The following open letter, sent as an email has been received from Expat Explorers, the organization of foreign residents in Panama City.

Dear Expats In Panama, Members, Panamanian Friends, & Supportive Businesses:

As a sage once said "Imitation is the highest form of flattery". So consider us flattered; but we nevertheless want to contact everyone to avoid confusion.

It has recently come to our attention that a new group has formed in Panama stating they are an Expat "Charitable Organization". This group has chosen to utilize the name of the "Expat Socials" as part of their website without consulting us, seeking our consent, or even our support and participation. As all of you know from our updates and calendar of events, we are very supportive of other groups as long as we feel they are legitimate. So we have had to ask ourselves (and encourage you to do the same) why this group would not contact us to assist in their efforts? especially when some of the organizers are previous members of our group.

While we do believe charitable work is very important, and each of us contribute where and when we can, it is very important to note that the actual Expat Social Committee was unaware of this group being formed.

If this new group is on the "up & up", we wish them the best. However, we are sure most would realize that protocol would have been to contact us prior to utilizing the name (expatsocials.com) as part of their website name, especially since expatsocials.com has been registered to us for over 2 years. Thus, while we wish any organization that is valid in their concerns for charity the best of luck, we feel these questions have left us no option but to inform all of you:

This new group (sorry, we do not know what the actual name is) has NO affiliation with the "Expat Socials" or the "Expat Explorers"; and do not appear to have a registered charitable organization number.

We would hope that this organization is on the "up & up", especially since it is involved with charity. We have no way of verifying this, nor do we feel we should be expected to.

At one time we utilized the email address of expatsocials@yahoo.com, however it is no longer valid due to unauthorized use from a previously trusted member of the Social Committee. Any and all emails from us will come from the secure website of "Expats In Panama", thus will end with "@expatsinpanama.com".

Sincerely,
The Expat Social Committee Members:
Laura Alexander, Warren Oster, Ed Higgins, Glenn Deuel, Mary Sloane, (Hall Hunter has been unavailable for response)