Trip Report

1. Purpose and Activities: What was the main purpose of your trip? (should be same as purpose stated in your travel grant application). What specific activities took place? (please include your final schedule)

As stated in the travel grant application, overall, the main objective for the trip was to strengthen relations between the Minas Gerais and Colorado Chapters. This took place as I worked with and assisted the Brazilian Chapter members with preparations for the 2007 International Convention to be held in Ouro Preto, Brazil. I represented the Colorado chapter in planning discussions for the 2007 International Partners Convention

A listing of the events of the schedule will document how this trip objective was satisfied. Two CDs of photos, one from Belize and one from Brazil, will be enclosed with the report materials to support my efforts to meet, interact, and plan with fellow Partners.

Nov 11^th – meeting and interacting with Partners started as soon as we arrived at the airport in Belize. Actually we started visiting with Dennis and Dana Shaw along with Carmen Sepassi in the Dallas airport, where we connected for the flight to Belize. We spent extra time in the shuttle bus and then over dinner with Partners from Kansas, Kimberley Kreicker and Arla Jones, and Don Fuff from Oregon.

Nov 12^{th to}Nov 15^th - Leaders’ Orientation Meeting. Discussions during breaks and meals provided input and suggestions for the 2007 Convention. For example: Jacqueline Lima, from Goias, Brazil, strongly is interested in having poster presentations displaying projects in different chapters. (A side note, discussed in greater detail elsewhere, is the convention planning participation of members of the Wyoming Chapter, paired with Goias.)

Nov 15^th – snorkeling trip with ten members of the Leadership Orientation cohort and lunch with two others, Johnny Rojas Ortega from Bolivia and Rfrain Somoza Alvarenga from El Salvado, allowed more interaction in a relaxed manner, allowing us to tell and listen to stories about Partner events in other chapters.

Nov 16^th to 18^th – Convention at the Princess Hotel in Belize City. I constantly took notes about events and their support, which are transcribed in a document dedicated to convention thoughts and ideas. The regional meeting on the 16^th for all Brazilian Chapter members and their US counterparts brought an interesting benefit. As a support for the Brazilian COMCAB, members of US Chapters that are paired with Brazilian states will form their own group and will communicate electronically. An evening meeting firmed up this intent. Maury Sterns will chair the group. Among other purposes, it will support the efforts of the 2007 convention.

Three events were especially valuable:

1) The playground project was much fun and included preliminary advice and support from Francis Wardle, President of the Colorado Chapter. Workers included all who participated in the San Pedro Leadership Orientation. Having a community project will be a priority in Ouro Preto.

2) My husband, Roger, Francis and I met with Barbara Bloch and the Belize Convention Committee Co-Chair Letivis Westby. Hearing their reactions on the last day of the convention was helpful as we look to 2007.

3) Because Baldonedo Napoleao could not travel to Belize, we accepted an award for him at the evening banquet. It was delivered in Belo along with the traveling marble globe inscribed with convention places and dates.

(See notes elsewhere about all three events along with applicable discussions in Brazil.)

Nov 19^th – After attending the Garifuna Landing celebration and the celebratory Mass with other Partners, we checked out of the hotel, took the shuttle bus to the airport, and traveled to Belo Horizonte by way of Miami and Sao Paulo. It was a tough trip with flights delayed in Sao Paulo. But, we had many more opportunities to visit with Partners who were on the same conveyances. Some knew I was working on ideas for 2007, others did not, but all volunteered thoughts on the convention that had just ended.

Nov 20^th – Luzia Lisita, President of the Minas Gerais Chapter, met us at the airport. In addition to the pleasure of the drive, we immediately began talking about our meeting schedules and the 2007 convention. Since she was not able to go to Belize, she wanted to hear all about the events and our opinions of them.

We stopped at Palacio das Artes, one of the city’s many art museums, to see a special exhibit of native art, Vale: Vozes e Visoes (beautiful primitive art of the valley people). That evening our dinner hosts were Alice Cordeiro and her fiancé, Henrique. Again, discussion focused on plans for 2007. We hosted Alice last November when she visited Colorado following the POA convention in Arkansas. Alice serves as Secretary for the Minas Gerais Chapter.

Nov 21^st - Roberto Brandao, former Chapter President, acted as my driver and liaison for my appointments on this day. Among other talents, he is a classical guitarist. We discussed a possible performance at the convention, a duet with Steve Waechter, Vice President of the Colorado Chapter, who is also a classical guitarist. First we visited the Pope’s Park, high above the city of Belo Horizonte, where Pope John addressed Brazilians during one his world tours.

Then we met with Roberto Fagundes, the Minas Gerais Secretary of Tourism. He gave me some helpful material about Ouro Preto as well as passes for the Artisan’s Fair. This fair takes place every other year and highlights local crafts. Among discussion topics was the need for good food at the convention. Both men were eloquent about Brazil’s “slow food”, which is not only delicious but encourages unrushed conversation. Mr. Fagundes also made suggestions about transportation to Ouro Preto as well as possible side trips for POA members during and after the convention.

Then we met with Afonso Rocha, the Director of Estrada Real (the Royal Road). There are two routes which stretch from the coast of Brazil meeting in the World Heritage Site, Ouro Preto. Mr. Rocha showed a video that highlighted the history of the route and the importance of it in Brazil’s history.

In our visits, both gentlemen were enthusiastic about the benefits of the POA convention. The POA convention will only bring a few hundred people to Ouro Preto. However, if those from out of the country can take home a positive experience, there will be great benefits to Brazil’s tourism industry.

We had dinner with Baldonedo Napoleao and his wife. He stayed with my husband during a trip to Colorado several years ago. This was another example of entertaining or hosting extending in both directions. He, too, was fascinated with our report of the convention in Belize and mourned the difficulty of travel to and from Brazil during the air traffic controllers’ strike. He explained in more detail the COMCAB group and we discussed the importance of all Brazilian chapters being involved in the convention.

Nov 22^nd – Luzia Lisita drove her car to Ouro Preto. First we stopped at the convention site, Estalagem das Minas Gerais, a great location about two miles from the city. We were given a total tour of the convention grounds including the restaurant, private sleeping rooms, and meeting area off-set from the main lodge by a short distance, less than a mile. Regularly timed shuttle buses will transport people to and from meetings. The meeting location, located on a hill, is lovely with lots of restrooms and places on an outside veranda for people to visit during breaks.

A traditional luncheon at the Casa do Ouvidor restaurant was enjoyed after a walk around Ouro Preto. Hot pork rinds were served as an appetizer. We met with Vittorio Lanari Junior, the Secretary of Culture and Tourism in Ouro Preto. On the list of things we discussed are the POA community project, a train trip to Mariana during the convention, and a possible pipe organ concert. (More details are recorded on a separate document.)

Nov 23^rd – (Thanksgiving Day in the States)

Roger, Luzia and I visited with Rodney Gosline, of the Master Turismo agency in Belo Horizonte to discuss 2007 convention transportation arrangements as well as pre and/or post convention tours. (See convention notes/thoughts for details.) He will have a written proposal prepared by January for Luzia and Barbara Bloch’s approval.

We attended the Fiera Nacional de Artesanato (National Artisan’s Fair) at the huge exposition center in Belo. There were many exhibits and demonstrations and we were there for hours. A number of brochures and business cards were collected as possible participants at the 2007 Convention Marketplace. We also noted the exhibits of Belo’s prize winning re-cycling center for which they have received world recognition. Men with carts can be seen on Belo’s street collecting cardboard boxes and other materials that are easily re-cycled.

Nov 24^th – Marcia Hagen, Minas Gerais Chapter Vice-President, picked us up and took us to the bus station for our trip to Diamantina. While waiting for the bus, we discussed her roles and history with the organization.

Maria Meira and her daughter, Maria Theresa (TT for short), met us at the bus station. After lunch at their home, we had a tour of the University, a music school (Arte Miuda), and a private school that Maria Theresa attends. Conversations at the University centered often on Partners and its purposes. I was given postcards of the historic old churches of Diamantina as well as a choral recording made by the school’s students. I purchased simple toys that are being made as part of the school’s Christmas fund raising project.

Both TT and Isabella, her eight-year-old niece, performed in the school’s choral performance this evening at the Church of the Rosary. TT had a solo part and looked lovely in a golden gown that is used for madrigal performances. Attending the concert gave us an opportunity to see the inside of this beautiful old church. Four types of guitars, two flutes, and a keyboard accompanied students. The performance was excellent and was recorded. The students were well rehearsed and well received. The concert was the first in a series of twelve, a year-end event, the Circuito de Corais. Maria hopes this choir can travel to Colorado for a Partners cultural exchange. Perhaps they could perform at the 2007 convention in Ouro Preto, though transportation from Diamantina to Ouro Preto could be a problem.

Nov 25^th- Maria drove us around town, pointing out the hospital where Dr. Joao Miera worked and other interesting historical and tourism areas. We mingled with local residents at the town’s busy Saturday market, bought pineapples from the back of a truck, and visited Dr. Miera’s grave. (A separate document describes the emotional exchange that took place there.)

After lunch at her home, we toured the local historical museum, Museu do Diamante, learning more about the slaves that supported the diamond industry. The curator apologized that the museum book has not been printed in English, promising that this effort is in progress. Then we drove outside of town to hike an area where the slave route (caminho dos escravos) has been re-constructed. The size of the road and the length of the Estrada Real both reveal the size of the industry as well as the number of slaves that it took to make it work. These tours helped me better appreciate the history of the area. Such tours, before and after the 2007 convention, should be encouraged.

Nov 26^th – Maria arranged for a group of us to travel by two cars to Serro, another old city located on the Estrada Real. Because it was Sunday, the churches were closed, but we were able to have another viewpoint of life in an old Brazilian city. We walked the paved steps to the top of a hill overlooking the town. A buffet lunch was definitely Brazilian, slow food kept warm with slowly burning logs. There were three kinds of beans in addition to meat dishes.

Along the way, we observed some water treatment plants and discussed water expert Coloradoan Jon Monson’s visit to Diamantina.. Apparently the proposed project was expensive and work on it has not progressed. That seems to be the story of a lot of our Colorado/ Minas Gerais projects… It is not “how do you spell success” but how do you define it???

That evening the same group met for dinner in a local pizzeria. It was good to be able to meet and interact with Maria’s friends.

Nov 27^th - Maria arranged for a car and driver to transport us back to Belo. She rode along as well so she could attend the specially called Chapter meeting. Her stepson, Dr. Meira’s oldest son, hosted a luncheon in his home in our honor. Maria’s daughter, Luz, a pre-med student who lives in Belo, was also there. Dr. Meira’s widow and children have a serious interest in honoring his memory by supporting and continuing his dedication to Partners. Because of his long-term friendships with Colorado Partners, it was an honor to meet and get better acquainted with the family. This probably was the most important aspect of the time spent in Diamantina with Maria and her family.

That evening Luzia hosted a well-attended Minas Gerais Chapter meeting. Activities included presentation of the traveling convention globe, plus Belize pen and appreciation plaque to Baldonedo Arthur Napoleao, outgoing President of the POA Board. Roger and I were both invited to give reports regarding the Belize convention and our pursuits during our stay in Minas Gerais.

Baldonedo spoke of his hopes for the 2007 convention. Many members volunteered for specific needs. It was good to interact in the meeting setting with people who had spent their time hosting us during our visit. I was glad to meet Helena Lopes, the Chapter Treasurer, my true counterpart since I serve as the Treasurer of the Colorado Chapter.

Nov 28^th - an additional morning appointment scheduled with Simone Ferreira, from Uberlandia, did not take place. Simone wanted to bring a gentleman from her town to discuss the formation of a sub-chapter. He was not able to catch the needed flight to arrive in time. The meeting was re-scheduled for later in the day with Luzia. I left a Partners logo pin for Luzia to present to Simone. She has since corresponded with me by E-mail. Luzia took us to tour the city’s central market where we sampled more traditional Brazilian food for lunch, including feijao tropeiro. Baldonedo’s driver took Roger and me to the airport.

Nov 29^th arrived home in Colorado after another grueling trip lasting longer than 25 hours. (Recipients of the trip report approved my request to submit information after the Christmas holiday.) We met a woman in the Sao Paulo airport, citizen of the USA, who divides her time between Arizona and Minas Gerais. She owns a home on the outskirts of Belo. Of course, we invited her to join Partners. The recruiting never stops!

2. Results/Impact:

2a. Did you accomplish the purpose of your trip? Describe the results in measurable terms. Please include names of institutions/organizations you worked with. Summarize all discussions held, lectures or workshops given, type/size of audiences.

As discussed in the previous section. A definite, “Yes!” is the answer to the first question.

Groups of people and discussions are documented in the previous section as well. No presentations were made in Brazil, only upon my return to the University of Northern Colorado. My meetings were more informal in nature, though not less valuable than one that would have taken place before a professional audience.

While results might be difficult to measure, I think the ultimate purpose will be fulfilled by the success of the 2007 convention in Ouro Preto. If there are large numbers and a widespread representation of attendees who attest to a fulfilling, rewarding experience in Ouro Preto, then I think my project will be considered a success. It might be said that my project will have a far-reaching effect, much beyond a single November 2006 visit to our Partner Chapter in Minas Gerais.

2b. What difficulties did you encounter? What lessons did you learn that might be useful for future travelers?

Difficulties were minimal. However, the language barrier was an occasional problem. We always seemed to find someone to translate for us. Brazilians were by nature helpful and apologetic that their English was not better. My husband and I plan to learn as much Portuguese as possible before the 2007 convention. We have already purchased tapes to facilitate this learning.

A unique experience playing cards with members of the Miera family is worth a brief description. All language barriers disappeared as we tried to master this rummy game. The groan, following a poor play, or a victory dance both transcended any lack of words. And, interestingly enough, as we said good-bye to the Miera family in Diamantina, Maria’s grandson, five-year-old, Joao Louis, whispered to her that he wanted to learn English so he could talk to us easier when we return to Brazil next year.

One frustration could be discussed here. That is the problem of whether to approve sub-chapters. All active members and participants of the Colorado Chapter live within an hour of Greeley. There are no members, for example, that live on Colorado’s western slopes. That is not the case in Minas Gerais where members live far from Belo. It is difficult to recruit more active members in Diamantina, for example, if the meetings are all held in Belo Horizonte. Simone Ferreira made the eight-hour trip from her home in Uberlandia to attend the special November chapter meeting in Belo. She has made repeated inquiries about having a local sub-chapter in Uberlandia. I think this is something that should be addressed by someone other than me. There surely is precedent in other states.

2c. Please describe how the host Partners chapter was involved with your visit? And what kinds

of follow-up activities are likely?

Members of the host chapter made arrangements for us to stay in private homes. We stayed with Luzia Lisita in Belo Horizonte and Maria Meira in Diamantina. They also arranged for all transportation and meals within Brazil. These arrangements were not limited to their homes, though. They personally oversaw all the visits and interactions planned and required for my trip and project. In addition to the specifics needed to accomplish project goals, these ladies included some time for personal interests. For example, singing along to carols, I helped decorate the Meira Christmas Tree. The Christmas gifts for the Meira grandchildren, that were sent after our return to Colorado, included Amelia Bedilia, age and interest sensitive, early reading books as a fun way to strengthen their English.

Another follow-up activity is the proposed visit to Colorado by a Belo Horizonte dance team. Luzia will work with Colorado members to finalize the exchange. Roger and I will host the team while they stay in Greeley and will arrange for them to present and/or teach classes through a local community college.

Convention follow-up activities are discussed in separate areas of this report.

2d. What are the expected or anticipated long-term benefits of your visit to the hosting chapter?

(Specific examples are most useful)

A separate document is included with this report, detailing notes and ideas for the 2007 convention. A copy has already been transmitted to Barbara Bloch, of POA staff, who will liaison with Chapter members in Minas Gerais and Colorado in the continued planning for the event in Ouro Preto. We all have great expectations of widespread involvement in preparation for our time together in Ouro Preto. Materials were collected in Ouro Preto to advertise the area. These will be sent to Barbara along with the materials that Baldonedo Napoleao was not able to bring to the convention in Belize. It is my understanding that Barbara will send these things to US Chapters to encourage interest in Brazil and attendance at the 2007 convention.

In addition to convention planning, friendships were formed and deepened with our travel interactions. Also included with the report is the story of our visit to Joao Miera’s gravesite. No one could have predicted the emotional impact of this experience. No one knew in advance that we had all experienced adoptions within our families. This is the type of story telling that is so powerful in making connections with the POA organization. Hostings and visits with our Partners allow the time to exchange stories. While emotional exchanges are more difficult to measure, perhaps impossible, they are every bit as important as professional and/or cultural events. President John F. Kennedy reacted to the term “global village” in 1962 when he “challenged Americans to serve their country and the cause of peace by living and working in the developing world.” He extended this challenge with the Alliance for Progress, which was the forerunner of the Partners of the Americas. Because “villages” consist of people telling personal stories, our personal interactions are essential in expanding and maintaining the POA goals.

3. Follow-up

3a. How do you plan to share this experience with your own Partners chapter and your community?

Experience sharing started immediately upon my return home to Colorado, recruiting new members at church, as well in other social and academic settings. As people asked about our trip, they were invited to attend our Chapter meeting, which took place the first week of December. I presented a paper on Intercultural Communication in the Partners of the Americas for my Masters class at the University of Northern Colorado and distributed brochures about POA. Numerous people commented on the positivity of the organization and expressed interest in membership. Another paper on this subject will be presented at RMCA, the regional communication association, in the spring of 2007, where I expect to share more information about POA. If nothing else, these presentations give more presence to and publicity for the organization. POA often feels like a well-kept secret.

A trip report was given at the December meeting of our Colorado Chapter. Along with numerous brochures of the Ouro Preto area, I also presented gifts of chocolate candy with Brazil nuts purchased in Ouro Preto. A power point presentation of photos of the area was shown, along with photos of Belize convention activities. Extensive discussion about both conventions, Belize and Ouro Preto, was the result. Four of us that attended the Belize convention were present, so multiple perspectives were available, not just my own.

More important, at the December Chapter meeting, two new committees were formed to assist with the on-going convention responsibilities. One committee will focus on fund-raising for Chapter members attending the 2007 convention. The other committee, which I will chair, includes my husband, Roger (a Colorado Board Member), Bryan and Carolyn Cooke (former Board Member and Chapter Secretary respectively), Steve Waechter (Chapter Vice-President), Jan Brummond (Board Member), plus as Dwight Hicks (member of the Wyoming Chapter, paired with Goais, Brazil.) Dwight and Dorly Piske (both officers of the Wyoming Chapter) plan to work closely with the Colorado Chapter throughout this process of planning and implementation. They hosted Jacqueline Lima, from Brazil, just before she attended the Leadership Orientation and Convention in Belize.

It is exciting to consider the possibilities brought with the expansion of our participation. These Wyoming members live within an hour of my home in Greeley, so travel is convenient, weather permitting. The first meeting of the convention planning committee, scheduled for December 20^th unfortunately had to be postponed due to a winter storm. Two feet of snow is a travel safety challenge! I wanted to be able to include minutes from the first committee meeting with this trip report. But, such information will be transmitted to Barbara Bloch, and other interested parties, as soon as the snow clears and another meeting date can be scheduled.

3b. What follow-up activities do you recommend to continue building on the items carried out

during your visit?

See above comments in 3a.

4. Please provide any other general comments/suggestions regarding your trip.

The trip was a wonderful experience. Two CDs of photos will accompany the hard copy of my report, one of photos in Belize and the second of photos taken in Brazil. The Belize CD includes many nice photos of POA staff members. Sadly, even though we had multiple visits with Dennis and Dana Shaw, they did not appear clearly in any of our photos. We will remedy that in Ouro Preto!

First, I appreciated the time spent developing a diverse cohort of Partners who attended the Leadership Orientation in San Pedro, Belize. A Google Group has been set up that allows efficient and steady contact. These E-mails have already ranged from holiday Season’s Greetings to specific questions and information sharing. We write and laugh about beer. But, it is not the drink that is meaningful but rather the interaction and conversations that took place around the beer. One concept learned from another chapter is having a student membership rate, in addition to the single and family rates. This was suggested at our Colorado Chapter’s December meeting. An affirmative vote approved the change. My husband and I plan to visit Carmen Badilla in Costa Rica in the spring. We were greatly impressed with the group visits that take place between Costa Rica and their counterparts in Oregon. We want to learn more about what has made these exchanges a long-term success. Kimberley Kreicker and Arla Jones, Seminar attendees from Kansas, have also invited us to attend a Chapter meeting in Kansas to present information about the 2007 convention. If personal attendance is not possible, information and photos will be sent to help build interest in attending.

Second, the plane leaving Belize, as well as the ones from Miami and connecting in Sao Paulo, contained other Partners traveling from the convention and/or to visit Chapters in Brazil. Interactions that were begun at the Orientation and the Convention continued, allowing the deepening of friendships and visiting in new environments. The frustration of the travel delays in Sao Paulo, due to the air traffic controller strikes, for example, actually were a benefit or blessing in disguise as we supported and encouraged each other and got better acquainted.

Third, my attending the Belize Convention was an important step in planning for the 2007 event in Ouro Preto, especially since no one from Minas Gerais was able to attend. My observations, meetings, and ability to gather information and comments from other attendees should be helpful in preparations. It needs to be emphasized again that Partners are thinking of this as a Brazilian convention and not just one hosted by Minas Gerais.

Being able to deliver the marble globe to our friends in Brazil was a special honor. Chapter President, Luzia Lisita, and POA Board President, Baldonedo Napoleao, as well as the rest of the members shared in the joy of this presentation.

In conclusion, I want to comment on how important flexibility is in these POA interactions and within the trips. Attendees and hosts are all enthusiastic about the organization. The sharing of this passion therefore strengthens personal commitment. Sometimes, plans had to be changed or modified. But, I never felt like the mission or purpose of the trip was sacrificed.

5. Are you a member of Partners of the Americas? Yes X No

If you are not a member of Partners of the Americas, do you now plan to join the chapter

that sponsored your trip?

Actually our Colorado Chapter requires membership of at least six months prior to a trip before sponsorship will be approved.

6. Please report the number of hours of volunteer time you spent on the visit, including

preparation and follow-up activities. Please log your time online by clicking on “Partners

Counts” on the Partners Website (www.partners.net), or use the attached form.

This has been done.

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Please fill out and return this report with your:

- Expense report with respective receipts

- Copies of any newspaper/media reports or photos of you

engaged with host country nationals in professional activities.

Trip reports must be submitted as soon as possible following your return and no later than thirty (30) days after the completion of your trip.

Send to: Partners of the Americas

Att: Membership Services

1424 K Street, N.W., Suite 700

Washington, D.C. 20005

(202)628-3300, Fax: (202)628-3306

NOTE: We cannot process claims for reimbursement of appropriate travel related expenses, as well as visa entry or exit tax, unless we receive a satisfactory trip report.

2/2005