Versión en español (English version follows)
Deseamos ponerles al tanto de los proyectos actuales que hacemos como voluntarios de Amigos del Lago. Les presentamos un resumen de cada uno de los proyectos, seguido por lo que es necesario para llevarlos a cabo.
Como involucrarse:
Buscamos a personas que su lengua natal sea el español y también sean bilingües (inglés/español). Es necesario que tengan acceso al Internet y al correo electrónico para ayudarnos a traducir secciones del nuevo texto del sitio web. Si puedes ayudar con la traducciones, ponte en contacto con Patrick Stirling (webmaster@amigosdelago.org o 376-766-0777).
Contacte a María Elena (nenaecheveste@hotmail.com) para aprender más de esto. Ya tenemos un currículo de estudios y buscamos maestros jubilados que querían ofrecerlo a las poblaciones del lago.
Buscamos un pequeño equipo a continuar este proyecto, incluyendo a alguien con conocimientos en diseño gráfico para los señalamientos. Los materiales de trabajo que ya han sido hechos serán disponibles para empezara trabajar con ellos. Favor de contactar a Patrick Stirling (376-766-0777 o webmaster@amigosdelago.org) para ayudar con este proyecto.
El Dr. Stong busca ingenieros voluntarios, o jubilados o estudiantes, que quieran ayudarlo a diseñar y a implementar unos proyectos durante los próximos cinco meses. Favor de contactar a tdstong@juno.com (en inglés) o con el Sr. Gerardo Padilla (gerardoajijic@yahoo.com.mx o 766-3920) en inglés o español.
El Sr. Richard Price (jillyprice@aol.com o 387-763-382) va a coordinar el recaudo de fondos. Estamos buscando más voluntarios que deseen ayudarle. Si usted es socio de alguna organización y busca algo productivo que hacer, piense en ayudarnos para crear más fondos e incrementar nuestra membresía. Tenemos ideas divertidas y creativas que mantendrán tu imaginación trabajando por nuestro futuro y conocerás gentes muy positivas y energéticas.
Buscamos:
Por fin, si pueda ayudar o no, júntese con nosotros como nuevo socio o renovar su suscripción. Hay trípticos con formularios de membresía al Colón 41A o al Zaragoza 23 en Ajijic, o mande un email a info@amigosdelago.org. ¡Esperamos su apoyo! No es necesario que nos ayudes; lo más importante es que te unas con nosotros como un Nuevo socio o renueves tu suscripción.
It’s time for an update on projects that Amigos del Lago volunteers are working on. Here’s a summary of each one, followed by what we need to get it done.
Conference for Municipal Officials: The most exciting project is the two-day conference Amigos del Lago host in February. We have a tentative program and are now looking for a site and making needed arrangements. The purpose is to bring together officials from all the municipalities around the lake to learn about Lake Chapala, water, and ecology issues that their administrations will be involved with. We’re doing our best to make it interesting and useful. Board members will be visiting the municipalities in coming weeks to issue personal invitations to the public officials who will soon be taking office.
How to be involved:
Amigos del Lago Web Site (www.amigosdelago.org): Many, many thanks to Justus Hauser for everything he’s done in the past few years as Amigos del Lago’s first webmaster. He’ll still be available to advise on web issues, and now Patrick Stirling will be the new webmaster. We are in the process of redesigning and updating the website; we will finish it all up and translate it into Spanish as soon as we can so the board members can give their approval.
We need native Spanish speakers who are bilingual (English-Spanish) and who have access to a computer and e-mail to help translate parts of the new web site content. If you can help with some translating, contact Patrick (webmaster@amigosdelago.org).
Hiking Trails: Last year, volunteers started to identify,
map, and mark good hiking trails in different areas around the lake. This
year, the goal is to get good-quality signs designed, made, and put up.
We need a team to coordinate this project, including someone with graphic
design skills for designing the signs. Materials from past work will be
available to start. To learn more about this project, contact Patrick
Stirling (webmaster@amigosdelago.org
or 766-0777).
Environmental Education: Ma. Maria Elena Echeveste is responsible for involving lakeside youth in learning about how to take care of the lake and the environment. In addition, we will be encouraging housewives to take specific steps in their homes that will improve their lives and have positive repercussions on the environment.
Contact Maria Elena at nenaecheveste@hotmail.com to find out more. We have available curricula and are looking for retired teachers to offer the programs in the lakeside communities.
Sustainable Development Projects: Dr. Todd Stong, the civil engineer who designed the low-cost Trojes Wastewater Treatment System and recently received the “Global Humanitarian Award” from the Worldwide Organization for Women, wants to do some new projects to improve the water infrastructure in lakeside communities. Amigos del Lago will help publicize and support his efforts in any way we can.
Dr. Stong is looking for retired engineers to assist him with projects over the next five months. You can contact Todd at tdstong@juno.com (in English) or Gerardo Padilla at gerardoajijic@yahoo.com.mx or 376-766-3920 (in English or Spanish).
Membership and Fundraising: We have been limping along this past year with very little funding and no staff at all. Several people have recently offered to help with fundraising and membership development, and now we need a team to work with them on short-term projects.
Richard Price (jillyprice@aol.com o 387-763-382) will coordinate our fundraising efforts and is looking for people to work with him. If your group is looking for a project to do, how about helping with this effort? We have ideas for some fun themes and are now forming a committee to take the ball and run with it.
Finally, whether or not you can help out, join us as a new member or renew your membership. There are brochures with membership forms at Colón 41A or Zaragoza 23 in Ajijic, or send an email to info@amigosdelago.org. We hope you’ll support what we’re doing!