Minutes of General Meeting
December 8, 2009
Welcome
- All in attendance were welcomed. Six new people were introduced. A new Amigos informational brochure has been drafted and committee chairpeople were asked for comments. The officers will have a quick discussion after the general meeting.
New/Old Business
- No new items were added to the agenda.
The floor was opened for Officer Nominations. Voting will occur at the January 12, 2010 general meeting. David Graff was nominated for president, Jacque Graff for secretary, and Yajaira Cazarez, Mitch Schilling, and Ana Embury-Lewis were nominated for vocals. The offices of Treasurer and one Vocal are open.
There is a six month residency requirement for Amigos officer qualification. This is a conflict for Canadians who also must live in Canada for six months to qualify for health insurance. Because of travel time, their residency in Mexico is less than six months. This prohibits them from holding an officer position. The Amigos officers will review this issue.
Treasurer's Report
- A new bank account is still pending.
- No income was raised nor expenses generated since the last meeting.
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Vecinos Vigilantes is a new governmental program in Lo de Marcos. Similar to Neighborhood Watch in the US and Block Watch in Canada, the organizers have had two meetings in the plaza. The next meeting is Monday, December 14 at 4:00 p.m. A group of 20 neighborhood leaders will manage the program.
The Virgin of Guadalupe celebration will occur on December 12 and 13, in the plaza from 6:00p.m. To 1:00a.m. The celebration was originally scheduled to occur on December 11, 12, and 13.
Delegado/President Report
Committee Reports
FundRaising
Preparing for February 6, 2010, the Committee posted spanish posters around town English posters will be available in a few days. Soon, the committee will need additional volunteers.
Music will be provided by two bands (an early show with primarily English music and a late show with local Mexican music). There will be live and silent auctions. This year will feature 'A Bite of Lo de Marcos', advertising local restaurants that choose to participate.
Garbage
The problem with trash being dumped behind the casita de basura on Calle Las Minitas has been addressed, and it appears the situation has improved. David and Mitch have been cleaning the casitas as has a worker at El Caracol.
The Committee is considering smaller trash barrel containers for a future project.
Recycling
Vicki Schilling asked for volunteers to pick up plastic. The government program has ended and the plastic bins are getting full. Please send her your name, email address, and phone number if you're available (vickijschilling@yahoo.com). There are 50 wire bins for plastic collection ready to be placed around town. This year, they will be placed in the RV parks and the committee would like a contact at each park. Please do not deposit plastic bags or styrofoam. Glass and flattened, bound cardboard is accepted.
The Committee is looking for someone to haul the large amount of plastic accumulated over the summer.
Vicki is on the board of the government sponsored group called Riviera Recicla. Through this group, the Committee hopes to obtain more funding as well as contacts for hauling the plastic away.
Presentations about the benefits of recycling are planned for the schools.
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Membership
The Committee decided to report only active members (those who renew annually). This better acknowledges our members and doesn't inflate our base when we consider that 15% are needed for voting. Currently, we have 100 active members: 48 from the US, 36 from Canada, and 16 from Mexico.
A community social is being planned for January. The committee is also planning a community bulletin board and a calendar. Because the nature of their activities has changed, the committee asked to have their name changed to the Community Outreach committee. No one present opposed the name change.
Jacque asked for more committee members. With the increased activities and projects, more volunteers are needed. Please contact her at jacque23graff@yahoo.com if you're interested.
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TShirts
A tank top style T-shirt is being considered as well as colors other than white.
Signs
Nothing to report.
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Schools
Nothing to report.
Website
While we've had many translations done for our website, it's an ongoing need. We are looking for people to translate English to Spanish. If you're available, please contact us at info@amigosdelodemarcos.org. Thank you.
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Security
Ron Cothren is the only member of this committee and would like some more members. If you have security questions, you may email him. He'd like to have special meetings, hosted by experts, to discuss security measures. Ron is collecting a list of emergency phone numbers and needs a Spanish speaker's help to verify the numbers. His email address is beccacothren@hotmail.com.
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Drainage
Roy McLean would like to have a water testing lab in town and would like to test the ground water. If you're available to surf the internet and gather information on this topic, please contact Roy at the Lo de Marcos Surf Shop on main street or by phone at 322-100-4901.
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Senior Center
Weekly chauffeur rides for the seniors continue. Escorted by Mitch and his golf cart, the seniors participated in the Revolution Day parade. A suitcase full of eyeglasses was donated to the seniors by Claire Parmeter, resulting in a happy day, ...clearly.
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Animal Protection
Volunteers are needed to transport animals in need of sterilization to Sayulita. Ana has animal carriers, and she can arrange their return trip. Please contact her at anadelodemarcos@yahoo.com if you are available.
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Health Clinic
The supply needs at the Clinic have been inventoried and will be presented at the next meeting. Prices reflect those from Tepic rather than the Puerto Vallarta area.
New Business
Meeting adjourned
- Thirty-five people attended the meeting including five officers of Amigos.
jg: secretary
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