Damayan Members Elect Three Board of Director Members
“The General Assembly is important to the Damayan organization because it is here that we express our thoughts about the candidates. It is also important for the members to know the events within the organization and know what we need to do to make the organization more stable.”
Ate Lyn, Damayan Member
(“Importanti ang GA sa organization ng Damayan dahil dito natin naihayag ang mga saloobin natin tungkol sa mga kandidato at mahalagang malaman din ng mga myembro ang mga kaganapan sa loob ng organizationtulad ng pag lalahad nga mga kailangan gawin ng mga myembro para tumatag pa ang organization ” Ate Lyn, Damayan Member)
Last weekend, Damayan members and supporters came together at The People’s Forum in Manhattan, NYC for the Damayan Annual General Assembly and Board Election, the epitome of Damayan’s democratic principle–of giving and upholding the power of the eligible members to vote for their board members by a confidential ballot. The momentous occasion with Damayan’s highest decision-making body involved:
The Executive Director’s report on Damayan’s 2022 Annual Accomplishment Report and discussion of the Damayan 2023 Program of Action. Again, the general membership was inspired by Damayan’s 20 years of impact and unanimously approved the 2023 Program of Action to continue servicing and empowering the Filipino migrant workers.
Election of three Damayan Board Members for 2023-2025: The Damayan General Assembly voted in three Board members after listening to their platforms: 1. Riya Ortiz, Damayan’s new Executive Director, 2. Karina Garcia, current Board Chair and long-time Damayan ally and organizer, and 3. Raffy Garcia, a Filipino Certified Public Accountant with an extensive record of working and helping NYC nonprofits to strengthen their financial operations and a long time supporter of Damayan. Our dedicated and hardworking previous Board Treasurer, Neal Stone, was not included in the 3 highest number of votes but we will be forever thankful for all his contributions in solidifying the Board leadership and in building Damayan since 2006!
Reaffirming Damayan’s mission and quest to end labor trafficking and modern day slavery through a sharp Damayan Orientation: Damayan screened for the first time our official video Damayan orientation, which reaffirms and streamlines our mission, analysis, programs and services and the members’ rights and responsibilities. Attending a Damayan orientation is one of our requirements to vote at the GA.
Damayan Camaraderie: Damayan members also enjoyed the General Assembly by playing games, celebrating the election winners, and eating our many food options that members generously helped provide.
