2004 Youth Seminar Fund Campaign Underway
Greater
America Siquijorian Association (GASA)
152 Ferino Way
Fremont, CA 94536
June
12, 2003
Dear
GASA Members, Fellow Siquijodnons and Friends:
It
is with delight that I write this letter to report a story of success that
can only warm your heart and make you proud as a Siquijodnon.
First,
on GASA’s behalf, I want to thank those among you who have contributed
to the GASA Caroling Fund Campaign in the past.
It was largely from years of caroling that we were able to raise
enough money to fund an experimental project, the success story I am
reporting about.
As
you know GASA recently sponsored a youth seminar/workshop for the best and
brightest college-bound seniors in the island of Siquijor. The 5-day pilot seminar held on April 21-25 this, year was
enthusiastically hailed as a success by the students, invited speakers and
the field coordinators. This
consensus is a forceful voice that explicitly asks for a repeat of the
leadership training program, the first ever to be held in the island for
talented youth with the potential to become the leaders of tomorrow.
In the words of one student, “I hope there will be more of this
in the future!” Another
student enthused, “Now I am proud to be a Siquijodnon!” Please visit
the GASA website, http://www.siquijor.com/gasa/
for
more comments from the students about their seminar experience.
Attached (or enclosed) is our proposed seminar agenda for 2004.
And
because it was through your contribution that the seminar became a
reality, you own a piece of its success!
The
seminar/workshop aimed to instill community awareness and inculcate a
sense of social responsibility in the students through interactive
discussions of Siquijor-related community issues.
The daily activities were varied: docent tours of historical
structures; viewing of historical movies (Rizal & Dekada 70); visits
to agricultural & marine demonstration projects; interviews with local
folks (vendors, farmers, fishermen, etc); visits to key environmental
sites (mining site, Kambugahay Falls and the airport (by popular request
from the class!)) key topic presentations and discussions on
island-related issues.
Budget-wise,
GASA spent close to P22, 000.00 for the meal and transportation stipends
for 10 students, honoraria for two field coordinators and the speakers.
Most of the classroom materials were donated.
By design, class size was limited to only ten students for two main
reasons: budget constraint and concern for quality interactions to ensure
success by starting small.
The
success of this pilot project is an inspiring force for a repeat seminar
in 2004. The initial plan is
to increase the size of the class to 15, hopefully sequestered so that
evening activities can be included. We
already have ten potential youth leaders now known as GASA Fellows and if
repeated each year in bigger numbers, they could be a formidable
leadership force for the island’s benefit in the future.
In the youth lies our hope of a better Siquijor.
GASA
is determined to work hard to continue the youth leadership
seminar/workshop program in 2004 and in the years beyond.
But
we also need everyone’s help to ensure its continuity.
Our budget for next year is projected to be twice the 2003 budget
because more speakers are going to be invited and evening activities are
also planned. Therefore, we appeal to your generosity again for a donation
of any amount to enable GASA to continue this program.
Your donation is tax-deductible.
For
your use, GASA’s EIN is 94-3159454.
On
behalf of GASA, thank you again for your help and if you have any
questions, please feel free to contact any of the GASA people in the list
below.
Yours
truly,
CarmeñaLuz
Y. Miraflor
President,
GASA
Enclosed
or attached:
Proposed
GASA Youth Seminar/Workshop 2004
GASA Fund Campaign Contacts:
Leo
G. Mamicpic, (415) 353-1558 (day)
Bimbim Q. Rocamora (408) 483-7210 (day)
Bb Y. Miraflor, (650) 725-3617 (day)
Al/Luz A. Quijano, (415) 468-4891 (day)
Pledges
of support in cash or kind are appreciated:
Cash
donations* are tax deductible and will be ongoing to fund future seminars.
Please make your check payable to GASA
and mail to:
Romero
Y. Miraflor, Treasurer
GASA
152 Ferino Way, Fremont, CA 94536
*If
you wish to sponsor a speaker, the honorarium is $10.00 or P500.00.
Donations
in kind
Sponsorship
of meal(s) by you, your business or your family in the island
Food
stuff (spam, sausages, corned beef, oatmeal, milk, all kinds of dried
beans, pasta and sauces, etc.)
Collection
for Seminar 2004 ends in December 31, 2003.
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