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IFC April 2004 Page 1 | |
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FROM THE PRESIDENT Thank you for the gratifying attendance at our general meetings this season. Last month we held our annual election of officers and are pleased to present the following for the 2004-2005 fiscal year:
Al
Ward, President The Inauguaration of Officers will take place at the April 13 General Meeting. We thank you for your confidence and trust and will put all of our efforts, with your support , toward improving all aspects of what our organization represents, and attempt to discover even more avenues for assisting those who look to us for help. One of the major ways in which we will be expanding our reach for donations for our causes is through the establishment of a Foundation in the United States under Section 50l(c)(3) of the IRS Code. Put on your thinking caps and see what names you might come up with and email them to us. Example: IFC for Children and the Deprived. Let us hear from you now! (Our work on this is in progress.) You'll still see our dedicated group of Home Tour volunteers at Hotel Posada Rio Cuale checking in our beloved tourists through the end of April. They're still hoping to surpass previous years' record attendance. If it is possible to make any improvements in this major project, which has been under the guidance of the devoted Susan Austin, that will be accomplished for the upcoming fall 2004 through spring 2005 season. To review all aspects of the Home Tours Program, a committee is being formed. John Lockington, is Acting Chairman with members John Hamlin and Bob Lilley with other members yet to be appointed. Susan returns before the November start A Welcome Committee will also be in place for the first meeting in the fall which could be as early as Tuesday, October 12, but definitely Tuesday, November 9. We want everyone to feel welcome and meet their fellow members. We all started out as strangers, but how our lives have changed since our experiences here through the IFC. MAY 15, 2004 (Saturday)--Please put that date on your calendar (hopefully many of you will still be in PV), for an exciting event being planned by American Consul Agent, Kelly Trainor, to benefit the many charities here in the area. This is "THE FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE ALTRUISMO" (International Festival of Altruism) to be held at the Marriott Hotel beach-side gardens, featuring local restaurants with foods from many countries throughout the world, plus a variety of entertainment. Tickets will be on sale at the IFC clubhouse and from officers and board members. Just call the office or one of us for your tickets. |
OCTOBER 30, 2004 (Saturday) is another date to add to your calendar (hopefully, too, a number of you will be here) for a Halloween (Day of the Dead--but for the Living!) Fiesta, at a spectacular sea-side home we doubt any of you have seen before. The event is still in the planning stage, but details will be available shortly. Tickets will be limited to 150 persons; cost will be reasonable. We'd like to know now, if possible, who of you would have an interest in attending (please call or email). More will be forthcoming on this event. Members remember--petitions for assistance for anyone or group must be brought to the attention of the IFC Board. If it is feasible to help, we will, or refer them to possibly another organization that can. We'll miss all of you who are in the throes of packing and leaving, but will be in communication with you through our email system and the NEWSLETTER. Enjoy a summer season with your families and friends and stay healthy and safe. See you then in the fall. |
TREASURERS REPORT Allan Badner Tel: 222-1563 email: allanbadner@hotmail.com Well, our season is rapidly roaring to an end and soon many will have packed up and traveled back to our homes in the north. We will leave fond memories of our winter spent in beautiful Puerto Vallarta. We will also carry with us the satisfaction that as members of Club Internacional de la Amistad, Puerto Vallarta, we have been part of giving over one million pesos to helping those unfortunate people in need in this ever-growing vacation metropolis. This one million pesos has provided about 70 cleft palate surgeries and medicine for numerous people who cannot afford prescribed medications. Through our Patrocinio program we helped with eye surgery for a little girl and ear surgery for another, special protectors for burn victims (a father, mother and baby) and a corneal transplant. We provide regular financial support for Cruz Roja, the Library, Becas, the Folkloric Dancers, the Rehab Clinic, the R.I.S.E. Orphanage, the Food for Kids program and the Rice and Beans distribution at local schools. Through our education program we are providing construction materials for repairs at deprived schools that cannot afford replacements and repairs, counter tops, paint, cement etc. We have stepped in and purchased a refrigerator for a destitute widow with six mouths to feed and this list goes on. Our budget provides for funding to be available throughout the whole year so that cheques are issued every month for those dependent on those moneys. I am in the process of finalizing our 2004/2005 Budget, which will be presented at the April 14th meeting. Gila and I are leaving Puerto Vallarta on March 27 and hope to return next November. Meanwhile, Valeska will feed the accounting data to me by email and I will keep our books up to date in Toronto. I will in turn email the backup data to her, who will restore and update the Quicken program on our office computer. I would like to wish everyone a safe return north, a healthy and wonderful summer and look forward to seeing you all back here in Puerto Vallarta next year.
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