AFCSLS Events

Board Meetings

October 2011 Annual Meeting

Chaired by Mr. Balaz, Secretary, the Annual Meeting of the Fund was held at the Bohemian National Hall in New York City on October 14, 2011. The agenda focused mainly on the Fund's programs and finances. Mr. Herman briefed members on the Young Leaders and Young Talents programs. Members expressed their appreciation of how the Young Talents program has evolved over the last year. Mr. Chlanda, Treasurer, briefed members on finances. He emphasized the importance of fund raising for sustaining and expanding the Young Talents program in the coming year and beyond. Members also discussed various membership and organizational issues. They expressed interest in adding members sharing the Fund's mission. Following the meeting, Mr. Balaz invited those present for lunch to a wonderful meal in the "Hospoda" restaurant in the Bohemian National Hall.

December 2010 Annual Meeting

Chaired by Mr. Kallan, President, the Annual Meeting of the Fund was held at the Bohemian National Hall in New York City on December 4, 2010. The agenda included discussion of the financial report presented by Mr. Chlanda, an update on the Young Leaders Program presented by Mr. Herman, a consideration of a proposal for a Young Talents Program submitted by Mr. Herman and various membership and organizational issues. It was agreed to start a pilot version of the Young Talents Program in 2011.

May 2010 Executive Committee Meeting

A meeting of the Executive Committee was held at the Bohemian National Hall in New York City on May 14, 2010. Chaired by Mr. J. Balaz, Secretary, Messrs. E. Chlanda, Treasurer, J. Zlatuska, Vice President, J. Kejval, Vice President, M. Herman, Member, and J. Vilcek, Member, participated. Mr. H. Kallan, President, joined later.

Following a welcome statement by Mr. Balaz, the meeting commenced with a report on the status of the fund finances from Mr. Chlanda, Treasurer, who noted appreciable recovery of the fund's investment portfolio. Next Mr. Herman briefed participants on the selection of participants for the 2010 Young Leaders program. It was agreed to accept six applicants in 2010. All six have quality individual programs well deserving the fund's support.

The next point discussed was the status of considerations for starting a new Young Talent program - aimed at exceptionally talented Czech and Slovak high school students interested in pursuing undergraduate degrees at top American universities. Messrs. Herman and Kejval outlined possible options. Others offered their suggestions. It was agreed Mr. Herman will draft a formal proposal for the Young Talents program. The draft will be distributed to members and discussed at the 2010 Annual Meeting.

In conclusion, Mr. Balaz turned to the last point on the agenda - searching for potential new members and advisory members (non-voting) of the Fund. Several names were suggested. It was agreed to circulate a list of potential candidates beforehand and to invite them for introductions at the Annual Meeting.

Following the meeting, Mr. Balaz invited the meeting participants for lunch. An off-the-record discussion continued at the lunch table. All participants enjoyed a wonderful meal, great coffee and desert while discussing topics of common interest.

The Executive Committee of the Fund in Session, May 14, 2010

2009 Annual Meeting

Chaired by Mr. Henry Kallan, the Annual Meeting of the Fund was held at the Bohemian National Hall in New York City on November 20, 2009. The agenda included membership issues, discussion of improving financial position after investment losses in 2008, review of program results in 2009 - reasons for small number of applications, planned fundraising arrangements, and exploring new directions such as development of a new "Young Talent Program" for high school teenagers.

2008 Annual Meeting and Opening of the Bohemian National Hall

The American Fund held its Annual Meeting on October 31, 2008 at the just renovated Bohemian National Hall in New York City. Agenda items included: (i) current and anticipated budget and finances; (ii) outstanding legal issues; (iii) implementation of the Young Leaders Program; (iv) fundraising strategy; and (v) confirmation of the current Executive Board in office for another term. The Annual Meeting approved ongoing Fund activities and agreed to call for a new round of applications for the "Young Leaders Program".

The Fund Board in Session - October 31, 2008

Other Events

Ambassador Gandalovic Visits CTY Summer Camp in Baltimore

On July 12, 2011, His Excellency Petr Gandalovic, the Czech Ambassador to the United States, joined by Mr. Martin Herman, visited the CTY Summer Camp site at the Peabody Campus of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. During the afternoon's visit, Mr. Simeon Brodsky provided a brief overview of CTY activities and his perspective on CTY project with the American Fund in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Ms. Kelly C. Weiley, the Civic Leadership site director, provided an overview of the Civic Leadership course attended by four Czech and one Slovak student.

Following a general overview, the Ambassador joined one of the classes to observe students discussing their field experiences of the day. The discussion included student reflections as well as how the work in the field ties to their work in the classroom. The Ambassador concluded his visit meeting with the Czech and Slovak students.

Visit to the Library at the Peabody Campus of Johns Hopkins University: From the left His Excellency Peter Gandalovic, the Czech Ambassador to the United States, Ms. Kelly C. Weiley, Director of the Civic Leadership Program, Mr. Simeon Brodsky, Director, CTY International, and Mr. Martin Herman, American Fund.

Meeting with Czech and Slovak students at the Peabody Campus of Johns Hopkins University: From the left Simeon Brodsky, Petr Urban, Julia Duhova, Martin Kabrt, Petr Gandalovic, Ondrej Toloch, Zuzana Marinicova, and Martin Herman

Opening of the Bohemian National Hall

The American Fund is a member is the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association. It held its Annual Meeting on October 31, 2008 at its new headquarters in the just renovated Bohemian National Hall in New York City. Built in 1896 by the Czech and Slovak immigrant community, the Bohemian National Hall is the center of Czech culture and commerce in the United States.

Bohemian National HallPhoto by Pavel Semerak

Interviews of Applicants for the Young Leaders Program

Pictures from interviews of the successful applicants by the Selection Committee which included Ms. Nora Hložeková, the Slovak Fulbright Commission, Ms. Hana Ripková, the Czech Fulbright Commission, Professor Don Sparling, Masaryk University, Professor Jiří Zlatuška, Masaryk University, and Mr. Martin Herman, AFCSLS. The interviews took place in April 2008 at the Faculty of Informatics at Masaryk University in Brno.

Many thanks go to Professor Jiří Zlatuška, Dean of the Faculty of Informatics, who provided the venue for the interviews.

Interview with Mr. Jiří Hnilica