[Preface: John Calvelli is the Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of the
Major Italian American Organizations, which is the Umbrella Organization for ALL  the Major Italian American Organizations. John Mancini is the Chairman of the Italic Institute, one of the Member Orgs. 

I believe both John Mancini and John Calvelli to be honorable men deserving of great respect. I can see and understand both of their points of view. 

I also view John Calvelli as being in the unenviable position of trying to get a number of different minded I-A Organizations to work in unison, with nothing at his disposal but the power of persuasion. 

John Mancini on the other hand reflects the great Frustration of the Community, 
that it's Major Organizations not only seem impotent, but frequently working at cross purposes to the best interests of the Italian American Community.

Your courteous letter of opinion may be helpful. To whomever you write, please copy the other, and any other Major Italian American Orgs, such as NIAF, OSIA, UNICO, etc., that you see fit. Email addresses are at the bottom.

(Special Note to John Calvelli: Too often the Community is not informed as to the  
very positive and significant efforts that COPOMIA, and/or it's members are doing for the Community. I would be willing to distribute that information. Somehow, so much of their counter productive actions DO come to our attention. Also edited Minutes of your Monthly (?) Meetings would be helpful) 
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Chairman John Calvelli 3 November 2002
Conference of Presidents of the
Major Italian American Organizations
642 Esplanade
Pelham Manor, NY 10803

Dear John,

     Things are going from bad to worse in trying to maintain a united front against defamation.  Specifically, we call your attention to the hypocrisy of some Conference members in the matter of anti-defamation and the outright treachery of our politicians during the Columbus Day Parade controversy.  Nary a question has been raised, to our knowledge, regarding Conference member actions that go contrary to the best interests of Italian American leadership.  Nor have any politicians been upbraided for their Sopranos support.  

My Executive and Advisory Councils are of the opinion that the Conference is not even an arbiter of good taste, lacking the spirit and commitment necessary to deal firmly with members who are undermining our cultural patrimony.  The Conference appears to be too inclusive, too forgiving, and too beholding to become an engine of change.

      You probably know how we stand on most issues, so the following questions should not be a surprise to you.  Hopefully, you as the Chairman will be anxious to air these concerns so that we may rein in Conference members who are pulling in different directions.

1. What is the Chair's position with regard to NIAF's honoring of Robert De Niro at their annual gala this year?  Will this issue be raised with the Conference membership?

2. What was the justification for NIAF making a separate deal with Roger Enrico, CEO of Pepsico?  We understand that a grant was received by NIAF from Pepsico and that Mr. Enrico's name was later submitted, by NIAF, to President Bush for the post of Ambassador to Italy.  Neither Messrs Guarini nor Salamone were forthcoming to me.  If true, it violates a number of moral principles.

3. Is any action being contemplated by the Conference against the Italian Actor's Guild, a member organization, for participating in a defamatory television commercial for Stacker 2, a diet supplement? Guild president, Paul Borghese, himself, stars in the commercial.  (The Institute is on record voting against the Guild's membership, as we envisioned this very conflict of interest.)

John, please understand that our Institute values unpopular progress over harmonious inaction.  We sincerely hope that the Conference leadership will take a stand to control this anarchy.

Fraternally yours,

John Mancini
Chairman
Italic Institute
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John Calvelli: << JFCalvelli@aol.com >>
John Mancini << ItalicOne@aol.com >>
NIAF << john@niaf.org>>
OSIA << ddesanctis@osia.org >>
UNICO << unico@uniconat.com >>