E-mail:  yvonneal@pvnet.com.mx

Our new season of activity (October 2002-June 2002) is about to begin with our first meeting the second Tuesday of November, the 12th of the month.  As your new president I want to greet all members, the continuing faithful and our new members.  I thank the Nominating Committee for choosing me as a candidate and you for electing me, and for your choice of supporting officers:  Leon Rolnick, Vice President, Al Badner, Treasurer, Evelyn Clark* Recording Secretary and Kitty Leonard, Corresponding Secretary.  Gale Hankel, our Past President of 2 terms will continue to be the support beam in all of our efforts.  Gale has been generous with his time and efforts and support to maintain the respect and integrity of the Club and its efforts for the betterment of the community.  We sincerely thank you, Gale, and you have our lasting respect.

Thanks are also extended to past Vice President, Mary Wichie, for her untiring devotion to her position and for filling in for the president when duty called; we're sorry you had to leave Puerto Vallarta, but hope it won't be forever; also thank you, Jack Willis for your devotion to the duty of Past President and support of all matters pertaining to the good of the members and the Club.

Besides our Club Officers there is the support system (our Committee Chairs) and the "worker bees" without which there is no organization--they (you) are our foundation.  Our hats off to those who know how (and others who are learning) to raise funds through (a) the Home Tours {Susan Austin, and Irma Willis) and their teams, the former Cook Book team (Richard and Pat Bendix), Bazaar Chair (Yvonne Ward) and Marise Rolnick (Silent Auction organizer), and all those of you who donate and contribute your brawn and time, plus those of you with ideas for furthering our fund-raising efforts.  Please come forward, we need you!

The demands for our services and funds are never-ending.  Ask our ever-giving in time and patience, Patricia Mendez (and crew) who directs the Medical Committee and Patrocinio Program, Jimmie Ellis (the most generous and cheerful Education Committee head - stepping back into the post since the necessary departure of Tom Wichie who did an outstanding job), plus our social services group, Bud Palmer and Norm Yellowlees (Bar Managers), Pamela Hyland (Social & Hospitality Chair), Gila Badner (Telephone Committee), and Sally Steele (Publicity Chair).

Of course, all of the above can't function alone--YOU  are the necessary hands that make the wheels rotate.  Be there with a "yes" when you get the call for HELP.  You'll enjoy the challenge, and you won't be alone.

We'll still have time for social activities, too.  This season perhaps we can add some outside events to the calendar.  I would like to propose inaugurating two trips this year for those who will want to participate.  Firstly, a Copper Canyon-Chihuahua adventure and another exciting trip to see the gathering of the Monarch Butterflies in Michoacan.  Details of these proposed adventures will be provided soon, as will other events as they are finalized.

With your support, we can expect 2002-2003 to be a banner year for the IFC and one that will again bring pride to us as members of an outstanding local charitable organization.  We'll be able to say we gave it our best and we did indeed achieve another success!

*P.S.--Unfortunately, Evenly Clark and Norman had to leave Puerto Vallarta due an illness in their family and will not be returning for at least a year.  We're sorry for the unfortunate circumstances and hope the situation will improve for them.  (Under the circumstances, we will need to ask another one of you qualified members out there to step in as acting Corresponding Secretary.  Please let me hear from you!!)

E-mail:  iirmawillis@aol.com

And kudos to Leon Rolnick, our ticket seller, Esther Johnson, our name tag lady and Evelyn Pine our Zocolo plackard bearer who each volunteered both Wednesday and Thursday.