NaFFAA Elects New Leaders, Charts New Directions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2006
Contact: Jon Melegrito, 202.361.0296
Honolulu, Hawaii. Sept. 30. Vowing to find the necessary resources in order to revitalize the nine-year old organization as the voice of Filipino Americans, Alma Quintans Kern of Seattle, WA. was elected today as national chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA. She takes over from Loida Nicolas Lewis who stepped down after four years. Rozita Lee of Las Vegas, Nevada was chosen as national vice chair, while JoAnn Fields of San Diego, Calif. was elected national youth chair. All three served as regional chairs of states with significant Filipino populations.
In her acceptance speech, Kern emphasized the need to refocus NaFFAA's attention to issues affecting Filipinos here in America, and to highlight programs aimed at getting them actively engaged in the U.S. political process, such as voter education and civil rights advocacy. “I am keenly aware of perceptions that we have paid more attention to Philippine issues like dual citizenship and less attention to our civic participation here in the U.S.” she said. “We are primarily a Filipino American organization and that should drive our policies, programs and projects.”
Kern also stressed the need to get more young people involved in NaFFAA's leadership. “They need to be at the table with the adults so we can work together in addressing our community's issues and concerns,” she said. “It's vital that we put in place right away a succession plan by investing in a sustained leadership program.” She has committed herself to the establishment of a leadership institute and tap corporate donors to fund it.The 20-member national board elected both officers during a plenary session that was described by Commission on Elections Chairman Ron Quidachay as “a lively demonstration of democracy in action. “ Their election was immediately affirmed by voting delegates to the 7th NaFFAA Empowerment Conference which was attended by more than 500 delegates and guests. National Vice Chair Greg Macabenta, who challenged Kern to the chairmanship, pledged his support to make NaFFAA succeed in uniting and politically empowering Filipino Americans across the U.S.
Delegates also approved a set of amendment's to the NaFFAA by-laws designed to strengthen and build capacity for an organization that has struggled for financial viability over the years. Membership will now be extended to individuals, and annual membership dues ranging from $35 to $100 will now be assessed. “If we are truly committed to building a strong national organization that will be our voice in Washington's policy circles, we must take personal responsibility in keeping NaFFAA afloat and alive,” Lewis declared. “It's up to us to make this work.”
Former Hawaii Governor Ben Cayetano set the tone for the conference with a stirring speech on opening day calling on Filipino Americans to “stand shoulder to shoulder with Hispanic Americans” in fighting for immigration reform. “Filipino Americans must do all they can to ensure that elected fficials do what is just and fair in dealing with this complicated issue,” he said. He also noted that the political success of Filipino Americans in Hawaii are instructive experiences for the FilAm community as a whole. “As you ponder the great questions before you, look at Hawaii for sources of lessons in political empowerment,” he added.
Historic Feats. The three-day conference achieved a number of historic accomplishments, driven in large part by an overwhelming desire among the delegates to play a role in reshaping the American political landscape. For the first time, Democrats and Republicans formed a national committee to undertake a national voter education, registration and get-out-the-vote campaign. “This is a basic vehicle for political empowerment,” said Gloria T. Caoile of Springfield, Va. who co-chairs the steering committee with Perry Diaz of Sacramento, Calif. “It's about time we get organized as a national non-partisan political force and flex our political muscle.” Added Diaz: “We have to position ourselves in the upcoming elections and educate our community on such issues as immigration reform and veterans equity.”Coinciding with the NaFFAA empowerment conference is the 4th Global Networking Convention which drew the participation of over 50 delegates from Australia, Canada, Kuwait, Norway, Japan and the Philippines. Delegates accepted an invitation from Filipinos in Australia to host next year's global gathering in Sydney.
Philippine issues dominated many of the break-out sessions, including workshops on dual citizenship, overseas voting, charter change, retirement and diaspora philanthrophy. Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos regaled the delegates with his homespun humour and challenged them to “give back” to their country of birth.
“The election of a new NaFFAA leadership gives me hope that we can build a national organization that we can all be proud of,” said Junelle Cavero, a Filipino young professional from Washington, D.C. who attended the founding conference in 1997. “We have our growing pains but the energy at this conference, especially the outreach to the youth, assures me that we will overcome these problems and move forward.”