In this video, Ms Natchamon Thali of the Credit Union League of Thailand (CULT), Thailand, shares her learning and experience from being an exchange staff assigned to the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), Philippines, in 2008-2009. Ms Thali was posted in NATCCO as a participant in phase 1 (2008-2009) of the "Capacity-Building for Gender and Co-operatives in Asia" Project of AWCF and the Fredskorpset (FK) Norway. The Project's phase 4 is in late 2011.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Experience of Mr. Rada, exchange staff for AWCF-FK project in Asia
In this video, Mr. Say Rada of the Socio-Economic Development Organization of Cambodia (SEDOC) shares his learning and experience from being an exchange staff assigned to the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), Philippines, in 2008-2009. Mr. Rada was posted in NATCCO as a participant in phase 1 (2008-2009) of the "Capacity-Building for Gender and Co-operatives in Asia" Project of AWCF and the Fredskorpset (FK) Norway. The Project's phase 4 is in late 2011.
What is the Asian Women in Co-operative Development Forum (AWCF)?
This video talks about AWCF's origin, vision/mission/objectives, programs and activities, membership, and advocacies, as it works for gender equality and gender equity in and through co-ops in Asia.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Business Development Center for Co-ops: A Quick Look (subtitled in English)
This video version with narration in Tagalog (language of the Philippines) is subtitled in English subtitles. This video is produced by the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) (Philippines) under the "Information Technology for Southeast Asian Co-operatives (it@coops) Project" (2004-2007), a joint project of the Asian Women in Co-operative Development Forum (AWCF) and InWEnt (Capacity Building International, Germany), with support from BMZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development). The it@coops Project was implemented in three AWCF members: NATCCO, the Forum for Indonesian Co-operatives Movement (FORMASI Indonesia), and the Credit Union League of Thailand (CULT).
The it@coops Project stressed IT's importance in empowering people, especially women, in rural areas. Because co-ops abound in rural areas, and knowing that women compose half or more than half of many co-ops' total membership, the Project supported the capacity-building activities of co-ops such as by training staff in IT and in the establishment of co-ops' business development centers (BDCs). The BDCs are meant to help co-op members who are engaged in business, particularly women who are, by nature, entrepreneurs. Thus the Project emphasized that IT can bring increased economic and even social empowerment to co-ops and their members.
The it@coops Project stressed IT's importance in empowering people, especially women, in rural areas. Because co-ops abound in rural areas, and knowing that women compose half or more than half of many co-ops' total membership, the Project supported the capacity-building activities of co-ops such as by training staff in IT and in the establishment of co-ops' business development centers (BDCs). The BDCs are meant to help co-op members who are engaged in business, particularly women who are, by nature, entrepreneurs. Thus the Project emphasized that IT can bring increased economic and even social empowerment to co-ops and their members.
Business Development Center for Co-ops: A Quick Look
This video version is in Tagalog (language of the Philippines). Another video with English subtitles is also available on this channel. This video is produced by the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) (Philippines) under the "Information Technology for Southeast Asian Co-operatives (it@coops) Project" (2004-2007), a joint project of the Asian Women in Co-operative Development Forum (AWCF) and InWEnt (Capacity Building International, Germany), with support from BMZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development). The it@coops Project was implemented in three AWCF members: NATCCO, the Forum for Indonesian Co-operatives Movement (FORMASI Indonesia), and the Credit Union League of Thailand (CULT).
The it@coops Project stressed IT's importance in empowering people, especially women, in rural areas. Because co-ops abound in rural areas, and knowing that women compose half or more than half of many co-ops' total membership, the Project supported the capacity-building activities of co-ops such as by training staff in IT and in the establishment of co-ops' business development centers (BDCs). The BDCs are meant to help co-op members who are engaged in business, particularly women who are, by nature, entrepreneurs. Thus the Project emphasized that IT can bring increased economic and even social empowerment to co-ops and their members.
The it@coops Project stressed IT's importance in empowering people, especially women, in rural areas. Because co-ops abound in rural areas, and knowing that women compose half or more than half of many co-ops' total membership, the Project supported the capacity-building activities of co-ops such as by training staff in IT and in the establishment of co-ops' business development centers (BDCs). The BDCs are meant to help co-op members who are engaged in business, particularly women who are, by nature, entrepreneurs. Thus the Project emphasized that IT can bring increased economic and even social empowerment to co-ops and their members.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
AWCF-FK exchange staff's experiences, so far-2010-2011
Being uprooted from one’s own homeland to live in another country (in Asia in this instance) and interact with people of another culture for 10 months can be quite a challenge. Seven co-op personnel are doing just that and facing the challenge from 2010 to 2011 as they participate in the third round of AWCF-Fredskorpset (FK) Norway’s “Capacity-building for Gender and Co-operatives in Asia” Project. The Project started in 2008, where co-op personnel are deployed to AWCF member-organizations in Asia in a staff exchange activity designed to boost human resource capacity in co-op and gender development.
Of the seven participants in the third round, there are three Filipinos, two Thais, an Indonesian, and a Malaysian who are all demonstrating the reciprocal model of doing volunteer work while exchanging knowledge and skills through learning and teaching as part of their office and/or community activities. Here is a look at the AWCF-FK Project participants' major achievements, so far, for this period:
Ms Lilibeth Liguden—FORMASI Indonesia, Indonesia
Ms Lilibeth Liguden assigned to the Forum for Indonesian Co-operatives Movement (FORMASI Indonesia)-Indonesia as Business Development Officer (BDO) initially learned about the programs and services of her host-organization through a meeting with her supervisor. To deepen her understanding of FORMASI Indonesia’s work and to facilitate the establishment of a business development center (BDC) for its business initiatives, Ms Liguden conducted exposure visits, attended co-op meetings and activities, accomplished a needs assessment, and facilitated a BDC orientation for 12 FORMASI Indonesia member-organizations and their partner-co-ops. She also studied Bahasa, Indonesia’s formal language, to facilitate her communication with the locals.
Ms Liguden also had the chance to share her knowledge and experience when she took part in a strategic planning workshop for 10 member-organizations of FORMASI Indonesia, which is a network of non-government organizations (NGOs) and co-ops. Ms Liguden further shared her particular expertise and experience on transformative leadership (TL), co-ops, facilitation skills, and biogas technology through activities she had conducted like a project proposal preparation training and TL training for the FORMASI Indonesia network.
Ms Pakialakshmi d/o Maniam—AWCF Philippines office
Ms Pakialakshmi d/o Maniam, Communication Specialist assigned to AWCF Philippines office, learned about documentation, publications, and methodology on compiling documents by coming up with documentation/proceedings of AWCF-initiated meetings and training events that she had attended. Ms Pakialakshmi familiarized herself with the AWCF library’s catalog system and documents, and also visited different learning institutions and co-ops to study document inventory and cataloguing. Thus she provided herself with ideas in setting up a research and documentation center. She also helped AWCF in the preparation of a gender equality (GE) comic book.
In her reflection, Ms Pakialakshmi said that the exposure she had gained from these activities develop more her self-confidence, increased her gender-sensitivity, and improved her presentation skills through the use of audiovisual presentations and the Powerpoint software. She also attended learning classes for basic Tagalog language, which is spoken in her assigned location.
Ms Piranrut Thoykham—SEDOC, Cambodia
Ms Piranrut Thoykham deployed as Credit Union Promotion Specialist to the Socio-Economic Development Organization of Cambodia (SEDOC)-Cambodia, had familiarized herself with SEDOC and FK activities by attending a basic orientation on SEDOC, participating in the seventh sub-regional network meeting of FK, attending meetings with SEDOC’s international project partners, and conducting study visits to SEDOC’s partner credit unions (CUs). Ms Piranrut aimed at improving her relationship with SEDOC staff and also her communication skills by learning and conversing with them in Khmer and English. At times, she also taught them, in turn, the Thai language.
Ms Piranrut also taught the SEDOC staff some accounting systems and procedures; and how to promote, set up, and manage CUs using her learning and experience in the Credit Union League of Thailand (CULT), her homebase. She was instrumental in consolidating 50 savings groups under SEDOC’s supervision into 12 CUs, for a more efficient and effective delivery of SEDOC operations and services.
Mr. Somantri—CUPC, Malaysia
Meanwhile in Malaysia’s Credit Union Promotion Club (CUPC), exchange participant Mr. Somantri was deployed as Information Technology (IT) Specialist. He observed and studied the use and implementation of CUPC’s latest management information system (MIS) known as FMIS (financial management information system) software. He shared this knowledge with the CUPC staff. He also assisted them in recording the members’ data in the FMIS. Mr. Somantri likewise provided IT technical support to the staff of KKP (Koperasi Kredit Pekerja-Pekerja, one of the two organizations that form CUPC) through computer repair and maintenance (hardware); use of different computer software; and the revival and enhancement of KKP’s website. He regularly attended KKP’s weekly meetings to update himself of KKP activities while deepening his relationship with the other staff members.
Ms Janjila Nuansri—AWCF Philippines office
Ms Janjila Nuansri, assigned in AWCF Philippines office as Credit Union Promotion Officer, has really improved her English writing and conversational skills as manifested in her written reports and as attested to by her supervisors and peers. Ms Janjila’s visit to different primary co-ops in the northern and central areas of Luzon island in the country gave her learnings on co-op enterprises and business development. Her four-week visit each to two NATCCO (National Confederation of Cooperatives)-affiliated primary co-ops exposed her to local culture; work experience with other co-ops; and an appreciation of Philippine co-ops’ branching operations or the co-ops’ ability to offer housing, co-op mart, hotel and training facilities, and other services other than what is usually offered by Thailand CUs, which are savings and credit operations.
Ms Janjila also kept herself busy by attending training conducts that enhanced her knowledge on gender, including gender equality (GE). Likewise, she improved her research and documentation skills through the reports and presentations she had done in relation to her FK tasks. She also assisted AWCF staff in preparing training materials and a GE comic book; and in designing covers for different project reports.
Ms Mary Dilanie Llarenas—CAEV, Vietnam
Ms Mary Dilanie Llarenas was deployed to CAEV (Center for Agricultural Extension Volunteers-Vietnam) as Project Development and Documentation Officer. Ms Llarenas was able to learn about CAEV’s operations, programs, and services through an initial orientation meeting with her supervisor. She followed up her orientation with exposure studies done in selected partner communities/pilot areas, and attendance in project meetings where she learned more about and observed CAEV’s program implementation. CAEV promotes improved agricultural development in Vietnam with assistance from expert technicians and community resource people, and also through the co-op model of poverty alleviation especially among agricultural communities.
Ms Llarenas attended classes on basic Vietnamese language, conducted a project proposal writing training for CAEV staff, and mentored CAEV staff on basic conversational English to further boost their use of this language.
Ms Charisse Anne Fernandez—CULT, Thailand
Ms Charisse Anne Fernandez was deployed as International Relations (IR) Officer to CULT. She increased her knowledge and perspective on CULT’s programs, services, and policies by attending CULT’s basic orientation. She participated in CULT’s numerous organizational activities, and visited different CUs to know more about CULT’s program implementation and also the relationship between CULT and the different CUs. She also attended a basic Thai language course to help her better communicate with her fellow staff, and also to help her increase appreciation of Thailand’s rich and colorful culture and people.
Ms Fernandez’s deployment in CULT also enabled her to conduct English writing courses for its IR department and other departments; enhance its lending brochures (English version); and assist in its media visits, press conferences, and on-air program.
Of the seven participants in the third round, there are three Filipinos, two Thais, an Indonesian, and a Malaysian who are all demonstrating the reciprocal model of doing volunteer work while exchanging knowledge and skills through learning and teaching as part of their office and/or community activities. Here is a look at the AWCF-FK Project participants' major achievements, so far, for this period:
Ms Lilibeth Liguden—FORMASI Indonesia, Indonesia
Ms Lilibeth Liguden assigned to the Forum for Indonesian Co-operatives Movement (FORMASI Indonesia)-Indonesia as Business Development Officer (BDO) initially learned about the programs and services of her host-organization through a meeting with her supervisor. To deepen her understanding of FORMASI Indonesia’s work and to facilitate the establishment of a business development center (BDC) for its business initiatives, Ms Liguden conducted exposure visits, attended co-op meetings and activities, accomplished a needs assessment, and facilitated a BDC orientation for 12 FORMASI Indonesia member-organizations and their partner-co-ops. She also studied Bahasa, Indonesia’s formal language, to facilitate her communication with the locals.
Ms Liguden also had the chance to share her knowledge and experience when she took part in a strategic planning workshop for 10 member-organizations of FORMASI Indonesia, which is a network of non-government organizations (NGOs) and co-ops. Ms Liguden further shared her particular expertise and experience on transformative leadership (TL), co-ops, facilitation skills, and biogas technology through activities she had conducted like a project proposal preparation training and TL training for the FORMASI Indonesia network.
Ms Pakialakshmi d/o Maniam—AWCF Philippines office
Ms Pakialakshmi d/o Maniam, Communication Specialist assigned to AWCF Philippines office, learned about documentation, publications, and methodology on compiling documents by coming up with documentation/proceedings of AWCF-initiated meetings and training events that she had attended. Ms Pakialakshmi familiarized herself with the AWCF library’s catalog system and documents, and also visited different learning institutions and co-ops to study document inventory and cataloguing. Thus she provided herself with ideas in setting up a research and documentation center. She also helped AWCF in the preparation of a gender equality (GE) comic book.
In her reflection, Ms Pakialakshmi said that the exposure she had gained from these activities develop more her self-confidence, increased her gender-sensitivity, and improved her presentation skills through the use of audiovisual presentations and the Powerpoint software. She also attended learning classes for basic Tagalog language, which is spoken in her assigned location.
Ms Piranrut Thoykham—SEDOC, Cambodia
Ms Piranrut Thoykham deployed as Credit Union Promotion Specialist to the Socio-Economic Development Organization of Cambodia (SEDOC)-Cambodia, had familiarized herself with SEDOC and FK activities by attending a basic orientation on SEDOC, participating in the seventh sub-regional network meeting of FK, attending meetings with SEDOC’s international project partners, and conducting study visits to SEDOC’s partner credit unions (CUs). Ms Piranrut aimed at improving her relationship with SEDOC staff and also her communication skills by learning and conversing with them in Khmer and English. At times, she also taught them, in turn, the Thai language.
Ms Piranrut also taught the SEDOC staff some accounting systems and procedures; and how to promote, set up, and manage CUs using her learning and experience in the Credit Union League of Thailand (CULT), her homebase. She was instrumental in consolidating 50 savings groups under SEDOC’s supervision into 12 CUs, for a more efficient and effective delivery of SEDOC operations and services.
Mr. Somantri—CUPC, Malaysia
Meanwhile in Malaysia’s Credit Union Promotion Club (CUPC), exchange participant Mr. Somantri was deployed as Information Technology (IT) Specialist. He observed and studied the use and implementation of CUPC’s latest management information system (MIS) known as FMIS (financial management information system) software. He shared this knowledge with the CUPC staff. He also assisted them in recording the members’ data in the FMIS. Mr. Somantri likewise provided IT technical support to the staff of KKP (Koperasi Kredit Pekerja-Pekerja, one of the two organizations that form CUPC) through computer repair and maintenance (hardware); use of different computer software; and the revival and enhancement of KKP’s website. He regularly attended KKP’s weekly meetings to update himself of KKP activities while deepening his relationship with the other staff members.
Ms Janjila Nuansri—AWCF Philippines office
Ms Janjila Nuansri, assigned in AWCF Philippines office as Credit Union Promotion Officer, has really improved her English writing and conversational skills as manifested in her written reports and as attested to by her supervisors and peers. Ms Janjila’s visit to different primary co-ops in the northern and central areas of Luzon island in the country gave her learnings on co-op enterprises and business development. Her four-week visit each to two NATCCO (National Confederation of Cooperatives)-affiliated primary co-ops exposed her to local culture; work experience with other co-ops; and an appreciation of Philippine co-ops’ branching operations or the co-ops’ ability to offer housing, co-op mart, hotel and training facilities, and other services other than what is usually offered by Thailand CUs, which are savings and credit operations.
Ms Janjila also kept herself busy by attending training conducts that enhanced her knowledge on gender, including gender equality (GE). Likewise, she improved her research and documentation skills through the reports and presentations she had done in relation to her FK tasks. She also assisted AWCF staff in preparing training materials and a GE comic book; and in designing covers for different project reports.
Ms Mary Dilanie Llarenas—CAEV, Vietnam
Ms Mary Dilanie Llarenas was deployed to CAEV (Center for Agricultural Extension Volunteers-Vietnam) as Project Development and Documentation Officer. Ms Llarenas was able to learn about CAEV’s operations, programs, and services through an initial orientation meeting with her supervisor. She followed up her orientation with exposure studies done in selected partner communities/pilot areas, and attendance in project meetings where she learned more about and observed CAEV’s program implementation. CAEV promotes improved agricultural development in Vietnam with assistance from expert technicians and community resource people, and also through the co-op model of poverty alleviation especially among agricultural communities.
Ms Llarenas attended classes on basic Vietnamese language, conducted a project proposal writing training for CAEV staff, and mentored CAEV staff on basic conversational English to further boost their use of this language.
Ms Charisse Anne Fernandez—CULT, Thailand
Ms Charisse Anne Fernandez was deployed as International Relations (IR) Officer to CULT. She increased her knowledge and perspective on CULT’s programs, services, and policies by attending CULT’s basic orientation. She participated in CULT’s numerous organizational activities, and visited different CUs to know more about CULT’s program implementation and also the relationship between CULT and the different CUs. She also attended a basic Thai language course to help her better communicate with her fellow staff, and also to help her increase appreciation of Thailand’s rich and colorful culture and people.
Ms Fernandez’s deployment in CULT also enabled her to conduct English writing courses for its IR department and other departments; enhance its lending brochures (English version); and assist in its media visits, press conferences, and on-air program.
AWCF-FK project has back-to-back activities
This May 2011 was a busy period for participants of the “Capacity-building for Gender and Co-operatives in Asia” Project, implemented by AWCF and the Fredskorpset (FK) Norway among AWCF’s member-organizations in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines. The five-year Project began in 2008 where human resource is developed as personnel from AWCF’s member-organizations take part as exchange participants in batches, with the different organizations acting as their hosts or Project partners. Exchange participants stay with their host-organizations for 10 months.
As 2010-2011 is the third year of Project implementation, all stakeholders were immersed this May in preparing reports and presentations for their two major meetings: the “Third Phase Review Meeting” and “Fourth Phase Partners Planning Workshop.”
The first meeting
The first meeting was held in Quezon City, Philippines on May 17, 2011, starting off with welcome messages from AWCF’s Chairperson Ms Kruewan Chonlanai and Executive Director Ms Salome Ganibe; and FK Regional Representative Asia Mr. Sacha Jotisalikorn. AWCF Program Coordinator Ms Angelita Valdez facilitated the orientation on the meeting. Representatives of the Project partners gave project updates through Powerpoint and audiovisual presentations. The presentations shared the learnings of the exchange participants in their respective host-organizations, and also emphasized the impact and results of the exchange activity in relation to the objectives of the different AWCF member-organizations.
To corroborate the Project updates, actual testimonies of FK third batch exchange participants were given, particularly from Ms Pakialakshmi d/o Maniam (from Malaysia) and Ms Janjila Nuansri (from Thailand). The meeting ended with the presentation of the issues and challenges besetting the Project partners, and the recommendations to address these concerns. Among the concerns expressed by the Project partners were the visa processing requirements in Indonesia, matching between their current needs and expectations and the tasks of the exchange participants whom they host, and detailed documentation to assess the contribution of the exchange participants to the attainment of organizational objectives.
The second meeting
The second meeting for the AWCF-FK Project was held May 18-20, 2011, also in Quezon City. Two more representatives from each AWCF member attended this meeting that set off preparations for the Project’s fourth phase to begin later this year. The meeting’s participants worked together with the AWCF Secretariat and FK to develop three documents that will guide the AWCF-FK 2011-2012 Project activities. These documents are the substance of the Project, the partnership agreement, and the budget calculations.
This meeting’s main highlight was the identification of five positions to be involved in the exchange Project’s fourth round, namely, a Credit Union Technical Officer (from Cambodia to be assigned in Thailand), a Business Development Officer (from Philippines to Indonesia), a Research and Documentation Specialist (from Philippines to Malaysia), an Extension Programmer and Researcher (from Vietnam to Philippines), and an Information Officer (from Philippines to Thailand).
The meeting ended with the signing of the partnership agreement for the Project’s fourth round of exchange.
As 2010-2011 is the third year of Project implementation, all stakeholders were immersed this May in preparing reports and presentations for their two major meetings: the “Third Phase Review Meeting” and “Fourth Phase Partners Planning Workshop.”
The first meeting
The first meeting was held in Quezon City, Philippines on May 17, 2011, starting off with welcome messages from AWCF’s Chairperson Ms Kruewan Chonlanai and Executive Director Ms Salome Ganibe; and FK Regional Representative Asia Mr. Sacha Jotisalikorn. AWCF Program Coordinator Ms Angelita Valdez facilitated the orientation on the meeting. Representatives of the Project partners gave project updates through Powerpoint and audiovisual presentations. The presentations shared the learnings of the exchange participants in their respective host-organizations, and also emphasized the impact and results of the exchange activity in relation to the objectives of the different AWCF member-organizations.
To corroborate the Project updates, actual testimonies of FK third batch exchange participants were given, particularly from Ms Pakialakshmi d/o Maniam (from Malaysia) and Ms Janjila Nuansri (from Thailand). The meeting ended with the presentation of the issues and challenges besetting the Project partners, and the recommendations to address these concerns. Among the concerns expressed by the Project partners were the visa processing requirements in Indonesia, matching between their current needs and expectations and the tasks of the exchange participants whom they host, and detailed documentation to assess the contribution of the exchange participants to the attainment of organizational objectives.
The second meeting
The second meeting for the AWCF-FK Project was held May 18-20, 2011, also in Quezon City. Two more representatives from each AWCF member attended this meeting that set off preparations for the Project’s fourth phase to begin later this year. The meeting’s participants worked together with the AWCF Secretariat and FK to develop three documents that will guide the AWCF-FK 2011-2012 Project activities. These documents are the substance of the Project, the partnership agreement, and the budget calculations.
This meeting’s main highlight was the identification of five positions to be involved in the exchange Project’s fourth round, namely, a Credit Union Technical Officer (from Cambodia to be assigned in Thailand), a Business Development Officer (from Philippines to Indonesia), a Research and Documentation Specialist (from Philippines to Malaysia), an Extension Programmer and Researcher (from Vietnam to Philippines), and an Information Officer (from Philippines to Thailand).
The meeting ended with the signing of the partnership agreement for the Project’s fourth round of exchange.
AWCF officers set direction for organization
Discussions of the AWCF Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting on May 18, 2011 at the AWCF offices in Quezon City, Philippines, focused on the the direction-setting for the AWCF, and the approval of the organization’s plan and budget for year 2011. The BOT members pledged to actively and continuously support the Secretariat. The support is especially for the implementation of projects and activities in the BOT members’ respective organizations, which are the AWCF’s member-organizations.
AWCF Chairperson Ms Kruewan Chonlanai facilitated the BOT meeting, with support from the Secretariat led by Executive Director Ms Salome Ganibe.
In their stay in the Philippines that May, the BOT also had the chance to meet and thank for their continued support three of AWCF’s project supporters, that is, the Swedish Cooperative Centre (SCC) through Mr. Armando Costa Pinto, Regional Director for EuroAsia; Fredskorpset (FK) Norway through Mr. Sacha Jotisalikorn, Regional Representative in Asia; and Coop NATCCO Party-List Representative Jose Ping-ay of the Philippine Congress.
AWCF Chairperson Ms Kruewan Chonlanai facilitated the BOT meeting, with support from the Secretariat led by Executive Director Ms Salome Ganibe.
In their stay in the Philippines that May, the BOT also had the chance to meet and thank for their continued support three of AWCF’s project supporters, that is, the Swedish Cooperative Centre (SCC) through Mr. Armando Costa Pinto, Regional Director for EuroAsia; Fredskorpset (FK) Norway through Mr. Sacha Jotisalikorn, Regional Representative in Asia; and Coop NATCCO Party-List Representative Jose Ping-ay of the Philippine Congress.
AWCF-SCC Project continues activities
In April-May 2011, more activities unfolded for the capacity-building of gender equality (GE) advocates in the Philippine co-op sector, in line with the “Promoting Gender Equality Among Co-operatives in the Philippines" Project. Activities conducted in this period were the continuing review of the human resource (HR) manuals of the Project’s co-op partners, continuing promotion of GE among co-op-partners, and organizational meetings and workshops. The Project is a partnership between AWCF and the Swedish Cooperative Centre (SCC), under SCC’s “Advancing Civic Capacities for Effective and Sustainable Services to the Poor (ACCESS to the Poor)" Programme (2010-2012). The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) provides fund support. The 15 co-op partners of the Project come from all over the Philippines.
Enriching HR manuals with GE provisions
As part of the efforts in integrating GE concepts in co-operatives’ systems, policies and procedures, thus making them gender-fair employers, AWCF is working with the Project’s co-op partners to review the “GE-friendliness” of their respective HR manuals. The Abra Diocesan Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ADTEMPCO) in Abra province was the first co-op partner to take part in the HR manual review. For the review process meeting held April 7-8, 2011 in Abra, AWCF representatives led by Executive Director Ms Salome Ganibe met with ADTEMPCO’s General Manager (GM), HR Manager, selected Board members of the Co-op, and HR consultant Ms Wilma Ganibe. They reviewed the contents of ADTEMPCO’s newly developed HR manual.
AWCF moved for the incorporation of GE provisions in at least 10 areas of ADTEMPCO’s HR manual: recruitment, working hours, equal pay for work of equal value, working conditions, development discussions/dialogue, sexual harassment, training and development, promotion or appointment, compensation and benefits, and maternity/paternity leaves.
With ADTEMPCO’s GE-enhanced HR manual, Co-op GM Ms Irene Bringas expressed gratefulness to AWCF for leading the Co-op in producing an HR manual that is sensitive to the needs and situations of the male and female staff.
Promoting GE in LMPC
AWCF attended the “20th General Assembly (GA)” meeting of Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) on April 10, 2011 at the LMPC-managed Hidden Valley Resort in Pinamungajan, Cebu province. The GA had at least 6,000 participants representing LMPC’s co-op members and leaders, other co-op representatives and project partners, and government and non-government personnel. Also present in the GA were Ms Angelita Valdez, AWCF Program Coordinator, and Ms Janjila Nuansri, a participant of a staff exchange program in Asia being implemented by AWCF and Fredskorpset (FK) Norway.
In her greetings to the LMPC co-operators, Ms Valdez congratulated the Co-op for its advocacy work on gender and GE. She noted that LMPC has been actively participating in different GE activities, particularly for the AWCF-SCC project of which LMPC is one of the 15 co-op partners. She was delighted at seeing the participants who took part in LMPC’s gender training being recognized onstage as well as the inclusion of the Gender Committee Report in LMPC’s 2011 Annual Report. LMPC General Manager Ms Maria Elena Limocon, Ms Maria Fe Managaytay, and Ms Danila Fortunato sit in the LMPC Gender Committee, with Ms Limocon as the Committee Chairperson.
Discussing finances with PAPCOM representatives
On April 12, 2011 in Quezon City, Philippines, 10 organizational representatives of the Philippine Access Program Committee (PAPCOM) of the ACCESS to the Poor Programme met for the “Financial Staff Meeting,” which was facilitated by SCC-Philippine Office Country Director Ms Anneli Leina. The representatives came from the Programme’s five partner-organizations in the Philippines.
As the meeting looked into the financial management systems and procedures of these five partner-organizations, learnings emerged through the partners’ sharing of their financial practices and experiences. The meeting also paved the way for the clarification and review of financial requirements between SCC, the project funder, and the partners. These partner-organizations are the AWCF, National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), Multi-Sectoral Alliance for Development-Negros (MUAD-Negros), Davao Federation of Integrated Service Cooperatives (DAFISCO), and Institute for Philippine Cooperatives and Social Enterprise Development (IPCSED).
Holding AWCF’s Octagon assessment
On May 16, 2011, the AWCF Board of Trustees and Secretariat held the “Octagon Assessment Workshop” to assess the development of AWCF as a non-government organization (NGO) in the eyes of its officers and staff. The Octagon Assessment is an instrument used by SIDA to measure its support to Swedish NGOs. AWCF has adapted the use of this instrument as part of its partnership project with SCC.
The Octagon Assessment provides rapid and simple analyses of an organization’s strengths and weaknesses; and identifies necessary measures to improve its capacity to perform effectively.
AWCF first used the Octagon Assessment in year 2010 with separate conducts for staff, and staff and officers together, in line with the AWCF-SCC project. The result of those assessment conducts remained the same in this year’s conduct. AWCF obtained a general rating of “good” after the assessment of four basic aspects: objectives and management/administrative structures; activities with/for selected project beneficiaries; capacity to succeed in its work; and capacity to create and maintain relations with project beneficiaries and other actors in civil society.
Meeting SCC’s EuroAsia Regional Director
AWCF Board of Trustees (BOT) member Ms Emma Nieva (Vice President for Internal Affairs), and Ms Salome Ganibe, Executive Director, led AWCF representatives in getting together with SCC officials for the “Annual SCC Negotiations with Partners” meeting held May 17, 2011, Quezon City, Philippines.
The presence in the event of SCC’s Mr. Armando Costa Pinto, Regional Director for EuroAsia, and Ms Maja Norell, Assistant Team Development-SCC Stockholm, was particularly notable because it was the first time for Mr. Costa Pinto and Ms Norell to be participating in the AWCF-SCC project. Ms Nieva and Ms Ganibe were in the frontline of providing organizational background and project updates to familiarize everyone with the GE Project.
The meeting then discussed the accomplishments of the Project’s Year 1 (2010), namely, the cumulative project monitoring and regular project audit as well as the interrelation of the project stakeholders involved in the ACCESS for the Poor Programme. The meeting concluded by taking up clarifications on the level of collaboration between AWCF and SCC in implementing the Project’s Year 2.
Others in the meeting were AWCF’s Ms Aster Peñaranda, Finance and Administrative Coordinator, and Mr. Ranie Catimbang, Project Assistant; and SCC’s Ms Leina. At the meeting’s conclusion, Mr. Costa Pinto and his colleagues visited the AWCF office and exchanged views with the other members of AWCF’s BOT that was also having its conference at that time.
Enriching HR manuals with GE provisions
As part of the efforts in integrating GE concepts in co-operatives’ systems, policies and procedures, thus making them gender-fair employers, AWCF is working with the Project’s co-op partners to review the “GE-friendliness” of their respective HR manuals. The Abra Diocesan Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ADTEMPCO) in Abra province was the first co-op partner to take part in the HR manual review. For the review process meeting held April 7-8, 2011 in Abra, AWCF representatives led by Executive Director Ms Salome Ganibe met with ADTEMPCO’s General Manager (GM), HR Manager, selected Board members of the Co-op, and HR consultant Ms Wilma Ganibe. They reviewed the contents of ADTEMPCO’s newly developed HR manual.
AWCF moved for the incorporation of GE provisions in at least 10 areas of ADTEMPCO’s HR manual: recruitment, working hours, equal pay for work of equal value, working conditions, development discussions/dialogue, sexual harassment, training and development, promotion or appointment, compensation and benefits, and maternity/paternity leaves.
With ADTEMPCO’s GE-enhanced HR manual, Co-op GM Ms Irene Bringas expressed gratefulness to AWCF for leading the Co-op in producing an HR manual that is sensitive to the needs and situations of the male and female staff.
Promoting GE in LMPC
AWCF attended the “20th General Assembly (GA)” meeting of Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) on April 10, 2011 at the LMPC-managed Hidden Valley Resort in Pinamungajan, Cebu province. The GA had at least 6,000 participants representing LMPC’s co-op members and leaders, other co-op representatives and project partners, and government and non-government personnel. Also present in the GA were Ms Angelita Valdez, AWCF Program Coordinator, and Ms Janjila Nuansri, a participant of a staff exchange program in Asia being implemented by AWCF and Fredskorpset (FK) Norway.
In her greetings to the LMPC co-operators, Ms Valdez congratulated the Co-op for its advocacy work on gender and GE. She noted that LMPC has been actively participating in different GE activities, particularly for the AWCF-SCC project of which LMPC is one of the 15 co-op partners. She was delighted at seeing the participants who took part in LMPC’s gender training being recognized onstage as well as the inclusion of the Gender Committee Report in LMPC’s 2011 Annual Report. LMPC General Manager Ms Maria Elena Limocon, Ms Maria Fe Managaytay, and Ms Danila Fortunato sit in the LMPC Gender Committee, with Ms Limocon as the Committee Chairperson.
Discussing finances with PAPCOM representatives
On April 12, 2011 in Quezon City, Philippines, 10 organizational representatives of the Philippine Access Program Committee (PAPCOM) of the ACCESS to the Poor Programme met for the “Financial Staff Meeting,” which was facilitated by SCC-Philippine Office Country Director Ms Anneli Leina. The representatives came from the Programme’s five partner-organizations in the Philippines.
As the meeting looked into the financial management systems and procedures of these five partner-organizations, learnings emerged through the partners’ sharing of their financial practices and experiences. The meeting also paved the way for the clarification and review of financial requirements between SCC, the project funder, and the partners. These partner-organizations are the AWCF, National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), Multi-Sectoral Alliance for Development-Negros (MUAD-Negros), Davao Federation of Integrated Service Cooperatives (DAFISCO), and Institute for Philippine Cooperatives and Social Enterprise Development (IPCSED).
Holding AWCF’s Octagon assessment
On May 16, 2011, the AWCF Board of Trustees and Secretariat held the “Octagon Assessment Workshop” to assess the development of AWCF as a non-government organization (NGO) in the eyes of its officers and staff. The Octagon Assessment is an instrument used by SIDA to measure its support to Swedish NGOs. AWCF has adapted the use of this instrument as part of its partnership project with SCC.
The Octagon Assessment provides rapid and simple analyses of an organization’s strengths and weaknesses; and identifies necessary measures to improve its capacity to perform effectively.
AWCF first used the Octagon Assessment in year 2010 with separate conducts for staff, and staff and officers together, in line with the AWCF-SCC project. The result of those assessment conducts remained the same in this year’s conduct. AWCF obtained a general rating of “good” after the assessment of four basic aspects: objectives and management/administrative structures; activities with/for selected project beneficiaries; capacity to succeed in its work; and capacity to create and maintain relations with project beneficiaries and other actors in civil society.
Meeting SCC’s EuroAsia Regional Director
AWCF Board of Trustees (BOT) member Ms Emma Nieva (Vice President for Internal Affairs), and Ms Salome Ganibe, Executive Director, led AWCF representatives in getting together with SCC officials for the “Annual SCC Negotiations with Partners” meeting held May 17, 2011, Quezon City, Philippines.
The presence in the event of SCC’s Mr. Armando Costa Pinto, Regional Director for EuroAsia, and Ms Maja Norell, Assistant Team Development-SCC Stockholm, was particularly notable because it was the first time for Mr. Costa Pinto and Ms Norell to be participating in the AWCF-SCC project. Ms Nieva and Ms Ganibe were in the frontline of providing organizational background and project updates to familiarize everyone with the GE Project.
The meeting then discussed the accomplishments of the Project’s Year 1 (2010), namely, the cumulative project monitoring and regular project audit as well as the interrelation of the project stakeholders involved in the ACCESS for the Poor Programme. The meeting concluded by taking up clarifications on the level of collaboration between AWCF and SCC in implementing the Project’s Year 2.
Others in the meeting were AWCF’s Ms Aster Peñaranda, Finance and Administrative Coordinator, and Mr. Ranie Catimbang, Project Assistant; and SCC’s Ms Leina. At the meeting’s conclusion, Mr. Costa Pinto and his colleagues visited the AWCF office and exchanged views with the other members of AWCF’s BOT that was also having its conference at that time.
GE concepts shared in NSCC
AWCF Executive Director Ms Salome Ganibe spoke on gender equality (GE) at the “NSCC Gender Congress” of the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives (NSCC) on March 26, 2011 at the NSCC Cooperative and Microfinance Training Center in Caoayan town, Ilocos Sur province, Philippines. NSCC Chief Executive Officer Ms Divina Quemi’s initiatives helped make possible the holding of the Congress. NSCC is a secondary level co-operative in the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia (which covers some provinces in the Philippines’s Northern Luzon region). In line with AWCF’s goal of promoting GE among co-ops, Ms Ganibe’s talk on GE concepts also focused on the benefits that co-ops can derive from being gender-fair organizations.
The Gender Congress had 42 co-op participants (90 percent women) representing the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. The participants also used the occasion to elect NSCC’s first gender representative who will then become a member of the NSCC Board of Directors. Abra Diocesan Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ADTEMPCO) General Manager Ms Irene Bringas garnered the position.
The following day, the Congress participants took part in the inauguration and blessing of the NSCC Plaza owned and managed by NSCC. The NSCC Plaza is a hostel and commercial center envisioned as the center of co-op training and education in Northern Luzon. The building’s facilities—such as a function hall, board room, and more—can be used by co-op members, network partners, foreign and local visitors, and people of the locality.
The Gender Congress had 42 co-op participants (90 percent women) representing the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. The participants also used the occasion to elect NSCC’s first gender representative who will then become a member of the NSCC Board of Directors. Abra Diocesan Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ADTEMPCO) General Manager Ms Irene Bringas garnered the position.
The following day, the Congress participants took part in the inauguration and blessing of the NSCC Plaza owned and managed by NSCC. The NSCC Plaza is a hostel and commercial center envisioned as the center of co-op training and education in Northern Luzon. The building’s facilities—such as a function hall, board room, and more—can be used by co-op members, network partners, foreign and local visitors, and people of the locality.
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