Nov 5th., 2008

NABO MEETING/CONVENTION

August 30, 2008

Chino Fairground

Chino, CA

President Mary Gaztambide called the NABO meeting to order at 8:40 a.m. She welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming to the NABO convention. She asked for all proxies to given to the secretary. After which she called for a roll call of those present. The following delegates, guests, and chairpersons were present: 

Alkartasuna Basque Club      Martin Goicoechea

Anaitesuna Basque Club      Gina Espinal

Basque Educational Organization    Maitexa Cuburu

                                            Yvonne Hauscarriague

Basque Club of Utah      Nancy J Trevino

                                            Jean Gaztambide

Basque Museum & Cultural Center    Patty Miller

Big Horn Basque Club      Kirstie Auzqui

J. Philip Harriet

Boise Euzkaldunak, Inc.      Ysabel Bilbao

Ricardo Yanci

Cenarrusa Foundation for Basque Studies Miren Artiach

Gloria Totoricaguena

Center for Basque Studies     Kate Camino

Chino Basque Club      John Ysursa

Aline B Anema

Elko Basque Club       Anita Anacabe Franzoia            Jess Lopategui

Euskal Lagunak-Mountain Home B. C.   Joe Lasuen

Fresno Basque Club      Josephine Arriet

Tony Campos

Gooding Basque Assoc.      Phil Sarasqueta

Iparreko Ibarra-Northern Valley B.C.    Noel Goyhenetche

Mendiko Euskaldun Club      Teresa Fernandez

Becky Sarratea-Murphy

Oinkari Dancers       Delfina Krakau

P.J. Mansisidor

Ontario Basque Club      Grace Mainvil

Lisa Corcostegui

San Francisco Basque Club     Valerie Arrechea

Jean Pierre Elissetche

San Francisco Basque Cultural Center    Stephanie Oroz

Idoya S Urruty

Santa Rosa Basque Club      Delfina Krakau

Seattle Euskal Etxea      Antoinette Sabarots-Etulain

Southern California Basque Club    Mike Aguerre

Ventura Basque Club      Jose L Urrutia

Zazpiak Bat Basque Society, Vancouver, Canada Elena Sommer 

President – Mary Gaztambide

V-President – Pierre Etcharren

Treasurer – Grace Mainvil

Secretary – Nancy J Trevino

NABO Facilitator – John Ysursa

Euskara Coordinator – Izaskun Kortazae 

Calendars – Mary Lou Urrutia, Excused

Video – Jesus Pedroarena, Excused

Euskara–Martin Goicoechea

Udaleku – Valerie Etcharren Arrechea

Mus–Pierre Etcharren

Pelota – Evelyne Garat

Aurrera Goaz - No Chairperson

History – Argitxu Camus Etchecopar, Excused

Josu Legarreta, Director of Diaspora Relations-Basque Government

Joseba Arregi, Basque Government

Aitor Sotes, Delegate of the Basque Government to the United States

Aita Martxel Tillous, Basque Chaplain

John Mainvil, Ontario Basque Club

Victor Esain, Fresno Basque Club

Xabier Berrueta, U.S. Federation of Pelota

Enrike Corcostegui, Ontario, OR

Florence Etchegoyen, Fresno CA

Joseba Etxarri, Euskalkultura.com

Rosa Totorica, Eusko Sare

Inaki Goiuoetxeta

Joseba Aurrtuoetxea

The following proxies were submitted:

Big Horn Basque Club/Alberta Escoz to J.Philip Harriet

Elko Euzkaldunak Basque Club/Robert Echeverria to Anita Anacabe Franzoia

Euskal Lagunak-Mountain Home B. C./Ramona Larrea to Joe Lasuen

Santa Rosa Basque Club/Susan Gavica to Defina Krakau

Seattle Euskal Etxea/Danielle Brock to Antoinette Sabarots-Etulain

Welcome

After the roll call, Mary introduced the President of the Chino Basque Club, Jon Barcelona. John welcomed the NABO delegates, the delegates from the Basque Government and all others guests to Chino and to the 2008 NABO Convention. He also announced the events of the weekend, which on Saturday, includes a Delegate’s lunch, pelota games, with international pelota player, a dinner with the singing group NOKA providing the entertainment, followed by a Tribute to Klika in America. After the Klika tribute a dance will be held with musicians from the Basque Country. Sunday would start with Mass given by Aita Martxel Tillous. Following Mass, dance groups will perform, musicians will play and food will be served. 

There were no corrections to the minutes. A motion was made to accept the minutes. The motion was approved.

Grace Mainvil provided a copy of a detailed treasurer’s report to all delegates. Grace asked the delegates to review the report during the meeting. Questions and discussion would take place at the end of the meeting.

No upcoming events

Report of Josu Legarreta, Director of relations with the Diaspora, thanked the delegates for allowing him to speak at the meeting. He spoke of the Basque photograph exhibition of Baserria (Basque farmhouses) and Basque musical instruments, which are on display at the meeting. The photographs represent Baserria from 94 towns/villages from all seven providences on both the north and south sides of the Basque Country. There are 58 Basque musical instruments. There is a brochure for both the Baserris and the Basque musical instruments. The photograph display has been given to NABO and they will travel to the different NABO clubs so others will see them.

Next he touched on some of the projects to follow up on the initiatives that NABO proposed at the 2007 Basque Congress. Fifty four initiatives were approved by delegates at the Congress. Many of the initiatives made a point to collect information on Basques in the world and their experiences and histories. The Basque Government wants gather information about American Basques experiences. They also want to know what American Basque says about other Basques in the world. Another initiative is to push forward to help to all clubs to have greater access to the internet. Many of the clubs do not their own websites. The Basque Government wants to create a digitized database of periodicals in the Americans with Basque References. They want to put pictures of Basque Americans and pictures of all their activities. They also want to gather oral interviews with American Basques so they can be added to their sites. The sites would belong to the NABO Clubs.

The idea of how to collect all this information is to have our own people collect the information. One of the ways this could happen is to have the goal of the 2009 Gaztemundu be to have students come over to the Basque Country and learn how to become communicators for their clubs and then continue to collect information and add it to WEB during the next year.

So the question to NABO is can the Basque Government require the applicants, before they are approved to go to the Gaztemundu for fifteen day in the Basque Country and have everything paid by the Basque Government to: 1) put together a book that has 200 pictures in it and information about their Basque clubs and members, 2) learn how to put the information on the web at Gaztemundu and 3) commit to work on adding information to the web space for the next year?.

The goal for the 2011 congress is to have five hundred thousand pieces of information on the web about the Basques in American. They want the people of the world to know the Basque American and the Basque Government will support this effort for the next three or four years. Josu wants to thank the American Basque Sheepherders for giving their permission to put their information and stories on the web.    

Elena Sommer, President of the Zazpiak Bat Basque Society of Vancouver, British Columbia Canada submitted a Letter of Introduction, proof of registration with the Basque Autonomous Government of Euskadi and a bid for membership to NABO.

Elena introduced Zazpiak Bat Basque Society of Vancouver Canada as a club that was organized in 1995 as a non-profit, non-political group based on educating its members of their heritage and culture thru recreational and social activities with other Euskal Etxeak around the world in union with programs offered by the Basque Government in Euskadi

Mary asked Pierre Etcharren, Kate Camino, Xabier Berrueta, Anita Anacabe Franzoia and Lisa Corcostegui to form a Membership Committee and to review Vancouver Canada’s bid for membership.    

KIROL (Sport)

Volunteer/Advisory members: Evelyne Garat, (Pilota chairperson); Xabier Berrueta; Recording Secretary: John M. Ysursa, NABO Facilitator

Pilota -- 2008 Goals:

Evelyne Garat reported that early in August, she held a phone conference and invited the club involved in Pilota to attend. Her report comes from the phone conference.

The San Francisco Basque Club hosted a Pilota Invitational in February, 2008 in conjunction with their Anniversary Celebration. It focused on Paleta Cuero and Women’s Baleen. They invited teams from Argentina, Venezuela and Mexico and had their guest player’s play with their local players to form mixed teams. They also had Gazteak/Youth games with Bakersfield and San Francisco. Unfortunately Chino was unable to attend.

There were two exhibition Esku/handball games during the Elko Festival in July with players from Boise and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Boise Started a new group called Eusko Kirolak who focuses on Basque Sports (Pilota, Weight Lifting, Wood Chopping and Soka Tira). Eusko Kirolak hosted the Boise Paleta Invitational during the Boise San Inazio Festival. This tournament was a great success and it promoted Pilota amongst the kids and women and brought the clubs involved closer together. They plan to do it again next year.

The 2008 Euskal Pilota Trinkete Txapelketa, sponsored by the World Pilota Council is currently going on in Santiago, Chile. This year there are nine countries participating and NABO has three players and one coach representing us. The tournaments are being held in a Trinquet and Evelyne would like to thank Xabier Aphessetche for allowing the NABO team to train in his Trinquet. The 2009 tournament is being held next September in Bilbao. Evelyne is hoping to get more players involved next year. It is a great opportunity for our players and airfare, lodging and meals are paid by the World Pilota Council for each participant we send.

The 2008 NABOko Pilota Txapelketa is being hosted by the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center in conjunction with their Jaialdia Festival on September 12th -14th. Players will be representing the SF Basque Cultural Center, The Boise Fronton Association, the Chino Basque Club, the Fresno Basque Club and the Kern County Basque Club. They will be competing in Esku/Handball (singles, Doubles Class A, Class B and Youth), Men’s Paleta Goma (Class A, Class B & Veteran’s) and for the first time Women’s Baleen and Women’s Paleta Goma.

Check the NABO Pilota website for updates and photos.     

GAZTEAK: Youth Focus/Advisory Group

Volunteer/Advisory members: Valerie Etcharren Arrechea (San Francisco); Amaya Ingram (Boise); Maite Maisterrena (Chino); Lisa Corcostegui (Reno); John Ysursa – Recording Secretary

Udaleku

Valerie Etcharren Arrechea reported that this year’s Udaleku was held in Buffalo, WY on June 15 through 27. Valerie asked the camp director, Kate Camino to give an overview of the camp.

Kate reported that Udaleku ran very smoothly and they did have any problems. Buffalo had a very successful camp this year with 43 students, 6 instructors and 3 aids. The kids that were at Udaleku were great, as were the many buffalo members that helped put it on. One of the main focuses of Udaleku was on the sheep experience. In addition to these activities they will be swimming, movies and a rodeo.

The instructors, which were The Udaleku instructors were: Kate Camino, Jexux Larrea, Eneko Mujika, Joseba Etxarri and Lisa Corcostegui. Three of the teachers were from the Basque Country for txistu, dance and Euskara. And they did a wonderful job of teaching. The Aids were also great. They were Marty Camino, Elisa Etchemendy and Marcel Gaztambide. Dance focused on the dances from the province of Gipuzkoa.

The Basque Government helped Udaleku bring the professional txistu instructor over for Udaleku as well as the dance and Euskara instructors. One major step forward for Udaleku was having a professional txistu teacher at the camp. Eneko, the Instructor, was able to apply a new method of teaching that was very successful.

Lisa Corcostegui put together a great video of the Buffalo Udaleku and it was shown to the delegates.

Valerie thanked all those that help with the camp. She announced that Bighorn Basque Club had donated the cost of all the food and drink, which amounted to approximately $11,500.00. The txistu teacher’s plane ticket was donated by the Basque Government. And San Francisco Basque Club donated $1000.00 to this year’s Udaleku. Because of the generous donations received, the ending profit and loss for the camp shows a loss of $402.72. This is much less than the anticipated loss of $3,600.00

The 2009 Udaleku will be hosted by the Chino Basque Club. The camp will be held from June 21st to June 3rd. Applications will be on the web in January or February of 2009. There is a May 1, 2009 deadline for submitting 2009 Udaleku application.

The Dance focus for 2009 will be on the provinces of Navarra and Alava. Valerie is hopeful that the Txistu Instructor will be able to come back in 2009 to teach Txistu.

Valerie mentioned that in the past when Udaleku has been hosted by Chino the application fee has gone up by $50.00 to cover the expense of taking the kids to a theme park, such as Disneyland. The participant is responsible for their travel expenses and for spending money. Valerie motioned that the per participant cost of Udaleku go up from $250.00 to $300.00 for the Chino Udaleku. The motion was seconded. After some discussion the motion was restated and put to the vote. The motion passed. The cost of Udaleku for the 2009 participants will be $300.00.

Some items that were brought up in the discussion were:

If the cost of participation keeps going up, it may limit the students that can go to Udaleku because their parents cannot afford to send them. This is especially true for families that have more than one or two students going to Udaleku.

It is sometimes very expensive for the parents to get the students to the Udaleku location. The travel expense and the cost of participation often add up to more than parents can afford.

It is very expensive to put on an Udaleku and the participation fee does not even come close to paying for the Udaleku. It would great if NABO could budget for the actual cost of putting an Udaleku but for now Udaleku relies on the hosting clubs and others to donate money.

Many Clubs cannot afford to host Udaleku because of the cost associated with it. There are not many clubs that can donate all the food for Udaleku.

It was suggested that NABO create a scholarship program for participants that could not afford to pay the fees.

Clubs that cannot afford to put on an Udaleku are encouraged to donate to the Udaleku fund.

Xiberoa 2009

As reported in the past few meetings, the exchange with Xiberoa will take place in 2009. Fifteen Americans will go over for two weeks in June/July and the students’ ages 16 to 18, from Xiberoa will come to California in August to both San Francisco and Chino picnic. The students going on this exchange will be expected to develop an email relationship before they go to Xiberoa. Valarie is planning to have a meeting with the dance groups that are in Chino this weekend and explain

Txistu

Valerie is going to follow up with Eneko to see how we can continue the good work he started at Udaleku. Ideally, the Txisularis would be able to use the internet to learn the same pieces and perform at NABO conventions and Kantari Eguna. The program is on track and she hopes to start taking names of participant soon. More information will follow at the next meeting.

Gaztealde:

This year’s Gaztealde did not happen because there was only on applicant for the 16 to 20 years old. Antoinette Sabarots is planning the Gaztealde for 2009. It will be held in Seattle, WA on July 11th to the 18th. Gaztealde will held at Fort Worden State Park. The park rests on a high bluff overlooking Puget Sound. They will stay in a big house in the Park. There are many activities that will available at this location, such as canoeing, tennis, swimming

It has been recommended that they do really master dance technique but also be mindful of those that would need some basic dance training. They are hoping to have a master Txisulari.

The application will be on-line in January along with more information. They do not know the application fee yet.

Trip to Basque Country for

Anita Anacabe Franzoia is trying to organize a trip to the Basque Country for your kids. The age of the group would probably be for teenagers and older. She is hoping that the trip will cost about $3,000.00. It covers Airfare, hotels, two meals a day, a tour guide and a bus. She hopes to organize the tour so that they would go to a different Basque town most days. The tour would start after the 4th of July. They would like to be there for July 7th. She hopes there would about 40 participants and they would go through EF Tours. There is also a need for group leader to go with the groups. If you would like to be group leader please contact Anita. 

DANTZA & MUSIKA: Dance & Music Focus/Advisory Group

Volunteer/Advisory members: Jill Aldape (Boise); Valerie Etcharren Arrechea (San Fran); Lisa Corcostegui (Reno); Jean Flesher (SLC); Annie Gavica (Boise); Molly (Jauregui) Hill (Battle Mountain); Patxi Kerns (Boise); John Krakau (Boise); John Ysursa – Recording Secretary

John Ysursa reported that all the Focus Groups are open. If you want to get involved in them, just let John know. The focus group put together a Dance Instructor Workshops to teach instructor how to teach dance.

Instructors Workshop

The highlights for Dantza and Musika Focus Group are that NABO was able to bring over two dance instructors, Ane Albisu and Inaki Arregi, from the Basque Country for the Dance Instructor Workshop. Jexux Larrea was still here from his time with Udaleku. They spent several days in San Francisco and several days in Boise. The Dance instruction focused on the dances from the province of Gipuzkoa. Thanks goes to Jill Aldape (Boise); Valerie Etcharren Arrechea (San Fran); Lisa Corcostegui (Reno) for organizing it.

A suggestion was made that instead of doing the Instructor’ workshop in the summer when people are busy, do it in the winter. So the focus group is hoping to teach methods for the fandango & arin-arin (Jota & Porrusalda) for instructors & advanced dancers. Once again, the plan is to do several workshops in different cities. They will send out more information as soon as something has been organized. Note: this is contingent on Basque Government support.

For the on-line music and dance video, the plan is to make material from the just completed workshops available on-line. In addition to what NABO has on-line for Dance and Music, we are also going to use what the Basque Government has online.

NABO wants to thank the four dance groups that came to Chino to perform at the NABO National Convention. Those groups are from Salt Lake City UT, San Francisco, CA, Bakersfield, CA, and Los Banos, CA and of course thanks goes to the Chino, CA Dance group.

Tonight NABO will present “Klika in America”. The first ever tribute to the Klika players in America.  

EUSKARA/KANTAK/MUS: Focus/Advisory Group

Volunteer/Advisory members: Martin Goicoechea (Rock Springs), Pierre Etcharren (San Francisco), Gina Gridley (Mountain Home), Gloria Lejardi (Homedale), Begona Echeverria (Chino

Katari Eguna

Noel Goyhenetche, President of the Northern Valley Basque Club in Rocklin announced that Katari Eguna will be held in Rockland on October 11, 2008. Not only will they host Katari Eguna but they will also have a Mus Tournament in the morning and a Dinner Dance in the evening. They will also have a dance group from San Francisco as well as their own dance group perform. Everyone is welcome so please come.

Senior Mus

Pierre Etcharren reported that this year’s NABO Mus tournament was held in Chino, CA on Saturday, May 31, 2008. Thirty eight teams participated. The winners were: Manolo Villanueva and Tony Vitoria representing the Chino Basque Club. Second Place winners were: Tony Espinal and Cecilio Echamendi.

The Tournament went very smoothly. The amended rules were well accepted. Pierre was assisted by Victor Esain and Jean Baptiste Bidegaray from Fresno and Marie Jeanne Alfaro from Los Banos. Thanks goes to the Chino Basque Club for their hospitality proving us with the center to play in and all the food and drink throughout the day. The 2009 Tournament will be held in Chino again since the winners were from Chino.

The International Mus Tournament in Barcelona, Spain will be held from September 6, 2008 until September 13, 2008. As Victor and I are unable to attend, we assigned Tony Espinal to be the NABO Mus delegate. Tony is originally from Navarra and was a NABO delegate for Anaitasuna. He is Past President of Anaitasuna, and present Vice President of the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center. Tony participates every year at the local Mus tournaments and has been a winner on two different occasions of the NABO Tournament. This year he was a second place winner. He has also attended several International Tournaments.

The expense for the participants is:

3 airline tickets to Barcelona, Spain …………….…$3,662.40

Participating fee…………………………………… $1,000.00

Gifts to hosting club and players…………………...$ 700.00 (approximately)

Total………. $5,300.00 (approximately)

The NABO Mus Cards are at the printing stage now. They may be available for the Reno meeting. They had to change the backs of the cards so that the design was the same if the cards were turned up or down. The cards had to be designed by a graph design artist and so Stella Arambel did the design. A motion was made was made to give her $100.00 for her help.

Gina Espinal mentioned that NABO talked about using the cards as a fund raiser for Udaleku, dancers or something else. Pierre suggested that the card be sold to the club for cost about $2.50 a pack. Then the clubs can sell them for $5.00 and do whatever they want with the money.

NABO is committed to organize the 2011 International Mus Tournament in the US. The Chino Basque Club had volunteered to host the 2011 International Mus Tournament. It will be held in September but we do not have exact date. They will let NABO know when a date is set.

Junior Mus

Gina Espinal reported on the Jr. Mus Tournament that would be held here in Chino as part of the NABO Convention. Gina said that this year we have a record number of team participating in the Tournament. There are six different teams that will participate in today’s tournament. Gina also mentioned that she has been approached by two other teams that said they will definitely have a Jr. Mus Tournaments at the club level this next year. The next Jr. Mus Tournament will be held at the Reno Convention.

Euskara

Marin Goicoechea started by stating that Euskara is the roots to our culture and we need to do everything possible to preserve our language and culture. With this goal in mind, NABO has created a Euskara Coordinator Position. (HABE financially provided the means to keep one person working part-time over the next four years. The current request is at 5 hours a week to begin, across the whole year. The payment basis is: 5 hrs x 50 weeks for $6,000 a year.)

Martin introduced Izaskun Kortazar as the new Euskara Coordinator for NABO.

He also mentioned that Izaskun is very qualified and excited for this position but she cannot do it all by herself. She is here to help all the clubs that need her to help those who need to get started. The clubs need to bring the students together and get them excited about learning Euskara.

Izaskun then spoke about her goals as the Euskara Coordinator. Her goals are to teach more people in the USA and Canada to speak Euskara and to get those that already speak Euskara to speak it more.

Her other goals are to:

• Increase the number of students
• Have at least two Euskara instructors per club.
• Teach Euskara via the internet to those that want to become instructors
• Train new instructors to teach Euskara
• Start Euskara classes in places where they do not currently have classes
• Start Euskara classes in 2008 & 2009 in all clubs that have not already started classes
• Sustain our current volunteers Euskara instructor with regular workshops and learning materials for use in the classes
• To offer a Basque translation system to the Basque Centers to help translate portions of our websites, newsletters, meetings, festivals and other things into the Basque language so that it becomes more visible to our membership and community.

Martin ended his report by thanking Izaskun, John Ysursa and the Basque Government for helping to make all this possible.  

JAKINARAZI: Education & Communication (News, Websites, Media)

Volunteer/Advisory members: Gina Gridley (Mtn. Home); Ricardo Yanci (Boise); John Bieter (Boise); Xabier Berrueta ( San Francisco); Michael Matassa (Denver); Izaskun Urien ( Washington D.C.); Philippe Acheritogary (San Francisco); Nicole Hauscarriage ( San Francisco); Aitor Sotes (Basque Government Delegate) John Ysursa – Recording Secretary

Video

Jesus Pedroarena was not able to attend so Mary Gaztambide read his report:

JumpTV removed Canal Vasco TV from its lineup of channels, some time ago, for lack of enough viewers.

Canal Vasco TV is available from the EITB website, www.eitb.com with slightly less image quality.

There has been no video or CD/DVD activity at this time.

Calendar

Mary Lou Urrutia was not able to attend so Mary Gaztambide read her report. Marylou reported that this year’s calendars would be available at the November meeting in Reno.

History:

Argitxu Camus Etchecopar could not be at the meeting. She is still interested in serving as the History Chair.

Aurrera Goaz:

NABO needs a new chair of Aurrera Goaz. If anyone is interested in becoming a chair of this committee, please contact Mary Gaztambide.

NABO Facilitator Report

The NABO Facilitator John Ysursa welcomed and gave the contact information for the new NABO Euskara Coordinator, Izaskun Kortazar. She can be reached at [email protected] or at 208 891-2679 (cell).

John then explained what NABO initial objectives for this position are:

1.BOGA coordinator. Serve as the national BOGA instructor; i.e., this person will take on part of the teaching load for each student which will then free up our local instructors for conversation classes

2. Support for current Euskara instructors, including organization of annual workshop.

3. Creation of a new team of future teachers that will be developed with HABE's assistance.

4. Formulation of a short & long term plan for Euskara instruction & promotion.

5. Survey: Galdetegia

Then as time allows other possible initiatives include:

1. Creation of material for kids to learn Euskara
2. Ongoing creation of material for conversation classes linked with

Euskara levels in BOGA

1. Continue posting of instructional material on the NABO website that will serve as a starting point for reference and guidance for Basque language learning. Includes a resource center for language teaching lessons plans, etc.
2. Coordinate an ongoing Euskara promotion campaign; i.e., keep the language visible and viable.
3. Coordinate an annual Euskara event at a NABO event; e.g., Song concert, bertsolari dinner, etc.
4. Assist with annual local events to promote the language
5. Answers to NABO & its delegates directly and indirectly to HABE.

“ZATOZ”: John explained that NABO is continuing its development of Zatoz which means “Come Along”- the call of our generation. Somehow, someway, Basques found a way to keep "Basqueness" alive for millennia. It is the call of this generation not to break that chain and to find ways today to raise awareness of "Basqueness" across the generations. One of the challenges that confronts those who wish to see “Basqueness” endure is the fact of that most have only a limited understanding of Basque culture and identity.

NABO hopes that the clubs/organizations will be part of developing resources and opportunities that could educate Basques so they know what it means to be Basque. This is especially important for the young Basques, so they will want to know how to be Basque and how to continue to preserve their Basque culture and identity. So how do we do this?

Part one is a suggestion to put together a three part introductory booklet that explains what it means to be Basque and would provide references for the reader to pursue greater depth and online links.

Part two is a program where Basque Country two young adults (age 21or older) apply to a program where the Directorate of Relations with Basque Communities prepares them in a program. This preparation will makes them able to present a one week selection of classes geared to both children and adults. The team of probably two would spend one week in a host community then move to the next, covering 4 to 6 communities during the summer.

Morning sessions would be geared more to children and the later afternoon would be for both the young and old. They could include teaching dances, watching a Basque film and having it explained, cooking classes Euskara introductions, etc.

John needs to know probably by November which clubs would want to host two young adults for a maximum of one week for this program. The clubs would probably need to arrange for their travel to their next destination. The hope is to have them visit all five NABO regions. And clubs that are close together could even plan to hold some events together if it were convenient or they could split the week between two clubs. More will be discuss at the next meeting.

Part three would consist of something visual like showing the Photo exhibits or the Kantuketan exhibit.

Parts 1-3 are just the beginning since there are many other ways to communicate Basque culture and identity.

Those that are interested in becoming a member of the ZATOZ Focus/Advisory Group please let John Ysursa know that you want to be a member. Also if you want to be a part of the group putting the resource book together, let him know.

John put out the question: “Why is Basque Clubs membership shrinking?

The next meeting will be in Reno, NV on November 8th. More information will be available in October.

DIRUA: Finances Focus budgeting, B.G. grant requests, etc:

Coordinator/Spokes Person: Grace Mainvil (NABO Treasurer)

Volunteer/Advisory members: Amaya Michelena (Seattle); Bob Echeverria (Elko), Joe Lausen

(Mountain Home) John Ysursa – Recording Secretary.

Treasurer’s Report

Grace gave a detailed reviewed the Treasurer’s Reports and answer all questions. Grace mentioned that only one club involved in pelota has not paid the fees and she has notified them. The Mus account always looks like it has a lot of money but Grace explained, that the money in the account is going to be used when NABO hosts the International Mus Tournament in 2011. She mentioned that the she did not have the final expenses for Udaleku 2008. Valerie Etcharren Arrechea mentioned that the Udaleku Account may be in the red once all the bills come in for Udaleku in the next few weeks. Grace noted that the Buffalo Big Horn Basque Club donation of $11,505.00 to Udaleku was listed in the note on the Treasurer’s Report, as was the $1,000.00 donation to Udaleku from the San Francisco Basque Club. There was also two memorial donations made to the Jean Leon Iribarren Memorial Fund Account.

Included with the Treasurer’s Report was a list of NABO equipment inventory list and a list of books, cassettes, album and videos. Valerie Etcharren Arrechea has a few txistu from the Basque Country that she is selling for NABO. They cost $250.00 and will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

At the end of her report, Grace introduced Miren Artiach, the first NABO secretary in 1973 is in attendance at our meeting today. She was the NABO Secretary in 1973.

Josephine Arriet motioned that the financial report as presented be accepted. There was a second and the minutes were approved.

John Ysursa mentioned that if any on the delegates are interested in the grants they are welcome to join the DIRUA group. The Volunteer/Advisory members are the oversight committee and know the intricacies’ on grants. In fact John encourages the delegates to join any of focus group and to be part of the decision making.

John also mentioned that on Sunday, when the events start the goal is to keep NABO visible at all times. He also reminded the delegates that Francois Pedeflous and Jean Leon Iribarren families would be receiving the Bizi Emankorra Award to honor them for their service to NABO and for promoting their Basque heritage. The awards are to be presented on the Sunday.

John noted that two brochures had been given to the delegates. One is for the Euskal Herriko Baserria’s (Basque Farm Houses) Photo Display and the other one is for the Soinu-Tresnak Euskal Herri Musikan Argazki Erakusketa (Instruments in Basque Traditional Music Photographic Exhibition). These two sets of photo displays and the brochures were given to NABO by the Basque Government. The hope is that they will be on display at all the NABO Conventions. 

Vancouver Canada’s Bid for Membership

Anita Anacabe Franzoia reported on the Membership Committee’s findings from their review of Vancouver Canada’s bid for membership. The club was organized in 1995 as a non-profit, non-political group based on educating it’s members of their heritage and culture thru recreational and social activities with other Euskal Etxeak around the world in union with programs offered by the Basque Government in Euskadi They are registered by the Basque Government. The Club holds meeting, has yearly festivals, Mus tournaments and concerts. The Membership Committee recommends that NABO accepts the Zazpiak Bat Basque Society of Vancouver British Columbia Canada as a member of NABO.

Anita made a motion to accept the Zazpiak Bat Basque Society of Vancouver British Columbia Canada as a member of NABO. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Elena Sommer, President of the Zazpiak Bat Basque Society of Vancouver, British Columbia Canada thanked the Membership Committee and NABO and said that they are very happy to be a member of NABO. And they look forward to working with everyone.

Joseba Etxarri on Basque Heritage.com

Joseba Etxarri from EuskalKultura.com and BasqueHeritage.com reported that after his presentation in Salt Lake City, BasqueHeritage.com received many stories from Basque with information on what was happening in their families, in their clubs and in their communities. They want to thank those that have sent information and pictures to them. These stories have been read by many Basques all over the world.

They hope that Basque from all over the world will continue to contribute to the legacy of the BasqueHeritage.com. They want to know what you are doing. They want news, videos and information because this information keeps our Basque heritage alive. They are also able to sent congratulations out from you to anyone. So please keep sending the notices to them. The stories Basque send in will be put on the Basque heritage website so that Basques from other places can see them. Their website address is http://basqueheritage.com/.

Declaration Proposal

John Ysursa reported that NABO has been contacted to see if we would like to join with other organizations in the Basque Diaspora in issuing this declaration. He explained that each club/organization can take it own position on this, but the issue here is what is NABO’s position?

And before John reads the following context of the proposal it is important for NABO delegates to be aware that this request does not come from the Basque Government and they had nothing to do with this Declaration.   

 The “Ibarretxe Plan (so named for the Lehendakari or President of the Autonomous Basque Government of Euskadi that encompasses the three historical regions of Araba, Bizkaia & Gipuzkoa) calls for a plebiscite on October 25, 2008 to solicit the response from inhabitants of this region to:

     Do you agree to support a negotiated end to violence, if ETA delivers unequivocally its wish to put an end to violence once and for all: Yes or No?

    Do you agree to the initiation by all Basque political parties, without exclusions, of a negotiation process to reach a Democratic Agreement on the right of the Basque People to decide their own future, and to the holding of a Referendum on the aforementioned Agreement before the end of 2010: Yes or No? 

John Ysursa made this motion “Does NABO want to join the other organizations in the Basque Diaspora in issuing this declaration?”

This declaration comes from FEVA, the Federation of Basque Clubs in Argentina and they are geared up to want to issue this even if they are the only ones that want to deliver it to the Spanish Government.

John explained that the motion on the floor has not been seconded. He is going to read the declaration, and then if no one wants to second the motion, it dies right there. If it is seconded, discussion will follow. John will read the declaration as it was translated into English:

“Faced with the suspension by the Spanish government of the Law on Citizenship Consultation approved by the Basque Parliament on June 27, 2008, the institution that represent the Basque Diaspora in the Americas organized wish to publish the following considerations:

Civil society has played in recent decades a leading role in the fight against violence and in defense of dialogue without exclusions as a way to open a peace process and political normalization in the Basque Country. It is an indispensable asset available to the Basque People to build a better future.

Citizen participation in political life is a global phenomenon that has also been incorporated into the construction of peace, so nobody should oppose the pursuits of a principle so basic in the Basque Country. In this connection, he recalled that the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has identified the need to enhance political dialogue with the view of the public on those issues that most affect them. 

The alleged supposedly existing limits on the legality and Spanish that is claimed would prevent consult the will of the Basques, they are indefensible in a democracy to an international trend which, as previously exposed, no one questioned, especially when the Government speaks Spanish with ETA while simultaneously and systematically refuses to do with democratic institutions Basque.

In a historic moment in which modern societies seek to deepen democracy, it is difficult to oppose placing people at the centre of political activity. There is no greater contribution to a new democratic political culture more fully aware that directly and consistently the view of his citizenship.

The Basque Country is one of the oldest in Europe. It is a village of age with its own identity and as such has the right to be consulted to determine their own future. In the twenty-first century projects, coexistence among people should not arise from the imposition but from self accession embodied in pacts to take into consideration the views of the public, freely and democratically expressed.

The Basques Diaspora wants a new agreement among all the political sensitivities of the country without anyone having the right to veto. If certain political groups systematically refuse to talk, it is necessary to call on the people and implement the basic principles of democracy.

Accordingly, the signature do our public support for more enthusiastic and determined that pursuant to the Act enacted by the Basque parliament and in accordance with the terms of the same. . .

After John read the FEVA Declaration/proposal, he explained that NABO is hoping to send a delegation down to Argentina to follow up with what they started with FEVA last year. Last year NABO entered in with FEVA in hope of trying to do more things with the Diaspora. And at present we have a vertical relationship between NABO, FEVA and the Basque Government. Now that Vancouver has join NABO, this is the first time in 35 years that we have started to move not just move vertical but horizontally. 

John then made this motion to be voted on before the FEVA proposal motion is voted on: “With the NABO delegates’ approval and with a condition of having the funding, does NABO want to send a delegation of three people down to Argentina to follow up with on five projects that were started previously with FEVA.” The motion was seconded. The floor was open to discussion but the delegates did not need any discussion. The vote was then taken and the motion passed.

John then put his motion on joining FEVA on the floor: “Does NABO want to join the other organizations in the Basque Diaspora in issuing this declaration?” The motion was seconded. And discussion was open. Some items that were brought up in the discussion were:

NABO should continue to be a non-profit, non-political group.

It was stated that in the NABO Articles of Incorporation, it states that NABO has no authority to act in a political manner. Another concern is that NABO is considered a non-profit, tax-exempt organization and if this is interpreted to be a political manner, could this vote affect our tax-exempt status.

It was suggested that delegate take the motion back to their club and vote on whether the clubs would approve this motion. But the rebuttal is that the delegates can take it back to their clubs and the club as a group could decide if they would or would not support the motion and then the club could the submit their decision to FEVA. It was also stated that the NABO delegates have the support of their clubs to make decisions in NABO and have a responsibility as NABO delegates to do so.

There was a discussion about the fact that supporting this declaration is not voting for a political party or candidate. It is just making a public statement that NABO supports a democratic process in the Basque Country.

At this point John was asked to summarize the “Ibarretxe Plan” He said it is a public opinion poll/survey to see what people in the Basque Country want. It has no legal implications. On September 25, 2009 The Basque Government just wants to ask people in the Basque Country to give their opinion with a yes or no on these two proposals: 

Do you agree to support a negotiated end to violence, if ETA delivers unequivocally its wish to put an end to violence once and for all: Yes or No?

Do you agree to the initiation by all Basque political parties, without exclusions, of a negotiation process to reach a Democratic Agreement on the right of the Basque People to decide their own future, and to the holding of a Referendum on the aforementioned Agreement before the end of 2010: Yes or No? 

So the vote from the NABO delegates is: “Does NABO want to join the other organizations in the Basque Diaspora in issuing this declaration?”

The discussion continued with a delegate adding that outcome on the public opinion poll is non-binding, non-political. The Basque Government is just asking for information on the people. The Spanish Government is saying they do not have a right to ask these questions. This is not an election. It is just giving letting the Basque Government get some information from the people and it gives the people a chance to speak. So the question is: does NABO support FEVA in submitting this declaration

.

A rebuttal was added that NABO has to be concerned that if we agree to give our support for this item, will it open up the door for future requests of support on other items.

After an in-depth discussion, there was a move to vote. The motion: “Does NABO want to join the other organizations in the Basque Diaspora in issuing this declaration?” was passed. 

Rosa Totorica on Eusko Sare

Rose introduced herself as the new Eusko Sare representative to NABO and gave a presentation on Eusko Sare. EuskoSare means “Basque Network”. Eusko Sare believes that the increase of cultural, educational, social and economic exchanges through a rich interweaving of personal and institutional relationships around the world will favor the development and growth of Euskal Herria and all the countries in which Basques reside.

EuskoSare is the project of Eusko Ikaskuntza – Basque Studies Society through its organization: the Euskomedia Foundation. It is a venture that promotes the growth of the Global Basque Community by increasing communication and cooperation amongst all the Basques in the world, their friends and their organizations, through the Internet and outside it. The site is growing and this includes contributions to the site by Basque in the USA and Canada on their activities and happening in their clubs and families. The information posted on the site can be anything about the Basques from PhD dissertations to vacations in the Basque County. Rosa also goes to the Basque website throughout the world to find information to post on Eusko Sare. They put the information is several languages including English.

They are currently doing an International Short Film contest for Basque flim makers. It has to only two minutes long and it has to be taken by a cell phone or camcorder and has to be something about Basques.

Rosa would appreciate it if the club new editor would put something in their newsletters to ask for their members to contribute to Eusko Sare. Their website is at http://www.euskosare.org/ 

Other New Business

Gloria Totoricaguena made a motion to set up a Udaleku Scholarship Fund in the Educational Fund that would provide financial aid for Basque families that financial need to send their children to Udaleku.

Gloria asked Grace if it would be possible to sent up an Udaleku Financial Aid fun as a separate catagory in the Educational fund. Grace did not see any problem with doing this since Udaleku is already an account in the Education Fund and the Educational Fund is a “C3” account, which means donation to this account can be tax deductable.

Valerie explained that donations to The Udaleku Scholarship would be different from donations to Udaleku. Donations to Udaleku would go to the running of Udaleku. Both funds are very important.

A motion was made that the delegates go to their clubs and suggest that they should donate money that would go to help pay for the running of Udaleku. A second on this motion was made and there was a call to vote. The vote passed.

It was also suggested that the delegates go back to their club’s news editors and have them put something in their newsletters about requesting that their member think about making a donate to the Udaleku tax deductble funds for both the Udaleku Scholarship fund and for the running of Udaleku. Another suggestion was that the clubs donate a portion of the profit that is made from the selling of the mus card to the running of Udaleku, since this is where the young learn to play mus.

Toni Sabarots-Etulain made a motion to create a Youth/Teenager Committee that would meet regularly about four times a year and would include as committee members the past, present and future Udaleku coordinators, the past, present and future Gaztealde coordinators and a member of the Udaleku Scholarship Committee.

John Ysursa said that we already have a commttee and it has been in place for a year. It is the GAZTEAK: Youth Focus/Advisory Group. This committee has a phone meeting about four of five times a year. There was a call for a second on the motion. The motion to create a Youth/Teenager Committee was not seconded.

Valerie Etcharren Arrechea made a motion that the President of NABO create a Youth Scholarship Fund and appoint a Youth Scholarship Committee. There was a second. The motion passed.

Valerie Etcharren Arrechea made a motion that NABO pay for the traveling expenses one meeting a year for each of the NABO Chair people. The motion was seconded and passed.

Elections

John Ysursa, NABO Facilitator announced that there are two positions that are up for re-election. One is the NABO President and one for the NABO Treasurer. A notice was sent out to all NABO delegates calling for nominations for both of these positions.

There was only one nomination for NABO President sent in. It was for the current NABO President. Mary Gaztambide. John opened up nominations from the floor for NABO President. There were no nominations from the floor. John called for a vote on the nomination of Mary Gaztambide to be the President of NABO. The vote passed. Mary thanked everyone for supporting her for one more year. John told the delgates to be thinking this next year about who they would want to run for NABO President next year.

Grace Mainvil was the only one that put a nonination in for NABO Treasurer. John opened up nominations from the floor for NABO Treasurer. There were no nominations from the floor. John called for a vote on the nomination of Grace Mainvil be the Treasurer of NABO. The vote passed. 

Future Meeting

Fall 2008 Meeting in Reno, NV on November 8, 2008

Winter/Spring 2009 Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT on April 19, 2009

NABO 2009 Convention in Reno NV in July 24 – 26, 2009

Fall 2009 Meeting in Vancouver CN or Seattle WA?

Winter/Spring 2010 Meeting in San Francisco, CA

NABO 2010 Convention in Boise, ID

Fall 2010 Meeting ?

NABO 2011 Convention/Meeting in Buffalo, WY

NABO 2012 Convention/Meeting in Washington, D C

Adjournment

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed