National Federation of Filipino American Associations

Executive Summary

Regional and County Officers met on January 17, 2009 at the home of Regional Chair Jose Pecho to review Region 8 challenges and issues and to determine the strategic priorities for 2009.

Several organizational challenges were identified ranging from funding to clarifying and streamlining the organization to better respond to the emerging priorities due to the growing Northern California Filipino Community.

In this regard NaFFAA Region 8 will pursue the following on-going operational issues:

- Strengthen the organizational and financial infrastructure.

- Strengthen the leadership capacity at the Regional, County, City and Local levels

Responding to the Filipino community’s continuing growth, diverse demographics and issues, the Strategy and Planning participants chose the following priorities:

1. Advocate for the Congressional passage of legislation providing benefits for World War II Philippine Veterans

2. Continue to increase the number of Filipino voters and their participation in the Democratic process

3. Pursue programs in conjunction with strategic alliances with other organizations which
advocate Economic Empowerment including the holding of Foreclosure Prevention Clinics. Help educate the Filipino business community for opportunities to do business with Corporate America, as well as address the supplier diversity needs of these Institutions.

4. Institute a Pilot Program involving our youth on health and wellness, lifestyle and Financial literacy in conjunction with West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center in San Francisco.

5. Improve the academic achievement of K-12 public school Filipino Americans and access to funding for higher education.

6. Legacy Program to insure leadership succession by our youth.

7. Identify unique issues at the local level affecting our community via County Chairs.

8. Continued Membership Growth.

Vision

The vision of the NaFFAA Region 8 is to establish a solid and powerful presence of Filipino Americans in Northern California.

Mission

The mission of NaFFAA Region 8 is to promote the welfare and well-being of all Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout Northern California.

Attendees of Strategy and Planning Meeting for NaFFAA Region 8:

1. Jose Pecho, Chair

2. Lorna Dietz, Vice-Chair

3. Rodel Rodis, Co-Founder NaFFAA

4. Jinni Bartolome, Treasurer

5. Rudy Asercion, San Francisco County Chair

6. Ben Menor, Santa Clara County Chair

7. Charito Benipayo, Alameda County Chair

8. Baylan Megino, Member via on line conference

9. Felix Antero, Member

Respectfully submitted by:

Jose A. Pecho, Chair
Region 8, Northern California
NaFFAA

NOTE: This entry will most likely have edits. We will add the Calendar of Activities.

If you think that NaFFAA Region 8 is all volunteer work and no play, here’s a slide show that explicitly expresses what “hitting balls” can do for the volunteer psyche… Enjoy!