Columbian Club installs officers, directors, trustees

Roselle contractor Stuart Caravello stepped up to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at its annual installation gala. Joining him as 2019 officers are First Vice President Mark Corrado, Second Vice President Michael Russotto, Third Vice President John Curry, Secretary Vic Guerrieri, Treasurer Carmen Forte Jr. and Sergeant-at-Arms Christopher Derks.

One year directors for the coming year are Joseph Marinacci, John Brescia, Vincenzo Maietta, Gerard Iannuzzelli and Michael Campanile.Two-year directors are Edoardo Izzi, Matthew Rubino, Jack Ross, Michael Quaid and Anthony Scola. Charitable Foundation Trustees are Jonathan Zivojnovic, Roger Monaco, Frank Lucchese, Vito Claps, Stuart Caravello, Michael Spilotro, Robert DiSilvestro, Carmen Forte Sr., John Ferrentino, Anthony Ambrose and Frank Trocchio.

Caravello delivered the following comments upon his election to the presidency.

Gentlemen:

Thank you for your trust and confidence in electing me to serve as the club President for 2019. I am honored and humbled to be the 80th President of our club. We are an amazing club that does amazing things and I will do my best to represent us well.

The last couple of months have been a whirlwind of preparation prior to becoming President, but I have been amazed at the outpouring of support from all of our members in helping me get ready for my upcoming year. I know it sounds cliché’ but our club truly epitomizes the Service Above Self mantra.

I have given some thought to what I want to accomplish in my year and here are a few ideas:

• If it’s not broke, don’t fix it — Our club is great and a lot of people have worked hard over the years to make it that way. We are a fun group who likes to get together for fellowship and I want to keep it that way.
• Membership is still a concern — In order for our club to remain vibrant and sctive we need to really focus on not only attracting new members but keeping the members we already have.
• We do a TON of great events, but I would like to do more, and have more involvement — St. Joseph’s Table, Trap Shoot, Golf Outing, Boat Cruise, Bocce Tournament, Family Mass, Misericordia Brunch, and Christmas Party are the events and programs that we generously support every year, but I would like to try to support even more. I have several new events planned for this year, and I hope to see participation and attendance from our veteran members as well as our new members. Inviting a friend or family member to an event is a great way to show off the club and recruit prospective members.
• You get what you give — What you put into this club is what you will get out of this club. This is advice given to me by the late great Dr. Ralph Delmonico at the very first board meeting I attended. I took this advice to heart, and I continue to follow these words of wisdom and share this to all new members. I’d like to see more involvement from our new members. I encourage you to submit for sponsoring new ideas and events, and for volunteering to be on a committee.
• Increase communication between the Charitable Foundation and The Club — I’d like to see more support for one another, and better communication. We need to work on building the Members Indenture.

This is a great club, and I am proud of all that we do together and for others. Let’s have a great year!

Thank you again for allowing me to serve the club. It truly is an honor.