Beautify CNMI! Meeting set for Monday

The Beautify CNMI campaign will hold their first organizational meeting of 2016 next week. The once highly visible coalition was founded in 2006 and spent several years organizing beach cleanups, planting trees, painting over graffiti, and recycling. There is hope among some of the former volunteers to revive the campaign and to join it with other environmental initiatives taking place on the island today.

“Our goal is to enhance the work of the community,” said Beautify CNMI founder Cinta M. Kaipat. “We’re not looking to replace existing efforts, but to lift them to new heights.”

According to their website, Beautify CNMI! Is a coalition of concerned citizens, private groups, and government entities united to enhance the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ natural beauty and foster community pride in its residents and visitors. They have been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Congress for their volunteer work, and were the Saipan Tribune’s 2006 Person of the Year.

Interested participants are invited to a meeting on Monday, February 1 at 2 PM in the Chamolinian Room of the Hyatt Recency.

Kaipat will chair the meeting and lead a discussion on how now is a great time to reinvigorate the coalition. Co-founder Angelo Villagomez will make a presentation on how the campaign was created in 2006.

For more information about Beautify CNMI’s ten year history, please visit www.BeautifyCNMI.org.

Who: Beautify CNMI coalition kick off meeting
What: A meeting to discuss Beautify CNMI
Where: Hyatt Regency Chamolinian Room
When: February 1, 2 PM
Why: To enhance the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ natural beauty and foster community pride in its residents and visit

Kickoff Meeting 2010 - Meeting Minutes

Friday, January 22, 2010 – 3PM
DEQ CONFERENCE ROOM

I. Sign In – please make sure you get your name on the sign in sheet
1) Introductions – around the table
i. Joe Kaipat – DEQ
ii. Mayor Donald Flores – Mayor’s office
iii. Kimo Rosario – Mayor’s office
iv. Brian – Mayor’s office
v. Vic Pangelinan – Mayor’s office
vi. Teresa Ogomuro – Zoning
vii. Herminia Fusco – Zoning
viii. Sonia Siwa – PDM Promoters
ix. Rebecca Yost – Whispering Palms School
x. Horiguchi – PDM Promoters
xi. Cinta Kaipat – BCNMI
xii. Laurie Peterka – BCNMI, Practical Solutions
xiii. Thelma Cabrera – Self interest, volunteer
xiv. Congressman Eli Cabrera – Precinct 1
xv. Congressman Joe Palacios – Precinct 1
xvi. Vicky Benavente – PIC (donation)
2) Welcoming remarks – Cinta Kaipat
i. Background on how it started
ii. Described some of our events
3) 2010’s First Donation – Vicky Benavente for Pacific Islands Club
i. PIC Palooza fundraiser raised $5,000
ii. $2,500 went to PAWS and $2,500 to Beautify CNMI
4) Committee reports
i. Joe Kaipat – Solid Waste
1. Commented on number of lbs of trash that was collected in 2009
2. Identified a number of groups that contributed
3. Noted that there are problems with identifying the true number of lbs and that the groups are not reporting, so it’s hard to keep track
4. Needs help with moving trash to Lower Base
5. He needs groups to accurately report their data to keep the records for the program goals
6. Estimated 57,580 lbs for 2009


ii. Graffiti Committee – Laurie Peterka
1. Overview of progress in 2009
2. Goals for 2010
3. Lighthouse Mural Project – Rebecca Yost
a. Described groups to be invited
b. DPL has given permission to proceed
c. Needs help with identifying resources
d. Comments
i. Check with HPO
ii. Get art teachers involved
5) Vision statement – Joe Kaipat, 2009 Chairperson
i. Would like to step down as Chairman
ii. Would like to see that politics stays out of BCNMI
iii. Would like to see committees develop and report together for the support of the continuation of BCNMI
6) Open brainstorming
i. There were a couple of people who needed to leave early, so we jumped ahead for a few minutes
ii. Zoning – Junk Cars
1. First steps – seeking expression of interest from recyclers
2. Next steps – still in progress with legal counsel; communicating with DPS
3. What can volunteers do? Identify locations of junk cars
4. PL 6-6: Mayor’s office scrap metal  DPS responsible
5. Saipan Zoning Law: 1209, 1409 identifies “junk”
iii. As we covered a lot of ground in other areas – this discussion is to be continued at next meeting
7) New Committees and Volunteer Assignments
i. Chairperson – Cinta Kaipat
ii. PR Coordinator – Laurie Peterka
iii. Calendar Point Person – TBD at next meeting
iv. Committee Chairs – TBD at next meeting
8) Set day and location for regular monthly meeting
i. 2009 Day: 1st Thursday 3pm/monthly
ii. 2009 Location: DEQ Conference Room
iii. 2010 Day: 2nd Thursday 6pm/monthly
iv. 2010 Location: TBA


II. Our next meeting, in order of priority, will cover:
1) Brainstorming & Identifying Committees
2) Signature events; setting up the events calendar
3) Environmental awards
4) Misc coalition housekeeping items