2009 CALA Annual Report

January

CALA co-hosted a “peña” or a community music gathering, along with Centro Hispano and Grace Episcopal Church. This is an opportunity for community members to gather and share songs and make inter-organizational connections among groups in Madison.

Liaison with immigrant workers’ group and support for youth group meeting and film.

Liaison with Venezuela group in Madison working on Sister County project.

February

Co-hosting with Madison-Arcatao Sister City Group of speaker tour on upcoming Salvadoran elections.

Co-hosting of Sweatfree Campus worker tour focusing on a Russell Athletics factory in Honduras.

Co-sponsoring of DASA sister county meeting.

Co-sponsoring with Peregrin Forum of film and presentation on Bolivia.

CALA Board Meeting.

March

Continue music peña at St. Mark’s church in coordination with event on Salvadoran elections.

Co-sponsoring Economic Stimulus Worker Tour, a program about international garment workers and cross-border solidarity.

Co-sponsored film and filmaker discussion with UW and Centro Hispano.

Participate in hosting guest from Venezuela, along with DASA sister county project.

April

Co-hosting author Greg Wilpert speaking on Venezuela.

CALA Board Meeting.

CALA Board member Marc Becker publishes Op-Ed on Cuba.

Planning and organizing for 2009 Fair Trade Holiday Festival.

May

Assisted and co-sponsored fundraisers to support Pastors for Peace caravan.

Presentation at May Day event.

Peña on Mother’s Day.

Continued recruiting and organizing vendors for Fair Trade Holiday Festival.

Co-sponsored presentation of a film and discussion with John Peterson of Hands Off Venezuela.

June

Co-sponsored program on immigration issues around the Mexican border.

Continued fundraising and organizing around Pastors for Peace delegation.

Father’s Day peña at Centro Hispano.

July

CALA Board meeting.

Co-hosted reception/send-off for Cuba caravan and two scholarship recipients supported by CALA.

Continued support for DASA sister city project.

August

Initiated fiscal sponsorship of DESGUA, a group promoting sustainable economic development in Guatemala, assisted in their grant application.

September

Continued recruiting and finalizing of vendors for Fair Trade Holiday Festival

October

Discussions with WISPIRG Fair Trade Student group on their efforts regarding Fair Trade City.

UW class presentation on Fair Trade.

CALA Board meeting.

November

Provide financial support for MEChA delegation to SOA in Georgia.

Final promotional efforts on Fair Trade Holiday Festival

December

12/5 13th Annual Holiday Fair Trade Festival at Monona Terrace. ~3500 shoppers.

12/15 CALA Board meeting.