August/September 2020 FORUM

August/September2020
TheAmericanSocietyofSãoPaulo
VIRTUALEVENTS
theFORUM
newsletter
StayingConnectedWhileDistant
ByKristiHendrickson,BoardMember
Firstandforemost,wehopeyouandyourfamiliesarestayingsafeandhealthyduring
thesetryingtimes.Aswithsomanyorganizationsandcorporationsthroughoutthe
world, AmSoc has been working diligently over the last few months to embrace
digitalizationandinnovationtokeepourcommunityconnectedduringthepandemic.
DigitalSocialEvents
SinceMarch,wehavehostedseveraleventsvirtually,includingfivehappyhours,ourannual
Independence Day party, and a WomenWork: Women of Merit event. While there is no
replacementforin-persongatherings,wehaveenjoyedworkingtogethertomakethese
virtual events happen. A big thank you to all our members and guests who participated
thusfar.Ifyouhaven'thadthechanceyet,wehopetoseeyouatthenextone!
Weareexcitedtoannouncethatthisyearwewillbehostingourfirst-everLaborDayevent,
heldvirtually.MarkyourcalendarsforMonday,September7,andlookoutformoredetails
tofollow.LaborDayhappenstofallonBrazil'sIndependenceDaythisyear,sowewillbe
abletotoasttobothholidays!Welookforwardtoseeingyouthere. Wehavealreadystarted
planning a fun virtual Halloween party for October 31, and are looking at calendars to
schedule virtual Let’s Connect andWomenWork events as well. More details to follow in
thecomingmonthsonthose!
Another great way to stay connected has been through our members-only AmSoc
WhatsAppgroup.Aneasyplatformforourmemberstokeepintouch,exchangeideas,and
stayinformed.Ifyou'renotpartofthegroup,butwouldliketobe,pleasereachouttoour
continuedonpage3
TBA
TBA
TBA
Let’sConnect
WomenWorkHappyHour
WomenofMerit
Sep 07 LaborDay
Oct
31 HalloweenParty
SantaDelivers
BySueBanmanSileci,Member
We have started planning for the
AngelParty,aneventthatfor20
years has reunited 240 needy
childrenfrom10residentialhomesandday
care centers around São Paulo for a crazy
day of fun, food, and presents from Santa.
Duetothecurrentpandemic,wecan’thave
a party this year. But, as sure as Santa still
livesattheNorthPole,wewillensurehecan
deliverabigbagofpresentstoeachofthe
children at our three AmSoc-supported
charities!Canyouhelp?
It might be easiest if we do the shopping
for you. One child’s gift bag costs around
R$550 for us to put together.You can pay
for an entire bag, two bags, or 20 bags. Or
you can pay for part of a bag, donating
whateveryoucan.Everybithelps.
Ifyoureallywanttoshop,letusknow!You
can help with any part of the shopping or
planningofour“Non-partyParty.”Thisisour
21 st year and times are tough, but we’re
doingeverythingwecan!
To sponsor a child-in-need, contact Sue at
angelparty.sponsors@amsoc.com.br. To
helpwithanythingelse,contactAngelParty
headKristyMirandaorNatalieDellaRosaat
angelparty.chair@amsoc.com.br.§
Coverimage:BecodoBatman
Courtesyof:ckturistando

August/September2020
GivingBacktotheCommunity
ByPatriciaCampbell,President
Greetings! As I write this, I am hopeful that you and your
familiesaredoingwellandstayinghealthy.Maybesomeof
youwereabletotravelhometotheStatestobewithfamily.
Forthoseofuswhodidnot,Ihopeyouenjoyedthebeautifulwinter
dayswe’vehadinSãoPaulo.
PRESIDENT’SLETTER
BoardofGovernors
President
PatriciaCampbell
president@amsoc.com.br
VicePresident
MalcolmMacdonald
Malcolm.Macdonald@amsoc.com.br
I would like to thank our past president, Kristy Miranda, for her
wonderful contribution to the American Society of São Paulo
(AmSoc)notonlyaspresident,butalsoassecretary,CACchair,andAngelPartychair.She
leavesbehindaterrificworkethicanddemonstrationofloveforourmembersandcharities.
Wewillstillbecountingonherexperienceaswemoveforward.
IamhonoredtonowbeservingaspresidentoftheBoardofDirectorsofourremarkable
nonprofitorganization.IbecameanAmSocmemberaboutfouryearsagoasawayformy
childrentobeclosertoAmericantraditionsandthespiritofcommunitygiving.Ihavebeen
delightedtoserveontheboardupuntilnowasCommunityActionCommittee(CAC)Chair.
This past year, CAC has been able to help out our three São Paulo-based charities thanks
toallofyouwho:areourHelpingHandsMembers;havesponsoredtheSMILEProgramor
AngelParty;havegivendonations;boughtraffletickets;donateddirectlytoourAmerican
LittleCow(Vakinha);orvolunteeredyourprecioustime.Youareallamazing!
I have passed my CAC Chair baton to AmSoc member Natalie Della Rosa, who has been
veryinvolvedinourAngelPartyforthepasttwoyears.Shestartedthisyearasouron-site
activityleaderfortheSMILEProgram,withamazingplansforthecharitychildrenlined-up
and ready to go before Covid-19 came upon us. I am confident we will continue to find
waystokeephelpingthesesweetchildren.
AmSoc’sfourpillarsareMembershipSupport,Charity,Networking,andSocialEvents.We
knowwehaveaverypeculiaryearahead,butourmembersareoftheutmostimportance
tous.Whilewecannotprovideyouwithourusualon-siteevents,wehaveformedaDigital
Events Committee to provide you with some amazing virtual ones. We want to keep
promotingourAmericantraditionswhileintegratingwithourBraziliansociety.
AmSoc is such a wonderful organization with a 70-year tradition because of you, our
members. You are the reason that, even through tough times, we know that we as an
organizationwillendure.Asenseofcommunity,asenseofcamaraderie,andastrongsense
ofhelpinghands—eventhroughtheofficialAmSocWhatsAppgroup,Ihavebeenableto
appreciateitall.ThankyouallforbeingsuchanimportantpartoftheAmericanSocietyof
SãoPaulo,andpleasetakecare.
Warmestwishes,
OUR MISSION: The American Society of São Paulo (AmSoc) promotes
friendship by organizing social, cultural, and athletic events for its diverse
membership;encouragesintegrationwiththeBraziliansociety;andsupports
theAmericantraditionsofeducation,philanthropy,andvolunteerism.
Treasurer
JorelGuilloty
treasurer@amsoc.com.br
ExecutiveSecretary
StephenPenney
stephen.penney@amsoc.com.br
Athletics&Sports
JohnMota(Youth)
John.Mota@amsoc.com.br
RicardoArikawa(Adult)
athletics@amsoc.com.br
BusinessNetworking
IsabelFranco
EliasGedeon
FernandaGedeon
LucyNunes
networking@amsoc.com.br
CommunityActionCommittee(CAC)
NathalieDellaRosa
charity@amsoc.com.br
CorporateSponsorship
RuthHollard
SeanHutchinson
sponsorships@amsoc.com.br
DigitalEvents/Social
RicardoArikawa
ricardo.arikawa@amsoc.com.br
MalcolmMacdonald
Malcolm.Macdonald@amsoc.com.br
Gala2021
ManuelaMoreno
Manuela.moreno@amsoc.com.br
Membership
members@amsoc.com.br
KristiHendrickson
Kristi.Hendrickson@amsoc.com.br
Dr.EvelynLanka
evelyn.lanka@amsoc.com.br
Welcoming
LyndaPerdigon
welcoming@amsoc.com.br
RuadaPaz,1431,ChácaraSantoAntonio,04713-001,SãoPaulo,SP
Tel:(11)5182-2074/Fax:(11)5182-9155/www.amsoc.com.br
2
TheAmericanSocietyofSãoPauloFORUMNewsletter

August/September2020
StayingConnectedWhileDistant
continuedfrompage1
office manager Andrea Berce via
officemanager@amsoc.com.br or the
AmSoc WhatsApp number +55 (11)
99645.4159andwewillgladlyaddyou.
ContinuingtoMakeaDifference
AmSoc has also innovated the ways in
which we raise funds to help support our
charitiesoverthelastfewmonths.Ourthree
charities (Lar Tia Edna, ABBA, and Casa
Limiar)needusmorethaneverandwiththe
gala cancellation this year, we needed to
quickly think of creative ways to continue
toraisefundstohelpsupportthem.
We've held three digital raffles within our
WhatsAppgroup,wherewe'veraffledoffa
beautiful necklace, a handmade bowl by
memberOsniBranco,andafeijoadafortwo
bymemberAndreaBerce.Thankyoutoall
memberswhodonatedandabigcongrats
to the winners! These three raffles
combined raised over R$4.000 for our
charities,allowingLarTiaEdnatopurchase
blankets, sheets, and pillows; help Casa
Limiar buy paint for their walls; and ABBA
wasabletopurchasecestasbasicasfortheir
familiesinneed.
Ifyouhaveanyuniqueideasforaraffleitem,
we'd love to hear from you. The more we
cancometogetherasacommunitytohelp
ourcharities,thebetter.
MovingOn:SamyRaulfman
ByJackieWyant,ManagingEditor
Another new initiative that was also born
over the last few months is the American
LittleCow.Thisinitiativeallowsmembersto
donate funds whenever they'd like,
allowing AmSoc to maintain ongoing
supportforourcharities.Withthefirstsum
ofdonationstotalingoverR$1.000,AmSoc
wasabletopurchaseanewmicrowavefor
CasaLimiar(whichwasdeliveredcomplete
with a hand drawn card by one of our
members) as well as milk formula for
newborn babies at ABBA.Thank you to all
whohavegraciouslydonated!
Togetintouchregardingdigitalraffles,the
American Little Cow, or our other charity
initiativescontactcharity@amsoc.br.
LookingTowardstheFuture
Lookingaheadtoyear-end,wewillhaveto
make sure that our financial stability is
maintained and we will be considering
additional fundraising efforts to support
our administration expenses for 2021. We
needtomakesurethatwecancontinueto
serve our members as well as our chosen
charitiesandcauses.
We're always looking to evolve our
membership involvement by providing
engaging social and charitable
opportunities. If you have any comments,
questions,orsuggestionswe'dlovetohear
Someofyoumayhaveknownherasthego-toofficeassistantattheAmericanSociety,
whohandledalltasksthrownherwaywithacan-doattitudeandasmile.Samyhas
movedontothenextstepinhercareerpath,andwearesorrytoseehergo.Herfinal
monthworkingforAmSocwasMay.
While the current pandemic made one final get-together
impractical,theofficeteamheldavirtualHappyHourandfarewell
party in her honor. It was yet another example of how adaptable
Samy (as well as our entire office staff) has become during these
veryunusualtimeswenowfindourselvesin.
Thankyou,Samy,foryourdedicationandhardworkforoursociety.
Wewishyouwellinallyourfutureendeavors.§
CasaLimiarreceivingtheirmicrowave
fromyou.Ifyouhaveanyfriendsyouthink
wouldbeinterestedinhearingmoreabout
AmSoc,pleasehavethemgetintouch.
We'dalsoliketoremindourmembersthat
wehaveaCorporateMembershipprogram.
Ifyouthinkyourcompanyorsomeoneyou
know would be interested in making a
difference in our community, we'd love to
haveaconversationwiththem.
For all membership inquiries, please reach
out to our Membership Committee
Chairperson, Kristi Hendrickson at
Kristi.hendrickson@amsoc.com.br.§
USCitizenContacts
Emergencies:(11)3250-5373
(incarceration,detainment,evacuation,
health)
Non-Emergencies:(11)3250-5000(from
1-2pmdaily)orsaopauloacs@state.gov
(lostpassports,repatriationofremains,
SocialSecurity,minorhealthissues)
@USCitsBrazil
The official U.S. Embassy
Twitter account for American citizens
inBrazil.TheEnglishfeedfeaturesdaily
tipsandnewsfortheexpatcommunity.
TheAmericanSocietyofSãoPauloFORUMNewsletter 3

August/September2020
AFondFarewell
ByKristyMiranda,formerPresident
ItiswithmixedemotionsandaheavyheartthatIsitdowntowrite
this, my final letter, as president of the American Society of São
Paulo.Ithasbeenadifficultyearforeveryoneandwehaveallhad
to make many sacrifices and changes to the way we live. Due to
the global pandemic, we haven't been able to be together as a
groupformanymonthsandithasbeenchallenging.Definitelynot
thewayanyofusthoughtwewouldcelebrateour70yearsasan
organization!Iamgratefulforthecreativityofourboardmembers
whohavefoundwaystokeepusconnectedthroughsuccessfulvirtualHappyHourevents,
andIfeelwewereveryfortunateforthewonderfulvirtualFourthofJulycelebration.Thank
youtoeveryonewhoparticipated!
I, too, have been faced with many personal challenges over the past year and I want to
thankmyright-handman,VicePresidentMalcolmMacdonald,foreverythinghehasdone
tohelpmethroughouttheyear.Hehasbeenapillarinmanywaysandtherearenowords
to express my gratitude. I have been so lucky to have such a fantastic team of board
memberstoworkwithwhichmadebeingontheboardarewardingexperience.Iwould
alsoliketogivemyheartfeltthankstoyou,ourmembers,forhavingtrustinmetoleadour
organization.IwillbeforevergratefulforthetimeIhadasyourleaderandIamsadtosay
goodbye.
Thoughitishardformetodepart,Iamleavingyouingreathands.Iamexcitedtointroduce
ournewpresident,PatriciaCampbell.PatriciahasbeenourCommunityActionCommittee
Leader(CAC)foroverayear,andthegrouphasflourishedunderherleadership.Patriciais
apowerfulleaderwithgreatenergyandnewideasandIlookforwardtoseeingwhereshe
cantakeourorganizationinthenextfewyears.Iamconfidentinherabilitiestosteerour
groupintherightdirectionmovingforward.
Iwishyouallafondfarewellandthebestoflucktoeveryone!
CONTACTAMSOCOFFICESTAFF
Ourofficestaffiscomposedoftalented,hard-workingpeople,availablebetween
thehoursof10amand3pm,MondaythroughFriday(excludingholidays).The
physicalofficeiscurrentlyclosed&allstaffisworkingfromhome.
JOBTITLE NAME EMAILADDRESS
OfficeManager AndreaBerce officemanager@amsoc.com.br
OfficeAssistant - assistant@amsoc.com.br
Communications&Events
Coordinator
JuliaAndreotti
communications@amsoc.com.br
Bookkeeper BiancaArruda accounting@amsoc.com.br
Communicating
ByMalcolmMacdonald,VicePresident
As vice president, I am one of the leading
people in coordinating communication
fromtheboardandofficetoourmembers.
Currently, our methods of conveying
information are through this newsletter
publication, our website, Facebook,
Instagram, WhatsApp Group, and email.
When communicating information about
an event we broadcast across all our
channels.
I have recently received feedback from
people that they were not adequately
informed about an upcoming event; for
example, our virtual Happy Hours or the
Fourth of July virtual party. This feedback
usually indicated that an email would be
preferred over a Facebook post or a
WhatsAppmessage.
AmSoc does indeed send emails to all our
members,atleasttwiceamonth.However,
our email tracking software indicates that
an average 60% of the recipients of
American Society’s emails never open
them. We have had a better success rate
communicatingviaourWhatsAppgroup.
AnymemberwhoisnotreceivingAmerican
Society emails should contact me directly
atmalcolm.macdonald@amsoc.com.br.We
will look into each and every case, making
surewehavethecorrectaddress,andthat
our emails are not being sent to spam or
classifiedas“Other”or“Non-priority”byyour
emailprovider.
It has also come to my attention that
membersingoodstandinghavenotbeen
invited into our very popular American
Society Members WhatsApp group. If you
are a member and have not been invited,
please contact The American Society’s
office cellphone at (011) 99645-4159 and
allowustorectifythesituation.
Wetakecommunicationwithourmembers
extremelyseriously.Iwouldbedelightedto
hear any suggestions on how else we can
improve.§
4
TheAmericanSocietyofSãoPauloFORUMNewsletter

August/September2020
BacktoSchool...Virtually
ByLyndaPerdigon,BoardMember
Inahopefulandinspiringway,itwassaid
that 2020 was going to be the year of
vision. I believe it’s safe to say no one
foresaw that the whole world would be
homeschooling from one day to the next
when this year started. This has been an
educationalyearforallofusalike.
Although homeschooling has come as a
surprise and at times can be challenging,
therearesomanygreatbenefitstolearning
athome.Managingtheschoolscheduleto
meet the needs of your family has not
always been so feasible. Starting time can
belatemorninginsteadofearlymorningor
eventheafternoon.Takingabreakbetween
classes to refresh can be very valuable to
keepagoodlevelofattention.Childrenstart
to become more independent and
responsibleforgettingworkdone.
I have been homeschooling my kids since
2012.Throughtrialanderror,gettingadvice
fromteachersandtalkingtomykids,Ihave
found some basic components proven to
beveryhelpful.
1. Have a consistent, stable, visible schedule.Your child needs to know when to begin,
whathappensnextandwhentoend.Thisshouldincludesnacks,lunch,andbreaks.Clear
expectationshelpthemfeelsecureandvictorious.
2. Give them a work space they can call their own.They can even decorate it with their
name; or like my son did when he was eight, set up action figures next to him as fellow
students.
3. Get dressed for learning; no pajamas! Unless you have a special pajama day, or crazy
sockday.It’sgoodforthemtogettheirlearningclothesreadythedaybefore.
4.Provideamotivationalboardofaccomplishments,rewards,andfunactivities.Something
tolookforwardtohelpsthemstayproductive.
5.Patience,patience,patience!Stayingpatientduringtheteachingprocesswillhelpyou
staysane,andhelpyourkidsbecomeconfidentlearners.Remembertheyarelearningas
muchyouareduringthistime.
PizzaNight!
ByPatriciaCampbell,President
Would you like to sponsor a Pizza
Night for one of our charities?
We’dliketoprovideaPizzaNight
oncepermonthpercharity.Sincewecan’t
doactivitieswiththekidsrightnow,thisis
oneofthethingswehavefoundthatthey
reallyenjoy.Itprovidesthekidswitha“treat”
once a month and gives their caretakers a
break for one night, which is especially
welcome in times like these. The cost is
aboutR$250-280,whichcanbesplitamong
members.
Fingerscrossed,wewillhaveouron-siteand
off-site activities up and running again
sooner rather than later, but for now the
charities and their children continue to
countonourhelp.
Another way you could contribute is
through the American Little Cow of São
Paulo (ALCSP), which born through our
members in our WhatsApp group. This
Vakinha can receive funds at any time.We
willalwayssharehowthefundsareusedat
theendofeverymonth.
Thank you again for your generosity
towardsABBA,CasaLimiar,andLarTiaEdna.
Formoreinformation,youcanemailNathalie
DellaRosaatcharity@amsoc.com.br.§
Bankdetails
Banco Itaú (341) | Agencia 1608 | Conta
Corrente13.556-0|TheAmericanSocietyof
SãoPaulo|CNPJ:62.113.261/0001-75
When you make the deposit, please add 7
cents so that our bookkeeper can identify
it for the ALCSP. Send your receipt to
charity@amsoc.com.br.
Gettingtoknowyourchildonadeepereducationallevelisverygratifying.Likewatching
your child’s eyes light up when they have learned something for the first time. And the
entireexperiencebringsthefamilytogetherasateamtogetthroughtheseunprecedented
times.Homeschoolingcanbechallenging,butifwefocusonthepointsoflight,thebenefits,
we’llseethegreatopportunitygrantedwhereweotherwisemayhavemissedout.§
TheAmericanSocietyofSãoPauloFORUMNewsletter 5

August/September2020
ATHLETICS
MeetOurAthletes
ByRicardo Arikawa,AdultAthleticsCoordinator
Sean
Hutchinson
ADULTSPORTS
Favoritesportshero?
TomWatson.
Alexander
Hutchinson
YOUTHSPORTS
10yearsold
Favoritesportshero?
LeBronJames.
Nicholas
Hutchinson
YOUTHSPORTS
8yearsold
Favoritesportshero?
CristianoRonaldo
Whatareyourfavoritesport(s)?
Golf,swimming,running,baseball/softball.
Whatisyourfavoriteteam?
Fluminense.
If you could be instantly skilled at any sport,
whatwoulditbe?
Kitesurfing.
Whatrecommendationsdoyouhave?
Practicemakesperfect.
Surprisingsportsfactaboutyourself?
Ihadahole-in-one.
Favoritesongtolistentopriortocompeting?
VivalaVida,byColdplay.
Whatisthebestpartaboutcompeting?
When competing against better players,
one'sperformanceimproves.
Whatisyourfavoritemovieaboutsports?
ChariotsofFire.
Howoldwereyouwhenyoustartedplaying?
10yearsold.
Whoinspiredyouasayoungathlete?
Myfather.
Whatoneworddescribesyouinsports?
Team-player.
Whowasyourfavoritecoachandwhy?
Mario Gonzalez, best Brazilian golf
professionalofalltime.
Whatareyourfavoritesports?
Soccer&Basketball.
Whatareyourfavoriteteams?
LALakers,PSG.
Whatrecommendationsdoyouhave?
Skilldoesn'tdeterminepassion.
Favoritesongtolistentopriortocompeting?
HallofFamebyTheScript
Bestpartaboutcompeting?
Gettingtoknownewpeoplethatsharethe
sameinterestasyoudo.
Favoritemovieaboutsports?
A tv series called Holly and Benji. (Also
knownbyBraziliansasSuperCampeões.)
Whodoyouwishwaswatchingyouplay?
Maybesomesortoftalentscout???
Whatothersportwouldyouplay,ifyoucould?
I'vealwayswantedtoplaylacrosse.
Whoinspiredyouasayoungathlete?
MichealJordan.
Whatoneworddescribesyouinsports?
Perfectionist.
Whowasyourfavoritecoachandwhy?
My favorite coach would be either my first
coach at AmSoc Youth Sports, Coach
Jordan, who really got me into basketball
andinspiredmetolikeandplaybasketball
but he sadly moved away. Another coach
wasCoachWebster,whowasconveniently
my best friend's mom so we got to hang
outprettyoftensincewewereinthesame
class,butsherecentlymovedbacktoUtah.
Whatareyourfavoritesports?
Soccer, basketball, tennis, football, surfing
andstandup.
Whatisyourfavoriteteam?
ManchesterCity
If you could be instantly skilled at any sport,
whichwoulditbe?
Soccer.
Whatrecommendationsdoyouhave?
Toplaysocceryouneedshinguards.
Favoritesongtolistentopriortocompeting?
TheFinalCountdown,byEurope.
Bestpartaboutcompeting?
Toreceiveatrophyormedal.
Favoritemovieaboutsports?
Thunderstruck.
Whodoyouwishwaswatchingyouplay?
CristianoRonaldo.
Whatothersportwouldyouplay,ifyoucould?
Football.
Whoinspiredyouasayoungathlete?
CristianoRonaldo.
Whowasyourfavoritecoachandwhy?
MyfavoritecoachisKirkbecauseheisvery
tough!
6
TheAmericanSocietyofSãoPauloFORUMNewsletter

MEMBERSRECOMMEND
ThankYouforYourService,AlanBlau
ByDavidWarren,Member,onbehalfoftheAmericanSocietyboard
August/September2020
What a dedicated, hardworking patriot we have in the likes of Alan Blau, a true
leaderandfriend.JoiningtheAmericanSocietydecadesago,heservedonand
off the board throughout his years with AmSoc.Winner of the 2005 Eric Poliak
awardandlongtimememberoftheexecutivecommittee,Alanisbestknownforhistireless
organization of Fourth of July Independence Day parties, often being referred to as“Mr.
FourthofJuly”.
AlanhasorganizedIndependenceDaypartiesattheAmericanSchoolsinSãoPaulo,usually
Chapel or Graded. He has also organized many Fourth of July celebrations at the Marine
House and the United States Consulate, as well as many memorable parties at private
homes.ThisyearhewasindispensableasconsultantforourfirstvirtualIndependenceDay.
The American community as a whole is in debt to Alan. DavidWarren likes to reminisce
about Alan dressed as Santa Claus for the Angel Party,“He did not even have to use any
stuffingorpadding.Youwouldnotknowthatnow,buthewasauthentically‘SaintNick’.”
Backintheday,MarilynMangelswouldtradefavorswithAlan,wherehewouldparticipate
in special events at Fellowship Community Church in exchange for her hosting fantastic
partiesatherhomefortheAmericanSociety.Heisnowaregularattendeeofmanyevents
heldatthechurch.
Alanhasdecidedthat,afterfourdecades,itistimetoenjoybeingaparticipantatAmSoc
events,ratherthanthedrivingforcebehindthem.Asregardshisexecutivedutiesonthe
board,hiswisepresencewillbemissed,andnodoubthisadvicewillcontinuetobesought
regularlyonmatterssuchasAmSocstatutesandby-laws,whichheknowsinsideout.His
outstanding work as treasurer has ensured that AmSoc continues to be fiscally solid,
especiallyinthesetroublingtimes.WelookforwardtomeetingupwithhimatfutureAmSoc
events,andwehopethattheyoungergenerationontheboardcanmakehimproud.
ThewholeAmericancommunityinSãoPaulowouldliketothankAlanforhisdedication
todetail,enthusiasm,andhardworkthatheshowsasatruepatriotineverythinghedoes
and has done. Thank you, Alan, from the AmSoc Board of Governors on behalf of our
membership.§
OurAnnualGeneralMeetingWentVirtual
ByMalcolmMacdonald,VicePresident
On August 6 at 8 o'clock, The
AmericanSocietyofSãoPauloheld
their first ever virtual Annual
GeneralMeeting(AGM). Afterenjoyingthe
BrazilianandAmericannationalanthems,
our outgoing president Kristy Miranda
gave a wonderful speech outlining our
current situation and our past
achievements.OurtreasurerJorelGuilloty
highlighted some of our financial
positions,andourvicepresidentMalcolm
Macdonald touched on some of our
recentvirtualevents.
A commemorative plaque was then
presentedtoMr.AlanBlauinappreciation
for his 40 years of service; his daughter,
Dori Blau, was a surprise attendee of the
virtualpresentationfromherhomeinthe
UnitedStates.
Our executive secretary Stephen Penney
then covered AmSoc’s upcoming plans,
whichwasfollowedbytheapprovalofthe
2020-2021 board of directors. Ourcurrent
board,strengthenedbyfournewmembers,
islistedinfullonpage2.
After thanking several past presidents for
their appearance at the meeting, Kristy
welcomed our new president Patricia
Campbelltotherole,whothengaveamost
inspiring speech. We hope that the new
board meets with our members' approval
overthecomingmonths.
Thank you, to all our members who
registered their votes in favor of the new
board,andespeciallytothosewhoturned
out for the AGM. It is the board's privilege
toserveyou.§
TheAmericanSocietyofSãoPauloFORUMNewsletter 7

Publisher, Malcolm Macdonald (malcolm.macdonald@amsoc.com.br);
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