PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: 

Joint initiative to foster communication and coordinate Filipino community activities

Filipino community associations in Victoria have always been active fundraisers for various causes in the Philippines. However, the increased number of fundraising events, sometimes by the same association and with no coordination with other groups, has created issues such as date clashes for events, the same potential donors unsure which fundraiser to attend and conflicting events dividing instead of strengthening community support.  Yearly Philippine calamities in particular highlighted problems of confusion, poor communication, inefficiencies and lack of reporting accountability when concerned groups try to raise funds separately but on the same dates.

In late 2009, three Filipino organisations: Circulo Capizeno of Melbourne Inc, Ilocano Association of Victoria Inc and Pampangueno Club of Victoria Inc agreed to respond collectively, formed a Committee and started a community initiative as a solution to the issues.

As a first step, the Committee (presently called Emergency Relief Fund for Philippines) sent out an open invitation to known organisations to a community meeting on 10 January 2010 to offer ideas to the wider community for comment and input. The agenda items were:

• To compile a Community Calendar of Events 2010 to improve planning, foster cooperation and prevent the event clashes of previous years
• After the Typhoon Ondoy fundraising efforts in 2009, to propose and agree on a co-ordinated community response to future Philippine calamities.

 All community groups and associations were invited to comment, ask questions, add their events to the Calendar, add/ remove/update their organisation details on the List of Filipino Community Organisations by 31 January 2010. 

For Minutes of the Meeting  click here

Note: The above file requires Adobe Reader.  If you do not have Adobe Reader installed on your computer please click here to download your free copy of Adobe Reader.