New Page 1

LINKS

Conference Agendas

and Reports

Agenda

Travel & Culture

Learn Spanish

YAME 2010 - UPDATES

Uno - Dos - Tres - Cuatro - Cinco - Seis - Siete - Ocho -Nueve - Diez

Important Doc's

Trip Agenda Rev 5-3-10 - Work Assignments - Training Agenda - Participants-Houses - Contact Sheet - Trip Agenda Rev 5-3-10 ESP - Release Form

YAME UPDATE - NUMERO - Diez May 12, 2010 -

1. Important - there is a newly revised training schedule - here it is - Go .

2. Once Again - Training and Preparation - please let me - (sr.dkabara@gmail.com, 262-377-7527, 262-490-2490, 829-310-9249) know if you will not be able to participate at any Training Sessions and I will arrange for you to get an agenda and hand-out from the training meeting via email - This is very important! Also, if you are scheduled for leading a training meeting (including Spanish training) you are required to prepare an agenda and a hand-out with what you will present at the meeting - This is very important!

YAME UPDATE - NUMERO - Nueve May 3, 2010 -

First of all, good luck to our students taking exams; I suggest you read this long update after you have taken your exams, save the room in your brain for exam material. You can accomplish most of the tasks in this memo after exams.

This update is close to our final update and contains important information. Please note Deacon Don’s secret code - “This is very Important!” means it absolutely, positively must be done.

1. Schedules and agendas are attached and are posted on the web page, please look at them and use the information as you need it Copies of Agendas and Schedules will be posted in the library and at the Mission Center in Los Toros.

2. Training and Preparation - please let me - (sr.dkabara@gmail.com, 262-377-7527, 262-490-2490, 829-310-9249) know if you will not be able to participate at any Training Sessions and I will arrange for you to get an agenda and hand-out from the training meeting via email - This is very important! Also, if you are scheduled for leading a training meeting (including Spanish training) you are required to prepare an agenda and a hand-out with what you will present at the meeting - This is very important!

3. Travel - Peter Bennett will give out Travel and Safety information at a schedule training meeting; his information will be very important (I hope he will adopt the “secret code”.) If you are not able to attend that meeting please read his agenda and hand-out - This is very important! Your housing and places for meals are listed on an attached schedule. At the hotel in Santo Domingo we will be sharing rooms, be prepared to be a good Bunkie! Attached is a Contact Sheet, please email it to a relative so if you need to be contacted they know how to do it. Peter Bennett will instruct you on what to take and on packing your bag; each person is required to take their personal clothing and items as a carry-on and your space is limited! Each person will be required to check two bags (at no charge) that will have supplies for our programs. We will have space in one checked bag for a few personal items that you cannot put in your carry-on, but space will be limited. Please be sure to read our Travel page - http://www.lostorosmission.com/Travel.htm and include the "What to Take" section!

4. Work and Projects - schedules are attached; the people of Los Toros are counting on us to accomplish certain tasks that will benefit their community. They take our agenda very seriously and though at times they appear to be a bit casual they want us to do our work and help their community. In the end they will relate to you according to the work that you perform and the help you give to their community.

5. Communication - Please check your email carefully during the training sessions, once you are in Los Toros you can contact me by going to the Los Toros Mission Center or on my cell phone. Many people in Los Toros now have cell phones - they are cheap (but the minutes are not) and will let you use their phone.

Thank You - Good Luck with exams and we’ll see you at training.

Deacon Don Kabara

YAME UPDATE - NUMERO - Ocho -

Happy Spring Break – or Post Spring Break!

Now is a great time to catch up on your commitments for the 2010 YAME!

Some reminders:

1. Posters due April 1^st – 8:00 AM – so we can edit them, print them and mount them.

2. Work Agenda – attached, if you need any changes to what you want to do speak now!

3. Training Agenda – thanks to those who have responded about availability we assume everyone else will be there. Please note:

a. Some people have been assigned training jobs – if you are not able to do this let us know now! – See Attached! (With Changes)!

b. If you have training leadership responsibilities you need to do the following:

i. Prepare a syllabus of your course

ii. Prepare handouts to be sent to those who cannot attend

iii. Prepare teaching resources that you need to present your course

iv. Deadline is May 17^th so we can mail out to those who cannot attend.

4. Work Plans – If you are a leader you need to prepare a plan for your work program this should include:

a. A statement of Goals and Objectives

b. An outline of your activities that in some cases would include:

i. A daily schedule

ii. A daily lesson plan

iii. A list of necessary resources

5. Finally – Study Spanish! Practice with a friend! Be prepared to talk the talk and – walk the walk!

6. Finally – Finally – All participants will be required to sign a Liability Wavier (This is standard for church activities) – please be ready to sign this at our first training meeting.

Muchas Gracias!!!!!!

YAME UPDATE - NUMERO - Siete -

All airline reservations are made – thanks for sending your checks.

Your personal cost of the trip has changed – attached is a budget, Your next prepayment is $15.00 due May 25th please bring along an extra $10.00 beyond the budget for last minute changes.

Note that you need to carry approx $59.00 in cash with you for personal expenses.

Attached is a training schedule – please check it and let me know which dates you cannot attend - so we can make other arrangements.

Three or four people will be able to stay at the new Los Toros Mission Center – Guest House; if you stay there you will have to share a bed – but will have a bathroom!

Others may need to share beds – this is the tradition in Los Toros though they make every effort to avoid that and it is rare that you have to.

Some may have to share a bed in the hotel – depending on what is available.

Consequently – if you feel that you want a private bed – please notify me now! I repeat – if you want to have a private bed – advise me now and I will make the arrangements for that during my April trip – but I need to know ahead of time!

Also attached is an updated list of participants and an updated Trip Agenda.

We will update info on the web page and note the date of change – so please watch the YAME Web Page.

I will be depending on the Core Teams – from St. Joe’s and from Los Toros to help with the leadership of this year’s YAME; Ryan, Katie and Peter Bennett are on the St. Joe’s Team, Socrates, Ignacio, Pilo (Pedro Beltre) and two others will be on the Los Toros Core Team. Peter Bennett will be co-leader – my chief assistant on this year’s trip. It is important that everyone work together to demonstrate and help the people of Los Toros to grow in their Leadership and Management capabilities; I greatly appreciate your cooperation and collaboration with this.

YAME UPDATE - NUMERO - Seis - Feb 8, 2010

YAME UPDATE - FEBRUARY 8, 2010

All participants need to respond to this update as follows:

1. Check Agenda and work assigned to you and advise if you have any suggestions. If it is OK please advise it is OK with you.

2. Check Participants list and if there is no faux number for your passport it means you need to send me your passport number so I can register you as a missionary/visitor with the US Consulate in Santo Domingo.

3. Check if there is a frequent flyer number listed after your name - if not please go here and get one and send me the number https://www.aa.com/AAdvantage/quickEnroll.do

Muchas Gracias!

Preliminary Agenda - Participants List

YAME UPDATE - NUMERO - Cinco - Feb 3, 2010

YAME UPDATE - FEBRUARY 3, 2010

After our October and January Visits to Los Toros we decided to take a closer look at YAME and how we can make it even better. This is going to be a bit of a lengthy process; however, right now the situation on the Island of Hispanola is serious and worthy of every extended effort that we can make. The earthquake in Haiti will eventually cause thousands of people to seek refuge in the Dominican Republic and out of compassion we owe them and their hosts our most sincere efforts. So, on April 7^th to the 14^th we are making another visit to Los Toros to follow up on our January work and to do more preparation for May.

Let’s draw upon our past successes and build for the future.

First some Observations and then some recommendations for Objectives; but you can add to the objectives and make recommendations - so please feel free to respond with your input!

Observations (Please send your additions!)

The people in Los Toros and in Las Guanabanas and Sananoja are excited about YAME 2010, you made a positive impression and they are waiting for your return, congratulations!
An observation from last year’s evaluations was that we could spend more time in preparation.
It is all about relationships! We need to create relationships - not just friendships - but Good Working Relationships! We can do it, keep working on your Spanish!

4. In Los Toros there are some High School students and grads that are doing very well with English! This became evident during our January classes! And you deserve some of the credit for this! Many of them participated in your English Classes! Congratulations! Let’s build on this!

5. Some Dominicans are reserved and timid, but with encouragement they demonstrate some excellent talent. Some Americans are reserved and……… (you get it)!

6. Women - especially young women are very reserved about participating in English Classes, etc. because of certain social pressures. How can we get them more involved?

7. Many Dominicans work better - one-on-one or in very small groups of persons at an equal level.

8. Parents want their young children to learn English; young children want to participate!

9. People in Sananoja and Las Guanabanas want to collaborate with us and learn.

10. Dominicans love music, but have very little training in music. How do we respond?

11. It is important to understand that family and work obligations take precedence over attending educational events; timing is of the essence.

12. Dominicans do not always have the same opportunities to develop teamwork skills as we do.

Objectives for 2010 YAME (Please send your additions!)

1. Take our English to the next level - let’s discuss how we can do that.

2. Reach out and encourage Dominicans to come out of their shells and participate.

3. Pay more attention on involving young women.

4. Reach out more to neighboring villages in collaboration with Los Toros.

5. Introduce music as a way of not only learning but having fun.

6. Time our events carefully.

7. Work at demonstrating and encouraging teamwork.

Strategy for YAME 2010 (Please send your additions!)

1. Develop teamwork amongst ourselves and then involve Dominicans.

2. Plan - Structure - Plan and Prepare; have a Plan!

3. Pair up with Dominicans and create partnerships.

4. Unite neighbors and create an extended community.

5. Do English, Music and Volleyball as you teach it! Get people involved!

6. Get Dominican Youth involved in Dental Program!

Activities and Schedules

Activities We Have Agreed to Direct

English Course - Primary-Secondary-Advanced
Music Camp
Volleyball Camp
Dental Education Program
Water Project
Computer Coaching - limited basis
Drug Education Program

Plan of Action (Please send your additions - recommendations!)

1. Prepare plans prior to April 7, 2010.

a. Establish Leader/Organizer for each Activity-Program

b. Establish goals for each Activity - Program

c. Initial draft of plan for implementation due March 1^st.

d. First Teleconferences completed by March 15^th.

e. Final Plan April 6^th.

2. Share plans with Dominicans - April 7 - 14^th.

a. Don to have meetings with key leaders.

b. Confirm and communicate in early to mid May.

3. Determine your expertise and chose/accept your assignment.

a. Finalize individual assignments by Feb 5th.

b. Teleconference or email with Don.

4. Planning and Training

a. Set up pre-trip training and preparation dates.

b. Assign roles for pre-trip training and preparation.

c. Set up on sight training and preparation dates/times.

d. Assign roles for “on-sight” training and preparation.

5. Create Relationships - work together.

a. Assign USA back-up person for each program

b. Assign DR back-up person

c. Learn names.

d. Discover their talent.

e. Give them work to do.

f. Give them small gifts.

g. Be Non Confrontational, first build trust and understanding.

FEE’S - PAYMENTS (Please send your PAYMENT by March 1, 2010.)

Total Cost of trip - Approx $700.00. St. Joe’s members get reimbursed $200.00 from work camp.
Airfare - Approx $450.00 - payment due March 1, 2010.
Other Prepaid fees - see attached - due May 1, 2010.

SCHEDULE (Please check your availability for each event and advise by Feb. 5, 2010.)

Final YAME Dates - May 26^th, 2010 to Jun 5, 2010!

Feb 4 - Don to purchase Airline Tickets (You are committed for $450.00!)

Feb 5 - Final Leadership/Work Assignments - Don.

Feb 5 - Prepare Agenda for YAME 2010 - Don.

Mar 1 - First Drafts of Plans due from leaders - Leaders.

Mar 1 - Payment of $450.00 due - everyone.

Mar 6 - Start Teleconferences with - groups.

Apr 1 - Final Plans due from - Leaders.

Apr 8 - Meet with Los Toros Leaders - Don.

May 1 - Second Teleconference meetings - All.

May 1 - Second prepayment fee due - everyone.

May 19 - Planning meeting - St. Joes 10:00 AM.

May 22 - Training-Prep meeting - St. Joe’s 10:00 AM

May 23 - Mass of commission - St. Joe’s 10:30 AM.

May 23 - Training - Prep meeting - St. Joe’s - 12:00 PM

May 24 - Training-Prep meeting - St. Joe’s 10:00 AM

May 25 - Training-Prep meeting - St. Joe’s 10:00 AM

May 25 - Supper at Don’s 5:30 PM - Load Vans.

May 26 - 7:00 AM - Depart

YAME UPDATE - NUMERO Cuatro - December 4, 2009

Dates

We are ready to make reservations - here are the dates: Depart May 24, 2010 - Return June 3, 2010.

Because of possible airfare increases we plan to purchase tickets soon and will need your payment for them within 30 days. Fares will be approximately $445.00. Tickets are non-refundable.

Planning - Preparation Meeting

We will meet on December 30th at 6:00 PM at St. Joe's. Supper will be served - bring a dish to share!

YAME UPDATE - NUMERO TRES - October 4, 2009

Photos

We are still looking for updated photos - please see update "dos".

October Trip

Our October trip is just about three weeks away, some have already give us photos, letters and books to take to Los Toros - last call - la ultima llamada! We have a huge agenda for this trip - Oct agenda - and are still adding to it!

Because we will have an English Speaking Mission Experience in October 2010 we are planning on accelerating our English classes and will probably do a special course in January. We are considering using the text - Ingles Para Todos Los Dias - check it out on line and tell me what you think. http://www.amazon.com/Ingles-Todos-Los-Dias-Aprendizaje/dp/0764121219/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_a

Caroline Atwell, a music student at Cardinal Stritch University is planning to join us next May, she will help to organize a music camp that will involve recorder, drums and singing.

By the way, eight adults are studying Spanish on Tuesday evenings at St. Joe's - you would be amazed at their progress!!!!!

Please set aside some time during Christmas break to meet and plan for May 2010. We will take your input along on our January trip and start making arrangements for our May 2010 projects. Check your calendars and advise if December 30th is a good date.

OK, to review you have three things to put on your to do list: updated photo, Check out the book and check your calendar for Dec 30th. Gracias!

P.S. Check out the baseball photos http://www.lostorosmission.com/Photos%20-%20new4.htm and the newsletter\Blog http://lostoros.wordpress.com/ .

YAME UPDATE - NUMERO DOS - September 1, 2009

Photos

Please send me an updated photo for our web page......................................

it should look something like this..............................

Transportation

American Airlines has just announced it will charge $50.00 for the second checked bag going to their Europe and Asia destinations. We are very concerned they will start charging for bags going to Santo Domingo so we will start buying some of the reservations soon. We need about four volunteers to pay for early reservations - about $450.00. This payment will be due around December 1st or January 1st. Please let us know if you can do this.

Solidarity

A good way to demonstrate your solidarity with the people of Los Toros is to sign up for and to read our bi-monthly Los Toros Blog/newsletter. You can sign up on the home page of this web site. To be really honest we will be a bit disappointed if someone volunteers to work in Los Toros but does not show some sort of solidarity with the people who live there! Also be sure to skip down to the Spanish part of the newsletter and read it in Spanish first; a very good way to practice your language skills!

Planning

In about eight weeks some representatives of St. Joe's will be in Los Toros to work and begin planning for May 2010; any last minute ideas? Let us know!

Do It Now!!!!!!!

1. Send your photo!

2. Respond about transportation!

3. Sign up for newsletter!

4. Read newsletter and practice Spanish!

5. Send last minute ideas and cards, letters and photos to your friends in Los Toros!

YAME UPDATE - NUMERO UNO - AUGUST 17, 2010

Thank you! For:

Filling out your application or for those returning, your reservation. We use this information for planning and making reservations, etc.

If you have not done this, please do so - pronto! See link on left!

Thank you also to all those who have taken the time to meet and go over ideas and planning. If you have not done this I will be expecting a phone call from you soon!

Don's contact information; you may have noticed I am changing my email address, because of some Internet spamers (like 20M to 40M per day) (this was not fun - my friends) I had to discontinue contact information on our web pages. If you do not yet have my new email please send an email to my old address, it will be open for just a short time longer. Also, I will be sending all on the YAME email list a message with my phone numbers; because of travel it may be best to try my cell phone to reach me.

Que Pasa Ahora?

We are still taking applications and reservations but hope to cut it off in early November. This will allow us to set up living arrangements in Los Toros during our January trip.

Planning and Goals!

Some participants have already shared their goals - thanks! We will be setting corporate goals during our October-November visit in Los Toros and I will share them with you when we return.

Personal Goals - I strongly encourage each participant to set some personal goals, write them in your journal and start equipping yourself to meet those goals.

Solidarity

One way to establish Solidarity is by keeping up with what's happening in Los Toros. Sign up for the Los Toros Newsletter/Blog on our home page! You can also use this to practice your Spanish - check it out! Why not invite your family and friends to join in with their "solidarity"!

Buena Suerte

To the students in Casa San Jose who start classes today! And to all our participants that are going off to college! Dios Bendiga su trabajo!

Adios - Deacon Don

move to top