Malnutrition stalks this generation
Dear Friends,
As the 21st year of Adopt-a-Village in Guatemala begins, we look back upon all the amazing accomplishments of the past two decades in support of our friends, the Maya of Guatemala. Much has been done. Much more awaits.
Guatemala is a country in crisis. A weak and corrupt government with one of the highest crime rates in the world, it hosts a vast network of drug traffickers who move their product through Guatemala to the United States with impunity. An educational system in which schools are chronically underfunded and constantly shuttered—along with social and health services that are rapidly shrinking— spell a failed state.
The most profound crisis—chronic child malnutrition–is threatening the stability and future of Mayan families. They have less food today than they did before the 36-year civil war began in 1960. As a consequence, Guatemala is producing a new generation of physically stunted and brain-damaged children.
Twenty years of service has given our small organization valuable experience and a strong and clear understanding of the needs of our Mayan friends. Infrastructure, hard-won and built with a paucity of funds, is now securely in place
In order to effectively move forward, Adopt-a-Village needs three dedicated Board directors who desire to use their skills and experience to bring education and nutritional health to impoverished Mayan children. We are seeking creative, reliable, and responsible individuals to join us in our partnership with the Maya. Board members can reside anywhere in the world. We teleconference our Board meetings and communicate via email and telephone.
- COMMITMENT—Must be committed to the mission of Adopt-a-Village in Guatemala (AAV) and to fulfilling it. Must understand the mission, identify with it, articulate it, and support it with passion. Must be loyal to the purposes for which AAV was created and understand the needs of its constituents.
- INTEGRITY—Must be a person of the highest integrity. Must be reliable, honest, and have a developed sense of values. Must be willing to set aside personal interests to support the well-being of AAV. Must be a custodian of the integrity of AAV and assure its actions are appropriate.
- PARTICIPATION—Must actively participate on a continuing basis in the governance of AAV. Must be willing to develop the skills needed in order to be an effective board member. Must prepare for and attend board and committee meetings. Must take responsibility and follow through on assignments.
- FUND-RAISING—Must demonstrate commitment by contributing personal and financial resources to the AAV cause and by cultivating and soliciting outside funds to help accomplish AAV’s mission.
- KNOWLEDGE—Must understand the essential workings of a corporate organization and know or learn the basics of a tax-exempt corporation. Must possess a certain level of business or organizational competency. Must understand the essential principles of good business practices.
- EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNANCE—Should have prior experience in governance. Must display strong skills in stewardship—planning for the future, formulating strategic plans, setting priorities, and monitoring performance. An individual with a record of successful involvement with other nonprofit boards is desired. Must understand their role is governance, not management and understand and accept they will not be making decisions about day-to-day operations. (Governance establishes mission and programs, whereas management implements programs under accountability to governance.)
- COMPATIBILITY—Must work well with others, both inside the organization and outside it, to achieve AAV’s mission. Should be sensitive to and tolerant of views and opinions different from their own. Should be friendly, responsive, and patient and have a sense of humor. Can listen, analyze, and think independently, clearly, and creatively.
- DIVERSITY—Diversity is vital to maintaining a balanced board. Directors should have a variety of skills, experiences and backgrounds. AAV welcome all races, creeds, and belief systems.
