Network Secretariat & Project Staff holds its 1st General Staff Meeting cum Annual Planning for 2009

The PhilDHRRA Mindanao secretariat and project staff conducted its first general staff meeting cum Annual Planning for 2009 on January 12-13, 2009 at the Caraga Project Management Office in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. RC Abando facilitated the two-day activity with the general staff. The project teams namely: Project Caraga PMO, CONVENIO Project, and PACAP-FOCAS including the Secretariat and Finance unit presented their 2008 Annual Assessment Reports to the general staff for comments and critiquing. Highlights of the assessment presentation indicated difficulties encountered as well as enabling factors that contributed in the attainment of its targets vis-à-vis its goals and objectives. The presentation outputs of the secretariat, finance and project teams led to discussions on possible actions and recommendations for integration to the individual units’ annual plans. The one day activity ended with notable recommendations from the project teams.

The general staff continued the operations planning through the second day. The project teams including the secretariat met and discussed to refine project plans for 2009. One of the major plans recommended by the staff as highlighted in the annual operations plan of the network for 2009 is the need to improve and uphold its financial sustainability through resource mobilization initiatives. The practice of promoting the 3Gs, namely Grantmaking, Gainsmaking and Giftsmaking were strongly recommended as an integral approach to sustaining the network’s initiatives in addressing rural development. The general staff also indicated in their respective plans, the need to develop strategic project proposals & negotiate for grant-funds in partnership with member-NGOs. It was also expressed to expand its revenue generating capacity of the network including exploring business potentials and opportunities. To ensure management efficiency and effectiveness, one major recommendation reflected in the plan was to maximize expertise of former PhilDHRRA fellows in strengthening network’s development causes & sustainability objectives.