youthNews
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NaFFAA Sets Priorities for 2009; |
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Contact: Bing Branigin, 703-715-8879 NaFFAA officers, community leaders and Phillippine Embassy officials pose for a group photo following the conclusion of the organization's planning meeting in Washington DC on Nov. 22. Photo by Les Talusan "When NaFFAA was formed 11 years ago, the idea was not to create an umbrella organization but to establish links among various autonomous national and local groups in order to harness our collective strength," National Chair Greg Macabenta reminded officers of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations during their planning meeting in Washington D.C. on November 22. "As national chair, I don't consider myself as 'the boss' but the coordinator, integrator and facilitator so that we as Filipino Americans can speak as one clear, powerful voice to government, business and the American mainstream." Two months after NaFFAA elected its national executive officers during the 8th Empowerment Conference in Seattle, Macabenta convened the board to set its priorities for 2009. "We want to hit the ground running," he said, citing as top priorities expanding the membership base, broadening advocacy in relation to key community needs, achieving financial stability, providing institutionalized member/community services and strengthening coalitions. NaFFAA, he pointed out, was built on "the fundamental principles of autonomy, inclusiveness, synergy and strategic coalitions. We need an attitudinal change about how we relate to other organizations so that they see that being part of an alliance strengthens our collective interests. "The first challenge that we all face as community workers and volunteers is to persuade the greater number of our community to become more involved, and to care more about the issues that affect all of us in the long-term. It is the short term impact that most see, which is one reason for not being involved." Macabenta also reiterated what he pledged after his election in Seattle: "We need to decentralize by shifting the focus from the national to the regional arena where the grassroots activities are taking place." To this end, he proposed a revenue-sharing arrangement that allocates 80 percent of any monies raised to the regional. The board unanimously approved this policy change. Political Empowerment On a similar note, the impressive voter turn out by Filipino Americans in the last presidential elections prompted renewed support by NaFFAA to an on-going voter education and mobilization program. Gloria Caoile, FilVote co-chair, cited successful voter registration drives this year in Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Florida. Filipino young professionals, led by former NaFFAA National Youth Chair Dexter Ligot-Gordon, offered to share lessons from the Filipinos for Obama campaign, notably its field program in building a data base to raise money and mobilize electorally. Now called FilAmVote, this national non-partisan voter program is now headed by Merit Salud, a Democrat from New York, and Emraida Kiram, a Republican from Wisconsin. Gordon heads up FilAmVote's youth component. Noting that the 2010 Census will soon be underway, Macabenta alerted NaFFAA officers to be actively engaged and ensure that Filipinos are not undercounted. "We are now 4 million strong in the U.S. today," he said. "It's critical that we are accurately counted so that underserved sectors in our community are properly recognized." Coalition Building Ben de Guzman, newly-appointed NaFFAA permanent representative to the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), emphasized the importance of "being at the table" with coalition partners, such as the Asian American Justice Center and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, particularly in influencing public policy. He cited advocacy for Filipino Veterans equity and immigration reform as examples. "We wouldn't have achieved significant gains in Congress without the support of these established civil rights organizations." DeGuzman, who is also national coordinator for the National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity (NAFVE), credited coalition partners in the Asian Pacific American community for their valuable assistance in enlisting congressional co-sponsors for the equity bill. "When we re-launch our campaign next year, we will be in a stronger position because of the relationships we have built with these highly-respected civil rights groups." Leadership Development "NaFFAA is definitely not lacking in people with the skill, talent, resources, commitment and dedication required for national leadership," Macabenta said. "All they need are more opportunities to display these qualities. It is incumbent on the national leadership to get them more involved in national affairs." Hosting the planning meeting, which was attended by more than 50 board members, observers and community leaders from NaFFAA's 12 regions, was Capital Region officers led by Nony Abrajano, Maurese Owens, Gloria Caoile and Bing Branigin. The Philippine Embassy offered the use of its facilities for a Friday evening reception and the all-day Saturday meeting. "The synergy of these leaders who gathered this weekend to get NaFFAA moving forward is wonderful," said NaFFAA National Vice Chair Rozita Lee. "The spirit of 'Yes, We Can' is very encouraging." |
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National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) |