President's Message...

I hope you are having a lovely summer, wherever you may be.  Despite the close of the IFC’s formal season at the end of April, we continue our mission.  I hope you enjoy the many updates below.

Great news!  The IFC now has the capability to accept U.S. donations and to issue a U.S. tax receipt.  Work is underway to modify our Donate button to give people the option to contribute via a US 501(c)(3) entity.  For more information, please contact me at president@ifcvallarta.org.

Thanks to all for participating in our annual survey.  We received 250 responses, an incredible uptick from 135 last year and 84 the year before.  These numbers show that our members are engaged.  Your voice counts.  Thank you.

We are an organization that relies upon more than 100 volunteers to do all that we do. Volunteers report that they get personal gratification and meaning and purpose from volunteering.  They contribute to the community and meet new friends.  If you are interested in a role at the IFC, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Deborah Cole,  at volunteers@ifcvallarta.org.   We have a place for you.

The June and August Cleft Palate Clinics are being consolidated into one clinic in August, with two medical teams, one from Guadalajara and one from Puerto Vallarta.  We are beginning slowly to work toward a transition to a Puerto Vallarta based medical team, as our longstanding surgeon, Dr. Ezekial Fuentes, and anesthesiologist, Dr. Llontop, are both 82 years old.  Together with them, we are planning for the future. 

Drs. Fuentes and Llontop started with the IFC Cleft Palate Program 40 years ago when there were no reconstructive or plastic surgeons in Vallarta. Sponsored and paid for by IFC member donations, Home Tours, lectures and classes, and by numerous raffles, silent auctions and special events, their work has changed the lives of many hundreds of children and adults in the Vallarta area.

We expect the medical team transition to occur over the next year or two.  Eventually, we will reduce costs by no longer needing to fly in a medical team from Guadalajara and feed and house them.  We may, however, no longer have volunteer doctors who donate their time completely.  While it is a work in progress, at this time we think it more likely we will be charged “at cost” for the consultations and surgeries.  We will keep you updated as things progress over the next year. We remain as committed as ever to serving the families of Vallarta.

The summer is when many of the teams within the IFC plan for the next season. Among other things:

• The IFC’s first formal Impact Report is in the works, describing how your support impacts families in the Vallarta area.  Keep an eye out for this report that will come via e-mail soon.

• In collaboration with the Vallarta Cultural Center on Isla Cuale, and musician Larry Long, we are planning for a second Festival of Friendship on February 13, 2027, featuring the charitable organizations that receive IFC grants.  A change of location and collaboration with the City and musician Larry Long will enable us to engage more widely in the community and offer more programming.
  

• The IFC Grants Committee is working to modify the IFC grant application for Jalisco-based educational and social service organizations, to simplify the application and make it bilingual.  This Committee is also identifying candidates to serve as committee co-chair along with Linda Sandell.

• The Development Committee, led by Mario Champagne, is developing an endowment and sponsorship program, with the aim to implement before the next season.  If this topic interests you, please contact president@ifcvallarta.org.

• The IFC Future Planning Group, a committee of the IFC Executive Board led by Bert Chase, is conducting interviews to assess the stresses and challenges of running an all-volunteer organization experiencing tremendous growth and renewal.  Since the Covid shutdown in 2020, IFC membership has almost doubled.  Programming both within the Clubhouse and outside has also grown significantly.

One of the benefits of IFC membership is our Member Discount Program.  Our team is constantly scouting for new Preferred Providers throughout the Bay of Banderas to bring you exclusive savings.  For a full list of providers, view our Preferred Provider List. 

New partners are added weekly across Puerto Vallarta--from Zona Romantica and Versalles to Marina Vallarta and beyond:

• Dining & Nightlife: Restaurants, Cafes and Bars
• Entertainment & Leisure: Theaters, Recreation, Tours, Boat Trips, Golf and Beach Clubs
• Health and wellness: Gyms, Spas, Chiropractors and Massage Therapy
• Medical & Dental:  Full professional healthcare and dental services
• Retail Shopping:  Local clothing boutiques and jewelry shops
  

A rare opportunity has arisen to co-chair for the IFC Clubhouse Programming Committee, along with co-chair Stan Wagner.

Work collaboratively with the Clubhouse Programming Committee co-chair and team to help develop, evaluate and support programs and events that inspire, educate, and connect IFC members and friends.  Participate in committee meetings, assist with program planning, and help identify opportunities that align with the IFC's mission and member interests.

This is an ongoing (as opposed to one time) volunteer position for approximately 8 hours/month.

The position should be filled by August 1 to support planning for the upcoming season.

Help shape meaningful programming for the Puerto Vallarta community, build connections with members and volunteers, and contribute to experiences that inspire, educate and bring people together. If interested, please email: .volunteers@ifcvallarta.org