The Next Western Region conference is scheduled for August 27 - 29, 2006 in Las Vegas, NV !  Look for more details later but you can contact the host chapter's Maxine Clark at: 

Our first meeting with the Shanghai representatives came about when Bill & I were admiring the American Flag flying along with the Chinese Flag at the Holiday Inn —Right on the main street of Cody! As I was photographing the flags, I noticed a Chinese couple photographing also. A very nice move on the part of the hotel and appreciated by our guests from the Shanghai and Beijing Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, as well as the Consuls attending from San Francisco Consulate.

We had our Western Region Executive Committee meeting on the 7th. Our main topic of business was the teacher’s program that is branching off from the original Wuhan HUST program. This program seems to have taken on a life of its' own with many requests from other Universities and schools from within China for English teachers of all qualifications. In fact we are now getting inquiries for qualified teachers of many sciences to spend a full school year teaching in various locations. You will receive updated information on this program soon.

We had several interesting speakers including Kent Allen (Associate Professor of Secondary Education, University of Wyoming) Professor Allen has taught two sessions in Mongolia and had a great deal of humorous stories to tell about two cultures meeting in humor and friendship. Consul Ke and Consul Ma from the San Francisco Consulate spoke as well as Mr. Michael Shen from YOUXIE in Beijing. All are greatly interested in furthering this program of sending teachers to China and stand ready to assist in anyway they can.

This was a very successful conference as we were able to draw people in from outside the organization that read about our program in the Cody paper (founded in 1898 by Buffalo Bill Cody) and wanted to share their own experiences teaching in China and wanting to join the USCPFA in helping to recruit teachers and to return themselves to China. One young lady really impressed me as she graduated last year from high school at the age of 16. She went on-line and obtained a place in Chinese studies at the Beijing University and went there on her own to study Chinese and to teach English in a nursery school. The pioneer spirit of Wyoming is reaching far away places now!

We were happy to show our Chinese friends a different America than they usually see in the larger cities—the Heartland of America, so to speak, and they were very well received by the local community. I think that they appreciated the great beauty of the country side. The Shanghai group went on to New York City and I can't help but wonder at their comparison of New York City to Cody, Wyoming that has a population of 8,800 people and a spirit of hospitality that cannot be surpassed.

The one thing that will forever stand as the over-riding memory of our wonderful time in Cody was the “spirit” of the conference. Everything that we did, be it listening and learning or exploring and participating was FUN. We had 75 USCPFA members came from far away places via long routes to attend and they were happy they did so. In addition to our members, we had officials of the Chinese government join us from Beijing, Shanghai, and the San Francisco Consulate. We were pleased that they enjoyed it all immensely. Of all the conferences I’ve attended, this one will remain a model to aspire to with its height of excellence that can only be obtained with such a unique blend of true warm hospitality, educational programs, great speakers and wonderful sightseeing combined that had all laughing, learning and enjoying making new friends. Congratulations Phyllis Pond on a job well done

Sue Rux and Judy Lee

If you have questions about the Western Region Conference, contact Phyllis Pond, Tel 307 527-7544, Email .