AMHS OFFICIAL AFFILIATION WITH NIAF: RESULTS OF THE VOTE AT THE SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 GENERAL SOCIETY MEETING
At the September 27 meeting, the AMHS members in attendance voted on the Executive Committee recommendation to join The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Italian American Leadership Council (IALC) and to become an official, affiliate member to NIAF. There were 45 members in attendance who were eligible to vote, by closed ballot, with 40 members constituting a quorum. The result of the vote was 31 members in favor, and 14 members in opposition. Two members did not vote. As way of background, and to remind you of what this means for AMHS, the affirmative vote
• approves our Society’s commitment to be a member of the IALC, at a cost of $2,500.00 per year;
• continues NIAF’s commitment to match the Society’s scholarship program, currently at $4,000.00 annually (NIAF has given $29,500.00 since 2007); and
• grants NIAF affiliate membership benefits to every AMHS member.
AMHS made its payment of $2,500.00 to NIAF in October. We also provided NIAF with the contact information for every member (first name, last name, mailing address, phone number, and email address). Very soon you will receive information from NIAF that identifies you as an affiliate member of the organization. (As identified in the ballot for the membership vote, the $2,500.00 for this year was taken out of the “Members’ Equity Account”, an account that was established at the close of calendar year 2009. This account consists of the accumulation of revenues in excess of expenses from the operating budget. This equity account is not a part of the Society’s operating budget. The AMHS bylaws do not identify how the monies in this fund should be spent).
BACKGROUND
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is making changes to maintain its relevance in the future as the advocate for the interests of Italian Americans both here in the United States and abroad. AMHS has been invited to become an affiliate member of NIAF and to be represented on the Foundation’s Italian American Leadership Council (IALC), a group of committed individuals and organizations to serve as stakeholders in NIAF, the Italian American community, and, as an Italian American organization, in our future. For many years, AMHS has enjoyed two key benefits from our relationship with NIAF: 1) Eight (8) years of matching funds for the AMHS scholarship program (since 2007); and 2) the halfprice associate member rate for individual AMHS members. By joining the IALC, AMHS has committed to being a leader and stakeholder in NIAF, the Italian American community, and our future! The benefits of membership in the IALC include:
• One complimentary ticket to the Annual NIAF Anniversary Gala in Washington, D.C.
• One complimentary ticket to the NIAF Anniversary Gala VIP reception
• An invitation to a private IALC meeting and event during the NIAF Anniversary Gala Weekend
• An invitation to the IALC Leadership Summit meeting at the New York Spring Gala
• A complimentary copy of the NIAF Book of the Year
• Concierge Services for travel and networking in Italy and Washington, D.C. – Guaranteed NIAF Assistance in liaison with the White House, Congress, federal agencies, and throughout the Italy
• Your business listed on the NIAF Networks web page, an online directory of services and businesses of NIAF supporters (coming 2016)
• Invitations to NIAF Business Council Events throughout the country
NIAF Networking events
NIAF Capital Hill events
NIAF Frank J. Guarini Media and Public
Policy Forums
Anyone with questions related to our affiliation with NIAF, please contact me by phone, 703-473-4033; or by email, uva051985@comcast.net