Minutes June 2008 Board and General Meeting

 

 

MINUTES OF CHAPTER BOARD MEETING

Partners of the Americas

Colorado – Minas Gerais

 

 

Date: June 8, 2008

Location: Steve Waechter & Jan Brummond’s Sod Buster Inn, Greeley, Colorado

Present: Steve Waechter (President), Betty Brown (Vice-President), Rhoda Rogers (Treasurer), Jan Brummond, Francis Wardle, Linda Allen

 

[Minutes taken by Linda Kay Nedved, non-participating guest]

 

2:15p   Meeting called to order by President Steve Waechter. Introductions.

 

No minutes of prior meeting to approve.

 

Pres. Steve welcomed everyone and invited everyone’s participation.

 

Steve asked group what they felt function of Board is, and invited Board’s guidance. Betty discussed that the Board should support the group’s friendships and relationships in Partners, plus bring choices to the membership for guidance. Francis said that the role is to keep the formal organization performing.

 

Betty relayed that there are opportunities and ideas, i.e. ecotourism, which abound from media articles written by experts.

 

Rhoda discussed that greater opportunities will arise as our relationships develop with local businesses.

 

Steve said that the Board is the energy behind organizations. For example, he relayed an email he received from Binka regarding urban versus rural project distinctions.

 

Francis added how we can be limited by the nature of the project not whether it is rural or urban.

 

Linda Allen reported that, for example, Emily Crouse is in an internship for library and education projects. She is in Sao Paulo, but the project can be relocated to Minas Gerais.

 

Steve noted that we can leverage money for fund-raisers, using our funds towards actual costs. It is good for us to consider our options and alternatives. He explained what the Cia de Danca event is and what is possible about it. It will be available in January, 2009.

 

Linda noted that it is nice to have participants follow-up with project management.

 

Francis said that we should base our fund-raising decisions on capital, as well as the people/membership that are available for resources.

 

2:47p   Meeting adjourned to Chapter quarterly business meeting.

 

 

 

MINUTES OF CHAPTER MEETING

Partners of the Americas

Colorado – Minas Gerais

 

 

Date: June 8, 2008

 

Location: Steve Waechter & Jan Brummond’s Sod Buster Inn, Greeley, Colorado

Present: Steve Waechter (President), Betty Brown (Vice-President), Rhoda Rogers (Treasurer), Jan Brummond, Francis Wardle, Linda Allen, Roger Brown, Laura Schulkind, Mike Rogers, Shuyuan Tsai, Rob Turner, Helen O’Keefe, Linda Kay Nedved, Mary Davis, Dale Beckman

 

[Minutes taken by Linda Kay Nedved]

 

3:05p   Meeting called to order by President Steve Waechter. Introductions and welcome by Steve.

 

Minutes of March 9, 2008 were reviewed. Discussion held to affirm for Steve, that the rechartering plan was approved by vote. Betty moved to approve minutes with the change, Francis seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously.

 

Treasurer Rhoda Rogers reviewed her report. $250.00 has been paid to the national office for annual dues. Otherwise, no expenditures have been made. The balance is $5,169.16. Betty submitted the invoice for brochure printing reimbursement, $128.57. This reimbursement payment was previously discussed and approved. Francis moved to approve the treasurers report, Jan Brummond seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously.

 

Steve reported on the rechartering process status. The submission is complete, except for the annual report of our activities. He invited anyone’s input for the report, and requested that he receive it soon so he can timely include it in the report. He confirmed that he will also file the I.R.S. Form 990EZ.

 

Betty reported on the status of the ecotourism committee, with apologies for not having called a meeting prior to this chapter meeting. Betty, Roger, Linda Allen, Dale, and Mary continue to be members of this committee.

 

Roger reported on the computers project. They were to be sent to rural schools in the Iracambi area. He has not resolved the shipping costs (very high), but the Greeley School District continues to not have any computers to provide. Rhoda moved to continue Roger’s project and our POA support of it. General discussion on other possibilities for shipping. Steve will continue his efforts to make connections at Swift. Rhoda withdrew her motion as the project continues with Roger’s work.

 

Roger reported on the soccer camp fund-raiser. He made numerous attempts to contact the Greeley Soccer Camp contact without a returned call. Due to the timing needed, this fund-raiser is no longer a viable option for this year. Next year, he committed to trying to approach the initial inquiries for this fund-raiser differently.

 

Frances reported on the grant proposal he drafted and submitted for an organizational development grant to POA. The grant is intended to fund the re-writing/printing of the brochure + printing of letterhead, postcards, business cards, CD’s with chapter information. The grant requested $1642.96. He has not heard back from POA on the submitted grant. Per Betty, we will wait until the grant is announced before expending funds. However, we will still need to complete the update and printing of brochures.

 

Steve discussed the Dani Lambi, dancer in MG, ‘Without Borders’ program in the schools. It partners with the Mayor’s Office and other municipal agencies. The program deals with issues surrounding drugs and teen pregnancy prevention, using sports, music and dance to convey and involve. A grant for the program was submitted to POA. Steve will continue to pursue this project.

 

Per Steve, the US-Brazil Partnership doesn’t involve us, yet. We have not received any requests for support.

 

Helen reported that she will re-activate the involvement with UNC. Also, Erin Ridge, a new graduate intern in her office, was invited to join as a student. Mike Rogers donated $20.00 towards her 2-year student membership.

 

Steve requested input and summations, again, for the annual report to be submitted to POA. He requested the submissions by next Sunday, June 15^th.

 

Francis reported on a man, Edwin Velis, he met who is involved with a Business to Business exchange in Guatemala on micro-credit business development. He will be following up as appropriate.

 

Steve reported a summary of the board meeting proceedings, emphasizing his intent to have everyone involved in the chapter.

 

Steve discussed a possible fund-raiser or just involvement at the Sod Buster in a September 5^th Art Walk in Greeley (2 days from Brazilian Independence Day). Also, in January, 2009, Roberto and Dani will visit and be available to perform.

 

Next meetings:            Board meeting at 2:00pm; general meeting at 3:00pm

            September, 7, 2008                Francis Wardle, hosting in Denver, Colorado

            December 7, 2008                  Mike & Rhoda Rogers, hosting in Greeley, Colorado

 

Roger moved to adjourn the meeting; Francis seconded the motion.

 

2:47p   Meeting adjourned to social time.