Chairperson’s Annual Report:
This is the 2008 Annual Report for the Waikato Filipino Association and brings to report the Association’s activities for the year ending 30 March 2008.
The WFA
The WFA has been registered with the Ministry of Economic Development as a Charitable Trusts since 13 December 2001. (See attached copy of Certificate of Incorporation).
CHARITIES COMMISSION
An acknowledgement (email copy) from the NZ Charities Commission has been included to this year’s AGM report, confirming receipt of the WFA registration application to the Charities Commission.
The benefits for WFA in being registered by the Commission are as follows:
o Getting or keeping tax-exempt status. Tax-exempt status means registered charities don’t have to pay income tax. Amendments will take effect from July 1, 2008
o Being listed on the Charities Register. The general public will be able to search the Register online at www.charities.govt.nz
o Getting a registration number. Charitable organisations can display this number on promotional material. This will tell the public that the charity has met the requirements for registration under the Charities Act
o Information on the charitable sector. This will help the Commission fulfil its education and support function to the sector and to the general public
o Attending the Commission’s annual meeting. The meeting will give charitable organisations an opportunity to have a say in the work of the Commission
MEMBERSHIP
I am pleased to announce that WFA membership subscriptions increased by 110%, from last year’s 108 members, our total membership is 234 as at March 30, 2008.
Financial Reporting
This year’s financial report has been prepared by Gladys Stephens. Virginia Liu (Shama Centre, Ethnic Women Centre’s accountant) internally audited the report.
The WFA contracted the services of Douglas H.R. Laskey, NZ Chartered Accountant to perform an external audit of the WFA financial records. His audit report finding has been attached to this year’s financial reports.
WFA Initiatives 2007-2008
The WFA has promoted quite a number of initiatives this year that we envisage to maintain and continue to prosper and/or utilise for the good of the growing NZ Filipino community of Hamilton.
These are as follows:
· WFA Sports (Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, Tennis, Darts, Ten-Pin Bowling, Billiards and Golf) – Mixed and All-ages
· WFA Youth Group
· WFA Under-15 Musical Group
· WFA Labour 2008 Committee
· WFA Youth Representations to the Waikato Ethnic Council Inc –
· Creation of WFA e-group, WFA blogsite and upgrade of WFA website
· Collaboration with other community groups for monthly Catholic masses in Hamilton
· Interface with national Filipino communities/ groups and Filipino businesses in promoting the WFA of Hamilton
· Arranged weekend sports venue (Fridays and Saturdays for one-year) for WFA members – AgResearch Gym, Ruakura, Hamilton
WFA Accomplishments and Community Services/ Support
· Updated WFA Constitution
o includes the WFA Officers Roles and Responsibilities (raised at last year’s AGM)
· Arranged Immigration Seminar for new Pinoy Migrants (Transfield Telecommunications personnel)
· WFA Sports’ Accomplishments
o (First) WFA Men’s Basketball League
o (First) WFA Volleyball League
o (First) WFA Badminton League
· Attendance and Support in NZ Citizenship Ceremonies
· Year-long Hamilton Community Cultural Participations (Filipino representation)
· Community bereavement donations & support
· Community Letters of Reference and Support for WFA members
· Community Assistance – WFA members and non-members
· Learning Tagalog and Filipino Cuisine Free Lessons
WFA Events and Involvements (2007 to 2008):
o 2 & 3 June 07: Phil Ambassador’s Sports Cup - Auckland
o 16 June 07: Philippine Independence Day
o 25 Aug 07: WFA Youthfest
o 20-21 Oct 07: National Filipino Reunion at Rotorua
o 15 Dec 07: Christmas Party
o 9 Dec 07: Christmas Parade – WFA Filipino Float
o 25 Dec 07: WFA Catholic Mass Thanksgiving
o 25 Jan 08: Transfield boys’ Immigration Seminar
o 4 Feb & 4 Apr 08: First Friday Community Catholic Mass
o 23 Feb 08: WFA Miss Valentine
o 12 Apr 08: Project Planning & Event Management Workshop
CONCLUSION
In parting, I wish to thank all the volunteer and hardworking WFA Officers, Executive Committee members, and the WFA members, without whom the WFA would not have accomplished so many things for the WFA members and the Kiwi-Filipino community of Hamilton this past year.
Also, to the many WFA supporters (financial and volunteer workers) who have always been there when needed, thank you for continuing to believe and trust that what we do is for the good of the community.
I close in saying (again), “do not think of what the WFA can do for you, but in what you can do for the WFA”
Mabuhay and maraming salamat po!
Jun Valencia
WFA Chairperson 2007-2009
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