You don't have to speak Italian look Italian or even be Italian to join the newly-founded Italian Club. All it takes is an interest in the people and culture of Italy--and a taste for cannoli.

A group of students at Winthrop House met Monday night to organize Harvard's newest student group--one targeted at students interested in Italian culture.

The group's founders said there was a lack of student interest in the last Italian club at Harvard because it excluded students who could not speak Italian. The defunct group, Lo Stivale, was intended chiefly as a forum for Italian-speaking students.

"We wanted to start a club for Italian culture, one where you didn't necessarily have to speak Italian," said co-founder Elizabeth R. Caputo '94.

The club's other founders, Nicole Jampol '94 and Sarah de Munro '90-'91, outlined their plans for club activities. These include viewing Italian films, going to Boston's North End for dinner, watching Italian soccer games and setting up language tables.

Munro said the group plans to establish service projects where students would tutor Italian-American children and talk with elderly Italian immigrants in the North End and in Newton.

The organizers said they plan to submit a constitution and a budget proposal to Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III tomorrow. Jampol said group members are confident the College will recognize the Italian Club as an official student organization.

The group plans to secure funds through donations, moneymaking events and, for next semester, possibly from the Undergraduate Council, Jampol said.

"There are a lot of stereotypes about the Italian people," said Orietta P. Barletta '94, who attended Monday night's meeting. "This is a good way to teach people about the true Italian culture."