Brusso	Jimmy	1910	1994
Brusso	John	1910	1994
Brusso	Matteo	na	1962
Buscaglia	Emma	1910	1997
Buscaglia	Mario	1899	1988
Cantello	Charles	1897	1967
Careseo	Dominic	na	March 2007
Cena	Carlo	na	na
Chiosso	Frank	na	na
Chiosso	Margaret	1923	1990
Colombatto	Martino	1898	1977
Connelly	Alma	na	November 2006
Coragliotti	Dominic	1900	1969
Coragliotti	Fontaine	1903	1974
Coragliotti	Frank	1925	1999
Coragliotti	John	1915	1999
Coragliotti	Louise	1912	1993
Coragliotti	Michale	na	na
Coragliotti	Theresa	1914	June 2011
Corigliano	John	na	na
Corigliano	William	na	na
Cristelli	John	1913	1995
Cristelli	Madelyn	1912	1996
Datria	Murray	na	2002
Deiro	Ann	na	2001
Deiro	Joe	1930	1996
Deiro	Kathleen	1932	2001
Denchio	John	1895	1973
Denchio	Agata	1924	1999
Denchio	Antonette	1904	1989
DeSoto	Giusto	na	na
DeSoto	Helen	1926	Mar 2011
Dezzutti	Cesare	1896	1985
Dezzutti	Emilia	1897	1986
Dezzutti	James	na	1957
Dezzutti	Joe	1896	1976
Duretto	Adelina	1901	1990
Duretto	Galdino	1899	1975
Duretto	Jennie Teresa	1924	June 2008
Duretto	John	1893	1961
Enrico	Angie	1902	1995
Enrico	Jack	1898	1975
Faulkner	Ed	na	January 2006
Faulkner	Phyllis	na	December 2005
Forneris	Domenico	1879	1964
Forneris	John	na	na
Francone	Angelo	na	1959
Francone	Bart	1909	1991
Francone	Mary	1913	1992
Francone	Louie	1914	2002
Gadeschi	Blanche	1896	1994
Gadeschi	John	na	1960
Gardetto	Bartolomeo	na	1949
Gardetto	John	1912	1994
Gariglio	Teresa	1893	1987
Gaudino	Margaret	1904	1986
Ghioso	Frank	1905	1987
Ghioso	Margaret	1900	1988
Ghiosso	Antonette	1911	1997
Ghiosso	Frank	1896	1984
Gotta	Danny	1899	1989
Gotta	Minnie	1902	1991
Granucci	Theresa (Teddy)	1908	2002
Iavelli	Angelo	1901	1979
Iavelli	Bartolomeo	1900	1985
Iavelli	Josephine	1904	1975
Johnson	Floyd	na	April 2004
Litzeto	Adriana	1922	2008
Litzeto	Joe	1893	1985
Luchetta	Frank	na	Jan 2011
Lynn	Liberty	1921	1987
Lynn	Tom	na	1986
Maccari	Lee	na	1954
Maga	Caterina	1900	1988
Maga	Joe	1894	1984
Masserotti	A	na	na
Meaglia	Domenica	1900	1993
Meaglia	Guglielmo	1882	1969
Meaglia	John	1902	1982
Meaglia	Katharine	1908	1986
Meaglia	Nunda	1900	1980
Meaglia	Pete	1904	1981
Meaglia	Richard	1924	July 2010
Meaglia	Sam	1896	1947
Mereina	Felice	1905	1967
Merlo	Adele	1903	1993
Merlo	Antonio	na	1957
Merlo	Celeste	na	January 2006
Merlo	Charles	na	1961
Merlo	Domenico	na	1958
Merlo	Felice	na	na
Merlo	Irma	na	1999
Merlo	James	na	June 2006
Merlo	Jimmy	1890	1964
Merlo	Joe	1915	1962
Merlo	John	na	1980
Merlo	Louis	na	na
Merlo	Natalina	1897	1986
Milano	Dominic	1915	1995
Momo	Louis	na	na
Moretto	Antonio	1891	1973
Moretto	Battista	1886	1975
Motta	Beatrice	1913	1988
Motta	Dominic	1908	1986
Motta	John	1906	1979
Motta	Leona	na	October 2006
Nuccio	John	1919	1991
Paggi	Leo	1915	1966
Paggi	Lorenzo	1888	1972
Pagliassotti	Domenico	1891	1979
Pagliassotti	Giacomo	na	na
Pagliassotti	John	1891	1973
Pagliassotto	Natale	1909	1991
Pagliassotto	Jennie	1920	1999
Peila	John	na	na
Pence	Jennie	1906	1987
Pence	Richard	1905	1984
Pene	Angelo	1902	1971
Pene	Domenico	1898	1971
Pene	Giani (John)	1909	1983
Pene	John (Gli Vittorio)	1925	April 2011
Pene	Lucy	1918	1996
Pene	Margaret	1906	1993
Pene	Maria	1895	1989
Pene	Teresina	1908	2008
Pene	Vittorio	1887	1967
Pititto	Fred	na	1977
Pititto	Mary	1906	1980
Pocino	Christopher	1919	1997
Pomatto	Nicola	1903	1972
Reberry	Irene	na	July 2006
Reberry	Jack	1928	November 2010
Riddle	Lloyd	na	1997
Riddle	Theresa	1908	1992
Rubino	Alex	na	na
Sartoris	Henry	na	April 2004
Scibetta	Vincent	na	1984
Shives	Clyde	1921	Sept 2011
Simone	Mario	1896	1969
Slave	Art	1912	1985
Studts	Margaret	na	2002
Torreano	Frank	1892	1991
Truffo	Giacomo	1913	1998
Truffo	Joe	na	1998
Turinetto	Dominick	1911	1993
Vallcella	Alfonso	1895	1975
Zanotti	Antonio	1893	1980
Zanotti	John	1892	1961
Zanotti	Maria	1897	1990
Zanotti	Minnie	1922	March 2011
Zanotti	Mario	1925	April 2008

Mario was the Catalyst and the Heart of the "Societá Bosconerese di Los Angeles" - He will be missed.



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