Dear Surfrider Foundation Chapters, Affiliates and Volunteers:

SAVE THE DATE!!! The Surfrider Foundation International Conference* will be held October 23-26, 2008 in Rio de Janeiro and Buzios, Brasil. Hosted by Surfrider Foundation Brasil, the tentative schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, October 22 – Arrival and check in
Thursday, October 23 – Field trip of Surfrider Foundation Brasil projects, Rio de Janeiro
Friday, October 24 – International Water Quality Seminar, Rio de Janeiro
Saturday, October 25 – Surfrider Conference, Buzios
Sunday, October 26 – Surfrider Conference, Buzios
Monday, October 27 –Beginning of International Program Meetings (International Chapters and Affiliates only)
* Departure of Guests or stay and enjoy Brasil!
Tuesday, October 28 – International Program Meetings (cont.)
Wednesday, October 29 – International Chapter and Affiliates Departure

The International Conference will provide the following opportunities for Surfrider Foundation Chapters, Affiliates and Volunteers:
• Meet face-to-face with global colleagues
• Hear about projects and campaigns
• Learn directly from other Chapters and Affiliates about best practices
• Apply a global pool of knowledge to your own programs and campaigns
• Understand the different issues being addressed by the Surfrider Foundation network
• Strengthen Surfrider Foundation’s global network through the development of direct relationships
• Help grow Surfrider Foundation into a truly global organization

Later this year we will send out a call for submissions for presentations from Surfrider Foundation Chapters and Affiliates to share with their colleagues during the Conference. Start thinking now about sharing your Chapter’s successes with others in the global Surfrider Foundation network.
We are hoping to make arrangements to help defray the costs of attending this important event, however, Chapters wishing to send representatives should be prepared to pay the full costs for travel and lodging if it becomes necessary. Raising these funds to send representatives from your Chapter to the International Conference could be a goal for your Chapter to tackle this summer. If your Chapter is considering sending representatives to the International Conference, please evaluate the benefits of attending and what impacts it might have on your Chapter financially.
As a reminder, in 2008, Surfrider Foundation will still be conducting Chapter Conferences in the Pacific Northwest, California, Florida and the East Coast so budget accordingly.

International Conference details are still being finalized, but we wanted to get the word out so you can consider this opportunity and save the date! Please let us know if you are interested in receiving more information by replying to Lia@surfrider.org or emailing Vickie McMurchie at vmcmurchie@surfrider.org.

Aloha,

Lia Colabello
Global Relations Director
Surfrider Foundation

*The International Conference is a yearly event that has historically only included Surfrider Foundation Affiliate Leaders. This year we are opening up the event to include Chapters from around the world and hope you will be able to join us.

If you can’t make it this year, we will be gathering again in 2009 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Surfrider Foundation. A Global Summit is being planned; date and location still to be determined.