TO: Mimbres-Paquime Connection Members and Friends: For organizations to achieve excellence in today's world, the commitment to develop people is becoming increasingly important. It is the effective utilization of human resources that is the cornerstone to high performing organizations. During 2006, MPC has focused on the development of people who could get things done for the organization. MPC does not have a professional staff. MPC operates with a small cadre of dedicated volunteers.

This group of dedicated volunteers has been remarkable in their ability to get to the heart of a problem or issue and find a sensible but innovative way to solve the problem with a minimum of financial resources. How did the group move forward during 2006 with limited resources? The answer is with great cooperation, forming strategic alliances, and pooling mental resources. On a global scale, cooperation is becoming the key to human survival-MPC working across the US-MEX border has achieved results through cooperation of the highest level. The model of cooperation that was developed could be used by the governments on both sides of the border.

MPC during 2006 honed the details of our operation, with a special focus on developing partnerships, increasing our image, seeking new sources of operational funding and expanding group tours. We continue to see the Mimbres-Paquime Connection's main role as promoting tourism and economic development, as well as creating an awareness of our many historical and archeological assets of the area. This is the organizations core mandate, as relevant to the challenges that Chihuahua, Mexico and southwestern New Mexico face in the early twenty-first century as it was during earlier times.

In the past year, the board of directors and membership have wrestled with what can be done to reduce fears of travel into Mexico, getting faster access across the border going north and south, and improving signage and relationships. We believe that the work that has been done in the past ten years is beginning to show results. The results are not coming as fast as we would like but each month more progress is being made. I am proud to be leading the organization that has such a strong tradition of working bi-nationally for the betterment of relations between our two countries. We are committed to learning from research and from experience in order to adapt to the changing conditions in our two countries. Although my signature appears on this Report, the activities during the past year were for the most part conducted by the Board of Directors and the membership. The credit for making the year 2006 a success goes to those individuals and groups.

George Pintar
President

---

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover

President's Letter

Executive Summary

Accomplishments

Organization Structure

Infrastructure

Culture and Education

Conservation of Resources on the loop

Tours

Financial resources

2006 Board Members

Final Word

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2006 year saw a small decrease in the membership of the organization. The result of the decrease in membership has been fewer projects. Mimbres-Paquime Connection has pushed for more transparency in program policies and development. Monthly Board meetings have provided information to the membership and interested citizens. We have released more and better information about what the Mimbres-Paquime Connection is doing. There will be more and better communication efforts in the years to come.

The significant accomplishments for 2006 were:

Five Bi-National Mimbres-Paquime Connection meetings were held. We now meet every other month in Palomas, Mexico. The new meeting schedule and location has allowed for better communications on projects.

With funds from Rural Economic Development Through Tourism, over 15,000 rack cards were published. These cards are still being distributed to chamber of commerce and visitor centers throughout New Mexico. The rack cards were designed to show the complete Mimbres-Paquime Connection Loop.

We have developed a presence with the Border 2012 group.

The Mimbres Paquime Connection Loop nurtures a lively trade of ideas, customs, language, and friendships between Mexico and the American Southwest. As MPC works its way into the main stream of historic loops, the board of directors will be attempting to secure recognition as an international historic loop that will commemorate a shared cultural and geographic heritage and will help eliminate cultural barriers and enrich the lives of people living along the MPC Loop.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Mimbres-Paquime Connection continues to have a Federal 501 c 3 status.

The Board of Directors have divided the administrative responsibilities and fundraising activities to insure the smooth operation of MPC.

Regular monthly Board and Membership meetings were held in communities that make up the United State side of the Mimbres-Paquime Loop.

Partnerships with National Park Service, SW Strategies Group, Rural Economic Development Through Tourism, Black Range RCD, 2012 Project, and groups have continued.

The Web Site (4MPC.org) is being revised and updated to be more user friendly.

A calendar of events is being developed for festivals and other important activities along the Loop. The calendar will be featured on the Mimbres-Paquime Connection web site as well as other web sites.

In summary, the organizational structure component of the Mimbres-Paquime Connection has been strengthened. Communication links are being improved, as well as policies and procedures on each side of the border.

INFRASTRUCTURE

With funds from Rural Economic Development Through Tourism, rack cards were distributed to Chamber of Commerce, visitors' centers and hotels. The rack cards were designed to show the complete Mimbres-Paquime Loop. Through letters, personal contacts, and other means, the Mimbres-Paquime Connection board of directors, and membership encouraged the Mexican government to improve the road conditions on the Loop. On the United States side of the border, Route 11 south from Deming was completed. There are plans to identify member businesses on each side of the border with a recognition sign that can be placed in the window of the business. In summary, progress is slowly being made to improve the infrastructure for ease of travel on both sides of the border. There is a realization that those improvements will take several years to initiate and develop. However, it is important to maintain those plans on the front burner of needed action.

CULTURE AND EDUCATION

The inventory of historical and archeological sites prepared several years ago is being updated with more descriptive material being added for research.

Progressing with the New Mexico Historic Preservation to get the Loop identified as a Heritage Trail.

Using the magazine as an educational tool for visitors and business people.

Assisted in the planning and implementation of the Bi-National Horse Race on the Mexican/United States border.

In summary, the culture and education work has been hampered by the lack of commitment of members of the organization.

More citizens need to be involved with this part of the Mimbres-Paquime Connection's activities.

Efforts will be made to strengthen this initiative during 2005.

CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES ON THE LOOP

We have developed a presence with the Border 2012 group and participated in the latest meeting in October 2004 in Janos, Mexico.

We have developed a presence with the SW Strategies Group. We hosted a workshop in Columbus on establishing a Farmer's Market there.

In summary, the conservation of resources on the loop work has been hampered by the lack of commitment of members of the organization. More citizens need to be involved with this part of the Mimbres-Paquime Connection's activities. Efforts will be made to strengthen this initiative during 2005.

TOURS

Our greatest effort to develop the tours has been the publication of the rack cards. See copy attached to the end of this report.

The development and distribution of the Trails of Enchantment magazine will be a strong tool to increase tours to places on the Loop.

The Mimbres-Paquime Connection web site (4mpc.org) also promotes the tours to places on the Loop.

The Mexican government has provided the organization with a very detailed map of the Loop.

In summary, several efforts were made during the past year to find a company or person who would take the lead in developing group tours to Mexico. Unfortunately, all the potential leads proved unsuccessful. A plan is now underway to provide a guide car that would radio equipped to lead a caravan group on tours throughout the Loop.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Mimbres-Paquime Connection started the 2006 year with a balance of $16,050.00. (See Budget for the year below).

Mimbres-Paquime Connection received additional funding to support attendance to the New Mexico Governor's Conference on Tourism in the amount of $3,000.00.

Mimbres-Paquime Connection presently has members in the following membership categories:

o Student
o Individual
o Family
o Government
o Chambers of Commerce
o Not for Profits
o Businesses
o Sponsors

· Mimbres-Paquime Connection's ending balance for the 2006 year was $3,054.25 In summary, year 2004 had a good bit of financial support from our partners. The number of memberships for the year was disappointing. Efforts will be made to strengthen this initiative during 2007.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS 2006
President George Pintar - Owner, A Perfect Fit, Las Cruces
Vice President Jeri Sue - Owner, Art on the Western Edge, Columbus
Secretary Leslie Tomerlin - Lordsburg Visitors Information Center
Treasurer Frank Chiprich - Retired