Announcements

• Annual membership renewal is still being accepted.
  New members are welcome any time!
  Contact: Carmen Shively, membership@theFAAP.org
  
• For latest news and announcements, read the latest edition of FAAP Balita
  To subscribe, send an email to contact@theFAAP.org
• The 1st quarter edition of the FAAP newsletter is available here.
  Later editions are available only to FAAP members.
• To learn more about us, see our profile at The Pittsburgh Foundation, or
  contact us at contact@theFAAP.org

Message from FAAP President

In light of our upcoming YFAP Biennial Event, the Santacruzan, I think this is a good time to discuss what goes on into the making of a successful FAAP event. Certainly, there are many ways to achieve this but our experience with the past few years’ events points to a formula that seems to work for a volunteer organization like ours. First off, I define a successful event as easily measured by the attendance, how well it achieves its purpose and how much satisfaction and enjoyment are derived both by the planners and the attendees.

All our successful events – I include fundraisers as well as annual events like the induction balls, dance troupe performances, picnics and Christmas parties - excelled in the areas of LEADERSHIP, PLANNING, EXECUTION, COORDINATION, AND EFFECTIVE GROUP DYNAMICS.

LEADERSHIP: Within the FAAP, while the event leader(s) is usually a Board Member/Committee Chair, we all know that he or she does not expect to do everything by himself or herself; a true leader engages people in all the different tasks. While we expect this leader to quarterback the planning, execution, and coordination, much of the responsibility involves providing the proper atmosphere for the members of his or her team to work in. While it is necessary to have a leader in any undertaking, it becomes evident that when all is said and done, this all important task is really not a one-person job but one that is shared by many.

PLANNING: While some of our events have been done within a short time frame, an enjoyable and successful event should be planned way ahead of time so as not to inflict unwelcome stress on its leader and committee members. I find that the planning stage involves, at the very least, two meetings: the first meeting defining the purpose/theme of the event, tasks to be accomplished, and preliminary assignment of responsibilities; and the second meeting finalizing tasks, agreeing on a schedule and drawing up ways to accomplish the job.

EXECUTION and COORDINATION: I find that these two tasks inevitably go hand in hand. The members of the working group, cooperating and coordinating carefully as they do their jobs responsibly, will most certainly bring about a well-executed event.

EFFECTIVE GROUP DYNAMICS: It is always hoped that everyone on a team will work well with one another. While this is the ideal situation, sometimes there are disagreements and flare-ups. I would like to believe that if differences can be discussed calmly, honestly and respectfully, keeping in mind the common goal at hand, then success can be accomplished.

Hope to see you all at the Santacruzan and the wonderful line-up of FAAP events. Don’t forget – the success of our events depends on YOU!

Jun Calejesan
FAAP President 2011-2012