List of all International Affliiates
INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATES ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE "COMAAI"
During National Conventions, have you ever wondered about the
groups of ladies speaking in different languages that willingly
travel from far away countries to answer the "Call" to
Convention? Have you been surprised to find out that
sometimes there is no need to speak the same language, when we have
a shared interest in garden clubs or a special love for floral
design? These ladies are the members of the International
Affiliates Activities Committee (COMAAI); an organization of
numerous international affiliates founded by NGC to carry out the
same work as national committees.
The first committee Chairman was Esther de Salinas, from Mexico;
under her administration, she successfully organized and gave a
purpose to this international committee, creating an interest in
other affiliate members to become active in different NGC
chairmanships. Another influential factor was the
establishment of the COMAAI website, which has since then served as
a vital communication tool to all affiliate clubs.
At the same time, the International Flower Show Schools
Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Sylvia Wray from
Argentina, organized numerous Flower Show Schools in clubs
throughout the Latin American countries. Since then,
several flower show Judges have become prestigious NGC
International Instructors, who diligently continue to extend this
very special educational mission.
Cheryl Obediente, from Panama, became the second COMAAI
Chairman; she has been recognized for her interest in promoting
membership and for taking communications to the next level via the
internet by establishing an essential and excellent venue for
exchanging documents and helping with the collection of club's
dues. In addition, she sponsored the organization
ofComaaiweb, an active web site committee having Regional Directors
from Mexico, Central America, Panama and South
America. Comaaiwebcoordinates a team of horticulture, design
and conservation editors, who closely work with individual National
Directors from all the affiliate countries. Cheryl is also to
be acclaimed in helping with the NGC Handbook for the LDS, GSS and
ESS international schools, which was issued to adapt different
specifications to needs of the affiliate clubs. Cheryl is
highly regarded by the international clubs for her remarkable
achievements and dedication.
The third and new COMAAI Chairman is Sara Lambarri, from Mexico,
who has since 1999 served the committee as LDS Chairman. Sara
strives to use the website and internet to maintain and attract new
membership, thereby encouraging members, who cannot travel to
conventions, to become actively involved by committing themselves
to leadership roles as COMAAI Chairman for establishing NGC
projects in their countries. In addition, Sara intends to
promote the multiple educational opportunities offered by NGC,
having the ultimate goal of attracting new members and creating an
interest in the many meaningful projects established under the
auspices of National Garden Clubs.
Perhaps now, when meeting an international member at future
conventions, please remember that these ladies are our active "NGC
ambassadors" who share our interest in horticulture, our love for
floral design and continuously support our ideals of conserving and
protecting the natural resources throughout the
world.