MINUTES OF CHAPTER MEETING

Partners of the Americas

Colorado – Minas Gerais

Date: March 4, 2007

Location: Mike & Rhoda Rogers’ residence, Greeley, Colorado

Present: Colorado Partners Francis Wardle, Bryan & Carolyn Cooke, Steve Waechter & Jan Brummond, Roger & Betty Brown, Mike & Rhoda Rogers, Marian Craig. Wyoming Partners Dwight Hicks and John Coe. Guests: Brad Goldschmidt, colleague of Betty Brown; Pat Davidson from International office at University of Northern Colorado, Rose Hoyle, houseguest of Cookes.

Meeting called to order by President Francis Wardle. Introductions. Francis congratulated Steve and Jan on their marriage February 10. Minutes of the December 10, 2006 meeting approved.

Jan Brummond reported on plans for the dancers coming from Brazil. She presented a tentative agenda which is to be adjusted and finalized. They are still waiting for approval of visas. The target visit time is April 12-26, to coordinate with International Week at UNC.

Betty Brown reported on the progress of the Convention Committee. Plans will become more firm after Washington DC office meets on March 8. So far we know the convention theme will emphasize youth. Proposed activities include a welcome speech by the Governor of Minas Gerais, workshops, Ouro Preto city tour, train ride, cultural events, a marketplace, and volunteer project. Colorado/Wyoming participation will include Francis Wardle’s photo exhibit, Steve Waechter’s music and workshop on designated giving, Bryan Cooke’s roundtable on networking with other organizations, Jan Brummond’s Character Counts program, and Ian Cooke’s music. Other suggestions are welcome. For the marketplace, our group would prepare a poster presentation of our projects, provide items for sale or gift bags. All partners members are asked to contact local businesses, chambers of commerce, etc. to acquire gift items.

Francis will follow up on getting a letter from the Governor &/or Tourism Director in Colorado to be read &/or printed in the convention program. John Coe suggested using a children’s capuera dance group from Goias which he saw in 2002. He will get the contact information to Betty. Country flags for a flag ceremony are available from the national office, but poles need to be acquired. Francis suggested that eucalyptus wood is cheap and available in Brazil. Salon do Encontro and the Iracambi project would be worth a visit before or after the convention. They could also have booths in the marketplace. Rhoda would be interested in a cross-cultural nursing/health care program.

A REMINDER: Convention is in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais on November 14-17, 2007. Expected attendance is 300 people.

Francis reported on the committee for fundraising to help with convention costs. Additional volunteers are needed. Francis and John will work on coordinating kids’ soccer camps in Wyoming and Colorado. Bryan will contact the Recreation Department in Greeley. Dorly Piske in Wyoming is the main contact person for soccer. Rhoda will investigate restaurants where we might serve as wait staff to generate tips. John suggested we also could include a silent auction at the restaurant. Rhoda will also find out about feasibility of making & selling T-shirts with a 4-state design (Colorado, Wyoming, Minas Gerais, Goias).

Francis reported on the coffee project. All four states (Pennsylvania, Colorado, and the two Brazilian counterparts) are officially on board, so the next step is to write the grant. Francis & Stephanie Nevas will work on that.

Roger reported on the computer project to send surplus school computers to children in Brazilian schools. Computers are available, so shipping and transportation need to be resolved. Enrique (Alice’s fiancé in Minas Gerais) owns a trucking company, so he may be able to advise and/or assist.

Francis moved that we submit two education/culture grant proposals: 1) to support the convention and 2) to develop a recruitment brochure. Motion seconded and passed.

Dwight volunteered to help with the brochure.

Roger suggested that we try to find grant money to help with computer shipping.

Treasurer’s Report: Betty reported $5885.54 in the account. Dues for 2007 are payable immediately--$30 individual, $35 couple, $10 under age 18 or full time student.

Next meeting will be June 3, 2007 at 3:00 pm at Steve Waechter & Jan Brummond’s.

Meeting adjourned to social time.

Carolyn Cooke, Secretary