Punta de Mita, Mexico - A new Peace has been created, Peace Punta de Mita, AC, which began operations on April 1, 2013. The new Peace is transferring some key personnel, and taking over the operations of two of the existing programs and part of a third program from PEACE!Mexico.

PEACE!Mexico is being liquidated due to lack of funds to support both its current programs, and the geographic spread of its operations. There is a significant change in strategic direction and operating philosophy.

Going forward from a much smaller base, the new Peace Punta de Mita AC will build slowly, only initiating new programs or projects or expanding continuing programs after the current operations are well-stabilized and well-funded. Any potential new programs will be rigorously analyzed, and will meet the critical criteria of community need, value, effectiveness, and deliverability before being implemented.

Geography

Programs will now be focused on the Punta de Mita area. This will include the area in and around the two Punta de Mita villages, running north to Higuera Blanca.

Previously, programs operated from Puerto Vallarta (including the south shore,) around the entire Banderas Bay, including Mescales, Bucerias, and La Cruz, and north up the Pacific coast past Sayulita, San Pancho, and beyond to La Penita.

Programs

Programs will now be concentrated in three categories: Health/Lifestyle, Education, and Community Pride.

Operating Committees will manage each of the three program categories. Committee leaders and members will be seasonal and permanent residents from the community. Each Board director will participate on one or more Committees, and the Executive Director will participate on all three.

The Health/Lifestyle Operating Committee, headed by Stan Grad, has been initiated. Committee members include Bob Dahl, Dallas Howe and Rob Ritchie.

The Education and Community Pride Committees are works-in-process.

Some former PEACE!Mexico programs, Animal Clinics (Spay/Neuter) and Recycling, were not transferred to the new Peace and are being offered to other sponsors or NGO’s.

Operations and Governance

Enhanced governance and financial disciplines have been implemented. All financial results will be available to donors on a regular and timely basis. Financial results will be posted quarterly on the website.

The Executive Director is Cecilia ‘Ceci’ Paredes.

The Board of Directors is comprised entirely of Punta de Mita Area homeowners, all with considerable business and board experience: Bob Farquharson - Lagos del Mar; Mary Corroon - Hacienda de Mita; and Peter Newton, chair - Ranchos Estates. Governance guidance will be provided by Charlie Ewell - Pontoque and Hacienda de Mita; and Jay Precourt - Signature Estates.

There will be a continued relationship with PEACEUSA and its re-constituted Board of Directors, where Amy Welch is Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Directors, and Bill Welch provides pro bono fiscal, legal, and accounting services.

US donors to the new AC will continue to be able to process their donations through PEACEUSA. Canadian donors will be able to continue to process their donations through Canadian Children’s Shelter of Hope.

Board Directors and the Operating Committees’ chairs have all pledged financial support in the top four donor categories:

• Patron $20,000+
• Benefactor $15,000-$19,999
• Companion $10,000-$14,999
• Member $5,000-$9,999
• Friend $2,000-$4,999

Activities to Date - Details in summary:

To implement the new strategic direction, operations were reduced to a manageable level and a robust cost reduction plan was implemented.

Former PEACE!Mexico, Proteccion y Educacion de Animales, Cultura y Ecologia, AC, is being liquidated and is not legally associated with the new Peace Punta de Mita, AC.

The seven - four full-time and three part-time - transferred personnel’s expertise matches new program categories. The former PEACE!Mexico had 32 personnel one year ago, and that was reduced to under twenty by January 2013, when programs were cut.

Programs transferred to Peace Punta de Mita, AC, include: the Alternative School for those children who cannot gain admittance to the public schools in the two Punta de Mita villages, Computer Classes for adults and for secondary school students, Action for Food in Punta de Mita and Higuera Blanca.

Programs not transferred include Spay/Neuter, Recycling, and the Action for Food operations outside the focus area of Punta de Mita. These programs are being reviewed for continued operations by other NGO’s and supporters.

Seven families - Precourt, Newton, Farquharson, Ewell, Corroon, Parks, and Welch - after hearing of financial difficulties with the former PEACE!Mexico, formed a group to help PEACE!Mexico with its problems. They provided $80,000 to clear up debts, including those to the tax authority, social services, employees, and professional services. The group provided these funds conditionally, including the requirements to set up a new AC structure and liquidate the former AC.

Next Steps

In the next few months, the Board Directors, Executive Director, and staff of the new AC will be:

• Refine program budgets for transferred programs
• Re-initiating the Action for Food program in Punta de Mita
• Continuing the formation of the Program Operating Committees
• Expanding the Board of Directors
• Completing and distributing the new business plan
• Raising funds to support the new strategic direction

If you would like to get involved or would like additional information, please contact a Board member:

• Mary Corroon - mary(at)corroon.com
• Peter Newton, Chair - cpl_pnewton@magma.ca
• Bob Farquharson - bob.farquharson(at)agf.com
• Ceci Paredes, Executive Director - ceci(at)peacemexico.org