By Edward Pormilos
The CPUFOAAI held its quarterly meeting via Zoom.
The Central Philippine University Federation of Overseas Alumni Association, Inc. officers and Board of Directors held their last quarterly meeting for 2021 via Zoom last December 18, 2021, to discuss several matters. Presided by its President, Mr. Rod Gonzales, the meeting was participated by a total of fourteen Board of Directors, advisers, and chapter presidents.
Mrs. Melba Debulgado, Federation Treasurer, presented the financial report for the year 2021. She cited that several chapters have updated their annual dues. It was suggested that the Regional
VPs are responsible to reach out or remind chapters that have not updated their dues.
The Regional VPs presented their reports. Rev. Manuel de la Fuente, who was not present during the meeting due to family matters, submitted a letter detailing updates on the Northeast, USA Region. There were member chapters that held their Christmas parties either virtually or in-person. Dr. Christine Daquaido, VP for Eastern Canada Region 9 presented a PowerPoint. Part of the presentation was the highly successful and well-attended Thanksgiving and Christmas Celebration of the Toronto Chapter. The Chapter also received a Certificate of Recognition from CPU for its scholarship donation. Mrs. Perla Waters suggested the “cell group” concept of gathering together for Centralians in other places with no chapter yet that would lead towards the eventual organization of a new chapter.
The Chapter Presidents presented updates of their respected chapters. Mrs. Arlene Poblador of Southern California relayed their successful in-person Christmas fellowship that also involved a fundraising drive. Mrs. Norma Van Dusen shared the Toronto Chapter’s Christmas and Thanksgiving joint celebration and the successful Bahandi virtual fundraising concert.
70 alumni and friends attended the CPUAAMWUSA (Midwest USA Chapter) Christmas party in person.
Yolanda Jain of Midwest, USA echoed that there were more than 70 participants during their Christmas Party and Installation of New Officers. They also collected a total love gift of $1,000 for the God’s Grace Ministry. Mrs. Easter Aurora reported that the Florida Chapter raised $2,000 for the God’s Grace Ministry. Pastor Edward Pormilos of Northern California reported that they originally planned for the in-person Christmas Party but they shifted online after news of Omicron Variant and the surge of the current Delta Variant hit the Bay Area. He added that CPU gave a Certificate of Recognition to the Chapter and to the 13 individual sponsors of its Grant-In-Aid Program. The Chapter also donated $500 to the God’s Grace Ministry. Mrs. Perla Waters commended the support of many chapters to the God’s Grace Ministry for the work students. She cited that it was originally an endowment fund but was later converted to a white gift offering during Christmas parties.
On the proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-laws of the Federation, Mr. Gonzales reported that there have been various comments on past amendments but there was nothing official that was ratified nor published. He pointed out that the November 2013 CBL will be used as a point of reference. He also suggested for the CBL Committee to convene to incorporate various past comments and to present the proposed amendments during the first quarterly Federation meeting for 2022 on March 26. Atty. Riggi Solinap, Chairman of the CBL Committee, concurred with Mr. Gonzales’ observation and recommendation.
As to the preparation for the Special Election in July 2022, no update was made since no member of the Special Election Committee was present to provide a report and how to move forward. There will be a separate meeting of the committees involved on January 29, 2022.
The final matter discussed was the next Global Reunion. President Gonzales reported that the deadline of December 18, 2021, lapsed that day and there was still no taker for 2024 hosting after connecting and communicating with possible hosts that included UK, North Texas, Southern Texas, and Dubai chapters. As agreed in the previous meeting, the Toronto Chapter will take over the hosting in July 2025 if no taker for 2024. Mrs. Poblador cited, however, that the CCINAA had already scheduled their own global reunion on February 2025 and this may affect attendance for the July 2025 plan considering that based on past gatherings, nurses constituted 50% of attendance. Mr. Gonzales will check on this matter regarding official confirmation.
There were ideas or suggestions to hold the next Global Reunion at CPU again either in July 2024 or February 2025 (combined with the CCINA) because of the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic. The matter was laid on the table for further discussion on the next meeting.