By Susan Page
100 Women Who Care will hold its next meeting on Monday, April 18, at the Rosewood Hotel. This remarkable organization has already raised 3,123,296 pesos –more than US$150,000 for San Miguel de Allende non-profit organizations that support impoverished rural communities in the region.
How we raise the money.
How does 100 Women Who Care raise all this money? Our process could not be simpler. We meet four times a year for one hour each time. Each member, or team of two members, donates 1,000 pesos at each meeting. The names of about twenty NGOs that have been nominated by members are placed in a hat. At each meeting, we draw three organizations from the hat. We hear a short presentation on each of the three organizations, and then we vote. The winning organization then receives the grant of 100,000 pesos or more. In recent meetings, we have been raising more like 120,000 pesos each time!
When we established 1,000 pesos as the base contribution nine years ago, it was the equivalent of US$100. Because of inflation and changing exchange rates, it is now worth about US$50, so we encourage members to contribute 2,000 pesos each time if they are able.
How to join.
We encourage you to join this heartwarming group of women, and please be aware that men are invited to join us as well. All you have to do is show up at a meeting, sign a pledge agreement, and then attend every meeting if you are in town.
Can’t attend the meeting?
If you are not in San Miguel full time, we still welcome you to join! If you know you will be absent for one or more meetings, you are welcome to leave your donation in our locked mailbox several meetings or even a full year in advance. We will divide your contribution up and present 1,000 pesos at each meeting for you. Leave your cash in a sealed envelope with your name and email address clearly printed, addressed to 100 Women Who Care, Box 543, and leave it at the La Conexion location on Ancha de San Antonio. Many members do this, and it works well. If you are a visitor, you are welcome to attend and make a one-time donation.
Especially for men.
Men are welcome to attend meetings, to contribute, and even to become members. We’ve chosen to retain the name of our group because we are loosely affiliated with similar groups in other cities, but we welcome the participation of men.
We invite everyone who cares to attend the meeting on Monday, April 18, at the Rosewood Hotel. We are grateful to the Rosewood for their admirable community spirit in donating the space for our meeting. You are invited to arrive at 3:30pm for no-host cocktails and a chance to mix and mingle. Joining for new members and signing in with your donation begins at 4:30. The meeting will begin promptly at 5:00 and will end by 6:00. Even if you are not sure you want to join, you are invited to the meeting to see us in action.
Meeting
“100 Women Who Care”
Mon, Apr, 18, 3:30pm
Mix and Mingle. 4:30 Sign In, 5:00 Meeting Begins
Rosewood Hotel Ballroom
Nemesio Diez 11
