It was a cool, windy October morning in Las Vegas when a group of professionals dedicated to the advancement of the Latin Chamber of Commerce and its community efforts met at 13th and Stewart to establish the Board of Trustees for the LCC Community Foundation. The LCC Community Foundation has been established for the purpose of raising funds to support the educational, social, cultural and philanthropic efforts of the Latin Chamber of Commerce.
In attendance were Mr. Otto Mérida, President and CEO of the Latin Chamber of Commerce, Irene Bustamante-Adams, LCC Chair, Maggie Arias-Petrel, Tony Sanchez and René Cantú Jr., LCC Board Members, as well as Lupe McNulty of KG&R Bookkeeping, Heather Estus of 7 and Company and Bonnie Cook of Northstar Consulting. Bonnie Cook, a nonprofit board and fundraising professional facilitating the meeting, which resulted with the election of LCC Community Foundation Officers and the adoption of bylaws. The group has agreed to meet monthly for the foreseeable future to ensure that the Foundation gets off on to an excellent beginning.
Why do we need a Latin Chamber Community foundation? 1) The Community Foundation will help raise funds for the Latin Chamber's programs in the community such as the Scholarship Program, Career Day, Latino Youth Leadership Program and the Arturo Cambeiro Senior Center. Right now, the LCC is funding approximately 75 scholarships per year for local students who are college bound. With the Community Foundation's help, the number of scholarships might be increased or doubled-are for the benefit of the community. 2) The Internal Revenue Service requires that the LCC Community Foundation establish its own Board of Trustees. By establishing the Board, the LCC and the LCC Community foundation will be in compliance with IRS regulations.
Can the Community Foundation Break Off from the Latin Chamber? No. The LCC Community Foundation exists solely for the purpose of raising funds for the programs of the Latin Chamber of Commerce. The two organizations will have a mutually beneficial and inseparable connection to each other. The LCC Community foundation in fact strengthens the Latin Chamber of Commerce by helping raise funds for its many outstanding initiatives.
By morning's end, the LCC Community foundation had established its governing bylaws and elected officers. The membership of the LCCCF includes:
- Dr. René Cantú Jr. (Nevada State College), Chair
- Tony Sanchez (NV Energy), Vice Chair
- Lupe McNulty (KG&R Bookkeeping) , Treasurer
- Maggie Arias Petrel (Global Professional Medical Consulting), Member
- Heather Estus (7 and Company), Member
- John Bartoldo (Benson, Bartoldo, Baker and Carter), Member
- Connie Comitor (Wal-Mart), Member
Please contact René Cantú for more information about the LCC Community Foundation by phone (702-810-3068) or email (cantu.nevada@yahoo.com).
