Monthly Newsletter June 2009www.amsoc.com.br

FORUM

4th o July party sure toprovide a bang!

Kim Beecheno

,staf writer

U.S. Marines who normally guard the U.S. Consulate present the fags during last year´s AmSoc 4th o July party,held at the Marine House, the same location as this year´s party.

ot dogs and hamburgs with chiliand relish, apple pie, corn on thecob and potato chips…Such traditional American picnic foodcan only mean one thing – It’s time to getback to our roots and remember the mosthistoric day on the U.S. calendar. Whatbetter way to celebrate the 4th of Julythan with a good old-fashioned Americanbarbecue, surrounded by family, friendsand fellow Americans.“It’s a day that reminds us of our valuesand who we are, and makes us proud tobe American,” said David Warren, AmSocboard member and co-organiser of thisyear’s 4th of July party, along with AlanBlau, who has been organizing the partyfor more than 10 years. With so many yearsof experience under his belt, Blau claimshe has the party down to a science.“In the early 90s the 4th of July partyused to be a huge event,” Blau said. “Inthe year 2000, 3,000 people attended. Butmany were non-Americans and didn’t re-ally understand what the party was about.We have found that people like it on asmaller scale, less commercial and morefamily-orientated, like in the States.”Which is why everyone who attends isasked to bring a salad dish or a dessert, andfor those feeling nostalgic, baseball caps,4th of July T-shirts and other traditionalAmerican gifts will be on sale. A three-piece band will play American music andchildren will be entertained with gamesand face-painting throughout the day.Kids will receive goodies that have comestraight from the U.S., as well as spar-klers in the evening. Even the decorations

In This IssueIn This Issue

Angel Party planningunder way

Page 6:

Learn more about how you can takepart in brightening the lives of São Paulo´sleast fortunate children, one of the biggestyearly events for AmSoc.

Huge turnoutfor AGM meeting

Page 3:

Members came out in mass on May12 for annual meeting, ushered in newsociety leadership.

Page 7:

Following a record year in 2008 forwork visas issued to foreigners in Brazil,numbers are expected to drop signi

ﬁ

cantlythis year due to the world economic crisis.

Foreign visasdropping in 2009Order great Chinesein, well, Chinese

Page 10:

Board Member Curtis Smith saysyou won't

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nd a better Chinese food-experience in São Paulo than at Chi Fuin Liberdade, where many staff may notspeak English or Portuguese.

(Continued on page 4)

Worms, maggots,life lessons

Page 16:

Sue Banman Sileci explains thetrial and error process of housing wormsin your apartment and feeding them thewrong type of garbage.

All Month:

Festa Junina

June 9:

Last day at Graded School

June 24:

Int’l Newcomers Luncheon

AmSoc Events AmSoc Events

The American Societyof São Paulo

You may have no-ticed by now thatthe photo over inthe corner looksdifferent. Yes,that’s right, fol-lowing our recentAnnual GeneralMeeting, a newslate of of

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cers ison-board and Marlene Rubeiz is nowa former president. We thank Marlenefor her dedication and support to theAmerican Society during the last twoyears.Here is something I’d like us all toask, “Where can I apply my HelpingHands?” “My what?” you are saying.Helping Hands in the AmericanSociety is the

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rst tier of membershipoptions that applies 50 percent of yourmembership fee to help make a lastingdifference in the lives of children inour 10 carefully screened orphanages.Secondly, Helping Hands is part of theAmerican Society’s mission, encourag-ing you and I to support our philanthrop-ic work as led by our Community ActionCommittee. Finally, Helping Hands isthe attitude of volunteerism that helpsmake AmSoc a great organization.“Where else could I apply my Help-ing Hands?” Well, how about LittleLeague? On Saturday mornings duringthe school year, the American Societysponsors children’s sports. We needa new commissioner and fun-lovingcoaches to begin the new season inAugust.

2009

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The American Society of São Paulo

Rua da Paz, 1431

04713-001 São Paulo, SPTel: (11) 5182-2074

Fax: (11) 5182-9155

forum@amsoc.com.br

Bob Moser

editor

Kim Beecheno

staff writer

141 Preview,

layout

Ana Claudia Teixeira,

editorialassistant Forum

is printed by Intergraf.(www.intergraf.com.br)Views expressed in

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do notnecessarily re

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ect those of the AmericanSociety board of governors, members,or staff.

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reserves the right toedit content for brevity and/or clarity.

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is published monthly, withthe exception of January and July, by

A b o u t

F o r u m

Newcomerprofle

AGM meeting bring new leadership, record turnout

Kim Beecheno

staf writer

Name:

WilfriedDaas, 38.

Origin, time here:

The Netherlands,arrived here in lateJanuary 2009.

Profession

At themoment I’m anEnglish teacher, but back in HollandI was in logistics in transport. I’mtrying to

ﬁ

nd something in that area,but it is not easy, so I’m

ﬁ

lling mydays as a teacher. I also teach Dutchand German for English-speakers.

Why São Paulo?:

My wife is fromSão Paulo. I met her on the Internet,on a Dutch site in 2002. I spent aholiday that year for four to fiveweeks in Brazil. We later lived forabout two years in Holland together.Last year, the idea came up to moveto Brazil. I love to travel, and saidlet’s do it.

Best thing so far:

The climate by far.The Netherlands is very cold and verywet. The climate here is a blessing.

Early frustrations:

The bureaucracy,there is a lot of course. Everythinggoes through so many people, thingsget lost, they don’t work out. Thisis something they should work toimprove here.

Have

saudade

for anything back home?:

The friends I left behind,because it’s always dif

ﬁ

cult to saygoodbye when you go away for along period of time, maybe forever.I’ve used the telephone, postcards,e-mail, but it’s dif

ﬁ

cult still being10,000 miles away, missing friendsyou used to see every day.

Progress with Portuguese:

It’sbecoming better, I still haven’t had thetime to take a course, but everything Iknow I have taught myself, or learnedfrom my wife.

Favorite place to hang out:

I likethe neighborhood I’m living in,Móoca. Here it’s more quiet thanthe rest of the city. It reminds me of back home.

This year’s AGM meeting was consid-ered a roaring success, with attendancereaching a record high of nearly 140people, by far the best turnout over thelast few years. Members came to showtheir support, many came to see oldfriends and make new ones.“It was unique,” said Celina Sam-paio, AmSoc’s of

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ce manager. She be-lieves the turnout was high because of the planning effort members have beenputting in. “The boards are more active,people are more involved and the newand younger members feel welcome.”U.S. Consul General Tom White andhis wife Terri kindly opened up theirhome on May 12 to host the event.Their daughter, Meredith White, playedthe piano beautifully all evening for theguests’ entertainment, including someof her own compositions. The singerWalter Fawcett sang an opera versionof the American National Anthem --according to some guests “you couldhave heard a pin drop” when he sang.The house and grounds were beauti-fully decorated with

ﬂ

owers from Cea-sa market, and candles burned through-out the house, offering a welcomingglow the guests felt upon arrival. Allthe audio equipment was arranged bythe Consular staff.Aline Ricardo, AmSoc head of so-cial events, and Kim Corcoran, newlyin charge of cultural events, workedtogether closely to make the party asuccess and many people gave a help-ing hand. “Kim and I brainstormed theevent and worked as a team,” Ricardosaid. “Our intention is to do that for allevents to make them more complete.”Outgoing President Marlene Rubeizgave a heartfelt, goodbye speech andincoming President Tim Scott outlinedhis plans for AmSoc in the year ahead.He plans to focus on increasing the em-phasis on philanthropic activity, partic-ularly through encouraging membersto become Helping Hands participants.Helping Hands membership donateshalf of the fee directly to the charitiesAmSoc supports, and the CommunityAction Committee helps members be-come more engaged as volunteers.Scott is eager to continue AmSoc’stradition of hosting traditional U.S.events, and would like to see an in-crease in diversity in AmSoc’s member-ship, particularly among the youngergeneration. AmSoc has created a newtype of membership for young singlescalled “Junior,” at half the cost of thestandard supporter membership. Hav-ing been in charge of AmSoc’s LittleLeague, athletics are naturally high onhis list of priorities, too.“I would like to express AmSoc’smission through philanthropic work and inspire board members to createevents which raise AmSoc’s pro

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le andathletics are an important part of thatmission,” Scott said.Also in the meeting, a bylaw was ac-cepted whereby non-U.S. active mem-bers can be eligible to serve as Of

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cers.Previously, the positions were onlyopen to U.S. citizens. AmSoc’s Boardof Governors also decided to create aPresidents Council composed of all ex-Presidents of the Society (residing inSão Paulo). They are to be called uponto provide their opinion in matters of critical interest to the Society whenasked for by the President.All in all the evening was a completesuccess and AmSoc would like to ex-tend it’s profound gratitude to all thoseinvolved in making it an event to re-member.

U.S. Consul General Tom White speaks to AmSoc members at the Annual General Meeting on May 12, whichwas held at his home.

The President’s Corner

Tim Scott

,AmSocpresidentt

What else? Fourth of July is coming upand we are hosting our annual Indepen-dence Day Celebration. It promises to bea day of fun, rich with cultural heritage,complete with traditional food and music.Your Helping Hands are needed for setupand donations, especially on the day of the event.The American Society regularly hostssocial and cultural activities. We have en-thusiastic committee chairmen in place,but do need your Helping Hands for sup-port, working to create quality events forthe enjoyment of our Society.The American Society is working tobetter connect with our younger genera-tions. We have created a new member-ship class for people under the age of 25, called “Junior,” offering AmSocbene

ﬁ

ts at a greatly reduced price. Wecould use some “Junior” Helping Handsto manage our new Web blogs, Web siteupdates and marketing. I am looking fora Junior member to join our board. Is thatperson you?The American Society seeks to engageour membership in quality events andphilanthropic work that builds a spirit of community, friendship and support. Wecount on your Helping Hands to join inwith the activities I’ve listed above. Letus know of your interests by contactingthe American Society of

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ce.I look forward to working with and foryou in the year ahead. I hope to meet youat an upcoming AmSoc event. Finally, letus know how we are doing by e-mailingamsoc@amsoc.com.br; I value yourfeedback.

The American Societyof São Paulo

2009

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June

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4th o July party sureto provide a bang!

New members welcomed, ‘Junior’ category created

have been speciallyordered.“We do our best to break even but it’shard as we don’t skimp on anything,”Blau said. Local restaurants, shops andcompanies have donated gifts. Therewill be a raf

ﬂ

e to give out prizes, aswell as an auction for some of the topgifts such as holiday trips and airlinetickets to the U.S.“Although we try to give the partya new angle every year, it’s not thechanges that make it a success, it’s thetradition,” Blau said. In true Ameri-can style, the Marines who guard theConsulate and its of

ﬁ

ces will presentcolors, and the Consul General Tho-mas White will read the President’sProclamation.Americans are a patriotic bunch.According to a U.S. Census report in2007, $4.7 million was spent on im-ported U.S.

ﬂ

ags, and in the same year$217 million was spent on imported

ﬁ

reworks.The party is free for AmSoc mem-bers, and there will be a small fee fornon-members who are encouraged toattend. It will take place at the MarineHouse from 12.30 to 6 p.m. on Sat-urday, July 4. Please call the AmSocof

ﬁ

ce at 5182-2074 for reservations.New people are constantly joiningThe American Society since it isknown to be one of the premierAmerican organizations in all of São Paulo. This month we want toacknowledge our newest members,most of whom signed up in April.The AmSoc Board of Governorsdecided in May to create a new low-cost category of membership, named“Junior,” for those age 25 and underin Sao Paulo. Learn more about thismembership option by calling theAmSoc of

ﬁ

ce at 5182-2074.When you see our new members,please take some time to get to knowthem personally and make their staywith us bene

ﬁ

cial for all. Thank youeveryone who keeps sharing the wordabout AmSoc. We have many greatthings to offer and most people justneed to be invited to participate. Keepup the good work.

Richard Wegman

, AmSoc board member

I n d i v i d u a l o r G r o u p s

WHERE

CompanyHomeUniversityANY TIME !www.englishintheof

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ce.com.brrelationship@englishintheof

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ce.com.brPhone: 011 – 50443859

COURSE

EnglishSpanishPortuguese

On July 4, 1776, the Declarationof Independence was approved bythe Continental Congress, setting13 colonies on the road to freedomas a sovereign nation. At that time,the estimated number of peopleliving in the newly independentnation was 2.5 million. In 2009,this

ﬁ

gure is now almost 306.5million, which according to theUN is the 3rd most populous coun-try in the world, after India andChina, representing 4.52 percentof the world population.

THE U.S., THENAND NOW

Lunch, music, dande and reworks are just a ew o the amily-riendly aspects o this day to remembereach year, the AmSoc 4th o july party. The smart AmSoc members skip brekast themorning o July 4 in order to load up at the party onsuperb burgers, hot dogs and a wide array o sidedishes and desserts.

NAMEMEMBERSHIP TYPECITIZENSHIPCOMPANY OR PROFESSION

Anna Lizbeth ALATORRESingleAmericanSkadden Arps,Slate,MeagherEdno de SOUZASingleBrazilianTampa Bay RaysAdriano de SOUZASingleBrazilianTampa Bay RaysFrederick THOMPSONFamilyCanadianRicardo VEIRANOHelping HaandsAmerican/BrazilianVeirano AdvogadosJeffrey CARTERSingleAmericanIntegrated BiodieselIndustriesJeffrey JANEKFamilyAmericanAlcon LaboratoriesRodrigo DRYSDALEFamilyArgentineWarner Bros.Owen ROBBINSFamilyAmericanGeneral MotorsRod BETTINIHelping HandsSpainLIVRA GroupJose MADEIRA NETOSingleAmerican/BrazilianState of MassachusettsBrazil Of

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ceRodrigo HADDADSingleBrazilianJRH Participações Ltda.Renato MALULISingle PatronBrazilianIncorporadora MaluliLtda.

(Continuedromcoverpage)

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