My message to envelop ideas

Oh! really? Whenever you do something for the community you don't brag (not bragged) and you don't pose for a trash bag? You sounds familar to me now envelop ideas. I think I know who you really are. Why you have to use a different name? Well, I should not ask you that question because I know that you're not honest person. If I had a picture taken everytime the FMI did something for the community we would have our picture in the paper almost every week. When a picture is in the paper we hope it will cause people to volunteer to clean up other peoples trash on the Island we all share. We do not have our picture in the paper while being part of a cause that PITS one part of the people against another, we don't use our pictures to become BIG SHOTS, run for office nor do we get paid to do environmental work, all we do is CLEAN UP TRASH!
As to question, different people around do have different opinion on the big question of the day. Question like being concerned that changes to Laws will cause hardship to either workers or employers, which by the way a few people have even figured out that the Federal House Bill not only does not give access to the US to those of us who worked an non-residents for years in the CNMI but actually says the number of us in the CNMI will be reduced each year for 10 years when ALL OF HAVE TO LEAVE (unless the US extends it for another five years)! Now that is DEKADA (a decade)! Those who celebrated the passage of that version of the Bill either don't know what is in it or they do and were celebrating that big shot taking money of non-residents to change the Law could keep collecting money to keep working on making the changes some really wanted as what the ones trying to change the Law so far have done is get a Bill passed in the US House that would force all non-resident workers to eventually leave the CNMI, something that even the "EVIL" CNMI law did not do.

GET REAL envelop ideas!

Betty

My youngest daughter Betty is now one year old and ten months. She love to dance and also sing. Whenever she heard a music she smile and dance.

Better understand the Labor Law

To all my kababayan in Saipan,

It's really sad to see the children being used by adults for political purposes. We all know that as a Filipino that we can bring our U.S. Citizen children back to the Philippines. We all know that we came to Saipan for a better life and all parents including myself want a better life for our children. But we must know in our hearts that it is wrong to use our children for political purposes and lies (about can't take them home). The labor law will not separate the family at all!
How i wish that there could be someway for Filipinos to better understand the labor law. Beside we all know that no matter what the law is that there are not enought manpower (locals) here to do all the work. So jobs will always be available to us and eventually the locals will understand that. Maybe the law will even help the locals understand how important we are to the Island.

LET'S RESPECT AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

Nakakalungkot tignan na ang mga bata ay ginagamit nang mga magulang o mga matatanda para sa kapakanan nang politika. Alam nating lahat na bilang manggagawang Filipino at namamasukan dito sa Saipan ay puweding-puwedi nating iyuwe ang mga U.S. Citizen nating mga anak sa ating bansang Pilipinas. Alam din nating lahat na pumunta tayo dito sa Saipan para sa ikakaganda at ibubuti nang ating buhay at lahat tayong mga magulang gusto nating mabigyan nang mabuti at magandang kinabukasan ang ating mga anak. Pero mas alam naman natin sa ating PUSO na talagang mali na gamitin natin ang mga bata para sa kapakanan nang politika at kasinungalingan (gaya nang madalas sambitin na hinde natin puweding iyuwe ang ating mga anak sa sarili nating bayan). Hinde ako niniwala na ang bagong batas ngayon na ipinasa ay siyang magiging dahilan nang paghihiwalay nang mga anak sa mga magulang. Huwag tayong magbulagbulagan mga kababayan! Tayo ay kilala na matapang lalo na pag tungkol sa karapatang pangtao, ngunit tayo'y mag-isip at ipakita ang paggalang sa kapwa. Ang aking inaasam at parating ipinagdarasal na sana may masmabuting paraan upang maipaunawa sa lahat nang mga manggagawang Filipino ang tunay na kahulugan nang bagong batas nang Saipan (katulad ko, Isa rin akung manggagawang Filipino dito, ngunit naiintindihan ko at nirirespeto ko ang labor law nila dito sa Saipan). Alam nating lahat mga kababayan na walang sapat na manpower o local workers para sa lahat nang trabaho dito sa Saipan. Kaya marami pa rin ang trabaho para sa ating lahat at malay natin na sa pagkakataong ito ay maisip nang mga taga rito na kailangan nila tayo which is marami naman talaga ang nakakaappreciate sa atin dito. Malay din natin baka dahil dito sa batas na ito ay siyang susi para lalo pang tumibay ang ating pakikipagkaibigan sa mga taga rito. Mga kababayan huwag naman sana nating sirain ang magandang imahe nang ating pagiging Filipino. Dapat magmula sa atin bilang mga manggagawang Filipino gumalang tayo para tayo ay kanilang igalang din. Alalahanin natin wala isa man sa atin ang makakapagpabago nang batas nang Saipan. Kailangan nating magkaisa para sa ikakabuti nang Saipan para din ito sa ating lahat. Huwag sana nating igiit ang mga maling paniniwala!

Smile and always be thankful to God

Jeremiah 29: 11: "For i know the plans i have for you, plans to protect you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". I do really pray and hope that every one in this community will always remember this verse in the bible.

LET'S ALL RESPECT AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

My life and My Faith

Our group went to the Community Church last Wednesday night, we're invited by our spiritual adviser Mrs. Rose Adams. It was really great to see all my friends again. I've always filled the love and happiness. I Thank God for all the people that have touch my life. The meaning of my life is the love of God. God loves us with tough love... and that's the way we need to learn to love each other.

Jesus is ruler over all time and space, but he limited himself to enter human history at one moment of time and one certain place-both foretold by prophecy. The time God chose for my being on earth is significant. From him comes my awareness of the anguish caused in our century. From him comes my responsibility as a world citizen and prayer warrior.

Sometimes, I think one reason there's so much prejudice in the world is because we don't try to understand each other. We can discover an environment in which worship and wellness become a way of life.

Joy

Joy is a prayer, Joy is strength. Joy is Love. Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. God loves a cheerful giver. One gives most who gives with joy. The best way to show our gratitude to God and people is to accept everything with joy. A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love. Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of Christ risen. This i tell my sisters. This I tell to you.

2 Corinthians 9:9; As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever".

My one and only dog

This is "Mika" my one and only dog.

The friendship group

It's always great to be with my auntie and my other friends of mine in Saipan. This group picture of us was taken last Saturday night at Grand Hotel Restaurant. From the left is Ate Melet, Myself, Ate Lynda, Ate Bing, and my Auntie Dominga.

Birthday Surprised for Sister Sit-Sit!

It's was really a great evening for everyone specially to our beloved sister Ate Sit-Sit who's just turn 50 years of age last Saturday night. Ate Sit is the wife of Pastor Abe who's serving in the Community Church. Happy 50 Birthday Ate Sit! May the good lord bless you always with a good health.

Celebrating Laughter

Laughter is a gift of God that brightens our good times and lightens the rough ones. Laughter even has a healing quality to it. People have recovered from serious diseases by learning to laugh each day. Even more people have regained the courage to go on in painful circumstances when they were able to laugh. Proverbs 17:22 says that a cheerful heart is good medicine. Laughter can draw others to you and lighten your load in life. When you begin to laugh at life and at yourself you gain new perspective on your struggles. You begin to see a speck of light at the end of the tunnel.
A life without laughter quickly becomes a breeding ground for depression, physical illness and a critical spirit. But a laughter filled life unleashes the spirit of celebration. So cultivate the spirit of celebration in your life by making room for laughter. Deliberately seek it out. Begin today as you smile at someone and find something worth laughing about. As the laughter permeates your life, the spirit of celebration will take root in your heart and you will discover the meaning of another proverb: "The cheerful heart has a continual feast". (v.15)

Birthday celebration for Armand

Arman
I've been really very busy. Anyway, Last week one of FMI member celebrate his 26th Birthday and so, here's some of the group picture taken during Dinner time. Happy Birthday Arman from all of us!

GOD IS ENOUGH

To say "God is enough" is to give an absolute and incontrovertible answer to every doubt and every question that has arisen or can arise. It may not seem to our consciousness that any prayers are answered, or any promises fulfilled, but what of that? behind every prayer and behind every promise, there is God ... and if he exists at all, we know he must be enough.
I have discovered that nothing else matters-neither creeds, nor ceremonies, nor doctrines, nor dogmas. GOD IS UNSELFISH; AND GOD IS ENOUGH!

Betty Matson

My youngest doughtier Betty has so much fun today at the beach.

Four Teachers of San Vicente

Post after the event of Micronesian Challenge
Mr. Angelo, Ms. Dian, Ms. Kathy and two other teachers of San Vicente Elem. School

Bill, and I went to the movie

Special day
Bill want to watch movie, but only if i go with him, so, i went with him on wednesday afternoon at the movie.

Another B-day celebration for Rep. Cinta

Rep. Cinta Kaipat, Bree, Angelo, Doug, and myself are in this picture. This picture was taken last Sunday at the Airport football Field.

Friday night

Sister Viola and Brother Gus

Our Beloved Honorables Rep. Cinta Kaipat

Rep. Cinta Kaipat celebrate her birthday last Friday and they decided to go for Karaoke at Fiesta Resort, and i went with them too. Deputy Assistant secretary of Insular affairs David Cohen came to greet her a Happy Birthday.

Brother Gus and Me

Friday night at Fiesta Resort
I can't believe it! Finally brother Gus and I have decided to have a picture taken and we don't mean to wait for Madam Cinta's birthday to have a picture taken. It just a matter of time, i mean brother Gus and I usually the photographer for the group and we both love camera's. He's the camera man and i am the camera woman. So, i would like to thank our dear sister for taken this picture of us.

Overheat car!

Angelo

My friend Angelo came at the house early morning on last Friday, and i was wondering why he's caring gallon. I ask him why he has gallon with him? he said he's car need water. He get the water and then went back to his car. I ask him if i could take a picture of him while putting water in his car? He didn't mind, so i did take a picture and so here it is, Angelo and his overheat car!

Smile and be happy

I feel good and thank God for everything

HELD UP TO GOD'S LIGHT

I want to spend my time here on earth allowing God's light to shine through my life. God wants to use us to display his splendor. God says we're like priceless jewels. He wants to use to reflect his own light and beauty. God looks at us and sees a special treasure, a fine jewel. Sure, we all have imperfections. We live in an imperfect world. God does not intend us to be flawless in this life. Our created purpose is to let God's light shine through every facet of our being, expressing his colors and beauty through us in ways no one else can.

If you look at a ring under the microscope every day and become intimately familiar with flaw, you might be embarrassed by it. But that is not how God meant the beauty of diamonds to be seen. The beauty of a diamond is seen when someone holds it up in the sunlight and everyone can see it sparkle.

We are not to misuse our time on this earth, focusing on every little flaw within us. We are created to shine with the light of God's creative genius. Everything about you could be appreciated as a unique part of God's masterpiece of creation or despised as somehow inferior to someone Else's attributes, talents, abilities or situation.

When you appreciate yourself in all your uniqueness, you will dare to hold your life up to the light. You will dare to live out the beauty you were created to express. You will keep your life cleaned and polished with the forgiveness of God.

First time at Wing Beach

Wing beach
My first time to go at Wing beach, and when i saw the beach, I could not stop my self, and all i can say is, It's a beautiful place! Thank God for this wonderful place that you created!

Meeting with Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs

A picture of David and myself
I was so please to have the privilege on Friday night of a special meeting with David Cohen (Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs). It was just myself, Angelo Villagomez, and Bree Reynold that meet with him, and thank you very much to Angelo Villagiomez for inviting me that night. He seemed to really value our thoughts on the Federal Take Over. It was nice to meet with him separately from the rest of the Filipino Community.

My opinion for the news today

I just could not believe it to read in the news today (Marianas Variety) about the 3 Filipinos that have not been renewed because of their participation for the Dekada Movement. Are you guys saying that your employers have not being fair? HELLO! Do you guys think that those employers of you will be happy to see their employees supporting the Dekada? If you guys do not want to lose your jobs it will be nice if you focused on providing good work to your employer rather than spending you energies on a group that seems more interested in having you leave your jobs and go to the US. One more thing, if Dekada really was just about human rights etc. they would have be working to assure that long-term workers had the privilege to remain in the CNMI to look for another job if they lose their jobs rather than on having the ability to leave your jobs and the CNMI. Also, if Dekada is about rights then why did they want to have rights start after 10 years? What type of "rights" group starts by excluding so many Filipinos and others from receiving the rights that the group want? I just really hope that those of us (Filipino) here in the CNMI will now realize that there no need to be in that group as they excluded so many from the protection and rights they wanted and now it looks like they can't even protect themselves. I bet they are going to use CNMI labor laws ( the same ones they think are so bad) to dispute their releases in an attempt to stay in the CNMI, though they want to leave for the US they do not want to leave and go home.

NEW EVERY MORNING

God has given me a daily dose of his strength each morning. Each day he makes me newly aware of his gifts: A supportive and loving partner, Kids and Friends that who always their for me. Prayer is my expression of my relationship with God. Today i have an important decision to make. Surrender everything to God and not to worry for anything.

My very life is not my own. It is a "loaner", just like the car the dealership let me drive while my car is in the shop. I can drive the loaner, but only so long as they say so. The dealership holds the papers on it; I don't. The same thing is true of my life. God is the one who owns it, and he's just letting me "drive" it for him for awhile. My job is a loaner; my health, my talent and my ability to earn a living-all loaners! I can't boast about any of them.

Sitting Down Without Fear

I learned from the Bible to trust in God and not be afraid. I have always felt comforted by reading the Psalms, specially Psalms 23 and 27. I learned to put my trust in God and to seek him as my strength. Long ago I set my mind to be a free person and not to give in to fear. I always felt that it was my right to defend myself if I could. I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear. When people done things that hurts me, i was thinking to fight for my right. I had made up my mind quickly about what it was that I had to do, what I felt was right to do. I did not think of being physically tired or fearful. After so many months of oppression, not giving up my seat-and whatever I had to face after not giving up-was not important. I did not feel any fear at sitting in the seat I was sitting in. All I felt was tired. Tired of seeing the bad treatment and disrespect of people. I felt the lord would give the straight to endure whatever I had to face. God did away with all my fear. It was time for some one to stand up and fight for what is right. If I don't defend my self, who else will defend me? No one else but God.

A New Start

We are a people with a future-not spiritual nomads or wanderers, but a people of purpose and destiny. The past is Over. The future stretches out before us full of promise and possibility. We are changed people-new people. Not avoiding decisions that must be made, nor running from responsibility because of the mistakes and failures in our past, we look toward a future based on a newness of heart created in us God.

No longer haunted by the past, we free to choose-to make new commitments and follow new direction. In our freedom we set new standards and find new strength by which to live. Experience gives wisdom; God gives new heart. Our past mistakes have taught us some valuable lessons, but God has given us a new life.

We have called upon our merciful God, repented, and begun to have the hope of a new heart and a new start-the beginning of a total renewal. What a relief! to know that we have a God who forgives-to know that we have a God who understands, and who can heal and help us. He will teach us his ways; he will make us more like himself; he will lead us in the right direction. For he says: "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them". And if that weren't enough he adds these words: "their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more".

What a loving, compassionate God we serve! Society may expect us to walk in guilt and shame indefinitely, but we no longer conform to what the world says. We have been transformed! Our minds have been renewed by God's Word and our heart by his mercy. Our lives are changed by his love. No longer bound by guilt, no longer chained to our past and its shame-we are free!

Free to capture the vision of his Majesty. To seize the significance of our salvation. To catch a glimpse of his beauty and the reality of our redemption.
WE ARE RENEWED.

Filipina Beauty

LOVE

Just thinking what the next post.

Betty learn how to write her name

Betty, Ciaralyn and myself
My doughtier like to keep her self busy and so do I. Ate Ciaralyn even help her to draw.

Delight in the Day

Bill and I worked to do the yard. here we are! we both working and our own yard yesterday afternoon. After working on the yard, i decided to transfer all my orchids in a different placed. I have a nice flower of Orchids and so i was really in-love again with my Orchids. I promise to take good care of my own plants from now on. I really miss do gardening again. It's rainy season so, i will start growing some plants.

DARE TO DREAM

Dreams make the difference between living a life and really living a life. But some of us, caught up in the busyness of life, have forgotten how to dream. Here are some suggestions:
Identify where you want to grow and then start dreaming about possibilities for getting there. My comment, " We must dream, because we are made in the image of him who sees things that are not and wills them to be." Find a quit spot. Sit back and let your thoughts roam. What has God already done in your life? What might he still do? Consider, just for a moment, What isn't but could be. Dream beyond where you are.

Dreams begins with asking such questions as, " if you could do anything you wanted with an extra hour today, what would it be?" Sometimes dreams have their roots in the past. " When you think back over your childhood, what did you do with your spare time? Dreams also peer around the corners of our lives and right into the places where we live, [giving us] clues as to how we can grow. Identify where you want to grow. Then start dreaming a dream for your life and make a plan.

RECALL

I think that "Welcome" is one of the most Christlike words we can speak to each other. And yet, how rarely this happens. This word is shriveling because of disuse. How rarely do people stop in their busyness to greet one another, to chat on the block, to have a cup of coffee and talk about their day. How infrequently we inquire as to strangers' names, ask questions that indicate interest in their lives and families. How wonderfully rare it is when someone whispers, "I haven't seen you for so long, I miss you." We must learn to give to one another the words of welcome.

A REALISTIC HOPE

We said we'd never grow up and we'd never grow old; we'd never trust anyone. And now (some) of us have long since passed that tender age and are in the mids of giving each other black fifthy birthday parties. Who knows? We may yet grow old.
For this generation, more than any other in the twentieth century, the twenty-five years between youth and middle-age have been marked by unmet expectations. We found many of our dreams unreachable. Growing up has been less about realizing our dreams and more about making our dreams subject to reality.
In one since, when we tied our faith to our cultural expectations, we succembed to the illusion that we could experience heaven in the here and now, It is true that one day our dreams and longing, will be fulfilled beyond our wildest imaginations. life will happen the way it's supposed to, the way we always wanted it to-someday-but not now! Now we plow throughtime, groping, learning, hurting, struggling, failing and sometimes succeeding. God can help us and strengthen us, but he never promised to keep us from pain. " our father refreshes us with some pleasant inns on the journey, but (he) will not encourage us to mistake them for home", No matter what the song says, HEAVEN IS NOT A PLACE ON EARTH.
Perhaps disappointed dreams are our best opportunities to transfer hope to its rightful place. Heaven is where our biggest dreams belong. Realizing that can help us make it through the here and now without placing a burden on the present that it was serve to carry us through the rest of the journey.

BEING OUR BEST

For most of life, i think we fight God. We keep trying to show him what we were made for. We keep giving him better ideas. We keep working for something bigger & greater than anything he seems to have in mind. For many of us, by the time we are in mid-life, we feel we somehow have missed out on some of the great things we were born for. We fight with God most of everything. God made me not to impress everyone. Not to be on book covers. Not to be an authority. Not to be perfect or a genius. God made me with special ideas in mind. God made me to be real. To be honest. To be open. To never compare myself to anyone, but to strive to become my own best person. To have character & dignity.

Betty is on the plane

Betty first trip to the Philippines: I wonder what she's thinking?

Manoag City,

Julne 14, 2007
This Picture was taken in front of the Church Manaoag City one of the famous Church in the Philippines.

My two doughtiers, Niece, and Nephew

Philippines :They had so much fun!

My Cousin Rosale and I

Tondaligan Beach, Dagupan City, Philippines

This picture of us was taken during our vacation last June 2007 in the Philippines. My cousin Rosale is the youngest girl of the family Castillo and i am the second to the youngest. I will post more pictures taken from our Trip to the Philippines.

Picture of myself and my two doughtiers, Ciaralyn and Betty

HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY CIARALYN
This picture of us was taken during our stop over to Nagoya Japan last June 12, 2007. Ciaralyn is my older Doughtier. She is turning 9 years old tomorrow and she wish to go swimming for her birthday. I think she deserve something better, but her wish is so really simple. So we will all go for swimming tomorrow @ the beach. It's family day for us tomorrow!

Kobler Ville

This picture was taken at Kobler Ville on June 29, 2007 together with Rep. Jacinta Kaipat, Angelo Villagomez, myself, and Jun Flores (FMI BOD Member).

Betty and Me

It's me & my youngest doughier Betty. This picture of us was taken last Sunday July 8, 2007

Betty @ the beach

Betty Aquino Matson
My youngest doughter Betty is having fun @ the beach.

Betty at the Lighthouse

This picture was taken by my good friend, Angelo Villagomez. This is my daughter Betty. She is the youngest volunteer for Beautify CNMI and FMI. She helps us pick up garbage every week.

Malou & I

This picture was taken during our Induction last Sunday July 1, 2007
With me is Malou Bansil FMI Auditor

The FMI/BC ladie's

With me in this picture is Our beloved Honorable Rep. Jacinta Kaipat from left is Mely, next from the left is Nitz, Zeny, Precy (both next to Rep. Kaipat), & Beth.

Consul General Wilfredo Maximo & Angelo Villagomez

This is our beloved special advisor mr. Angelo O. Villagomez recieving his Certificate of Appreciation from us (FMI), together with Consul General Honorable Wilfredo DL. Maximo.
We thank you very much Angelo! You have been so kind and insperation to us. From all of us (FMI) say, We love you Angelo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Beloved Honorables Rep. Kaipat and Consul Gen. Maximo

To our beloved honorable Rep. Jacinta Kaipat and our Consul General Honorable Wilfredo DL. Maximo. Maraming-maraming salamat po sainyong pagpapaunlak sa aming invitation na makasama namin kayo sa araw nang aming panunumpa sa aming mga tungkulin, isa po itong mahalagang araw para sa aming lahat sa FMI. Sa lahat na aming mga magagandang layunin sa aming samahan madam/sir kayo po ang aming naging insperasyon, kaya gagawen namin po ang lahat nang aming makakaya para kayo ay maging proud pa lalo sa amin. Maraming salamat po! It's a great honor Madam & Sir to have you both on this special day for all of us (FMI), we thank you very much madam, & sir for your presences and for giving us your moral support. It's really mean a lot to all of us madam and sir. You both have been our Insperations for every good things that we have done and we will do our best to give everything we can, so that you both can be proud of us.

Induction Day Picture

Our group picture together with, Rep. Jacinta Kaipat, Katie Busenkell,
and our Vice President Mr. Diomedes Duculan.

Induction Day @ Aqua Resort Club,"Rey Lounge".

With me is no other than Ms. Beverly Cabanatan our Secretary/PRO.
Thank you very much Bev.

Many Thanks to all who have supported us!

" A Group Picture"

Many thanks to Mr. Lawie Adams, our Spiritual Advisor Mrs. Rose Adams and most specially to our beloved Consul General Wilfredo DL. Maximo, also to our guest speaker Mr. Angelo O. Villagomez, thanks to Ms. Katie Busenkell, and to our beloved brother Gus Kaipat. On behalf of FMI, we thank you all very much.

Maraming salamat sa lahat !

We would like to thank Aqua Resort Club, specially to F&B Manager Mr. Manny Barcial for their major support to the FMI.

Ang kaunaunahang Induction nang FMI !

This picture was taken during our Induction Ceremony together with our Inducting Officer no other than Honorable Representative Jacinta M. Kaipat. On behalf of FMI madam, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you very much. It's such a great honor madam to have you as a part of us. You have touch our hearts and became a part of our of life. we will always love you madam!


INDUCTION CEREMONY SPEECH
BY THE PRESIDENT/CHAIRWOMAN
MARITES AQUINO CASTILLO

JULY 1, 2007

I would like to welcome all of you to the first annual Induction ceremony for Officers/Board of Directors of the Friends of the Mariana Islands (FMI). A special welcome to you Representative Honorable Jacinta Kaipat as you have been a Friend to the "Friends" before we were even the Friends. Welcome to our beloved Consul General Honorable Wilfredo DL. Maximo, welcome our Special Guest Ms. Katie Busenkell, Mr. Gus Kaipat, and also to Mr. Angelo Villagomez.

This is truly a historic day as our group of hardcore environmental cleanup and beautification experts. We have involved from a part of a larger group who had concerns other than just the environment to a select group that have dedicated theme selves strictly to the environment. Of equal importance is that we have evolved from a group representing only one nationality to a group that accepts all those who are concerned about the environment, regardless of national original or citizenship, We believe that anyone from anywhere can come to Saipan and care about our environment. As a result of our beliefs we have welcomed anyone to our group who demonstrates a concern for the environment.

Last year, as a sub part of a larger group, our efforts lead to that group being recognized even at a US-WIDE level as a leading group of environmentally concerned individuals who dedicated an extraordinary number of hours to cleanup activities in our community. We thought of those accomplishments and wanted to develop an organization that reflected the concerns of those who had proven to be so dedicated that they brought recognition to the entire CNMI from the national level. Surely we thought that even more could be done if we developed a formal organization for those high environmental achievers.

Friends of the Mariana Islands (FMI) was started last year as a reflection of a need to have a group focus on the environment and particularly on the cleanup of our Island. As our team developed an expertise in how best to undertake cleanup efforts we realized that we could become an important component of the Beautify CNMI concept. As the President for the Friends of the Mariana Islands (FMI) I decided to take the imitative to contact the organizers of the Beautify CNMI to see if we could link our efforts with theirs. We were pleased that just a the FMI accepts all people who are dedicated to helping cleanup our Island, that Beautify CNMI also accepts help from all those who wish to improve the environment of our Island. While Beautify CNMI has diverse projects from under the sea cleanups to Tree Planting , which also a part of Restoration projects of RC&D, we have boths partnered with theme in many of their efforts and also expanded upon their environmental projects with those of our own. We were proud to accomplish in record time our first funded cleanup project on Saipan just this last month and we Thank MOBIL for their financial support which made the Drainage cleanup at MSGR Martinez Street and MSGR Guerrero Street possible.

Though Friends of the Mariana Islands (FMI) was formed and projects have already been undertaken, such an organization can not operate without some of its members accepting even greater burdens than others. I am now speaking about those who are being inducted today. FMI is a non-profit organization and no one is compensated for the hours we all volunteer. This is also true for these Officers who volunteer even more of their time to make sure the Organization is ready when the time comes for all of us to volunteer at different projects. It takes that extra volunteer time to have everything ready for our volunteer time to have everything ready for our volunteers and these Officers are the ones that make it possible for our volunteers to have the support they need when they begin a project. Volunteers need to know where and when to show up, what they can do, that the tools they need will be there and even that health and safety concerns have been met such as having drinking water etc available. None of that happens automatically, it takes our officers to make that happen. Today we honor you Officers who have accepted the burden, with no privilege associated with it, of making the FMI work.

CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK OFFICERS!