President’s Message for July
July will be really hopping around LCS. The annual July Fiesta is coming up on the last Saturday of the month, July 25, from 10 to 4. Since we need to use the entire LCS grounds to fit everything and everyone in, all regular activities and services are suspended for the day. Tickets purchased ahead of time are 50 pesos each, but 100 at the door the day of the event. So, plan your social calendar ahead and save some money! Tickets go on sale Monday, July 6, in the LCS services office and with Berta on the patio. This year we have some surprises in store, so don’t expect the “same old fiesta”!
Now is also the time to gather nominations for board positions for the new term. We are reaching out to the community and rather than have a Nominations Committee collect the candidates names and resumes and then interview them all with the purpose of selecting a single “blessed” slate in time for the October membership meeting, I have asked the LCS Audit Committee to collect any and all names of members interested in running for office. The idea is to have at least two candidates per office and hold an actual election this year! A few members have already mentioned that they wish to stand for election, but we need more. Get the written requirements from the services office and then return an application and resume in a sealed envelope addressed to “LCS Audit Committee”. Any questions may also be addressed to the LCS Audit Committee either in writing at the services office or via email at lcsauditcommittee@gmail.com. Audit Committee members wear a GREEN nametag when on the grounds, feel free to stop them to talk about what qualities you want in candidates, or anything to do with LCS.
While I am on the subject of volunteers, I want to announce three new additions: First, Janice Shriver has agreed to be the new LCS Medical Director. She comes to us with a doctorate in Social Work and long experience managing programs of one sort or another throughout her career. Second and third, the new co-chairs of the Blood Pressure Program are Linda Wright and Annette Reppen, both of whom are retired R.N.’s.
Welcome ladies and thank you for stepping forward! A great variety of things need to be done in an organization like this. I hope you will consider joining in!
~ Nancy Creevan, President ~
Volunteer Opportunities
Information Desk - Candidates must have lived Lakeside minimum of two years in order to actually experience much of the necessary procedures of living here - getting an FM3, arranging for a phone line, paying water bills and property taxes. Contact person is Barbara Madren at 765-5752 or email bmadren@hotmail.com.
Blood Pressure Program - Volunteers willing to work Mondays and/or Fridays from 10 to 12 and, of course, must know how to take blood pressure readings; equipment is provided. Contact person is Karen Schirack at 387-761-0200 or kslcs@live.com.
Interested LCS members may fill out the volunteer application available in the LCS office Monday thru Saturday from 10 to 2, for these and any other volunteer positions.
OPEN CIRCLE SPEAKERS
July 5 Dionne Reid - Medical break through & how to add LIFE to your years
July 12 Charlie Fagan - Winning freedom from religion
July 19 Joy Phoenix
July 26 Otto Rand, Don Edwards and Robert Croog - being Albert Einstein,
Albert Schweitzer and Fr. Teilhard de Jardin muse about religion & creation in Brussels in 1935.
Library & Video News
New video titles are in and are available on July 2. Tell No One, Taking Chance, The Wrestler, Last Chance Harvey, Frost Nixon, (Indiana Jones) Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Changeling, Slumdog Millionaire, Doubt, Enchanted April, Frida, Somewhere in Time, Marley and Me, Milk, My Mom’s New Boyfriend, Secret Life of Bees, Rachel Getting Married, Happy-Go-Lucky & The Inheritance.
The Video Library is beginning to clear out its huge collection of VHS tapes by holding periodic sales. These are tapes which have not been checked out for a few years.
The Grounds - Ponds
LCS is looking for a volunteer to be responsible for our two large ponds. This person would hopefully have some experience in maintaining a large pond and be willing to learn what they don’t know through research. Part of this position will be to teach the gardeners (there is a translator available) how to recognize situations before they become problems, when and how to clean the pond and to supervise the cleaning and to assist them as needed. There is an electrical volunteer already responsible for the pumps. Please contact Ken Caldwell by email at kwcaldwell2001@yahoo.com
LIBRARY NEWS THE GILLESPIE DONATION COMMITTEE REPORT
LCS member and Library volunteer, Robert Kleffel, was asked by President Nancy Creeven to chair and appoint members to the Gillespie Donation Committee to review the criteria the Gillespie family indicated be used in determining how the bequest would be used in the LCS Library. The Committee members are Robert Kleffel, Bonnie Kleffel (since resigned), Hebina Hood, Brenda Dawson, Nancy Hagen and Chuck Giles. Sitting in as Board representatives were Karen Schirack and Ken Caldwell.
The meeting was held May 5, 2009. It was determined that proposed recommendations to the LCS Board regarding the Gillespie funds are “not to be specific recommendations, but guidelines for the use of funds.”
The following recommendations will be presented to the Board:
A. Primary purpose: reading material including books, magazines and newspapers
B. Furniture and equipment, computer equipment for library use, tables and chairs, electronic reading devices, such as E-Readers, and shelving
C. Modification to facilities which could include remodeling of library and expansion of space
D. Gillespie FUNDS ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR: operating expenses such as salaries, office and book supplies, utilities, facilities maintenance or repair, cleaning.
E. Committee’s recommendations for the Library’s future:
1. Members’ Reading Room: that combines an information and magazine center. The Information Center will have books and magazines devoted to providing current, useful information for Living in Mexico. The specific information should include travel, senior health, local gardening, Mexican food, home and interior design materials for this area.
2. Modernize with technology: Because the publishing of books, newspapers and magazines is going through a dramatic change, i.e., to electronic transmission of information, E-Readers and computers may be necessary in the library for patron use.
3. Facilities Planning: An important purpose of the meeting was to discuss possible changes in use of the facilities, e.g., new entrance to library; possible use of the video library as Members’ Reading Room; additions to the library space.
These recommendations were presented to the LCS Board May 13, 2009. The Board voted to accept the recommendations (with one small change) as contained in the LCS Library Report as well as recommendations presented to the Board on May 13, 2009.
A follow-up e-mail came to the Gillespie Donation Committee from Senior Director Karen Schirack after that Board meeting: “Ken Caldwell and I are sending this e-mail to inform you of the Board’s response to the Gillespie Committee recommendations for use of the Gillespie funds. The Board’s response was enthusiastic and they moved to approve the recommendations. The Committee recommendations regarding the Members’ Reading Room/Mexican Room was applauded by the Board and all are excited. The Board agreed with the introduction and future need of developing technological equipment. Regarding the need for additional space requirements for all involved libraries, it was agreed that space is needed. The decision, timeframe and implementation of this goal require further discussion for all libraries as well as the consideration of the ongoing Strategic Planning for LCS.
Also at the meeting of May 13, 2009, the Board of LCS took action on two matters of direct importance to the Library, the Library Administration Committee, and the Gillespie Donation Committee Members.
*The Board voted to accept the Gillespie gift and to use if for “The Lake Chapala Society A.C. English Language Library, Book and Equipment Purchase Funds” as stated in the insurance contract and in accordance with the observation of the deaceased’s (Jane Gillespie) brother and estate administrator, Hugh Fullerton. In his words, “ That seems pretty specific, but I would think it would not be remiss to interpret that broadly enough to include library renovation, if that’s what the Society thinks is needed.”
Healthcare week - July 13 to 17
LCS considers this week a community service and the public is invited to participate in any and all services and events. All activities take place in the rear medical grounds of the property.
Monday, July 13, from 10 to 1 - PNEUMONIA SHOTS Shots are available for 400 pesos, prior signup necessary in the LCS services office; pay on July 13. Part of the fee is donated to the LCS Wilkes Education Center by Lakeside Medical and Lydia Zamudio, R.N. Appointments on other dates are available, contact Lakeside Medical, #86 Constitucion, Ajijic. 766-2088. (Say you are from LCS and a portion of fee will still be donated to LCS.)
Monday, July 13 and Friday, June 17 from 10 to 12 - BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING
Monday, July 13, from 11 to 4 - Polo’s HEARING TESTING & HEARING AID SERVICE - Signup necessary outside medical offices before July 13. No charge for testing.
Tuesday, July 14, from 10 to 11:30 - DIABETIC SCREENING No prior signup needed. Please eat a high carbohydrate meal 2 hours before testing. Donations accepted to defray cost of testing supplies.
Wednesday, July 15, from 10 to 12:30 - SKIN CANCER SCREENING Prior signup necessary in LCS services office. No charge for screening, but any treatment carries a fee, part of which is donated to the LCS Student Aid Fund. Ask about any fees before treatment is given. Donations gratefully accepted.
Thursday, July 16, from 10 to 4 - OPTOMETRIST Prior signup required outside medical offices before July 16.
Friday, July 17, Medical Forum 10 to 11:45 in Sala
“What to do before Cruz Roja Arrives”
Presented by Mary Molinari, R.N. and Lynn Turnbull, R.N. Information we all need to know. There will be plenty of time for questions. Seating is first come, first seated. |