Club News

A Message From Our President

There are so many people to thank for their support throughout 2025, but I especially want to recognize the Board of Directors for keeping everything running smoothly, as well as Karen Borg, Dorothy Falzon, the Entertainment Committee, and all of our volunteers who worked so hard to provide a wonderful year of events for us to enjoy. .

I also want to express our deep gratitude to Maryann Milla for serving as our Secretary since 2022 — her dedication has been invaluable — and to Joe Vella for stepping in to serve as Parliamentarian.

One of my personal goals was to have the Bylaws approved by the membership before the end of the year, and I’m pleased to report that we accomplished that in March. While many of the changes became effective upon approval in March, all of the Bylaws are now fully in force as of January 1st.

On Friday, February 6th, the Club had the honor of hosting Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Dr. Ian Borg, and his wife, Rachelle. Joining them from Malta were Gloryann, her husband David, and Miguel. Our Maltese organizations proudly displayed pieces of our community’s rich history in the Bay Area, helping make the evening even more special.

The Club presented the Deputy Prime Minister with a beautiful book about San Francisco, a box of See’s Candies, and the Club pin. The evening was also featured on the news in Malta. I want to thank everyone who helped make this such a memorable occasion, as well as the many members of our Maltese community who came out to warmly welcome our guests.

The newly elected Board of Directors for 2026–2027 officially assumed office at the February General Meeting on February 22nd. We congratulate President Mary Vella Gomes, Vice President Karen Borg, Secretary Gracie Aquino, Assistant Secretary Mary Borg Smith, Treasurer Rita Borg, Assistant Treasurer Ninfa Pace, Parliamentarian Terrie Aquino, Auditors Mona Vella Nicholas and Louis Vella, and Sergeant-at-Arms Michelle Attard, and thank them for their willingness to serve.

The Installation Ceremony for the 2026–2027 Board of Directors will be held on Sunday, March 22nd at 10:00 a.m.

I encourage everyone to volunteer whenever possible. We need active participation from both new and longtime members, so please attend functions and meetings and encourage others to participate.

Communication is very important to the success of our Club. If you have any concerns or suggestions, please feel comfortable bringing them directly to the Board. We truly want to hear from you and can only address matters that are brought to our attention. Your input truly makes a difference.

All the best in 2026!

Message from the Honorary Consul General of Malta, Louis Vella

Greetings dear friends of the Maltese American Social Club and the Maltese Community in California. So many things have already taken place this year, so much news, including a lot of sad and tragic news. No matter how dark and bad the news is, as a community we continue to hope and dream for better days. We must never give up and should never stop hoping and praying for true and lasting peace, first and foremost in our hearts and among our families especially our Maltese-American family as well as peace and cooperation outside our homes, our State, our nation and throughout the world.

On February 6th a nice group of people gathered at San Francisco airport to welcome Dr. Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs & Tourism of Malta, Mrs. Borg, and a delegation upon their arrival in San Francisco. After they settled at their hotel in San Francisco, the Deputy PM was invited at the City of Millbrae, Sister City of Mosta, Malta where he had a meeting with the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and other city officials. It was a most welcoming meeting with plenty of time to discuss mutual interests, the community, government affairs, as well as the historical ties between the two regions. Later that day the Deputy PM, Mrs. Borg and the entire delegation were the guests of honor at a warm and wonderful evening at the Maltese American Social Club of SF in the presence of a large crowd and the participation of the Maltese Club, of course, the Maltese Cross Foundation of CA, The Maltese Heritage Association, St. Elizabeth Maltese Society & St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, Maltese Historical Society, San Francisco – Valletta Sister City Council, Office of the Maltese Consulate and Maltese Community Network. It was an amazing event thanks to everyone who worked so hard, so smart, so well and so beautifully, to make the evening such a successful and memorable one. Our guests were so impressed and so happily surprised that they immediately started sending images of the evening to Malta to let all of Malta know what the Maltese community in the San Francisco Bay Area is capable of. What an evening of Pride, Celebration, Comradery, Unity, and a Wonderful Time amongst great friendly people.

Always remember that, it is not what we take but what we give that make us rich.