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August 8, 2008
2008 NaFFAA National Empowerment Conference
September 26 – 28, 2008
Westin Hotel, Seattle, Washington
“Forging a New Filipino American Agenda for the 21st Century”
Conference Overview
The conference will bring together Filipino American community leaders, advocates, Filipino program administrators, and innovators of all ages to assess the current status of the Filipino Community and to move forward to the 21st Century with more vigor and a more solid presence to ensure the growth and improvement of our communities.
This conference will provide 400 – 500 delegates and other interested individuals from all over the United States and other parts of the world the opportunity to:
To meet and share information and experiences related to programs, projects and initiatives serving Filipino Americans
To discover emerging models, approaches and resources to enhance and accelerate community development
To explore and propose resolution for civic, mass media, racial, and legal issues (e.g., work place discrimination, Desperate Housewives television show slur) experienced by Filipino Americans
To assess key “healthy community” components such as programs to prevent and reduce domestic violence in the Filipino Community, Filipino American educational achievement, health and personal well-being, socio-economic indicators, civic engagement and present successful projects and programs
To provide opportunities for political, business, and community development networking and strategizing to strengthen the Filipino community in these areas
CONFERENCE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Delegates will participate in the following components of the conference:
1) National and regional speakers at the conference’s
plenary sessions.
2) Several workshop strands focusing on political empowerment / community human and health services program development / community economic development / youth educational and cultural programming / media and the arts. These workshops cover NaFFAA’s national agenda and priorities:
Political Empowerment
Strategies to influence local, regional and national issues with elected office holders
Planning and conducting successful Filipino voter drives
Cultivating a new generation of potential candidates for political races
Resolution strategies for resolving discrimination experienced by Filipino Americans
Community Human and Health Services Program Development
Programs to prevent and reduce domestic violence in the Filipino Community
Identifying, securing and negotiating grant funds for highly needed programs in your community
Filipino community health improvement programs – a growing phenomenon
The Role of Filipino Community Centers in providing human services for community members
Community Economic Development
One day business conference with focus on:
Fostering entrepreneurialism among Filipinos of all ages
Business-to-business meeting opportunities
The growing role of Filipino American chambers of commerce in both business and community development
International trade with the Philippines – mutual benefits for both sides
Youth Educational and Cultural Program Development
NaFFAA’s national study on K-12 Filipino American student academic achievement – results, recommendations and resolutions
Developing and implementing programs for Filipino youth
Strategies to enhance Filipino student success in higher education
The roles of Filipino American student groups in academic attainment at the high school & college levels
Media
Filipino media issues – dealing with stereotypes, building a more accurate image, unbiased reporting
Strategies to enhance Filipino American media in the mainstream
Arts
NaFFAA’s study of performing arts group in the national Filipino Community
Identifying and securing funds for your performance art group
Other focus areas: Assistance to the Philippines – Medical Missions
3) Numerous social and networking opportunities in activities such as the: Hospitality Night (hosted by Region 7), Fellowship Night at Muckleshoot Casino, Regional caucus meetings, Golf tournament for business and other delegates, and Gala Banquet and Dance.
4) Exhibits and displays by various national and regional Filipino American organizations and Philippine and American businesses.
For more information, visit www.naffaa.org
Or call Mariela Fletcher, Overall Conference Chair at
(206) 892-0075