The
LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY
News
March 2013
REPORT FROM THE BOARD
Governance at LCS is accomplished through the thousands of hours of work done by the dedicated volunteers of the Board of Directors and its five standing committees: Finance, Fund Development, Community Relations, Programs and Services, and Management. This is an overview of 2012 activities and accomplishments. LCS Finance Committee (Paula Haarvei, Chair) This committee prepares the annual budget ensuring that sufficient funds are available for LCS operations, including the Wilkes Education Center (Biblioteca Publica), student aid, programs and services, building and grounds, the directory, and fundraising activities. Our reserve fund, targeted to provide twelve months of administrative costs (fixed and overhead), currently stands at MXN 300,000; the committee will recommend adding an additional MXN 150,000 pesos from the 2012 surplus. The committee has updated old financial policies and procedures, created new ones and formed an ad-hoc exploratory committee to study the feasibility of replacing outdated buildings through a capital campaign. LCS Fund Development Committee (Karen Blue, Interim Chair) The Fund Development Committee is researching ways to accept tax-exempt donations from Canadian, Mexican and U.S. donors including a mechanism to name LCS as a beneficiary for planned and deferred giving. (Currently donations from U.S.citizens are processed through the Foundation for Lake Chapala Charities.) Student aid program funding through the website has received donations netting MXN 2,821 the first month. Community Relations Committee (Lois Cugini, Chair) The committee created a stronger LCS presence in the Mexican community- opening the grounds for foreigners and Mexicans to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, providing water bottles at the finish line of the Chupinaya Mountain Race, and offering the LCS grounds for an Ajijic Plaza Project fundraiser. Its most successful major fundraiser, Fiesta Latina, provided its guests with Latin foods, music and dance. Program and Services Committee (Ben White, Chair) To get a better handle on programs and services offered, the committee created three categories: managed programs or services offered and directly managed by LCS; concession programs that provide a service or product for a fee, and sanctioned programs on LCS grounds that have a community or social enrichment component and are typically run by LCS member volunteers. The committee was able to evaluate these programs and determine whether they conform to the mandates in the LCS Constitution. The committee also reviewed and approved changes to the post life program, and the policies and procedures related to LCS bulletin
boards. On behalf of the LCS Board, the Program and Services Committee was appointed steward of the Drummond Legacy Children’s Art Collection and will develop policies relating to its future use. Management Committee (Fred Harland, Chair) The Committee completed work on a significant number of LCS policy and procedure issues: personnel matters, appeals, buildings and grounds, re-naming the Biblioteca Publica, the service desk, copyrights, bilingualism, member behavior, and vendor contracts. A search for an assistant to the executive director to implement more professional program planning and execution is in process. An overwhelming part of the Committee’s work focused a growing list of concerns that impact LCS physical plant, membership, programs and services. An ad-hoc exploratory committee will be formed to take over the long-range tasks initiated by the Management Committee. The Ad-hoc Exploratory Committee (Cate Howell, Chair) Established at the June Board of Directors meeting, the committee’s task is to evaluate the feasibility of raising funds to meet the cost of proposed improvements to LCS campus. Over the past six months, the committee brainstormed many ideas about the future of existing LCS services, the development of new programs, sources of additional income, enhanced use of information technology, partnerships with industry and government, re-purposing of existing assets, re-building the LCS campus, and meeting the interests of future “boomer” retirees. To explore those factors they recognized the need for a professional Feasibility Study to guide the LCS Long-Range Strategic Plan. The Feasibility Study recommended by the Ad-hoc Exploratory Committee and approved by the Board, is underway and be completed soon.
***Don’t Forget*** LCS is closed 0n Monday, March 18 in observation of Benito Juarez Day.
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