Chi siamo | WHO WE ARE
kcic executive and board - 2021
Since 1966, the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club has been an integral hub for the Italian Community in Kelowna. Through that time, our Executive and Board have always strived to provide a place to socially connect with others, a way to share a common heritage and a mission to contribute to the greater community.
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EXECUTIVE
President – Rosann Nanci Vice-President – David Hawkins Secretary – Janet Gagnon Treasurer – Rita Conroy |
DIRECTORS
Mary Wooldridge Jill Hotchkiss Elena Tostenson Mary Bazzana John Pomponio Joe Monna |
TRUSTEES
Bianca Iafrancesco Patricia Rantucci Rhonda Ewen |
Our Executive and Board
our executive
Rosann Nanci
presidentRosann was appointed President in December 2020 after having served as Vice President for from 2018 to 2020. She has been a Director on the Board since 2013, and has organized several of the large functions for our club including the 50th anniversary Gala weekend and New Year's Eve Gala Dinner and Dance.
Rosann was born in North Vancouver, BC and has lived in Kelowna since she moved here with her parents, and is proud to say she has been a member of KCIC since. Rosann remains committed to the promotion of Italian culture and the preservation of our heritage in our community. She encourages members of the Italian community to work together to maintain our social traditions; language, customs, and culinary arts. She believes that through interaction with each other we can promote understanding, compassion, and a joy for life that is typically the Italian way of living. |
David Hawkins
Vice PresidentDavid is in his 3rd year as a member on the Executive Board of KCIC. David was President from 2018-2020 and a member of the Board of Directors in 2017-2018.
David was born in Toronto and moved to Kelowna in 1990. He works as a Family Physician in Lake Country. He wants all generations of Italian ancestry to involved with the Club and to celebrate their Italian Heritage. He encourages the development of new ideas and club events and is working with the Board on a strategic plan for KCIC that envisions a dynamic future while respecting and honouring the past. |
Janet GagnonsecretaryJanet has been the Secretary of KCIC for the past 6 years. Her favourite Club activities are working in the KCIC Kitchen (when things get back to normal) and working on her Italian (a work in progress - she says).
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rita conroy
TREASURERIn 2016 Rita started as a trustee, and since November 2017 has held the Treasurer position. For over 25 years her career was in bookkeeping and accounting.
Rita (nee Petretta) was born and raised in Kelowna and moved to Edmonton in 1973. She returned to Kelowna in 2006 to spend more time with her mother and family. Rita became a member in 2015. KCIC was a place she could volunteer, starting out in the kitchen and now still enjoys working with the kitchen volunteers. She’s met many fellow Italians, young and old, and they have become people she loves being around. They’ve all got stories and ideas to share. Rita supports KCIC’s programs that shares knowledge of the Italian culture including its foods, language and local history. She is optimistic of the club’s future growth and awareness in the community. |
OUR BOARD
Mary Wooldridge
Mary is serving a second term on the Board of KCIC.
Mary was born (maiden name Naccarato) in Trail, BC and raised in the Italo-Canadese Italian Club culture. Now retired, Mary has time to give back. She has been a member since 2015 and is active in many areas of KCIC. Mary serves on La Bella Tavola Committee, The Welcoming Committee and helps out in the kitchen whenever she can. She is commonly referred to as "Maria a Calabrese" |
elena tostenson
Elena is presently serving her second term on the KCIC board.
Elena, who is now a “Nonna,” is a first generation Canadian, born and raised in Kelowna. Elena and her family have been members of the club since its inception as her father was one of the founding members. She remembers fondly the early years of the club through the eyes of a young child, motivating her to chair committees such as the Children’s Christmas party and the Italian language classes. Elena is proud of her heritage and loves that she can continue her family’s tradition of being involved in the KCIC. |
JOE MONNA
Joe Monna was born in Naples, Italy and immigrated to Calgary, AB Canada in 1970 at the age of 23.
He worked for the City of Calgary for 30 years (1977-2007) in maintenance and inspection. He also managed and ran his own construction business - Joe's Residential from 1972 to 2016. He retired in 2007 and enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling to Italy, Germany and New York. He relocated to Kelowna in 2016. He joined the Kelowna Italian Club in 2016 and started volunteering on and off. Joe is excited to serve as a director and he looks forward to working with fellow board members to share ideas as he learn & grows in this position. |
Jill hotchkiss
Jill is serving her second term on the KCIC Board.
Jill has been involved with KCIC her entire life, participating in activities as a child and growing up with the Club as a constant part of her life. She contributes to many club activities, including organizing events, public relations and lending a helping hand wherever it's needed. Her favourite activity is creating opportunities for the mixing of the many generations of Club members, enabling the sharing of the wisdom and experience of our long time members and encouraging the energy and enthusiasm that comes from our youngest members. She believes this multi-generational coming together is very much a part of our Italian heritage and is so important for the Club. |
Mary Bazzana
Mary has been a Director on the Board since 2004. Key areas of focus have been Membership and Bursary, as well as her involvement in many events and activities.
Her parents were founding members, as were her other relatives, so she truly has been involved since birth, and seen the Club evolve since its inception. Mary feels a deep connection and appreciation for the customs and culture of her Italian heritage, and hopes to encourage younger generations to experience the warmth of connection, and the joy of involvement, as we together create the Club’s vibrant future. A proud Nonna, Mary lives for multi-generational gatherings of ‘Italian-style love’ in the form of fine food, family, friends, and VQA wine. |
John pomponio
Born in 1939 in San Biagio , Frosinone (Lazio).
John came to Canada in 1955 when he was just 16 and he settled in Prince Rupert where he lived for 45 years. A few years after his retirement, he and Carmela moved to Kelowna in 1996. They joined the club in 2000. John is a very active member and can do almost anything that is needed to keep the place running smoothly. He is a fastidious gardener, does many types of repairs including painting and helps in the kitchen by serving. |