In 1951, Portland’s Italian-American business community came together to assist with the recovery of the disastrous flood of Italy’s Po River. Soon afterwards, they decided that Portland needed a permanent Italian-American organization resulting in the formation of the Italian Businessmen’s Club (IBC).
Dedicated to preserving and promoting Italian culture and providing a civic service for Portland’s community, the IBC has contributed to many causes, both locally and in Italy, through financial giving and volunteer work. A separate IBC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides yearly scholarships in Italian studies at Portland State University and supports La Scuola Italiana di Portland.
As with many organizations, membership had declined over the years as newer generations became more assimilated. Realizing that maintaining a Portland focus on Italian heritage is vital, the IBC made changes to bring in new and younger members.
“Better communication with current, past and future members through traditional and modern networking techniques helped, but perhaps more meaningful was the elimination of the ‘men only’ rule,” explains Guy LaCesa. “Today all persons of Italian heritage (or married to such a person) are eligible as full members. Within a short time, women have made huge contributions and enlivened the IBC.”
Being an Italian group, IBC monthly dinner meetings are lively, as are social events. One recent event, La Festa d’Estate, took place in a private garage full of beautifully restored classic autos, and complete with an old-fashioned soda fountain. The night featured Italian food and music in a “Happy Days” setting.
The IBC’s big annual fundraiser, La Vendemmia, is a festival of food, wine and entertainment in celebration of the grape harvest. Harvest celebrations are common at vineyards in Italy but rare in the United States. Willamette Valley’s famous Pinot Noir region and the IBC make the perfect combination for a great day. This year’s La Vendemmia takes place on September 21 at beautiful Ardirí Winery, an Italian-American owned and award-winning vineyard.
For more information about the IBC, visit www.ibcpdx.org.
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