National Federation of Filipino American Associations

Meet NaFFAA Region 8’s (Northern California) PRINCIPAL CORPORATE COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AT&T and Hana Zen! The NaFFAA Region 8 Community Empowerment Summit’s COMMUNITY ALLIES are: APAPA,  KAYA, PAPC-USA, FPACC, West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center, FFAC, New America Media, FANHS. and YFPA.

The NaFFAA Region 8 Community Empowerment Summit is supported by the following NaFFAA Region 8 County Chapters:

NaFFAA R8-San Francisco: Rudy Asercion, County Chair

NaFFAA R8-Alameda: Charito Benipayo, County Chair

NaFFAA R8-Santa Clara: Ben Menor, County Chair

NaFFAA R8-San Mateo - Jinni Bartolome, County Chair

NaFFAA R8-Monterey Bay - Elmer Dolera, County Chair

More details can be found at http://bit.ly/FilPower

APAPA (Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association), KAYA Filipino Americans for Progress, FFAC-PAC (Friends of the Filipino American Community Political Action Committee), West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center, FPACC (Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce), NAM (New America Media), PAPC-USA (Philippine American Press Club-USA), FANHS (Filipino American National Historical Society), YFPA (Young Filipino Professionals Association)

Opening Ceremonies / Posting of Colors

Welcome Remarks and State of the NaFFAA Region 8 by Jose Pecho

Welcome Remarks on behalf of Hana Zen by Angie Louie

Remarks by AT&T, Carol Diaz

Legacy of our Community Empowerment Journey by Alice “Tita Alice” Bulos

Continuing the Legacy of Community Empowerment with the Next Generation of Community Advocates by Genevieve Jopanda

The Value of Building community Empowerment through Collaborative Strategies by Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association representative

Panelists on the “Nuts and Bolts” of Building Community Empowerment Before You Start Your Political Empowerment Platforms:

Rob Bonta
Vice-Mayor of Alameda, CA
http://www.robbonta.com

Dr. Jennifer Ong
Commissioner, Alameda County Commission on the
Status of Women
http://drjenniferong.org

Chris Mateo
Vice-Mayor of Lathrop, CA
http://chrismateo.com

Q & A question session 10mins

Response: What It Will Take to Build Political Empowerment through a PAC infrastructure, by Henry Manayan

Response to All the Speakers: How To Share Their Experiences, Expertise, and Skills using Traditional Media and Social Media, by Odette Keeley of New America Media

Closing Remarks: FilAmVote is the Next Step! By Lorna Dietz

NaFFAA REGION 8 ELECTIONS: An election of endorsing the candidates that will be nominated; chaired by Region 8 Commission on Elections Chair & NaFFAA National Legal Counsel, Rodel Rodis, Esq.

Installation of new officers by Councilmember Myrna De Vera, former Mayor of Hercules (June 2011-December 2011), Vice Mayor for 2013, Mayor for 2014

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Our Strength: ONE COMMUNITY!

In November of 2010, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) convened its 9th Empowerment Conference in the San Francisco Bay Area with NaFFAA Region 8, Northern California as the host and organizer of “Empowerment 2010.” The theme of E-2010 was “Building the Next Generation of Community Advocates in an Intergenerational Environment.”

Today, NaFFAA Region 8’s leaders are taking advantage of the political atmosphere, economic conditions, public policy, and the Filipinos’ transcontinental success by using its existing infrastructure, skills, talents, resources and other tools so they can implement a master plan for community empowerment in 2012.

NaFFAA Region 8’s other resounding call to action is: “To empower Filipino communities so they can participate in supporting individuals who desire to hold public office that support the advancement of causes for the Filipino community.”

What does it take to empower these highly-qualified political candidates so that they will be inspired to do their best in order to win? It takes ONE COMMUNITY.

NaFFAA Region 8 believes in coalition-building, connecting dot after dot after dot, mindful that its leaders and supporters have been advocating AND are advocating for community groups and individuals to take action in supporting achievable empowerment objectives. The master plan includes providing a platform for our communities to establish activities for community empowerment as a non-profit organization. Rocking the vote through NaFFAA’s #FilAmVote (http://bit.ly/nzurFs) also means meeting these candidates who can share the nuts and bolts of community empowerment as well as interact with their constituents in a series of gatherings — from socials to workshops.

“ONE COMMUNITY.” What does this mean to NaFFAA Region 8? Through ADVOCACY, our voices and actions will always act as “the glue” that binds the shared hopes and aspirations of our authentic and unique communities.

Can you help us empower more highly-qualified Americans of Filipino ancestry to take a leap of faith in their credibility and strength of character so they can become true servant leaders in public service?

Can you stand on the shoulders of our elders and take the best of their wisdom and experiences so we can walk together, fearlessly and jubilantly, on the roads — less travelled — as ONE COMMUNITY?

Can you support us in becoming ONE COMMUNITY?

Please join us on March 16, 2012 at the NaFFAA Region 8 Community Empowerment Conference at Hana Zen Pier 39 in San Francisco, California from 4:00pm to 6:30pm. For more information and for your RSVP options, visit http://bit.ly/FilPower.

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CALL TO ACTION: #FilAmVote

NAFFAA National Website: http://naffaausa.org/

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is a private, non-profit, non-partisan tax-exempt organization established in 1997 to promote the active participation of Filipino Americans in civic and national affairs. NaFFAA is composed of 12 regions with a national office in Washington, D.C. that monitors legislation and public policy issues affecting Filipino Americans. NaFFAA partners with local affiliate organizations and national coalitions in advocating for issues of common concern.

NaFFAA National Office
1322 18th St NW, Washington DC 20036-1803
email: JonMele@aol.com
phone: 202.361.0296
web: http://NaFFAAUSA.org
inquiries: NaFFAANational@gmail.com

PHOTO ALBUM: CLICK HERE TO GO TO ELMER DOLERA’S COLLECTION OF THE NAFFAA R8 SUMMIT’S PHOTOS. Click on “View Now” located on the upper right-hand corner. Elmer is NaFFAA R8’s official photographer when he’s not busy with his favorite advocacy, conducting free tennis clinics in the Philippines.

A note from Lorna Dietz, the documentalist: This is a “live blogged” posting, that is, written in real time during the summit, except for the segments starting with Fil-Am Community Center’s Best Practices. Although there was a live video recording of the proceedings, Ben Menor (the emcee), 10 minutes before the summit started its first session, asked me to provide written documentation for the website and for any media inquiries. This posting will be edited for grammar and syntax as well as fact-checked, especially where statistics are mentioned. Links and Photos will also be added.

Announcement: To all our NaFFAA members, supporters, and their families, we want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Please note that there will be an announcement next week when the first general meeting under newly-elected NaFFAA Region 8 Chair, Jose Pecho, will take place.

Click here for a full-sized photo of the new NaFFAA R8 officers 2007-2009

THE THEME

EXPANDING OUR ROOTS: PROVIDING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO STRENGTHEN OUR FOUNDATION

THE HIGHLIGHTS

After an invigorating walk toward Westfield Shopping Center for a VIP tour of the San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center and Museum from 9:00 am to about 9:45 am, the summit’s participants convened at Bayanihan Community Center. A sumptuous continental breakfast, prepared by Jinni Mabalot Bartolome and her volunteer corps, welcomed everyone.

WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS

Marivic Bamba, NaFFAA R8’s regional chair, recounted her first experiences in the neighborhood where Filipino community centers didn’t exist. The importance of Bayanihan Community Center was highlighted. Sometime during the summit, she referred to NaFFAA Region 8’s members as “initiators and instigators.”

Hon. Marciano Paynor, Consul General of the Philippines - San Francisco, assured NaFFAA about the consulate’s 100% support. “We will do everything we can to make things happen.” He also commented about the Filipino community’s lack of political clout compared to other ethnic communities. “One wonders why. We have the numbers but they don’t come. We spread ourselves too thin, we have too many ideas.” Paynor added. “Before we expand our roots, we must strengthen our foundation — which should be our primary goal and objective, not only NaFFAA’s. We have about 375-something organizations in San Francisco alone.”

Consul General Paynor added: “Come election time, the candidates don’t go to the Filipino community.” He also said that there could be one white candidate, one black candidate, and three Filipinos vying for the same political position. “This summit must be able to come up with what we can do that every Filipino can think ‘Filipino,.’ We’re Americans, too.” Paynor also told the participants about Filipinos worldwide being subjected to adverse conditions in different parts of the world yet adapt beautifully. “We have the numbers! We must count! That is my message.” Paynor concluded that he hopes the mainstream political community will come and court the Filipino community. He noted that we are not “Flips” but are Filipino Americans. “We can raise the consciousness of Filipino Americans here in San Francisco. Making it work is first. Maintaining it is more difficult.”

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ron Quidachay noted that many people who attended this year’s summit have been involved in Filipino community advocacy work for the past four decades. There was a lot of laughter from the crowd. “We have certainly come a long, long way. It doesn’t mean that everything has been resolved.” Judge Q also introduced a “brand-new” judge from Monterey County, Hon. Efren Iglesia, “although this new judge isn’t new in community activities (Filipino American Community Council, the forerunner of NaFFAA),” he said. “When I went to law school, in 1970, there were only nine lawyers in California and no Superior Court Judges. Currently, three of the 10 judges were appointed in the last three months.” Quidachay continued: “I concur with the Con-Gen. There’s a lot happening in our community. There’s a lot of struggle — but we’re making it. We’ve got a long way to go. In this summit, we’re going to find out, communicate, and what steps we will take.”

COMMUNITY VOICES FORUM

Preamble: Looking through the lens of Change and Community Development, this forum presented a broad understanding of the many issues that are currently impacting Filipino communities in Northern California. Voices shared from Sacramento, Vallejo, the Tri-City area, Santa Clara, and Stockton were joined by the voices of Poetry, Youth, Mentors, WWII Veterans, Culture, Civil Rights, Domestic Violence, and Young Adults. Each shared wisdom gleaned from years of engagement in their areas.

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Click here for the REGISTRATION FORM:naffaa-r8-summit-registration-form-for-10-nov-2007.doc
On-site summit registration starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Bayanihan Community Center. You can fill up your registration forms there.

Northern California Regional NaFFAA Summit

“Expanding our Roots: Providing Access and Opportunities to Strengthen our Foundation”

Saturday, November 10, 2007

The Bayanihan Community Center
1010 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Summit is from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Reception 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

A Tour of San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center
Westfield Shopping Center, 865 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
(We will meet at Bayanihan Community Center and walk to Westfield)

NaFFAA Region 8 is pleased to invite you to its upcoming Regional Summit “Expanding our Roots: Providing Access and Opportunities to Strengthen our Foundation” on Saturday, November 10, 2007 to be held at the Bayanihan Community Center. Bayanihan is located at 1010 Mission Street in San Francisco. The Summit will feature a wide variety of activities that will allow us to expand our community network and forge new relationships.

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For members and prospective members: This website is your archive for our programs and activities.

SUMMIT REGISTRATION FORM AND FLIER: NaFFAA R8 Summit 2005 Flier & Registration Form

TRIBUTE: Invitation for the Community Tribute to San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ronald “Ron” Quidachay on September 17, 2005

MECHANICS AND PROCEDURE FOR PANEL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Click here for the slide presentation.

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NaFFAA R8 ACTION PLANS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

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