GLOBAL VILLAGE ENGINEERS

June 28, 2004

• Response to our "Jazz for Peace" announcement has been very strong.



• GVE was asked to speak at a another conference in September. This second conference will be held at Stanford University and sponsored by "Engineers for a Sustainable World." The dates are: Sept. 30 - Oct.2, 2004. Click Here to review the program schedule.


Comments:

June 17, 2004

• I spoke with Melek Zimmer today. Melek wants to team with GVE in Afghanistan. However, according to Melek, all of the funding for reconstruction is earmarked for large international organizations. Even though work is NOT getting done due to this method, USAID continue to pump mega dollars into reconstruction and wants no part of alternative development scenarios.



• Yesterday, I met with the Executive Director of Fauna * Flora International. This organization is just over 100 years old with the mission of wildlife conservation. As always, they are excited to know about GVE and asked for help, initially, in Sumatra. Details to follow.



• Some unfortunate news from El Salvador. The appears to be personnel changes happening at Voice on the Border (VOTB), a great supporter and collaborator of GVE in El Salvador. I've been in contact with the country director to guage his outlook on the future. With Kelly Naylor in Nicaragua, we might consider the VOTB country director for the purpose of advocating GVE in El Salvador. Unlike, Kelly, this would likely involved a salary.
  
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June 11, 2004

• Sarah was solicited by an organization named: "Jazz for Peace." They offered to do a benefit concert for GVE. If anyone has information about this group please let Sarah know.



• Ashoka was formally asked to sponsor GVE on the Global Giving site.



• Bruce Jacobs has agreed to manage the American Indian ICEHAP program for GVE.



• Our trifold brochure is now available in Spanish if anyone needs it.



• Two additional contacts have come from Ashoka. These are in Columbia and Mexico. Of the four programs: Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, and Mexico; GVE has been in contact will all but Brazil. I'll keep the Board informed of details as they develop.



• Frank now has all of the GVE financials. To transfer money from our savings to checking account requires any two of the following signatures: Chris, Frank, or Sarah. Signature authority for checks is with Chris and Sarah, only. If you need cash reimbursement for anything, please see Frank.



• Frank and I met yesterday and discusses more about how GVE will grow. Ideas proposed were to: 1) stick to a particular country, or 2) focus on a particular technical theme (e.g., wastewater) for a year. These approaches would be easier to manage nor would disavow work worldwide as we are doing now.


Comments:

June 3, 2004

• As noted on April 13th, GVE received contributions from GlobalGiving; however, all good things come to an end...almost. They have changed their standards and will no longer allow un-sponsored organization to post projects for funding. The good news is that Ashoka, Schwab Foundation, and World Neighbors are three organization that CAN sponsor another organization. I'm working on it.



• We are live with the Indian College SIPI. The Taos Pueblo tribe has formally (i.e., in writing) requested the ICEHAP training. The training is scheduled for July 19-23. At least seven volunteers have responded to our announcement.



• The following, verbatim, could use some feedback from the Board.

  Dear Chris,

  Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Charlie Brown and I am the Program Associate for Fellowship Support Services at Ashoka. After talking with Chris Cusano, I wanted to send you the names and information for Ashoka Fellows that you may be interested in collaborating with. In an effort to make a strong introduction I have sent these Fellows information on your organization and invited them to begin thinking of how Global Village Engineers could enhance and assist their work.

  Please look through the information provided and contact the Fellows. If you feel there is a strong possibility of a group collaboration with a couple, or more, of the Fellows let us know and we can send you guidelines for developing a Global Group Entrepreneurship proposal. This would provide funding for the group to meet and work for a period of time on integrating strategies and work.

  So far I have only attached two names but will be sending more as I get more feedback from our country reps. If you have any questions please let me know. Thanks and we hope to hear from you soon.

  Program 1
  Program 2
  Guidelines


Comments:

June 2, 2004

• GVE was invited to participate in a panel discussion at the Engineers Without Borders - USA National Conference. The conference is in Denver, CO between 9/22 - 9/25. The panel is entitled "An International Workshop on the Engineer's Role in Capacity Building for the Developing World." The registration fee has been waived. Click here to view a brief description of the panel workshop.


Comments:

May 14, 2004

• When submitting a comment, it will be sent via email to Chris. If you wish to remain annoymous, feel free, however, sign you name otherwise since the email contains no other identifier.



• We have initiated a discussion to provide the City of Lviv, Ukraine with assistance in their preparation of a city-wide Solid Waste Management Plan.



• GVE was solicited by Tetra Tech to team with them on a USAID contract for Integrated Water and Coastal Resources Management. Click here to review the soliciation.



• Have a nice weekend.


Comments:

April 13, 2004

• Work in Afghanistan: While security isn't the best in Afghanistan we can't ignore the impending need for GVE services. Along these lines, GVE has been working with Melek Zimmer who is in Afghanistan to get something moving. The link below describes the proposal with GVE playing a significant part.
  
  Hamkari Proposal
  
  
• Funding: GVE has begun receiving funding through the online giving site: Global Giving. We have received approximately $600 from HP employee donations. The majority of this funding is targeted to our work in Vietnam.
  
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