May 21, 2022 Brianstorming Meeting

PHYSICALLY PRESENT:

Giselle Concepcion

Girlie Pe

Corito Llamas (Past President)

Baby de Jesus

Regina Geraldez (Area Director)

Baby Perez Sison (Past District Governor)

Carol Sanchez

Bee Angeles

Nonie Basilio (Past Area Director)

Daisy Arce (Past Area Director)

Fely Umandap

PRESENT VIA ZOOM

Ruby Amog

Chit Manabat

Teody Buenaflor (Vice President)

Zenas Lozada

Grace Basilio-Soong

Giselle, the incoming President, addressed both the club members physically present as well as those attending via zoom. She distributed materials (copy attached) enumerating the different projects/activities which the Club is pursuing or is considering pursuing and eliciting from members an indication of interest, and extent and manner of present or future involvement. She requested that these materials be filled up and handed to her or submitted to her via email or viber. She also briefly described each of the projects and suggested that committees be formed with a chairperson and members for better implementation. Below are the present and future projects/ activities and the comments of the members present

A. Present Projects

1. ASHI or Ahon sa Hirap, Inc. (a microfinance NGO) – Baby Perez said she fully supports this project including the basic financial literacy program being undertaken by ZM1 in partnership with FINEX Foundation through Chit Manabat.

2. Young Mothers – This is Fr. Ben Nebres’ family feeding program expanded to training and educating mothers for livelihood, teenage pregnancy and violence against women prevention,  in Payatas. Questions were raised about the program and it was explained that this may require an annual  donation of P30,000 for each mother until she finishes her training)

3. Tondo Kiddie Class conducted at ZCM1’s Tondo Bldg – This project has been undertaken by ZCM1 for more than 20 years.  Baby and Gina explained that the project originated as a feeding program which provided young children with a diet enriched with coconut oil. During the term of Baby, the project was transformed into a Nutrition Kiddie Class. Classes were conducted for pre-schoolers and feeding continued under the supervision of the Nutrition Foundation with the active participation of  Banjo Dumlao and Pacita Zara and a monitor provided by the Nutrition Foundation. Giselle highlighted the importance of establishing partnerships with other organizations. Gina brought up a comment made at the last GMM that conducting a kiddie class may require a permit from the DepEd. Girlie replied that according to Menchu Pascual this requirement applies only to classes under the K to 12 program. This advice must be verified with Menchu. Baby explained that due to budget constraints, the feeding component was discontinued but the kiddie classes continued.  It has been reported that many of the children who graduated from the kiddie class have been accepted in Grade 1. During the pandemic the kiddie classes were suspended but may resume soon.  

4. High Schools supported by ZCM1 – The two schools currently being supported by the Club through scholarships, and internet load for online classes are Rajah Soliman Science and Technology High School (Rajah) in Tondo and the Don Honorio Ventura  State University (DHVSU) in Pampanga. In the past P5,000 was donated each year to scholars in Rajah, who are chosen through an interview process,  to defray the cost of school materials. During the pandemic the Club donated to its scholars in Rajah and DHVSU P300/month for internet load for online classes. Patty Jalbuena and her religious group coursed their donation of 230 tablets through the Club. These tablets were distributed to five public high schools, namely: a) Jose P. Laurel High School in Quezon City, b) Ramon Magsaysay High School in Cubao, Quezon City, c) Flora Ylagan High School in Quezon City,  d) Captain Albert Aguilar High School in Las Piñas and e) the Las Piñas National High School.

5. Z Clubs and Golden Z Clubs – Cynthia Cruz and Fely Umandap are in charge of the Club’s  Z Club in Rajah and  Golden Z Club in DHVSU . The Club is considering establishing Z Clubs in the five public high schools previously mentioned where the 230 tablets were distributed.

6. Webinars with speakers on service and advocacy thrusts of Zonta – Giselle enumerated the many good webinars that the Club sponsored during the current biennium such as those conducted by Father Ben Nebres, Mercy Abad, Tatti Licuanan, Lisa Berseles, Corazon de Ungria, Toni Loyzaga, Leo Battad and Celia Reyes.  Giselle asked for suggestions on future webinar speakers. She mentioned that the Club could even invite speakers based abroad. In particular she mentioned the sister of Bee Angeles, an engineer based  in San Francisco who has been a prime mover in NGO work during the pandemic. She also mentioned that the Club should try to recruit her.

7. Basic Financial Literacy Program of ZCM1 in partnership with FINEX Foundation for ASHI mothers.  She asked Chit Manabat to speak about further expanding the partnership between the Club and FINEX to provide financial literacy training.  Chit mentioned webinars being sponsored by FINEX and other groups with which the Club can collaborate.

Baby suggested that the members discuss which projects the Club may wish to pursue, including the members to be directly involved in the implementation of the project and that after discussion, a consensus be arrived at on this matter. Giselle proposed that committees/discussion groups on these different projects be set up to explore whether or not to pursue the projects and to closely monitor the implementation including the key performance indicators and outcomes of those projects on which a favorable consensus is reached.   She also stressed the importance of teaming up with different organizations to expand the Club’s reach.

B. Future Projects for Consideration – Giselle also enumerated a list of future projects to be considered

1. Urban Farming (spearheaded by Mina Gabor) – Girlie explained that the components of the program can be trimmed down to the basic requirements of urban farming.

2. DNA Sample Facility in Q.C.

3. St. Theresa’s and public HS students joint enrichment sessions

4. Women’s best-loved items for recycling & resale as a fund-raising project

5. Kasambahay education and training

6. Advocacy through establishment of website with education and training materials and Zonta webinars

7. Printed and E-materials (Tell Your Story)

8. Active Recruitment of Members (priority activity); qualifications  and responsibilities for membership; members’ data

9. ZCM1 70th Anniversary celebration utilizing website for disseminating information on ZCM1’s activities through the years and on its members

10. Methods for solicitation of donations; fund-raising

Prepared by: Gina Geraldez, Recording Secretary