The 2024-2025 Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee of AFICS-PHL held its first-ever strategic planning workshop on March 21, 2024 at IOM Conference Room in Makati. The workshop tackled topics identified from a quick survey among the officers on what they saw were priorities to be addressed.

These included concerns about recruitment and activation of members; finance management and fundraising to support activities; recognition and partnership as part of institutionalization; intensifying communications; knowledge and information management; and regularity of activities. Over and above organizational and operational concerns, the workshop came up with the vision and mission statements as overarching framework to guide the Association’s plans. (See separate box.)

The participants identified requirements on what needed to be in place to achieve the AFICS vision andmission; the constraints or gaps to be addressed; and proposals for innovation and activities. The key actions from the planning workshop were translated into the committees’ action work plans which were presented at the following joint Board of Trustees/ Executive Committee April meeting.

The workshop, organized by a team of membersincluding Jana Ricasio, Anna Senga, Florence Tayson, Antonio Fernandez, Imee Manal, and Thelma Lampano, brought together 12 newly electedofficers led by President-elect Thetis Mangahas.

The workshop was facilitated by President Emeritus, Cecilio Adorna. The participants to the “self-financed” strategic meeting not only enjoyed reliving UN-style workshop, but also enjoyed delicious snacks contributed by attendees – fresh Bacolod lumpia, cheese pimiento sandwiches, empanaditas, banana-walnut cake, cassava cake, and Colombian coffee!!

Contributor: Lois Villanueva