The 3-day state board meeting ended this noon with a lot accomplished. As International Affairs Officer, I'm thrilled to see the general membership beginning to show more interest in our international efforts. I'm especially impressed with a couple of our branches. Members of the Tyler branch who did a super job of hosting a week-long delegation of Russian professional women and the Reynosa branch whose members have set a watermark that may be especially hard to match. For any geographically-impaired folks, Reynosa is located across the Rio Grande (Río Bravo) from McAllen, Texas. About six miles, I'm told. As our McAllen members became more involved with the Reynosa branch, they discovered members in Reynosa are feeding breakfast and lunch to elementary children in their area (no free such program there), volunteering at a local health clinic, developing cultural events with their local Lions club, and even hosting their own weekly radio show.

One Reynosa member's husband is a physician who treats those working in the maquiladoras. I understand he has many stories to tell. State Prez and I plan to go visit this group in April to help celebrate the upcoming anniversary of their founding and are excited to have the invitation.

Note: For all who have difficulty getting folks to committee meetings and the like, take note: their monthly meetings begin around 7 PM and end sometimes as late as 2 AM with a packed room of enthusiastic members. Every month. Perhaps it's just where your passion is? I just wish it was contagious!