DILIMAN, Quezon City – Volunteer leaders of the rural-based organizations (RBOs) from the different regions gathered recently for a consultation meeting to reinvigorate the Volunteer Leaders Association of the Philippines (VLAP) and elect a new set of officers for FY 2023-2025.
As the volunteer group for RBOs, VLAP is the frontliner and key player in providing support and guidance in molding the farm youth holistically. The group serves as a catalyst for farm youth development and empowerment and acts as a support system in crafting timely and relevant interventions for the 4-H Club of the Philippines.
These volunteer leaders not only function as agents that spark the light of interest and inspiration to the youth in terms of leadership but also encourage community service involvement in agriculture and fisheries as well. They play a vital role in community progress and development by sharing selflessly their skills, talents, expertise, time and effort without monetary compensation.
To ensure their participation and continue to instill the values of volunteerism and cooperation, a three-day consultation meeting was conducted last April 25 to 28, 2023, attended by the VLAP regional presidents and vice presidents from the different regions in the country. The activity served as the venue to conceptualize the next VLAP’s programs and activities and formulate action plans for the strengthening and active participation of its officers and members.
Likewise, a retooling of VLAP regional officers was conducted to re-orient them to the new directions of the organization. With Dr. Nonito Delgado as resource person, the retooling session highlighted the importance of creating a healthier organization, and adopting more responsive approaches to greater implementation of activities.
Former ATI Director Asterio P. Saliot discussed the Transformational and Situational Leadership Skills, where he presented the different leadership styles people may choose to apply, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Dr. Saliot noted that the transformational and situational leadership is the most effective at bringing about lasting change especially in an organization like VLAP.
To acquire knowledge and information regarding opportunities for farmer organizations and come up with strategies on how the VLAP can integrate these updates to their programs and activities, high caliber speakers from different government agencies were invited to talk about their programs that the VLAP can avail of.
During the meeting, a new set of officers was elected with Dr. Saliot as the new president and then formally took their oath of office before ATI Director Remelyn R. Recoter via online. Crafting of the 2023-2025 plans, directions and strategies transpired afterwards, with the goal of advancing the 4-H Clubs as prime movers in youth development. The officers agreed to cascade the proposed programs to ATI through its regional training centers.
