IFC March pg. 1

FROM THE PRESIDENT
Al Ward
Tel:  223-259l (or) 228-0050
Email:  yvonneal@pvnet.com.mx
FAX:  228-0458October through

April are considered the primary months (the "high season") for the acceleration of activities in Puerto Vallarta, which we here consider the platinum coast of Mexico. Boredom, ennui, is not known here; this community thrives on its offerings of places to tour, new adult, children and family activities, city-sponsored entertainment programs, and our ever-expanding charitable organization projects. For those of you who love the sea and have explored other areas of Mexico and perhaps other countries for a comfortable home-away-from home for a few weeks, or several months, you have discovered the gem that is Puerto Vallarta.

Within the next few weeks the IFC will begin to plan our events for the Fall 2005 through Spring 2006 season. It is vital that we set up committees to plan and create events for the benefit of the programs and charities we support. Our Home Tour program is currently the major source of revenue. We need to expand our outreach for fundraisers identified for a specific need. This year we held three successful events for our Children's Medical Program and day-care centers for the handicapped. A review of all of the groups and programs vitalized by the IFC is necessary to educate members and the community about just what we do. Therefore, it is important that one of the new Committees we create will learn about the charities we are now supporting and enhance the public's awareness. Thus, with a hands-on approach we can identify the specific areas that require the most current attention and will become one of our priorities. We welcome hearing from any of you who are interested in coming forth to assist with the organization of this project. Remember, you won't be alone; but, we need you with us!

At the upcoming March 8 General Meeting we will have the following slate of IFC officer candidates for election for the coming term: (Yes, any member is welcome to offer themselves as a candidate for any of these positions): President, Al Ward; Vice President, Yvonne Ward; Treasurer, Allan Badner; Recording Secretary, Sudy Coy; Corresponding Secretary, Mandy MacLeay. Your vote is important.

Of significant importance will be the Treasurer's presentation of the proposed budget for the year June 1, 2005 through May 31,2006. He will welcome any inquiries and suggestions from members. You members, after all, are the sounding board for the direction we will pursue in the distribution of the funds we have so feverishly worked to acquire for the Children and Families-in-Need. Pursuing the funds to provide for the continually-growing need of our underprivileged here is a never-ending task.

For those of you who consider the United States your permanent residence, please remember our tax-exempt 501(c)3 Foundation: "For Children and Families-in-Need". All donations will be promptly acknowledged. Mail to P.O. BOX 30484, Raleigh, NC 27622, Email: CAFINIFC@hotmail.com. Tel: 919-889-2055.

EDUCATION REPORT
Mel Bornstein
Tel: 221 5659
 

This Past 30 days has been very productive to the IFC and the community....

There was an Education Congress for Talent here for 3 days... lecturing over 1000 teachers on how to better identify and assist, teach and train students that excel scholastically and need to be accelerated to acquire still more knowledge and skills..

There were guest educators from all over the world in attendance and the IFC participated in all this by sponsoring items and promotional materials...We were acknowledged at every meeting held for our generous contribution...

At a school for Downs Syndromes, it was learned that while the children can be taught and integrated in public schools... they do not have any vocational training.... so when I learned that another school had vocational training rooms with instructors, I was able to arrange that the students that are older and finished with their basic schooling could be brought there to make use of the cooking kitchen and carpentry and handicraft class rooms.... BUT to make this even better....the Downs Syndrome school has grounds adjacent to the school building that at my suggestion, can be turned into a "vivero"... a live plant and flower nursery... so that the older children from BOTH schools can work together, growing and selling plants for their personal income.... while learning a trade....The city of PV will help by issuing a permit and maybe even turn the ground by machines to help start this off.. AND the State of Jalisco will donate plants to be planted....AND this other school has a pool for therapy, not finished , but in the ground... needing only a pump and labor to hook up electric and water... and heater....When that is completed, both schools will be able to share what the IFC has put together.... and our costs will be so nominal. Mainly, we are putting ideas to work and combining our efforts and financial aid along with the City of PV.... who praises the things we do as a Club of Friendship....

Finally.... there now is a new building to house street children....and they are in need of tables and chairs for the classroom...and also much more, but your club will handle that portion.... 10 tables and 50 chairs....and a plaque will be placed on the wall... thanking IFC for their help....

More news next month, about new classrooms and bathrooms in Cabos Corriente....on the way to being finished.....

Thanks go to all the IFC members for their help in financially supporting all these projects....and donations to Education...

TREASURER'S REPORT

It is boring telling you that financially all is well with the IFC, but boring as it is, so it is.

I will be presenting our proposed budget for 2005-2006 to the Board on March 2 and it appears that we will be running a record-breaking budget of approximately $1,800,000 pesos. The approved budget will be presented to the membership at our meeting of March 8.

We will be presenting a check in the amount of $25,000 pesos to the Xiutla (Folkloric Dancers) at our General Meeting. A check for $40,000 pesos will be presented to the BECAS Foundation at their Annual Ball on March 5.

I must thank Mandy McLeay for her work with Valeska at the front desk. Besides helping to man the front desk one or two days a week, she has helped Valeska organize the office both physically and operationally. Everything now has its place and records are almost fully updated. This is all over and above her duties as our Recording Secretary. Thank you, Mandy.

Next month I will discuss our new budget.