Humanities board seeks 2 members; fundraiser on Friday

The Northern Mariana Islands Council for the Humanities is currently seeking individuals who can fill the two vacancies on its board of directors.

“We currently do have two vacancies right now that we’re looking to fill and so we’ve put a couple of advertisement out in the newspaper,” board chair Tracy M. Guerrero said on Tuesday.

Besides Guerrero, other board members are Jerold Facey, vice chair; Joann T. Aquino, secretary and treasurer; Maria Lourdes S. Ada; David J. Attao; Marla M. Barcinas; Susana B. Deleon Guerrero; Frederick P. Deleon Guerrero; Rose T. Ada-Hocog; Lillian A. Tenorio; and Denita K. Yangetmai.

“If you or anybody is interested in becoming a board member, we would be happy to accept a letter of interest from you or from anybody else,” added Guerrero.

The NMI Council for the Humanities is a non-profit, grants-making corporation established in 1991.

“We are affiliated with and receive annual grant support from the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as additional support from other federal, state, and private grants and donations,” said Guerrero, adding that they are also eligible to receive educational tax credit donations from local institutions.

The Council’s mission is “to foster awareness, understanding, appreciation of the humanities through support for educational programs that relate the humanities to indigenous cultures and to the intellectual needs and interests of the people of the Commonwealth.”

Their notable projects include “Your Humanities Half-Hour” radio program, the ongoing Teacher’s Institute, Digital Photographic Database of the NMI, and the Junior High Mock Trial program.

Guerrero invited the community to join the Council in celebrating its 20th anniversary with a fundraising dinner on Friday at the Magellan Restaurant of the Pacific Islands Club in San Antonio. Tickets are $50 each.

The event will feature special remarks from humanitarian and author Fr. Eric Forbes, who will talk about the heart of a mixed Chamorro.

“I really identify with that very much because I, too, am a mixed Chamorro ad I’ve always kind of struggled to understand that better,” said Guerrero.

Additionally, the event will also feature a silent auction of donated artwork by local artists and a raffle draw that will give away two roundtrip tickets to Hong Kong donated by Fly Guam and one roundtrip ticket to Japan from Delta Air lines.

For tickets or more information, visit the council office at Springs Plaza along Middle Road or call 235-4785.