Monthly Newsletter April 2010www.amsoc.com.br

FORUM

In This IssueIn This Issue

Local charitybrightens kids’ lives

Page 5:

AmSoc-sponsored charityProjeto Sol has come a long wayin recent years, thanks in no smallpart to AmSoc volunteers. Take alook inside its success.

Members wanted atAGM this month

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All AmSoc members areencouraged to attend the impor-tant Annual General Meeting onApril 14.

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The U.S. Consulateoffers news and insight on all thechanges Brazilians will

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nd whenthey apply for their next U.S.Tourist Visa.

Changes to U.S. Visasor BraziliansA Brazilian dessertexperience

Page 16:

Sue Banman Silecioffers a look into her kitchen asshe explores the varied ways tomake a staple dessert found inBrazilian homes everywhere.

What you need to know aboutAmSoc’s 60th Anniversary Party

he American Society of SaoPaulo’s 60th Anniversary CharityDinner & Dance is in bene

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t of Vivenda da Crianca and otherAmSoc partners, and will be held onFriday, May 7, at Buffet Torres Moema,Av. Dos Imares, 182. Cocktails and gameswith prizes will run from 7:30 to 9 pm ,with dinner, dancing and an auction tofollow. Dress is Black Tie optional, andthe cost per person is R$200. A numberedinvitation is required for entrance.

A helpful Q&A about the party

What should I wear?

Women, wear your most beautiful longor short party dress. Men, you’ll look lovely in black tie or in a dark suit. Bothof you will be able to have your picturestaken upon arrival as a souvenir of theparty.

Can we reserve tables?

When a whole group of people buysa table, they will be asked about wherethey’d like the table to be. Then, as soon asall the tables have all been sold (probablymid-April), we’ll assign spots to groupsbased on who reserved

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rst. So make yourreservations soon and sit in the center of the action -- or near the dessert!

Why do we need to

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ll out a form inorder to buy a ticket?

This will help us communicate with you– and help us be more organized. We willbe able to tell you your table number andremind you of your ticket number. Thisis the number you’ll use for our gamesand auctions. We also will be able to sendyou updates about prizes and other news.Finally,

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lling out the form means you willspend less or no time in lines when youarrive at the party.

What if I can’t get a whole tabletogether or do not know anyone to join?

We will seat you at a fun table, trying tomatch you up with people similar to you.If you speci

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cally want to sit with certainpeople, mention this on your ticket orderform and we will do our best. Many groupslike Newcomers, British Club, ScottishClub, Graded School and Chapel Schoolwill be organizing tables

(Continued on page 6)

The American Society of São Paulopromotes friendship by organizingsocial, cultural and athletic events forits diverse membership; encouragesintegration with the Brazilian society;and supports the American traditionsof education, philanthropy andvolunteerism.

Our Mission

Learn about American players like Shamell Stallworth, a native of San Francisco,starring in Brazil’s growing National Basketball League, on pages 8-9. (Photoby João Pires/Pinheiros SKY)

The American Societyof São Paulo

Name, age:

RyanBellissimo, 13

Origin, time here

:Riverside, Conn.,one-and-a-half years.

Profession:

I goto Graded, theAmerican Schoolin São Paulo. Myfavorite subject is English (Humanities),though I also like math, science and gym.

Why São Paulo?:

My dad works forIBM and was appointed as head [of adepartment] for Latin America.

Best thing so far:

I would have to say thebeaches and the vacation opportunities.I would never have gotten to go to Peru,Buenos Aires, and Patagonia. Also, theparties here: There’s more dancing atparties than in America.

Early frustrations:

I found theeducation here different. I think it’s notstrict enough and not of such a highquality as in the States. Also, freedom isa real problem. I live in a nice area, but Ican’t just ride my bike downtown like Ican in the States. I can’t even leave thecondominium! Meeting up with friendstakes a lot of arranging.

Have saudade for anything backhome?:

American football. I really missthis. I actually started a league here,with a group that watched games afterwe played, but it was hard to keep upbecause we had to be too careful withthe younger kids. I also miss the food,especially Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins ice cream. Brazil needs more[North] American fast food!

Progress with Portuguese:

I havelearned a little, but I’m not the bestwith foreign languages. I have someBrazilian friends, but as they all go tothe American school they can speak English.

Favorite place to hang out:

O’Malley’sPub, because I can watch the Americanfootball games there.

Recommend a newly-relocated ex-pat for this column by e-mailing forum@amsoc.com.br

Newcomerprofle

AGM on April 14, a great night for members to gather

Simon Tharby

, staf writer

If you’ve been to one of AmSoc’sAnnual General Meetings before,you’ll know that its obligatory title willnever re

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ect the amiable charm andpositivity of the event itself.A social gathering, with cocktails,hors d’oeuvres and plenty of time toenjoy the company of AmSoc members,it is far more than “just” a meeting.This AGM will also be treated as afarewell party for U.S. Consul GeneralTom White and his family, who’ll beleaving Sao Paulo in July after servingthree years at the local U.S. Consulate.The AGM will be on April 14. RSVPto the invitation letters you receivethrough the AmSoc of

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ce: (amsoc@amsoc.com.br / 5182-2074). Space islimited. Identi

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cation in the form of apassport or RNE card will be checkedat the door.Last year, about 140 membersattended the AGM, which includedthe opera singer Walter Fawcettsinging the American NationalAnthem. Entertainment this year, yetunannounced, will undoubtedly be of asimilarly high calibre.In fact, the procedural side, includingthe election of the board and voting on

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nancial report, will be only a smallpart of the event. AmSoc President TimScott emphasized the social aspect. “It’sactually a fun event, even though it’snot a very exciting title. I look forwardto seeing a broadcross-section of our membershipthere, includingnew members.”As is tradition,the presidentwill make a shortspeech notingthe highlights of the past year, andthe plans for thecoming year. Thelast year has seenmany successes for AmSoc, includingthe 4th of July and Thanksgivingevents, both of which were very wellattended.One issue that is also very likely toget a mention is the

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nancial crisis andhow AmSoc weathered the storm. EricStreet, board chairman for Marketing,Forum and Internet, said, “We managed

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nances well during a dif

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cult yearfor companies and individuals.” Scottagreed, adding, “During 2009, wheneconomic conditions were dif

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cult, theAmerican Society

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nished the year onthe positive side.”Membership has also continued togrow, and Scott wants to emphasize thediversity of members within AmSoc.The president also told the Forum thathe will be commenting on the excellentwork of the Community Action

The President’s Corner

If you are readingthis you’re probablyan American Societymember. I wonderthough if you haveever consideredpartnering withAmerican Societyin a new way;by working withand through yourcompany as anAmerican Society Corporate Sponsor.Corporate Sponsors gain some importantbene

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ts; a broader “marketing” exposure tothe American Society’s members, supportfor the orphanages and social projects withwhich the American Society works, anddirect support of the American Societymission. The first two benefits are self explanatory, but why, you may ask, issupporting the AmSoc mission a bene

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t?Support for the American Society mission(see mission statement on front cover) is abene

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t to every company (of any origin)because we help integrate people to life inthis wonderful, yet challenging, city of SãoPaulo. All company HR managers knowthat employees, especially ex-pats, have apositive international experience if they areconnected in a community of people withsimilar interests.You may also wonder how companiesget broader marketing exposure. Well,here are some examples. Depending onthe level of your sponsorship, you receiveyour company logo on all our Little Leagueteam jerseys, a link to your companyfrom our Web site, naming rights at anAmSoc sporting event, advertisements inour monthly Forum and annual Directory,preferential and complimentary tickets atAmSoc premier events, and a banner with

Tim Scott

,AmSoc president

FORUM

April

your logo at traditional celebrations suchas 4th of July or Thanksgiving.We encourage you and your companyto join us. Please call or e-mail our of

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cefor additional information and to takeadvantage of this opportunity.April is a busy month here at theAmerican Society. Kicking off the monthwill be the children’s Easter Party, anevent

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lled with traditional egg huntingand games for the kids. Board memberFelicia Smith is the organizer for thisevent, we appreciate her dedication tobring you another fun children’s event.For sports, we have Little League,organized by Board member BentonKirk, continuing during April plus twoSaturdays with softball organized by Boardmember John Kennedy. During April weare also very busy planning for our 60thAnniversary Party, which will be on May7. I’ve seen the plans and I can assure youit will be an amazing evening. Even better,a signi

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cant portion of the proceeds willgo to bene

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t one of our partner charities,Vivenda da Criança. See more detailsabout the event in this issue of the Forum.Also coming up is our Annual GeneralMeeting on April 14. All members arewelcome and encouraged to join us foran evening that is actually a lot more funthan its dry title would suggest. The eventis known for bringing together a broadcross section of our membership for anevening of social engagement combinedwith delicious hors d’oeuvres and a shortbusiness meeting.It is here that we communicate toyou about the workings of the AmericanSociety during the past year, elect newboard members and of

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cers, and lookto the plans for the year ahead. I hope tosee you there.

2010

Committee, which has been highlyfocused on improving its processes.This has improved the ef

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cacy of meetings, the evaluation of the charitiesthat AmSoc works with, and the sharingof best practices.To learn more about the future of AmSoc, though, there’s only one thingto do – go to the AGM! Be sure to beprepared to enjoy yourself, maybe meetsome old friends and de

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nitely makesome new ones. As Street said, “It’sa really nice event that brings peopletogether, and which people seem togreatly enjoy. One of the highlights of the year.”AmSoc’s biggest event planned forthis year will be the 60th AnniversaryParty in May, for which tickets will beon sale at the AGM.

Bob Moser

editor

Simon Tharby

staff writer

141 Preview,

layout

Beatriz Salgado,

editorial assistant Forum

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

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donot necessarily re

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ect those of the American Society board of governors, members, or staff.

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reserves the right to editcontent for brevity and/or clarity.

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

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

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The American Societyof São Paulo

AmSoc EasterParty on April 4

The American Society’s EasterSunday egg hunt will be on April4, from 12-2 pm at Chapel School,Rua Vigario Joao de Pontes 537, inChacara Flora.AmSoc families and children can join in the fun of our classic egghunt, a variety of Easter-themedgames, plenty of food and a chancefor photos with the Easter Bunny.Every child will also get an Easterbasket.Payment will be takenat the door; for memberchildren R$15 (R$40max per family), andR$20 for non-memberchildren (R$50 maxper family).

This month we want to acknowledgeour new members from January and

Big welcome to new members

Several members of the CommunityAction Committee (CAC) recentlyvisited local charity Projeto Sol,along with Projeto Sol’s loyalsupporters, U.S. Consulate GeneralTom White and his wife Terri White,who has been CAC’s liaison forProjeto Sol for the last two years.A special visitor also came onthis day, Mark Pitt, president of Shermin Williams. Mark hadrecently donated a generous amountof paint for the expansive commonarea to be freshly painted in livelyterra cotta and green hues.Everyone enjoyed meetingthe children’s teachers and theadministrative staff, followed by alovely introduction about the originof Projeto Sol by Sister Angela. Allthe leasers and the children that wemet were so personable and trulykind.We shared a delicious lunchtogether learning more about the artprojects (painting, theater, sculptureand dance) that Sister Angela hasdeveloped over the years, wheremany of her graduated studentshave gone on with their educationand come back to the project andare the new leaders today -- the truesign of a successful program.Next we toured Projeto Sol’soriginal space and took the shortwalk around the block to thefabulous new Community Center.

A look inside Projeto Sol

February. When you see our newmembers, please take some time to get

NAMEMEMBERSHIP TYPECITIZENSHIPCOMPANY ORPROFESSION

Silvia & Michael FineFamily PatronAmericanVoloMaxRachel AmorimSingleAmerican n/aSimon TharbyJuniorn/a n/aMarilisa & Norberto Giangrande, Jr.Helping HandsBrazilianLink InvestimentosAdriana & Marcelo CarvalhoFamily PatronBrazilianLuz Eng. FinanceiraPedro & Estela D’AscolaFamilyAmerican/ Argentineann/aLiliana & Javier GonzalezFamilyColombianHosp. Geral de PedreiraHazira & Scott WhitmoreFamilyAmericanU. S. ConsulateBari Ann & Marion HarrisFamilyAmericanFord Motor Co.Alan Clendenning & Esther JimenezFamilyAmericanThe Associated PressMelissa & Ross AshbyFamilyAustraliann/aSandra & Brett BissellFamilyAmericanFlextronicsMelissa & Mark BrezenskiFamilyAmericann/a

And what a grand place this is -- anextremely spacious and fresh areawith a very large covered court forsports, a game room

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lled with dollsand toys and children and monitorsplaying board games together, alarge theater room, a comfortablefamily like tv and music room

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lled with boys intently watchinga movie together, a kitchen witha woman making fresh maracuja juice, an of

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ce and last but not leasta grand dance studio, equipped with jazz and tap shoes to be used onthe beautiful wooden dance

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oor,a huge full length wall mirror andlots of windows.Sister Angela’s dream to providethe best quality Community Centerfor her children to enjoy and becreative and develop their God-given skills and talents has cometrue. With unfailing perseverance,trust that God would provide, andthe will to wait for only the bestquality items that the childrendeserve, Sister Angela is an exampleof how the leadership of one strongvisionary can transform many,many lives.

2010

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April

4 5

Kelly Maurice

, AmSoc member

to know them personally and make therestay with us bene

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cial for all.