The AmSoc Blog

Below you can view the full, 16-page pdf of the May issue of the Forum newsletter, which is being hosted at www.scribd.com .

Forum May 09 Low Resolution

From the May issue of Forum

By Kim Beecheno, staff writer

In a country like Brazil where the disparity of wealth is one of the highest in the world and charitable and non-governmental organizations often receive little public help, volunteering, teaching and giving your time to help others can be even more rewarding than donating money – for both the volunteer and the person in need.

Teenage girls enjoy a group dance class at Grupo Primavera, a non-profit children’s center in Campinas.

“Everyone should volunteer at home or abroad,” said AmSoc member Elisabeth Mckenzie, who recently began tutoring a young girl at Lar Tia Edna, a home for foster children founded by an American missionary more than 30 years ago. “I enjoy it immensely, it’s so rewarding to help someone advance themselves. Pay it forward, I say.” (more…)

From the May issue of Forum

The AmSoc Annual General Meeting will take place on May 12t from 8-10 p.m. at the Consul General’s House, a perfect opportunity to meet many of the Consulate staff and the Consul General as well as old and new friends.

It will take the form of a cocktail party where the Executive Committee and Board of Governors will be elected for the coming year. There will be a presentation of the activities of the Society’s various committees, and wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served after the meeting.

Spaces are limited, but all members are encouraged to attend to support AmSoc. The event is free to attend, but members are asked to please RSVP to the invitation letters which have been sent out to all members by calling the office at 5182-2074. Identification in the form of a passport or RNE card will be checked at the door.

From the May issue of Forum

Name: Zack Henry

Origin, time here: Brooklyn, NYC, now in São Paulo for one year

Zack Henry

Profession: I own a boutique investment advisory shop. I play the midfield between Brazilian companies looking for capital and foreign investors looking to place capital.

Why São Paulo?: My wife is from Rio, so we came to Brazil. … But essentially one of the key angles of my job is networking, and this (SP) is the place to be. A number of my friends in Rio have been obligated to move to São Paulo to work. Businesses have migrated to São Paulo, it has become the banking capital, financial capital. (more…)

From the May issue of Forum

By Richard Wegman, AmSoc board member

With the membership contest having ended in February, AmSoc members and newcomers to the organization will be encouraged over the coming months to take advantage of this latest offer to save on membership fees.

The AmSoc calendar year officially starts in August, which is the deadline for renewing a membership. Traditionally the push for renewal has come in May or June, before the heavy vacation month of July.
But this year, members and newcomers who pay their membership fees now will be covered through August 2010. That means a possible 16 months for the price of 12 (if you renew now in April).

Call the AmSoc office at 5182-2074 to learn more.

From the May issue of Forum

By Josiah Pierce, vice-consul, American Citizen Services, U.S. Consulate General

Often Americans living abroad would like to take their domestic employee with them to the United States, either to live with them permanently or while they are on vacation. In some special cases it is possible to bring a domestic employee to the U.S.. However, not everyone living abroad can bring a domestic employee to the United States. (more…)

From the May issue of Forum

By Kim Beecheno, staff writer

Americans and other English-speaking citizens of São Paulo now have another information Web site aimed at providing answers to some of the toughest questions about living here. (more…)

From the May issue of Forum

AmSoc members are encouraged to RSVP soon for the annual wine tasting event at the Grand Hyatt, on Tuesday, May 26, from 8-10 p.m.

Participants will be able to sample wines from several countries, and bottles will be available for purchase at reduced prices. There will also be a buffet of cheese, cold cuts, and selected finger foods. (more…)