Archive for March, 2010
View pdf of the April issue of Forum
Thursday, March 25th, 2010AmSoc Easter Party on April 4
Thursday, March 25th, 2010From the April issue of Forum
The American Society’s Easter Sunday egg hunt will be on April 4, from 12-2 pm at Chapel School, Rua Vigario Joao de Pontes 537, in Chacara Flora. 
AmSoc families and children can join in the fun of our classic egg hunt, a variety of Easter-themed games, plenty of food and a chance for photos with the Easter Bunny. Every child will also get an Easter basket.
Payment will be taken at the door; for member children R$15 (R$40 max per family), and R$20 for non-member children (R$50 max per family).
AGM on April 14, a great night for members to gather
Thursday, March 25th, 2010From the April issue of Forum
By Simon Tharby, staff writer
If you’ve been to one of AmSoc’s Annual General Meetings before, you’ll know that its obligatory title will never reflect the amiable charm and positivity of the event itself.
A social gathering, with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and plenty of time to enjoy the company of AmSoc members, it is far more than “just” a meeting. This AGM will also be treated as a farewell party for U.S. Consul General Tom White and his family, who’ll be leaving Sao Paulo in July after serving three years at the local U.S. Consulate.
The AGM will be on April 14. RSVP to the invitation letters you receive through the AmSoc office: (amsoc@amsoc.com.br / 5182-2074). Space is limited. Identification in the form of a passport or RNE card will be checked at the door. (more…)
What you need to know about AmSoc’s 60th Anniversary Party
Thursday, March 25th, 2010From the April issue of Forum
The American Society of Sao Paulo’s 60th Anniversary Charity Dinner & Dance is in benefit of Vivenda da Crianca and other AmSoc partners, and will be held on Friday, May 7, at Buffet Torres Moema, Av. Dos Imares, 182. Cocktails and games with prizes will run from 7:30 to 9 pm , with dinner, dancing and an auction to follow. Dress is Black Tie optional, and the cost per person is R$200. A numbered invitation is required for entrance.
A helpful Q&A about the party
What should I wear?
Women, wear your most beautiful long or short party dress. Men, you’ll look lovely in black tie or in a dark suit. Both of you will be able to have your pictures taken upon arrival as a souvenir of the party.
Can we reserve tables?
When a whole group of people buys a table, they will be asked about where they’d like the table to be. Then, as soon as all the tables have all been sold (probably mid-April), we’ll assign spots to groups based on who reserved first. So make your reservations soon and sit in the center of the action — or near the dessert! (more…)
Brazil costs still high, according to Big Mac Index
Thursday, March 25th, 2010From the April issue of Forum
By Regina Scharf, from http://deepbrazil.com
A worker that earns the average Brazilian salary would need to work 40 minutes in São Paulo and 51 minutes in Rio to buy a Big Mac. In contrast, an average New Yorker would have to work a mere 14 minutes to buy McDonald’s best-selling sandwich. The so-called Big Mac Index is only one of the instruments used by the Swiss bank UBS to illustrate the fluctuations of the purchasing power in several parts of the world.
São Paulo and Rio are, indeed, pricey cities. The disproportion is the same for other products. To buy one kilo of rice, for instance, you have to work 12 minutes in São Paulo, 15 in Rio and 8 in New York. (more…)
2010 Corporate Sponsorship Drive revs up
Thursday, March 25th, 2010From the April issue of Forum
By Timothy Altaffer, AmSoc board member
The 2010 Corporate Sponsorship Drive is off to a fast start, with close to R$33,000 already received or pledged.
As in the past, the 2010 Corporate Sponsorship Drive is critically important to the purpose of the American Society. It represents 55 percent or the Society’s revenues for the year. Corporate Sponsors help AmSoc foster the U.S. cultural and philanthropic traditions, as well as maximize the Society’s outreach programs, supporting some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods and people. (more…)
What’s New with Visas?
Thursday, March 25th, 2010From the April issue of Forum
By Jen White, vice consul, American Citizen Services, U.S. Consulate General in São Paulo
With Brazil’s summer travel season over and in anticipation of the winter break ahead, we’d like to share with you some of the improvements in the São Paulo Consulate General’s non-immigrant visa section – where approximately 1,500 Brazilians (and others) come in daily to apply for visas to the United States for tourism, business, studying, and more.
Approximately 95 percent of those applicants’ requests for visas are approved, making São Paulo the Department of State’s largest nonimmigrant visa issuing section in the world. (more…)
Volunteer of the Month
Thursday, March 25th, 2010From the April issue of Forum
By Simon Tharby, staff writer
Pete Lawlis coached his son’s Little League soccer team back in Detroit, Mich. Despite only having been in Sao Paulo for little over a year now, brought here by GM, he’s already begun coaching AmSoc Little League soccer and baseball, for both boys and girls.
Pete Lawlis
This year, Lawlis’ focus is on coaching soccer to 30 kids ages 7-12, trying to keep up with his son’s love of the game. Indeed, his children are key to his AmSoc involvement. “It gives me a great connection with my kids,” Lawlis says, but adds there’s obviously much more he gets from this work: “I have trouble just sitting on the sidelines and watching. I’m a big kid and I just want to play. If I see a kid moping around, not getting involved, I say ‘Hey, it’s Saturday. You’re not at school and you can play soccer. How can you not be having fun!’” (more…)
A look inside Projeto Sol
Thursday, March 25th, 2010From the April issue of Forum
By Kelly Maurice, AmSoc member
Several members of the Community Action Committee (CAC) recently visited local charity Projeto Sol, along with Projeto Sol’s loyal supporters, U.S. Consulate General Tom White and his wife Terri White, who has been CAC’s liaison for Projeto Sol for the last two years.
A special visitor also came on this day, Mark Pitt, president of Shermin Williams. Mark had recently donated a generous amount of paint for the expansive common area to be freshly painted in lively terra cotta and green hues.
Everyone enjoyed meeting the children’s teachers and the administrative staff, followed by a lovely introduction about the origin of Projeto Sol by Sister Angela. All the leasers and the children that we met were so personable and truly kind. (more…)
The President’s Corner
Thursday, March 25th, 2010From the April issue of Forum
By Tim Scott, AmSoc president
If you are reading this you’re probably an American Society member. I wonder though if you have ever considered partnering with American Society in a new way; by working with and through your company as an American Society Corporate Sponsor.
Corporate Sponsors gain some important benefits; a broader “marketing” exposure to the American Society’s members, support for the orphanages and social projects with which the American Society works, and direct support of the American Society mission. The first two benefits are self explanatory, but why, you may ask, is supporting the AmSoc mission a benefit? (more…)