MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING

Partners of the Americas

Colorado – Minas Gerais

Date: December 7, 2008

Location: Mary Gershwin residence, Denver, Colorado

Present: Steve Waechter (President), Betty Brown (Vice President), Rhoda Rogers (Treasurer), Carolyn Cooke (Secretary), Jan Brummond, Francis Wardle, Lin Allen

Meeting called to order by President Steve Waechter. Introductions.

Minutes of last meeting approved.

Francis led discussion regarding financial transparency of budget process (costs & income) in relation to ecotourism and/or other fundraising projects. We need to know how funds are divided/allocated. Can we say it all goes to a jroject such as Joao Meira Day Clinic? We need a Brazilian partner as liaison in Diamantina. Would Joao’s son Jose Francisco like to be involved?

Jan asked whether there is business insurance. It was determined that insurance wouldn’t be useful.

Can we get documentation from Washington office? We wrote a grant for convention—has a report been done?

Steve reported on the Arte Miuda children’s choir trip to Colorado. They are doing fundraising. We need a time frame and must have at least 6 months advance notice of dates. Music has been exchanged. We can do a travel grant for the choir director.

Discussion of the Joao Meira Day Clinic in Diamantina was delayed until next meeting.

Board meeting adjourned to Chapter quarterly business meeting.

Carolyn Cooke

Secretary

MINUTES OF CHAPTER MEETING

Partners of the Americas

Colorado – Minas Gerais

Date: December 7, 2008

Location: Mary Gershwin Residence, Denver, Colorado

Present: Steve Waechter (President), Betty Brown (Vice President), Rhoda Rogers (Treasurer), Carolyn Cooke (Secretary), Lin Allen, Francis Wardle, Jan Brummond, Roger Brown, Mike Rogers, Bryan Cooke, Helen O’Keefe, Erin Ridge, Maria Lopez, Mary Gershwin, Leah Klass, Emily Crouse, Linda Nedved, Heather Lelchook. Guests: Bill and Jackie Huntington, Laura Schulkind, David Kramer.

Meeting called to order by President Steve Waechter. Introductions. Minutes of the previous meeting approved. Treasurer Rhoda Rogers reported income of $175 dues and a Grant from Partners, Inc. of $1371, a total of $1546. Expenses were paid to Betty Brown for brochures $383.90. Bank balance as of 12/7/08 is $5829.50. Treasurer’s report was approved.

Steve presented Roger and Betty Brown with awards from Partners. They also received volunteer service awards along with Jan Brummond and Francis Wardle.

Rhoda gave a report on her experience at the POA Leadership Workshop in Washington DC and on her travel grant experience in Minas Gerais where she taught diabetes self-management at 4 universities.

Betty reported on activities of the Tourism Committee. Full reports of Carolina’s experience in the US are on the website. The committee has proposed a route for incoming Colorado tourists. Lin noted that local history, monuments, etc. are good for telling “who we are”. Interaction with local people is an important part of the Colorado experience. The program could be expanded to include other people outside Colorado, with possible college credit. Francis noted that International is looking at this also. Members were asked to read the website and react.

Steve and Roger reported on the EPIAMIG/CSU Agriculture producers meeting hosted by CSU. One horticulturist and 1 animal scientist came from Brazil. A document of expectation is in process.

Mary reported on the visits by school principals. One came from each state. They worked with Denver Public Schools. Francis noted a talk comparing educations, snow at Breckenridge, and the role of community colleges in the US. The visitors were really impressed with the computer labs. Mary is working with the embassy on exchanges for technical colleges.

Leah talked about the Colorado Department of International Trade and its efforts to help Colorado companies to export to South America as well as importing from there. They will also help link up resources, encourage youth ambassadors and professional development programs.

Steve reported on the POA soccer program. Partners was chosen to be involved along with the State Department and Nike Corporation to bring soccer coaches from Brazil to Colorado and Wyoming in mid-February 2009. The coaches emphasize working with disadvanted youngsters by teaching life skills through sports.

New Business: Rhoda announced that 2009 dues are payable.

Linda reported that Socially Conscious Coffee (founded by Partner Stephanie Palm Neves) is the source for all of Peaberry’s Brazilian coffees.

Emily Crouse was elected to fill a vacancy on the board.

Meetings for 2009 were scheduled. Board meets at 2:00 pm, Chapter meets at 3:00 pm on the following dates:

March 8, 2009 at Roger & Betty Brown’s in Greeley

June 7, 2009 at Steve Waechter & Jan Brummond’s in Greeley

September 13, 2009 at Francis Wardle’s in Denver

December 6, 2009 at Mary Gershwin’s in Denver

Meeting adjourned to social time with entertainment by Steve on guitar and Laura on flute.

Carolyn Cooke

Secretary