Celebrating 75 years of service to the community www.wccr.org

“Friendship and Service”
Celebrating 75 years of service to the community
2015 — Issue 4
MISSION
“The Women’s Club
www.wccr.org
Wednesday, April 8
It's a SOCIAL !!
WCCR’s first LAUGH! event
of Costa Rica is a
social and
philanthropic
organization
supporting personal
growth and
advancement of
women and young
When: April 8
Time: 10:00am
Place: Verdeza
Cost: 2,000 colones
Do you want to look skinnier and feel younger? Then
you'll want to be at the next WCCR meeting for our first
LAUGH! event.
people through
scholarships and
other educational
opportunities.”
In this issue:
Research reveals that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes burns between 10 and 40
calories. At that rate you'll at least break even calorie-wise after the delicious
bocas!
Join us as we laugh and smile our way into meaningful relationships.
Women like us join the WCCR to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
 April Social
Join us as we laugh and smile our way in to the kind relationships that will keep us
 Board News
know our club's 75 year history and who we are right now.
young. From ice-breakers to group art, the April meeting is dedicated to getting to
 Community Service
 Interest Groups News
 Calendar of Social
Activities and
Meetings
 Membership
 Community Events
Verdeza Restaurant available on site, if you care to have lunch with friends ($12 per
person taxes included). They prefer you make reservations.
Contact: Andrea Jensen 2230-5915 / 8706-4611
[email protected]
There will be an Extraordinary Meeting on April 8, 2015. The purpose of the
Extraordinary Meeting is to propose an amendment to the WCCR Constitution
regarding Amigos Asociados, the addition of the Schoolbooks for Kids Committee to the
ByLaws, and the revised Budget for 2015.
Page 2
The Women’s Club of Costa Rica
CONNECTION
WCCR and BOARD NEWS
WCCR in the NEWS
WCCR 2015 Board
Emerson Electric donates to The Women’s Club
La Prensa Libre, March 19, 2015
On Wednesday, March 18, during
the inauguration of the new
facilities of Emerson Electric, The
Women’s Club of Costa Rica received a substantial
donation from the company.
The objective of the donation is to strengthen The
WCCR program Schoolbooks
for Kids whereby textbooks
are gifted to children from
various elementary schools,
many
of
which
are
one-teacher schools in rural
areas. for complete article by Sharon Cascante: http://
www.prensalibre.cr/Noticias/detalle/17145-donativos-de-emersonayudaran-a-estudiantes
La República, March 11, 2015
Sylvia Prince, president
of The Women's Club of Costa
Rica, said that the most important contribution
provided by the organization to Costa Rican society
is to give young people of low income families, the
opportunity to persevere and achieve their
educational goals. Gerson Vargas / La República -- for complete
Photo caption:
article by Carolina Barrantes: https://www.larepublica.net/app/cms/
President
1st VP
2nd VP
Treasurer
Recording Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Vocal
Vocal
Vocal
Fiscal
Fiscal Suplente
Sylvia Prince
Andrea Jensen
Elena Austermühle
Pamela Rutledge
Lisa Aspinall
Ellen Corliss
Anne Kreupeling
Natalie Vargas
Joan Boyce
Linda Leake
Grace Woodman
Joining the Board as of March 11: Lisa Aspinall,
Ellen Corliss in new position, and Joan Boyce.
Treasurer’s Report for March 2015
Year to Date Expenses (March 1 to March 30)
month income
month expenses
YTD income
YTD expenses
Total Cash and Bank
Dollars
Colones
₡6,582,494
₡4,415,828
₡11,506,045
₡5,467,169
$71,572.00
₡37,933,333
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Rutledge, WCCR Treasurer
The Women’s Club of Costa Rica
Page 3
CONNECTION
COMMUNITY SERVICES
SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM
Scholarship Report
All of our students are enrolled in their courses for the 1st semester of 2015. We now have 17 fulltime students,
with 4 students having graduated between December and March and not receiving any further scholarship
payments.
David Artavia Cerdas, UNA-Heredia, Computer Technology, graduated 2014
Daniel Barrantes Oviedo, TEC-Cartago, Mechanical-Electrical Engineering, graduated 2014
Taylor Jiménez Ramírez, UNED Nicoya, General Studies, graduated 2014
Lil Salas Jiménez, UTN-Alajuela, graduated 2014
PLEASE HELP OUR GRADUATING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS!
Several university students and recipients of WCCR scholarships have recently graduated or will graduate in 2015.
We have supported all of them throughout their “Bachillerato” (Bachelor's); some have decided to obtain a
Licenciatura (Master's), which usually takes two more years of study. In some cases, the student works while
attending school. In past years (2011 and later), some secured a job in their field while continuing to study.
However, the increasing competition for good jobs, the requirement for an excellent command of English and
the importance of good and useful contacts, has made it harder for our very talented and hard-working students,
all of whom come from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, to be successful in their quest for a
professional position.
How can we help? Nelleke Bruyn, one of our very dedicated “madrinas”, has some ideas:
1) Assistance and advice with resumé writing, formatting and presentation, especially if the required resumé
has to be written in English.
2) Advice with good techniques for job interviews (“How to sell yourself”)
3) Help and advice in establishing contacts in possible industries, institutions and companies that might have a
job opening.
If you can help , please contact Elena Austermühle for further contact with the other madrinas and the students.
Elena Austermühle
Chair, Scholarship Program
[email protected]
http://wccr.org/donations/
Page 4
The Women’s Club of Costa Rica
CONNECTION
COMMUNITY SERVICES - continued
SCHOOLBOOKS FOR KIDS PROGRAM
Since the beginning of February,
additional
donations
were
received that enabled us to add
two
groups
of
one-teacher
schools in two areas, where
there is little migrant population.
We added seven schools in the
area of Esparza and 10 schools in the area of
Tarrazú, with a student population ranging from two
to 15 students, for a total of 167 children.
One great boost to our donations
was from
Emerson Electric, which selected five of our schools
to sponsor, ranging from our largest school this year,
Santa Margarita de Naranjo (127 children), to one of
our small indigenous schools, Alta Mira (16 children),
in the Reserva Indígena Conte Guamí, near Pavones.
Their donation totaled ¢2,412,000. A special thank
you goes to our new Board Member Joan Boyce,
wife of Emerson’s General Manager, Steve Boyce,
for taking an interest in and proposing that Emerson
donate to our project.
Many members, together with several Interest
Groups, have sponsored a certain school and we
thank all of you who decided to donate in this
manner. All schools have now finally received their
books.
The complete list of schools, together with their
student population follows.
Anne Kreupeling
Schoolbooks for Kids Chair
[email protected]
http://wccr.org/donations/
number of students
Escuela Kogoribotda, Alta Laguna de Río Claro, Pavones, Golfito 36
Escuela La Virgen, paso por Zancudo, Golfito
50
Escuela Mercedes Sur, La Legua, Puriscal
60
Escuela Colonia Bolaños, La Cruz, Guanacaste
58
Escuela Sonzapote, La Cruz, Guanacaste
33
Escuela El Sitio, S. Rafael de Poas, Alajuela
112
Escuela Santa Margarita de Naranjo, El Rosario de Naranjo,
127
Escuela Patio de Agua, Coronado
51
Escuela Pio XII, Cascajal, Coronado
99
Escuela S. Miguel de Arriba, Grecia
35
Escuela Ujarrás, Sarapíqui,
46
Escuela Cartagena, Guácimo
39
Escuela Santa Teresita, Turrialba
109
Escuela Pochote, Nicoya
31
-------------------------------------------------------------------One-teacher schools:
Escuela Vista de Mar, Pavones, Golfito
12
Escuela Kogokeabtda, Res. Indígena Conte Guamí, Pavones, Golfito 14
Escuela Altamira, Res. Indígena Conte Guamí, Pavones, Golfito
16
Escuela Los Plancitos, Corredores
5
Escuela Caña Blanca, Caña Blanca, Pavones, Golfito
12
Escuela El Pilón, La Honda, Pavones, Golfito
4
Escuela Cuervito, Cuervito, Pavones, Golfito
10
Escuela La Hierba, Pavones, Golfito
2
Escuela Colonia Gamolatillo, Chires, Puriscal
11
Escuela Gamolatillo, Chires, Puriscal
22
Escuela Quebrada Honda, Mercedes Sur, Puriscal
8
Escuela Túfares, Mercedes Sur, Puriscal
5
Escuela Salitrillos, Grifo Alto, Puriscal
10
Escuela Fila Negra, Tusubares, Puriscal
5
Escuela Jilgueral, Mercedes Sur, Puriscal
5
Escuela Bajos de la Legua, La Legua, Mercedes Sur, Puriscal
38
Escuela Rafael Solorzano, Cristo Rey, La Gloria, Puriscal
22
Escuela Bello Horizonte, La Cruz, Guanacaste
Escuela Agua Caliente, La Cruz, Guanacaste
Escuela Quebradillos, S. Ramón
Escuela Mallal, Boruca, Puntarenas
Escuelas Caldera, Esparza
Escuela Cerrillos, Esparza
Escuela Mesetas Abajo, Esparza
Escuela S. Justo Antonio Facio, Esparza
Escuela Juan Rafael Jiménez Granados, Esparza
Escuela Maratón, Esparza
Escuela Mojoncito, Esparza
Escuela San Isidro, Los Santos, Tarrazú
Escuela San Bernardo, Los Santos, Tarrazú
Escuela Virgen de Santa Ana, Los Santos, Tarrazú
Escuela Victor Campos Valverde, Los Santos, Tarrazú
Escuela San Ramón, Los Santos, Tarrazú
Escuela Napoles, Los Santos, Tarrazú
Escuela La Esperanza, Los Santos, Tarrazú
Escuela Zapotál, Los Santos, Tarrazú
Escuela Alto de San Juan, Los Santos, Tarrazú
Escuela San Martín de San Carlos, Los Santos, Tarrazú
4
29
29
12
7
4
9
2
11
13
13
3
14
6
12
6
14
13
12
15
13
The Women’s Club of Costa Rica
CONNECTION
Page 5
MEMBERSHIP
WELCOME New Members !
MEMBERS’ CLASSIFIEDS
GARAGE/STORAGE SPACES
Sheila Spencer (East) She is currently employed at Ambit
Energy, Beso Restaurant. She’s lived in Costa Rica for 13
years and is interested in serving on the Fund Raising
event. Her special skills are in computer design and writing/ editing. She has joined the PWG and is willing to help
with registration and greeting.
Fully secure and enclosed garage spaces available
in Rohrmoser - only 15 minutes from Juan
Santamaria airport and 5 minutes from the Pavas
airport. This is the perfect place to store your
vehicle when you leave Costa Rica for extended
periods. There are currently 2 parking spaces
available, and also extra storage areas for
containers of personal belongings. The monthly
rental for a vehicle area is $60, and it's $25 to $60 if
you only need the container storage area(s).
Please contact Carole Perlman at: 2290 6963 or
e-mail: [email protected] if you would
like to see the spaces.
Sylvia Saborio (West) She is currently employed as an
HOUSE & KITTY SITTING
Economist at Aresep. She is Costarican and has special
Looking for someone to stay in a small loft near the
interests in fiber arts. Her special skills are writing/
Country Club in Escazú and take care of a kitty for
editing/proof-reading and translating.
several months starting at the end of April.
Call Norma Merrett for information
Sherry Schneider (Harley) (West) She is from Texas, retired, and has lived in CR for 5 years. Her interests are with
the Text Book Program, Annual Major Fundraising event
WCCR Sticky-Notes
and other special events. She has computer skills and is
Mini-fundraiser
willing to help with registration and greeting members.
CHANGES TO DIRECTORY
Ana Maria Booth:
Iwalani Carino:
Liz Kovacs :
Mary Alice Lesko:
Ann Gillian Lewis :
Cindy Marshall:
Cynthia Rechtman:
3,000 colones each
Available at all General Meetings and Socials
Page 6
The Women’s Club of Costa Rica
CONNECTION
INTEREST GROUPS NEWS continued
contact: [email protected] or check your Directory for contact information
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S GROUP
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Announcement -- Planning Team members of Speaker: Jude Gladstone Cade, PH.D. – Educator
PWG announced to the Board that as of the end
How to Keep Winning
of April 2015 they will no longer lead WCCR’s
When
the Rules Keep Changing
PWG interest group. They wish to reach out and
support others as business women which is contrary to non-profit
In this fun filled workshop, you will:
association rules.
The Board appreciates the value and energy PWG brings to the WCCR, ® Learn tools for developing emotional resilience at
particularly with interesting monthly programs. However, while we can work.
present programs to educate people in the Costa Rican way of doing ® Understand how negative emotions reveal
things, we cannot help them set up and pursue their entrepreneurial blocked passions.
activities. WCCR is a non-profit group legally bound to stay away from ® Reclaim positive feeling states & take action with
commercialization.
new clarity.
Giving up the leadership of PWG does not mean that their membership
in WCCR is cancelled. We have many members who, in fact,
support WCCR through their professional environment.
Programs are held monthly
from 9:30 AM until 12:00
at Restaurante Tin Jo, San José.
WCCR wishes these ladies the best in their future pursuits and Dates can be found on the Club Calendar.
hope they remain close to WCCR.
English is Fun Ileana Borbón is pursuing three schools in Guachipelín and Santa Ana that were highly
recommended. She hopes to launch in April for eight weeks
Hikers and Walkers We still need someone to lead the group.
Belly Dancing Interest Group New member Guiselle Chacón is still trying to find a location for a Saturday
Belly Dancing Group. Interested in participating? Please let me know. Michale Gabriel [email protected]
Visual Arts Interest Group New member Tricia Shultz is interested in forming a Visual Arts Interest Group
that would meet monthly, possibly the fourth Thursday, from 11:00 to 1:30 and include a lunch at a nearby
restaurant. The format would include touring local galleries and attending art openings.
Due to docent availability the first meeting will be on Wednesday, April 15th at 11:00 am at Museos del
Banco Central with docent for Albrecht Durer. Lunch follows at Gran Hotel. Please call or e-mail Tricia
Shultz for reservations.
May meeting: Thursday May 21 at 11:00am ad Namu Gallery. Lunch will follow at Café Mundo.
Interested in participating? Please let me know - Michale Gabriel [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Monique Chabot
Date: Mon, Mar 23, 2015 at 7:44 AM
Subject: Thank you to the writers' group!
English being my 3rd language, to be part of the Writers' group is an invaluable addition to the quality of my
blog's articles. The comments and suggestions made from the members are very precious to me. I am actually
working on a 2nd book, this time in English. Thanks to Andrea and to all other members for the encouragements!
Page 6
The Women’s Club of Costa Rica
CONNECTION
INTEREST GROUPS NEWS
contact: [email protected] or check your Directory for contact information
Amantes del Libro Español meets in Escazú, Call María Eugenia Chacón, for information.
Cinema Fans ~ Each month we explore a different genre of film: Classics, drama, musicals, foreign
films. We nominate our favorites, select one and screen it together while enjoying wine, bocas
and popcorn! Meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 1:00 - 4:30 PM at Bonnie Murry’s
home in Escazú.
Creative Cooking meets the first Wednesday of each month. The focus is on creative use of
local products, as well as interesting dishes ; you leave each month with a handful of new
recipes to add to your culinary repertoire! Contact Cyndy Vorih or Grace Woodman.
English is Fun ~ The series starts again in 2015; 8 weeks of conversational English curriculum
at an elementary school. English speaking volunteers are needed. If you would like to make
a difference in a child’s life, please contact leader Ileana Borbón for details on how you can
participate.
Le Cercle Francophone is a group currently consisting of French speakers from France, the
United States, Canada, Costa Rica, England, Argentina, Norway and Morocco. They meet
at a restaurant the third Thursday of each month. Contact Ileana Borbón for more
information.
Paraiso Book Club ~ Cariari ~ This group of raucous, fun-loving and dedicated book
enthusiasts meets in Cariari on the first Friday of the month. For more information contact:
hostess Michale Gabriel.
West Side Stories Book Club ~ Santa Ana ~ If you are interested in joining this out-of-theordinary group that reads and reports on books from its own library, contact hostess Mary
Alice Lesko. The group meets on the third Wednesday of the month.
Professional Women’s Group (PWG) ~ Being a part of PWG is a great way to connect with
old friends and make new ones. The group was developed for professional women of all
ages and nationalities to encourage personal and professional development. Programs are
held monthly from 9:30 AM until 12:00 at Restaurant Tin Jo, San José. Dates can be found
on the Club Calendar.
Theater and Lunching Out goes to the Mediodía (Noon Time) series at Teatro Nacional, a
variety of performances on Tuesdays at 12:00 for a cost of 1,000 colones. Last year we saw
symphonies, dance groups, saxophone quartets, singers, and Flamenco dancers. We meet in
the coffee shop at about 11:30. After the show we walk to a nearby restaurant or soda for
lunch and time to chat. Please contact Carolyn Reilly or Marianne Longworth.
Walkers and Hikers ~ Have you been just itching to put on your hiking shoes and explore the
hills and valleys around San José? Well, you are not alone. Lots of like-minded women are
eager to meet you at the trail head and explore this gorgeous country on foot. Contact:
Michale Gabriel
Writers’ Workshops ~ If you "have always wanted to be a writer", please join us. From novice to
expert, if you love working with the written word, we would love to get to know you. Contact:
Andrea Jensen.
Page 8
The Women’s Club of Costa Rica
CONNECTION
With festive turquoise color decorating the
tables and ‘diamonds’ in the centerpieces
as an indication of the Club’s 75th
anniversary, the March Luncheon was a big
success and a marked a great start for the
year.
The Women’s Club kicked off its year-long
celebration of 75 years of service and
friendship at the March Luncheon on
March 11 at the Aurola Holiday Inn Hotel
with over 100 members and guests
attending. As members and guests arrived,
the spirit of friendship was everywhere as
friends greeted friends and new friends
were being introduced. People were drawn
to the table where the 7 special raffle prizes
were artfully displayed and bought chances to win from roving ticket sellers throughout the event
The highlight of the event was the video, “Celebrating 75 years of Friendship and Service”, produced by Sylvia
Prince and Bonnie Murry with the help of professional multimedia specialists, Daniel Herrera and Alejandra
Hidalgo. The 2010 seventy fifth anniversary video was revised and updated with new interviews and the last five
years of achievements and events.
As dessert was being served, Michale Gabriel highlighted the raffle prizes and thanked the donors with a fun slide
presentation. Lucky raffle winners were Helen Dune Frame - $100 Cake certificate from LUSA Pastelería, Elly Van
Der Kroft Lens – 2 Hand-painted Pillows donated by Green Topic Designs, Ken Booth - Gift Basket from Soli Mart
Artisan Market, Michale Côté - Painted Canvas Rug by Laurel’s Originals, Pauline Walker - Wendy’s Hair Salon Gift
Certificate, Gabriela Vega - Porseco from La Bottega Italiana and Jerry Ledin - Gift Basket and Tour from Cinco
Ramas. Thanks to all who supported the fundraising raffle. Door prizes were the beautiful flower centerpieces,
once again donated by Norma Ogryzlo.
Pins for years of membership in The Women’s Club were given to 31 members, including Pat Miranda, who has
been a member for 55 years. Ruth Peralta received a pin for 50 years; and Angela Lenderlink for 35 years.
Special attendees included representatives from the U. S. Embassy, the head of the Group La Nacion’s Libros para
Todos program, several of our Amigos Asociados, and reporters from La Nación and AM Costa Rica.
www.wccr.org
https://www.facebook.com
COSTA RICA’S
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
CONCERT SERIES
75 Years of Service to the Costa Rican
Community
“Friendship and Service”
Friday, April 24 at 8:00PM
Sunday, April 26 at 10:30AM
at the National Theater
Information:
Grace Woodman, 2249-1208, 8369-7992