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Q: What was the outcome
of the Philippine Center survey conducted in 2001?
A: There were 103 surveys that were distributed via newsletters
and community events during 2001. For question #1 which asked to
"describe interest for having a center for the Filipino community,"
people said they were very much in favor (57 or 55%) or someone
in favor (21 or 20%) for a center.
Q: Who are leading this planning
process?
A: The elected officers of all the Filipino organizations were invited
to participate in the formation of a non-profit group with the mission
of creating a Philippine Center for Filipinos in Minnesota. The
Philippine Center of Minnesota (PCM) has drafted its by-laws and
has applied for a nonprofit status.
Q: who are the board members?
A: Everyone on the board are volunteers and have committed to attending
all the planning meetings, which are held at least once a month.
According to the drafted Articles of Incorporation, there will be
a minimum of 13 members and no more than two members may represent
a single community organization. Of you are not a member of an organization,
the by-laws encourages that up to 10 individual volunteers may be
"at large" members. Any of you are welcome to volunteer
to help go through the planning process. You may contact Nannette
Beltran at 651-639-8753
Q: Who are the officers?
A: A slate of officers was elected in 2001. President: Dr. Nannette
Beltran (Philippine Minnesotans Medical Association); Vice President:
Dodge Flores (Fil-Minnesotan Associates); Secretary: Jocelyn Ancheta
(Filipino American Women's Network); Treasurer: Norm Morrisson (Cultural
Society of Filipino Americans); Auditor: Ely Arcilla (Sayawan).
Q:How long will it take before
we have a center?
A:The whole process will take about 3 to 5 years. PCM is in the
process of organizing a fundraising campaign to raise the needed
funds. The funding can be used either to build or rent a space,
or purchase an existing building.
Q: where will the center
be located?
A: Based on our survey, you want the Center to be centrally located
in the Twin Cities area.
Q: How much will it cost?
A: The planners estimated that the Center will cost at least $500,000.
The ideal space could be similar to a small church that has a large
gathering space, small rooms for smaller group meetings and activities,
and a kitchen for food preparation.
Q: How can I help?
A: You can join the PCM board as a member at large. You can donate
funding to help seed the PCM effort. Or, if and when it is built,
you can contribute your time and talent in the center in many ways
(programming, cleaning, maintenance, etc.) Based on the 2000 Census,
there are 1,500 families contribute at least $500 per family as
a one-time contribution, then we can purchase our center. To break
it down further, if a family contributed a price of a night-out-at-the-moveites
($20-$25) once a month, we can make our goal. Any contribution is
tax deductible.
Q: How are collected funds
managed?
A: Collected funds will be placed in a restricted account dedicated
to building expenses only and subject to regular audit in reporting.
Q: What happens to the center
if things go wrong like financial bankruptcy, disunity, loss of
interests and community support, etc.?
A: In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation of assets will be governed
by existing statues so that no individual will benefit from such
a loss.
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