Summer 2002 Bulletin

Member's News

Calendar of Events

May 17-21 (Fri.-Tues)

River Network’s National River Rally 2002, Asherville, North Carolina

May 30 (Thursday)

River Otter Working Group Meeting, Albuquerque, 1:00-4:00 pm.

June 22 (Saturday)

Amigos Bravos’ River Cleanup, call Katie Woodall (776-8963) or the office for details

June 10-12 (Mon.-Tues)

Alliance for Rio Grande Heritage (ARGH) Steering Committee Retreat, Sevilletta, NM

June 15 (Saturday)	Amigos Bravos’ sixth annual Paint-a-Thon and Art Auction for the Río Grande (see page 2)
June 17 (Monday)	Taos Noxious Weed Alternative Management Committee Meeting, Juan I Gonzales Agricultural Center, 5:30 pm
July 27 (Saturday)	Amigos Bravos’ River Cleanup, call Katie Woodall (776-8693) or the office for details.
August 24 (Saturday)	Amigos Bravos’ River Cleanup, call Katie Woodall (776-8693) or the office for details.

How You Can Vote Multiple Times...legally Amigos Bravos has email addresses for only about a quarter of its members. We’d like to have them for everyone who uses email. The reason? Situations arise where you can make a difference by sending a letter or an email, or by making a phone call to the right office at the right time. Through our sources and contacts, we stay informed about watershed conservation issues and the timing of crucial decisions. On average, we send out “Action Alerts” about once a month to let our members know by email when and where their voice can be heard to make the most difference. Don’t think your opinions don’t matter. Politicians who tend to our view on such matters need to hear that their constituents stand with them...that they are not alone, stepping too far out on a limb. Those politicians or corporate leaders who may be less sympathetic to our point of view may re-evaluate their position if there is a groundswell of strong opinions expressed by their constituents contacting them. Expressing yourself in these ways is like voting multiple times because your opinions can influence the votes of decision-makers, not only when you vote for or against them, but whenever they are considering an issue you have strong feelings about. Our Action Alerts represent issues where we feel your voice really can make a difference. We summarize the issue and list the contact information of the people we think need to hear from you, our members. We may also list sources of additional information for those interested, and often include a suggested letter or statement. In short, we make it as easy as possible for you to exert your political power. Every time we send out such an Action Alert, another half dozen come back newly “undeliverable: user unknown”. So, if we’ve never had your email address, or if you have changed addresses over the last year, please send your updated email to chubbuck@amigosbravos.org SUBJECT: Action Alert List. Make your voice count for more! Such email addresses will never be shared with any third party or used for a purpose unrelated to the mission of Amigos Bravos.

Amigos Bravos Supports Your Business Once again soon Amigos Bravos will publish its 2002 Business Directory. This listing of contact information for our business members will be sent to over 1600 members asking them to support the businesses who support our rivers. In addition, for the first time, the Amigos Bravos 2002 Business Directory will also be available in public display cases all around Taos County during 2002. This is our way of saying “Thank you” to all you business members and wishing you a profitable year. Business memberships are $120 or more annually. If you would like to support Amigos Bravos as a business member, please contact us for more information.

Raffle for the Río 2002 a Huge Success! With the help of our generous membership and individuals throughout New Mexico and beyond, Amigos Bravos’ Raffle for the Río 2002 raised $15,000 for the Río Grande! Winners in the drawing were: • Grand Prize, 5-day-trip for two to Maui: Art MacKinstry of Red River, NM • 2nd Prize, a 2-night-stay for two at Dobson House Bed and Breakfast on the Río Grande Gorge: Jacob Ireland of Taos, NM • 3rd Prize, a raft trip for two from Los Ríos River Runners: Steven Romero of San Luis, CO • 4th Prize, a handmade drum by Phillip Martinez from Pueblo Drums: Richard and Lois Abraham of Rancho de Taos, NM • 5th Prize, day passes for two at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs: Rick Quintana, Gary Blea, Craig O’Hare, and Loretta Ortiz y Pino We would like to thank Taos Pueblo Day School students from Ms. Gusdorf’s class for their help with the mailing to our membership. TDS’ service to the Río Grande has been instrumental in making the event a success for the past three years. We also thank volunteers Burrell Brenneman, Maria Guzman, Jacob and Liam Ireland, Elaine Sutton, Awilda Amariel, Hope Buechler, Cindy Hegger, and Ross and Kristin Ulibarri for all of their help. Thank you to everyone who supported our largest fundraising event of the year!

Amigos Bravos' Cash Reserve Fund Amigos Bravos' Cash Reserve Fund is Amigos Bravos' insurance against hard times. The Cash Reserve Fund is money set aside to ensure that the organization can survive cash flow shortages in the annual operating budget. It can only be accessed for certain purposes, such as meeting payroll or for emergency capital outlay. There are strict guidelines on when and how money from the fund can be used. Any use of money from the Fund requires approval from the Board of Directors. This Fund is a hedge against hard times, ensuring that Amigos Bravos will stay healthy and able to pursue its mission. Our Cash Reserve account was opened in March 1998 with a $15,000 grant from the Ruth Mott Fund. Thanks to generous contributions of our members and the $5,082 proceeds of Brian Shields, Unframed, the interest bearing account now has a balance of over $36,520 Our goal is to bring the balance up to $50,000.00. Please consider making a contribution to the Amigos Bravos Cash Reserve Fund.

Where There's a Will, There's a Way By including Amigos Bravos in your will.... ...you could protect a river for years CONFIDENTIAL REPLY To explore a bequest to Amigos Bravos, please complete this form and return it, marked confidential, to Brian Shields, Executive Director, Amigos Bravos. ___I have included Amigos Bravos in my will. ___Please send information on how to include Amigos Bravos in my will.   Name________________________________________ Address______________________________________ City, State, Zip________________________________ Telephone________________Best time to call_______

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