For the last twelve years I have been a member of Custodes Pacis Lodge, #2085, Order Sons of Italy in America. We are a lodge that represents Italian-American Law Enforcement Professionals and their families. Our website is located at
http://www.custodespacis.org and you can find out some of the things that we do there.(I am the webmaster :) )
For the past ten years I have been an officer in the lodge having served in several different capacities. In 2001 or therabouts, I became the financial secretary of the lodge which basically meant I collected any monies owed to the organization, mostly membership fees.
Since 2007 I have served as president.
I have found my membership and service to the lodge to be rather rewarding and fun most of the time. Although frustrating at times, I enjoyed my stint.
About six months or so ago, I decided I wouldn't seek a second term. My main reason is to free up time to spend with my wife and children.
Our organization is rather large and it takes a committed team to do what needs to be done. Although this worked out most of the time, I felt that sometimes, I was the only one doing the work. This may have been only a perception as I also am sympathtic that everyone has a personal life to attend to, but many times I got frustrated because I didn't seem like I was able to get everyone on the same page.
Tomorrow night(actually tonight) we will have our monthly meeting at which time our new president and his administrative council will be installed. He is hesitant to take on the role, but is doing it because he does not want to see our organization without a leader. I also promised him that I would help and guide him along the way.
Tomorrow night will be the last time I have to conduct a meeting. Although I will be a part of the executive board, my duties are limited to voting on motions.
I am excited to free myself of this work and spend more time with my boys and my wife. My boys are getting so big and I feel like I missed alot of their growing up. My wife has dealt with all my frustrations of being in charge of this organization and I know whe will appreciate the break and the extra time that I will now have.
I will be going to bed feeling really good, knowing that after the meeting tomorrow, that I will not be president of the lodge. I look forward to my free time and wish our incoming council the best of luck!