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MEETING MINUTES
Minutes for
meeting Monday 6th June, Hotel Ifach, Calpe
Introduction – Lesley Karla was not well
enough to be able to attend the meeting, so the rest of us stepped in. Report on Cava, Canapés & Art
Evening at the Parador from Katilena Alpe The terrace and
gardens of the Parador were a stunning setting for this very successful
evening. The works from the 13 artists organised by Jeanine were
artistically arranged in bays surrounded by netting - very topical and very
original! Many thanks to the
sponsors of the canapés and especially to the management of the Parador as
they were certainly the best and most plentiful we have ever had! Also many thanks to
the two bodegas, wine shop and solicitors who donated the cava, which seemed
to flow non stop! We would like to
thank all the volunteers for the help and support before, during and post
the event!! In particular those who worked really hard on the morning
setting up the scene for the evening; to Patricia for translating; Mailboxes
for free photocopying; Paul Melba for his amusing speeches and announcing
the raffle; Bobby for arranging the VIPs; John and Johanna for
providing the music and not least Katilena Alpe, Carolyn Slingsby and
Jeanine El Khouri, who worked incredibly hard to make this a successful
event!! The evening is
expected to have raised in the region of €2,000! This is by far the
largest amount raised by a single fundraiser (not including IWD), so
congratulations to the team. Many thanks also from
Karla, Lesley, Suzanna and Mary, who were presented with beautiful bouquets
of roses for their work on the committee – it’s lovely to feel
appreciated! Report from Candy Wright re Association
of Women meeting in Denia The meeting was all women from different
sections of the town hall and women’s groups locally. There were about 9
of us. One lady is a psychologist, another from INFODONA of Denia, another
from Agenda 21. I knew already 5 of the ladies so that made it easier for
me. I introduced myself and explained a little about WIBC & that I was
also an interpreter with HELP of Denia who would like to be involved too. They will send me
minutes from the meeting. We discussed 8 subjects with the last on the list
being "Violencia del Genero". The other subjects all cover
equality in different fields: Work, Health, Education. I gave a pin to
Suzanna at the end of the meeting and we will probably discuss this more
next month. I have told Suzanna I will try and get quotes on these pins. Report from
Margaret Johnstone re Altea Women’s Shelter I finally contacted
Rosa, the director's secretary about the above. It's run by the
Asociación Emaus, which is a private, Generalitat-run organisation covering
all areas of social work. At the Calpe meeting I'll bring the booklet Rosa
gave me, which also has an account number for donations, although she did
say we could take round a cheque and present it personally. She'd
also welcome a visit by WIBC members - to her office - to find out more
about the shelter. As most of the donations are directed at the
youngsters, they're more than grateful for anything they can get for the
women. Emaus also run a
rastro, so anything anyone wants to donate to the general cause, can be
taken there: from clothes to electrodomésticos , furniture, etc. They
repair anything broken, so it doesn't matter what state they're in, so
long as they're repairable! Sindy and Reeta, who
are both from Altea, are prepared to take small items or bags from the WIBC
meetings to the Emaus shop. Larger items can be collected direct – Sindy
will get the contact number. We will arrange for
someone from WIBC committee with members from Altea to visit Rosa. Report from Candy
on the Feria de Associaciones in Denia last Sunday The town hall had
supplied tables and chairs, along with a nice white tent with open sides and
in back of us - a fencing to hang things on. We put up our super new
WIBC banners, then we stuck-up lots of WIBC flyers and attached helium
balloons with WIBC written on them - kindly donated to us by Susanna Mace of
"Globos Locos". The tent was clearly visible and easily spotted
because of the balloons. People commented on how they could see us from a
way off, so this is perhaps a good thing to remember for future events for
WIBC and anyone else who is in an exhibition/show. The morning was
very busy and we gave out lots of fact sheets on WIBC. We were visited by
Susanna Meffford Pritchard and the new representative from the
"International" department of the town hall. We were also
interviewed by a lady reporter from "Costa Blanca Nachrichten" and
photos taken.. The reporter/photographer from the Spanish weekly newspaper
"Canfali - Marina Alta", also took photos and carried away our
flyer ,which was in English and Spanish. The stand received visits from many
nationalities including Spanish, English, German even some Russian girls.
The Mayoress of Denia visited in the afternoon with another female
councillor and said how happy she was to know we wanted to help. A BIG Thank You
to all the members who came along and helped or visited. A special
thanks to those who gave up several hours of the precious Sunday to be
there. In conclusion, I believe we let a lot
more people know about the WIBC and what we do and hopefully may have some
new members for the future. A big thanks to Candy for organizing for the WIBC to be part of this and
her hard work all day, also to Karla and all the other volunteers who showed
up to help. It was a brilliant day and a good business opportunity as well as good
for raising the profile of the WIBC. We need to find out if other town halls
do the same thing and be part of them too. Press Report – Suzanna There are articles
about the Parador fundraiser in all the normal local press, in particular
the Euro Weekly News (who helped sponsor the canapés) and Female Focus
published an article that Karla wrote on breaking the silence around the
issues of Domestic Violence. Treasurer’s
Report – Mary To date we have
donated 8,000 Euros to Javea town hall to assist victims of domestic
violence in Javea. The first 2,000 was
used for basic bills in the refuge - water & electricity. The second 3,000 has
been spent on the lawyer from the Women's Council. The Valencian Community
only covers her salary for a three day week. Before our donation, she worked
the extra two days (sometimes three) without pay. Because of WIBC
fund-raising, she can be paid for a full week. She is a vital part in
helping the women and children who suffer from domestic violence and Ana
would like this third donation from us to continue going towards her salary. If the members agree,
our next donation could be the basis for an emergency fund, with a separate
bank account. Carmina, the psychiatrist would be able to sign cheques, with
Elaine Barclay and Mary. It can happen that there is an immediate need
for the woman and children to get out of the family home until the court
case has been heard. The refuge can not always take them in. If this
happens, the Valencian Community will only cover the cost of a hotel when
the victims are legally in Spain. If full papers are not available,
assistance cannot go through the Town Hall, and that's where the emergency
fund comes in. There is occasionally
an interpreter available on the emergency number when a woman rings for
assistance. BUT not always. There can also be a need for interpreters during
the legal and medical processes. Ana would like a list of WIBC members who
can act as interpreters. They will be paid by the Town Hall. Can any members who
can offer their services as interpreters for Spanish to any other language
please contact admin@WIBC-Spain.com
Report on meeting with Ana Vasbinder –
Suzanna Suzanna & Mary met with Ana Vasbinder
on Monday 30th May to give her our official cheque for 3,000
Euros and get a receipt. As proof that we are now being taken
seriously as an organisation, Ana suggested that WIBC produce a business
guide. The Town Hall will subsidise it and work with us on
distribution. We were shown a copy of a really neat little glossy one
currently produced to promote Javea. There would have to be a certain cost to
members who want to advertise in it. We think it's a good idea and should be
done to promote members' businesses. And keep our profile high! Ana will also introduce us to her
opposite number on Calpe council, so that we can start to support the
setting up of a shelter in this area. A list was made of volunteers who would
like to help with this. Networking Groups We divided into two groups for member introduction and networking. The group discussion was future fundraising and social events – Christa suggested that the “Roman Amphitheatre” in the Plaza Mayor in
Calpe staged free concerts in the summer and WIBC could put on a concert
with some of our more musical members performing. Although it may not raise
any funds it would be a good forum for mentioning our work for the victims
of domestic violence. “Oscars” on Calpe sea front offered their bar / restaurant as a venue
for social or fundraising events. Marcia suggested a “Tea Dance” (or Supper if we prefer) at her dance
studio, where we could have tea / cakes / sandwiches with a dance to raise
funds. The smaller rooms of the dance studio are also available for members who
would like to run classes / workshops in Calpe. It was suggested Christa do a Feng Shui evening or she offered a
collectables and antiquities evening. Sound out the Cactus and Melia hotels for summer get-togethers in place of
meetings (July / August). Try them both as alternative venues for meetings. A summer picnic / BBQ for all our families was suggested – possibly at
the Mesquida. Reeta has
organized a buffet style Indian meal for only €10 with lots of choice
(wine a little extra) at the House of India restaurant – N332 after Altea,
towards Benidorm - as a
“Girls Night Out” for WIBC members. We are looking at a Friday night end
of June (24th) / beginning of July (2nd). Could you
please contact me on lesley@villa-finders.com
to let us know if you would like to be included and which date suits you
better. A WIBC Christmas Dinner Dance for members and partners was suggested for
the first or second weekend in December. We are trying to find a large venue
somewhere equidistant between Altea, Calpe, Javea and Denia. La Canor in
Teulada was suggested and Suzanna will investigate prices. Please contact
Suzanna if you have any alternative suggestions for a central venue. We
could always run mini-buses from local areas to the event. Introduction of
New Members to the group We would like to welcome 3 new members to the meeting: Kerry Edwards from Calpe, who is an English teacher and also teaches computing. Fluent
in French. Tracey Bottomley from Jalon, whose partner is in the antiques business, but wants to find
a new focus for herself. She can act as an interpreter for Spanish, English
and French. Patricia Alonso
Mauri from Calpe, who is a Spanish Abogado (lawyer)
specialising in conveyencing of properties and offering legal advice. Any Other
Business Thanks to Reeta and Karen from Samosas for supplying us with food again
– we raised €18.42 from donations! Elisa will be singing at the Restaurant Micheta (Pepe La Sal – Moraira
road) on Saturday 11th June, €10 including a BBQ. Next meetings: MONDAY 20TH JUNE 2005
2pm to 4pm HOTEL MARRIOTT, DENIA - ballroom MONDAY 4TH JULY
2005
2pm to 4pm to be
arranged
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