Every year the Alumni of St. Joseph's School and now a College were meeting for a Reunion of some sort. We meet, dance, eat and talk of old times. We were happy just to see each other again. We were having fun, but then after the party it feels that something is missing. An idea has come about, "what if while having fun on the reunions we are making a difference to someones life" A young life that we can give a better chance for facing the future through education. Would it be doubly nice that while having fun we can leave a legacy. Knowing that while we're enjoying ourselves, we are helping someone for a hope of a better tomorrow and a productive life.
The Class of 1980 would like to begin or float an idea that we the alumni as a whole body can make a difference not as an individual or a batch but as a group. Wherein we can make a sustainable commitment to make a difference to someones life. We like to call it the ALUMNI INITIATIVE not by our class but by the Alumni as a whole. Meaning we as alumni of SJS -SJC on our own initiative is willing to commit and support to make a difference.
Some members of the Class of 1980 has taken the initiative to officially support the formation of a US based SJS-SJC Alumni Association. We realized that although there were a lot of SJS-SJC Alumni residing in the US we do not have a legally recognized organization. This organization is the initial phase of being able to focus what all alumni can do to help our school. In the creation of an Alumni Organization our contributions or help given, will more focused and sustainable. We will have a responsible body that will respond to a current need, whatever that may be. We can make and set limits to our given help. Our contributions can even be tax deductible if we become a non profit organization.
We are now on the planning stage of making this organization. Our batch mate Louie Sena took it on himself to research what would be needed to establish such organization. He found that we need an ad hoc board to be able to create such an organization. To create the board we need volunteers from all alumni, from all batches. These volunteers will be the core group of the Ad hoc committee to form the Alumni Association. If you are willing to be a part of this group you can reach Louie Sena on his email (seen at the end of this page). And inquire about it.
This will be in accordance with an initial 4 stage plan which is as follows.
1. Organize - establish a non-profit organization: SJS Alumni Association USA. We will reach out to all alumni/batches and unify our efforts. The association will become the main focal point of all US Alumni related matters. Any activities that the Association is engaged shall be approved by the board members.
2. Raise Funds – the money raised will be used to support and sustain alumni activities and benefit the school’s philanthropic initiatives only.
3. Disburse - contingent to the formation of the SJS Scholarship Foundation or any other philantrophic projects the Alumni has in mind.
4. Support – if approved, the Alumni Association will partner with the Philippine based SJC Foundation in areas of sustainment and development of policies and strategies.
This plan is in accordance with the law and with the concurrence of our school. Miss Imelda Tulio-Lampaso the current principal is in support of this initiative as she said,
"We support your endeavor 100%. Just tell me what to do as my part in this advocacy. Wow at least there are already targets and strategies, to make your plan become a reality. Our College President, Fr. Hanival is very much excited about your plan and the school is willing to shoulder the expenses for initiating the Philippine based SJS Scholarship Foundation."
The establishment of the Alumni Organization will not just be for a Scholarship Fund or Foundation. It can spearhead any project that the alumni will initiate. This might include book drives to supplement the school library. Provision of necessary equipments for learning and etc. There is no limit to what we can do. But we can do it on our own terms and not dictated by others.
We, decides to put this idea forward, it is now up to you as an alumni to decide if you are willing participate to make a legacy. This idea will not come into reality without the participation of the alumni. We will all fade away someday, but this legacy will remain. We are willing to see this through on a long term basis. We know there is a lot more work to be done, but at this time we are asking for your commitment to support this idea and make it a reality. If no one is interested we can just dropped it and wait until we are ready to do this. On the other hand we saw some Alumni Organization with not as much as many Alumni here in the US like us and they have an established Alumni Organization.
The Following is Louie's Speech during the 2010 Grand Reunion.
Good Evening, my name is Louie Sena, I am from the class of 1980. First of all, I would like to thank our reunion organizers for allowing me to represent the batch and speak in front of you about what we believe is just as equally important as this event.
Unity
We’re all gathered here tonight because we are bound by common beginnings, a strong foundation that our Alma Mater, St. Joseph's School had established in our lives. A lot of us share a common conviction to give back to our beloved school. And for some of you who are already in this mission, your actions are well appreciated. Our school needs our help. We can see on the screen…the word “UNITY”. As I go along, I will revisit this word and why we need to unite.
Giving Back
I remember attending one of our reunion meetings. As manifested by the turn out tonight, you can just imagine how crazy it was and how much a hard work that was put into this. There were many discussions on how to make this a very successful and memorable event for all of us but one thing that struck me the most was the topic---“Giving Back” and the idea of sponsoring a poor but deserving child to a catholic based education. And we knew that other batches have already been doing this. So we thought of stepping up a notch, to set up an Alumni Scholarship Foundation which is more permanent and involves the Alumni as a whole; to unite all batches and consolidate our scholarship efforts.
Recently, our school through the current principal, Ms Tulio-Lampazo, asked our financial support for the needy but deserving children. So here we are asking the question “What can we do to put all these talking into actions?” Let’s walk the talk. We said, let’s do fundraising and set up a donation scheme. We realized that, there’s more to it; there are legal ramifications. As most of you know, IRS requirements aside, we need to be affiliated with a non-profit organization to legally collect donations. So this brought up the idea of reaching out to all our Alumni to establish the SJC Alumni Association USA as our non-profit organization.
SJC Alumni USA
Why do we need a US based Alumni Association? We have a very strong US presence. Tonight’s attendance, look around you, is just a reminder of our strength but we need a focal point. We need to ensure continuity, accountability and integrity of the alumni. We need to manage our annual reunions and fundraising events more effectively and efficiently. And most of all, we need to have the ability to transact activities and businesses that are open and transparent. There are so many benefits that the pros outweigh the cons.
Some of you may be asking “Why not contribute directly to the school?” This may well be the case if we don’t support this initiative. But the bigger question is “Don’t you think it’s time to unite? Don’t you think it’s time to have one voice and a unified goal?” We, in batch 80 believe so.
You know, in the last several reunions that I’ve attended, there were always these discussions about giving back..scholarships, donations and other noble ideas. It’s almost like…everyone agrees that we all want to return the favor…give back to our Alma Mater. I guess it’s natural, just like the saying, “You can't move forward unless you give back what you are given ... it is our calling.“ And let’s ask ourselves, what’s the probability to succeed without each other’s support?
Let’s Work Together
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a call, a call to everyone to use this stage as a launching point and a start of dialogue. Our short term goal is to organize and assemble the board who will be the decision makers. We need batch representatives. We also need to hear from you…your thoughts, concerns or any recommendations. Please use the flyers to write your inputs and make sure you include your name and contact information and kindly place it on the designated drop box. Let’s make a difference and be part of this legacy. We look forward to working with you in this challenging but very rewarding opportunity.
I always look forward to every reunion, have fun, wine and dine with good friends (and not so good friends) from high school. It’s always nice to reminisce those childhood memories. Talk about it, sometimes…cry about it and often…make fun of it. I always wonder how my high school classmates are doing nowadays in a purest innocent way. But deep in my heart, one thing that I’ve always long to carry out is to reach out and give back to this institution that created a major impact in bringing me where I am now. I’m sure I’m not alone.
In behalf of batch 80, enjoy and thank you for your time. Salamat po.
If you are interested in pursuing this endeavour and be a part of it please send an email to senal@cox.net
