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Workshop at Florida - August 2008

The American Jewish Committee Bandera de Guatemala Honors College Hispanics in Philanthropy CIMI

Diaspora-Guatemala Projects in Action:
You and I Can Change the World

Sunday, August 24, 2008
8:15 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

El Sol, Jupiter’s Neigborhood Resource Center
106 Military Trail, (SW Corner of Military Trail and Indiantown Rd), Jupiter, FL 33458
Tel: 561-745-9860, Fax: 561-745-9834

Goals

 

  1. Groups present progress report of their projects since the June workshop (see note below);
  2. Develop ideas about which Guatemalan or Mayan traditions and values strengthen these diaspora-Guatemala project efforts;
  3. Decide upon fundraising techniques and structures we can employ to raise community support;
  4. Provide ideas for reintegration of returnees/deportees policy, including discussion of what migrants and NGOs in the US can do to help themselves and others who return.

Note: Participants are expected to submit their progress reports IN WRITING BY AUGUST 20 using the progress report format we sent.  Those who do will make presentations for feedback and consultation.  Please contact Rebecca directly with any questions you have.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Time

Session

8:15 – 8:30

Registration

8:30 – 9:00

Introduction

  • Findings from June 2008 Guatemala workshop 
  • Goals for today’s workshop

9:00 – 10:45

action plan progress report
Participants present a progress report on their 100 day action plans from the June workshop. 

Types of questions we will discuss:

  • What are your results thus far? What are the results you hope for by the end of 2008? What steps are necessary to get there? 
  • What problems arose and how did you deal with them?
  • How is the  communication between you and your local partners?  What structures have you established to facilitate communication?
  • Have there been any issues of transparency, accountability thus far?  What structures have you established to facilitate transparency and accountability?  

10:45 – 11:00

Coffee break

11:00 – 12:30

What would you do if…
Role plays around different scenarios that we are likely to encounter in conducting these projects. 

12:30 – 1:15

lunch

1:15 – 2:15

SO WHAT?  what does it mean to be “guatemalan”? 
What does it mean to be a “Guatemalan” immigrant, community or diaspora?  Why should Guatemalans be involved in these efforts?  Why should young people born in America care? What Guatemalan or Mayan traditions or values can we tap into which promote helping ourselves and building our own community? 

The Onion Exercise. 


 

2:15 – 4:00

developing diaspora RESOURCES

Discussion of concrete steps we can take now to develop diaspora resources:

  1. Fundraising techniques: What has been done?  What can we do to raise funds from within the community, not just from donors?
  2. How can we use events such as Guatemalan Independence Day or holidays for raising financial and communal support for our efforts?
  3. Proposal to raise local funds from within the community: Discussion about how to approach it (criteria, conditions, structure, process, representation). 
  4. Organizational status: raising funds requires a formal legal structure as an NGO.  Becoming a 501c3 v. channeling money through a partner NGO. 

4:00 – 5:30

next steps

Part I
Ministry of Foreign Affairs workshop on reintegration of returning Guatemalans, September 17 – 19, 2008 in Guatemala City.

  • What is your input?  Priorities?
  • How do people currently use remittances?  How could they use remittances to facilitate reintegration upon return?   
  • What steps can immigrants take here that can help if they return?
  • What steps can organizations here take to provide assistance (e.g. vocational training, financial education, etc.)?  (El Sol presentation)

Part II

  • Next steps: Workshop in Huehuetenango, spring 2009?  Projects and fundraising. 
  • Evaluation
  • Conclusion