Description
The following is a list of programs the Association is trying to provide.
Educational Programs: All educational programs will be overseen and/or organized by an Educational Programs Chair who will report to the Board of Directors.
1. Spanish Language Program for English Speaking Adults
This program offers Spanish lessons to adults interested in learning the language. This program will be taught in a curriculum, which consists of Spanish beginning, intermediate and advanced. The purpose of this curriculum is to offer adult students the opportunity to develop and communicate competently in the Spanish language and to develop an appreciation for the culture whose existence revolves around the language. This program emphasizes the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing. An experienced Spanish teacher will teach the different classes offered by this program. The classes will meet twice a week in 90 minute sessions for a period of 10 weeks. This program furthers the goals of the Association because it promotes awareness and understanding of the Spanish language and culture.
2. Programs for Bilingual Children/Parents from Spain
This program will consist of advanced Spanish language studies as well as greater exposure to Spanish culture and customs. Children would have the opportunity to interact both socially and academically with other children who share the same bicultural lives. A native Spaniard will be in charge of this program. The program will be located in a public space, such as community centers. The classes will meet once a week for 90 minute sessions. This program furthers the goals of the Association because it provides cultural, social and educational services for members of the Spanish community.
3. Welcome Program
This program will offer services that will aid both permanent and temporary Spanish-born residents in adapting and integrating into their new community in the United States. This program will consist of a group of volunteers who will be in contact with the Spanish consulate to ensure Spanish-born residents or students will have knowledge of the available support. Services will include help in finding housing, employment and social networking, as well as any other necessary relocation information. The Welcome Program will meet at specified locations on a monthly basis. This will be a free program. This program furthers the goals of the Association because it helps provide a common identity to the Spanish community and enhances integration of the Spanish-American and mainstream American communities.
4. Spanish Extension Program
The Spanish Extension Program will offer services to individuals interested in traveling or relocating to Spain. Services will include: providing advice and information to individuals planning to visit Spain, facilitating student exchange programs, assisting in family home exchange opportunities, and organizing home visits for individuals traveling to Spain. Information will be made available on the Association's website and interested individuals will meet at specified locations on a monthly basis. There is no cost to participate in the Spanish Extension Program. This program furthers the goals of the Association because it enhances mutual understanding and appreciation of the Spanish culture and region.
5. Book Club
A monthly meeting of interested individuals to discuss in Spanish selected Spanish literature. The Book Club will meet in members' homes. There will be no cost to participate in the Book Club. This program furthers the goals of the Association because it promotes awareness and understanding of the Spanish language and culture.
6. Film Club
An irregular outing of interested individuals to attend public screenings of Spanish language films followed by an informal discussion of the films. The Film Club will meet at venues that screen appropriate films. The Film Club furthers the Association's purpose by promoting understanding of the Spanish culture through contemporary film. There will be no cost to participate other than the admission fee charged by the applicable theater.
7. La Guitarra
Classes that provide beginning and intermediate instruction in guitar, with an emphasis on traditional and contemporary Spanish style. A series of 10 classes will be provided by the Association based on interest and participation on a quarterly basis. Classes will meet at the instructor's home or the home of any interested member. Participation will be free to interested members and by donation to non-members. La Guitarra supports the purpose of the Association by fostering skills and understanding in a classic Spanish art form.
8. Cooking Classes
Classes in Spanish cookery reflecting the tastes and styles of the various Spanish autonomies. Cooking classes will be provided once a quarter, based on interest and participation. Cooking classes will meet at the home of the instructor or any interested individual. Cooking classes will further the purpose of the Association by increasing the understanding of a basic element of Spanish culture, its cuisine.
Social Programs: All social programs will be overseen and/or organized by a Social Programs Chair who will report to the Board of Directors.
1. Social Gatherings with Entertainment
Social gatherings will include informal events that bring alive the Spanish culture through arts and entertainment. Examples of such gatherings include informal dinners, flamenco dance instruction, paella parties, Spanish wine tasting, informal Spanish conversation meetings, visiting a Spanish art exposition, and learning about the history and importance of bull fights. The location of each gathering will be determined based on the activities to be involved and the expected participation. This program furthers the goals of the Association because it facilitates cultural, social and education services for the community.
2. Camping
This program will include planned recreational events that will explore the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest with other Spanish families and families interested in Spain. These outdoor excursions will take place during the summer season. This program furthers the goals of the Association because it helps provide a common identity to the local Spanish community.
3. Youth and Adult Sports
The Youth and Adult Sports Program will organize activities for participants and fans of Spain's two most popular pastimes, professional soccer and professional cycling. This program furthers the goals of the Association because it enhances understanding and appreciation of the Spanish culture and helps provide a common identity to the local Spanish community.
4. Youth Day Camps
This program will organize day camps for children of Spanish origin or children wanting to be exposed to the Spanish language, culture and traditions. Sporting, arts and other creative activities will be organized for the youth participants. This program furthers the goals of the Association because it provides a common identity to the Spanish community and facilitates cultural, social and educational services for the youth of the community.
5. Fiestas Españolas
Fiestas Españolas will include a quarterly celebration of traditional Spanish holidays, such as Dia de la Constitution (6 th of December), Dia de San Jose (19 th of March), La Pascua (Easter), Three Kings Festival (January 5) and Mother's Day (5 th Sunday in May). The Fiestas will be held at a public venue at a convenient date close to the actual Spanish celebration date. The Fiestas Españolas will further the purpose of the Association by increasing understanding and appreciation of the Spanish culture.
6. Annual Association Celebration
Each year the Association will host a celebration commemorating the Association, recognizing its Officers and Board of Directors, honoring volunteers, and looking back of the last year's activities and accomplishments. The celebration will be offered to members only and there will be no cost for participation. The Annual Association Celebration will be organized by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors and overseen by the Social Programs Chair. The Annual Association Celebration furthers the goals of the Association because it promotes a common identity to the local Spanish community and those interested in Spain.
7. "Fiesta de España"
The Fiesta de España will be a week long celebration of Spain, with all the Spanish regions represented. During the week the Association will promote and publicize various cultural events, talks, conferences and dinners in the news media and among other organizations. The week will culminate in a party on the weekend. The week long event will be an opportunity to raise funds for the Association and its programs. The Fiesta de España will be organized by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors and overseen by the Social Programs Chair. The Fiesta de Espana furthers the goals of the Association because it provides a common identity to the Spanish community and facilitates cultural, social and educational services related to Spain.
Business Programs : All business programs will be overseen and/or organized by a Business Programs Chair who will report to the Board of Directors.
1. Spanish-Owned Business and Spanish-related Business Meet and Greet
The Business Meet and Greet Program will invite local Spanish-owned and Spanish-related businesses once a quarter to introduce their products and/or services to members of the Association and the community. The Program will promote these businesses while also creating a venue for local business people to network. Each Business Meet and Greet will be held at a public venue and admission to the event will be free. The program furthers the purpose of the Association by strengthening a common identity among the Spanish community, increasing awareness and appreciation for Spanish culture and products, and promoting Spanish-owned and Spanish-related businesses.
2. Puerta de España
The Puerta de España will be week long events that invites Spanish businesses to the Pacific Northwest to introduce Spanish products and technology to the Pacific Northwest. Prior to and throughout the events, the Association will promote and publicize the Puerta de España, conferences and dinners in the news media. The Association will introduce American businesses to the Spanish representatives to form the best professional relationship and network environment. The Puerta de España will be held at a public venue and admission to the event will be free. The program furthers the purpose of the Association by strengthening a common identity among the Spanish community, increasing awareness and appreciation for Spanish culture and products, and promoting Spanish-owned and Spanish-related businesses.
