We help a local organization carry on their time-honored Tamale Christmas tradition. In early 2022, CAA Board of Directors created a Sustainability Committee with the goal of having CAA continue to be a vibrant and effective organization capable of making a positive difference in the lives of those in our adopted community and of our members. The need for help is great on so many levels for many of our tico neighbors and friends. Consequently, one of the first and perhaps most obvious activities of the Sustainability Committee was to focus on maintaining and increasing our financial support of the programs and alliances we have in place. Additional education and information about the various programs and alliances, coupled with our partnership with Globalgiving.org to provide an online giving option that is easy, simple, and secure, has allowed us to make great strides in our ability to provide increased financial support to enhance student educational opportunities, address food insecurity, and brighten the lives of children. We sincerely thank all CAA members and friends who have contributed to these initiatives thus far and encourage and welcome contributions from all our members in general and in response to specific fundraising initiatives that will be occurring during the remainder of 2023.
CAA volunteers create monthly Blankets for Babies treasures While financial support for our programs and alliances is a key aspect of CAA’s sustainability, it is not the only one. Members’ active involvement in community and program support activities, aside or in addition to financial support; member recruitment, engagement, and support; and just having fun together are all important aspects of long-term sustainability and vibrancy of the organization. While the Sustainability Committee is charged with overseeing our sustainability efforts, we cannot do it alone. It takes all of us, each contributing our time and our own unique talents in a way that feels good to us to accomplish long-term sustainability for CAA; and it might be an interesting and worthwhile exercise for each of us to ponder how we might make our own contribution to that goal. To that end, here are some thoughts that might be a good jumping off point for your thinking.
Attend a CAA Board meeting to see what goes on and offer your perspective as to what you might need/want as a member.
The Sustainability Committee and the Board of Directors are always open and interested to hear your thoughts and ideas on how CAA can continue to be a vibrant and responsive contributor to the quality of life in the greater San Ramón community and for our valued members, so please feel free to reach out.
We thank you in advance for your ideas and support!
~Mary Lou Hofmann, Sustainability Committee Chair
Attend a CAA Board meeting to see what goes on and offer your perspective as to what you might need/want as a member.
- Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know at morning coffee or a mixer and share stories.
- Volunteer to participate on a one-time or an ongoing basis with one of the programs or alliances whose activities you find meaningful.
- Contact a CAA member you haven’t seen for a while and get together for coffee and a chat.
- Find a Spanish-speaking friend and practice your respective language skills with each other.
- Share the CAA newsletter with family and friends at home so they know a bit more about your life here in Costa Rica.
- Spend some time with a tico neighbor or friend to better understand their world and their perspective on things.
The Sustainability Committee and the Board of Directors are always open and interested to hear your thoughts and ideas on how CAA can continue to be a vibrant and responsive contributor to the quality of life in the greater San Ramón community and for our valued members, so please feel free to reach out.
We thank you in advance for your ideas and support!
~Mary Lou Hofmann, Sustainability Committee Chair
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