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Friends of Chimbote
FoC Spring Board Meeting Board of Directors

Board Meeting Review

On May 2 and 3, the Friends
of Chimbote Board and staff Eric Krueger, Vergas, MN
held their annual retreat at St. Board Chairman
John’s University in Collegeville, Brian Berg, Fargo, ND
Minnesota. Jorge Villar joined Vice Chairman
the meeting via Zoom this year.
Michelle Jirik, Jordan, MN
The retreat focused on faith Treasurer
formation as a team, successes Brenda Krueger, Vergas, MN
in the work being done daily in Secretary
Peru, and planning next steps in
the Listen. Learn. Believe. Serve. Randy Althoff, Jordan, MN
strategic plan. The theme of the Connie Altringer, Mesa, AZ
weekend was based on the four pillars of the plan, namely reflecting on how to Margaret Crary, Chicago IL
improve our listening to the needs of the communities we serve, learning how Lucho Espejo, Detroit Lakes, MN
to do it better, using our belief to propel us forward through the challenges and Fr. Thomas Graner, Anamoose, ND
uncertainty, and doing the work, serving.
James Hill, Charlotte, NC

“We need to As we reflected, the board continues to deepen their Kelli Kester, Minneapolis, MN
slow down, take understanding of how difficult it is to truly listen! We Dan Kunkleman, Charlotte, NC
often want to rush in, fix problems and use mission visit
time to see the time as a transactional encounter. Our presence can Dan Kuzlik, Minneapolis, MN
dignity of those be so much more, if we slow down and couple action Dan Mahli, Fargo ND
with contemplation.
we are visiting Lydia Mattern, Fargo, ND
Joe Mikrut, Clifton, VA
and learn as The board reaffirmed their belief that true and lasting Mathias (Matt) Samuel, Edina, MN
transformational growth takes patience and a deep
much, if not desire for mutuality between Peru and the United Hubert Seiler, Rugby, ND
more, than we States. We need to slow down, take time to see the

are teaching.” dignity of those we are visiting and learn as much, if not The Friends of Chimbote Board is deeply
more, than we are teaching. The FoC board embraces
their role in the further development of FoC, ACAF and committed to the mission of transforming
lives of the poor including an annual
the communities we serve, and believe that their own meeting in Chimbote engaging in our
growth as a board is as significant of an outcome as any other. mission work. The broad and diverse
nature of challenges facing our mission
Finally, the meeting ended with is met head on by the amazing skills,
concrete adjustments to the 7 knowledge, advocacy, and passions of
year plan. It is an exciting time our Board Members.
for FoC and ACAF as we align our Friends of Chimbote Staff
resources around the community
Mike Smith
needs assessments being done. Executive Director
The board celebrated ACAF’s mikes@friendsofchimbote.org
work in focusing their time and Todd Mickelson
resources around 23 specific Development Director
projects in 5 programs (Community toddm@friendsofchimbote.org
Development, Entrepreneurship, Julie Dolbec
Education, Mental Health and the Mission Development Director
Visitor Program). julied@friendsofchimbote.org
Eric Krueger, FoC Board Chairman presents Bill Cari Rauch
Seiler recognition for his 12 years of faithful Accountant
service to the Foc Board. carir@friendsofchimbote.org

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