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Fellow Officers and members of FCSV: Next month my term as president ends.
On November 27, at the Sheriff’s Community Office, the membership
will elect a new president for the Filipino Community of Sacramento and
Vicinity. Let us welcome the
new batch of officers for the coming two years, and hope their term will
be as eventful as my two terms My big disappointment is that we were not able to
begin building the old dream- the community cultural center.
There are still a lot in our community who are sitting on the
fence to watch, and
there are others who still say “I am waiting to see the
posts standing in the vacant lot before I give”.
Nevertheless, I believe that in past years we were able to make
our presence and service more known as the face of the Filipino
community. We have started
our community service and participated in outreach through our
activities and through
Kapitbahay, the Activity Center of the Filipino community at
Seafood City. Let us look back to some highlights and what we
have accomplished together with the help of our talented community
members. 1. We
launched the website in September 2006 with the help of the creative
minds of Andrew and Grace Bower.
Andrew and Grace have continued to support the website since its
inception. 2. In
2008, we partnered with the organizations in Sacramento and Roseville to
host
Sining Kumintang of Batangas.
In 2008, we amended the By-Laws and constitution to increase the
number of directors by five, and the officers by two, making the total
number of the Executive board to thirty.
We believed at that time that increasing them will help with the
numerous projects and outreach of the organization. 3. In
2009, we focused on beginning community service and with good luck,
Kapitbahay
at Seafood City was established as an offshoot of the Community
Breakfast concept. As a side
project of FCSV,
Kapitbahay’s mission was to be the activity center of Filipino
organizations, thereby giving an opportunity for partnerships in events
or community service. It has
proven to be a successful venue for outreach and visibility of the
Filipino community. It
received recognition from the Asian Legal Center for its work in helping
with the outreach goals of Census 2010.
Kapitbahay
volunteered its location for the outreach and training activities.
It’s participation in the 2020 Census was requested.
The Asian Community of Sacramento endorsed
Kapitbahay’s role in
outreach. We are currently
reviewing the MOU for the following months to participate and be active
in reaching out to the Asian community.
Kapitbahay is also an active partner in the CAUSE Initiative
with other groups in the community to help increase awareness and
assistance to victims or would-be victims of domestic violence.
This year, Kapitbahay received
approval for a grant to assist with job assistance and wellness
outreach. 4.
The Scholarship Program of FCSV is continuing and participation with
Ronald Mcdonald House of Charities hopefully will be continued in the
succeeding years. A
Mentoring Program for high school students interested in pursuing
college is at the development stage.
Shawn Purnell, a past scholarship recipient, and a graduate of UC
Davis is helping FCSV by heading the initiative. 5.
FCSV Vacant Lot: we have
installed a stronger and better fence with gates and with the help of
Dick Mazon, Chair of the FCSV Lot Team, clean-up and plans are being
developed not only in order for the lot to help with the organization’s
community service, but with the hope that the property tax will be
reduced by the County upon receiving FCSV application for tax waiver or
discount and submission of proof of community service activities in the
lot. 6. In
2010, a performance by the Bayanihan of the Philippines at Mondavi
Center served as the highlight of the October Filipino American History
Month. This 2011, we
celebrated by recognizing our
Filipino musicians at a concert in Rizal Center on October 15, 2011. 7. In
December of 2009, FCSV celebrated with the community its 80th
Anniversary at the Jose Rizal Community Center by recognizing and
honoring its past leaders during its Christmas celebration. 8. In
March 31, 2011, FCSV partnered with other organizations to honor the
first Filipino Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court.
Over 500 attended the event at Radisson Hotel. 9.
This 2011, we expect to complete the prototype of the “Mga Gintong
Puso”- a book that will not only feature
prominent and generous Filipinos in the community who are helping
raise funds for the future community center, but also document their
lives and presence in the community for their family and future
generations. 10.
In 2010, FCSV through its Kapitbahay network,
gathered all the presidents of organizations to evaluate the need to
continue the annual Filipino festival.
Six major organizations answered the call to lead the Filipino
Fiesta of Sacramento and infuse energy into the annual festivity and
celebration of culture.
FCSV, FWC, TIA FAVA, Sinagtala (SFTPAA) and UP Alumni Association are
continuing their leadership.
FFS also achieved its status as a 501 c3 in May 2011. 11. FCSV joined the organizations sponsoring the Consulate on Wheels for the second time in 2011. It is one of the valuable services to the Filipinos in Sacramento and vicinity. Financially, FCSV is in good shape. The building
fund for the center is safe and sound under the Pacific Rim Heritage
Foundation. As I look forward in the future, I hope that the new
leadership will continue to build on our progress within the last few
years. I envision that a stronger team should focus on the raising for
the building fund. The book will be finished by this year and it will
help with the marketing. Personally, I wish we can pursue a dream of
having a media that will help focus on the Filipino community in
Sacramento, written and developed by the youth under the guidance of the
more experienced elders. Or perhaps, a radio station or a community day
and time slot to help in our outreach to the community. In addition,
FCSV should continue to develop its network with the other Asian
community in order to learn and build community strength with them. We
have started working with them this last two years. I encourage you all
to continue in whatever capacity you can. It is this hope that I am
inspired to work with the support of friends I have gained in my
presidency. Thank you all. God Bless you. |
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© 2006 Filipino
Community of Sacramento & Vicinity, Inc. - webmaster@fcsv.org Click HERE for our home page |
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