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Monday, January 17, 2005
April's Way
April Grace Andrada Besara, the newly elected president of Iloilo Ilang-Ilang Jaycees, is tasked to continue the legacy of the club in active community building through leadership.
The 27-year-old entrepreneur's challenge is to make the already dynamic club more successful than it already is.
Learn how a lady who used to prefer staying at home, plans to achieve such success.
Kathy Villalon Cinco (KVC): How were you transformed from being a person who does not like going out much to someone who's now meeting all sorts of personalities?
April Besara (AB): When I was in school, I didn't really go out much.
Then, after passing the CPA Board Exam, I taught for almost three years at CPU, so it helped me deal with other people.
After that, we opened Europa Facial Care Center and there, I also worked with more people.
Then, after joining Iloilo Ilang-Ilang Jaycees in 2001, I was able to expand my dealings with still more people. The club members spend a lot of time with each other to talk about projects and share thoughts.
It's like a social life with a cause (smiles).
KVC: How about the art of negotiation?
AB: I remember when Rosanna Golez-Ang was still the president, she would ask me to go with her to meet with heads of companies and government agencies.
There, I observed how she talked to them and asked for support for our projects.
Then, during the time of Past Presidents Merci Drilon-Garcia and Joni May Tan, I was also asked to do the pitching and they would back me up.
KVC: What projects do you propose during your term?
AB: I would like to discuss the existing projects and those that we have done.
Last December 1, we joined in the celebration of World Aids Day by co-sponsoring a poster-making contest. It was a partnership with the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC).
We also held a medical mission in Dumangas, in cooperation with the Rotary Club, gift giving in the day care centers in Tabuc Suba and last Christmas, we held a Jollibee party with the special children of a day care center in North Baluarte.
We're now the partner organization of the Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force headed by Councilor Jam Baronda, also one of our members. We hold talks in different schools about the dangers of smoking.
One big project I wish to launch this month is the JC discount card. We hope to team up with local establishments. The JC ID will serve as a discount card for all JC members. It will not be the main incentive to become a member, but every now and then, it's good that our card has a use.
This coming February 10, we will celebrate Valentine's through a Jaycee reunion at the Ha!Ha!Ha! Comedy Bar. Entitled "Once a Jaycee, Always a Jaycee," this is a fund-raising effort. We Jaycees will be the ones who will entertain our fellow Jaycees because we have many talented members. (laughs)
The highlight of my term is the hosting of the 2005 Visayas Area Conference sometime September. We are hoping to showcase Iloilo to close to 400 Jaycees coming from different chapters in the Visayas.
KVC: What are the challenges that you face as president of the club?
AB: First, how to increase our membership. We used to have 25 members but right now in my term, we now have 48 members. If we can add two, we will be elevated to Category B. I am aiming for a 100 percent increase in membership.
It's good to have many members because there will more support in implementing the projects. Because all of us are working, not everybody can be present at the same time.
Second, how to attain financial stability. We can solve that by conducting fund-raising activities like our upcoming Valentine's show.
KVC: What should be the qualities of a Jaycee?
AB: That person has to have the willingness to share with and serve others.
KVC: Any suggestions on how one can become a good leader?
AB: I believe that a successful organization is rooted in good relationships. It's hard to realize a good project if the leader and members don't have a good relationship.
I'm so happy with my chapter because they are very supportive and united.
Second, one should be persistent in making follow-ups with members regarding projects and meetings. My phone bill was really huge during the early times that I became president. It's really important. Now, we have a Chikka.com broadcast for everybody. However, I still make it a point to call or text or sometimes visit because I believe each member is important and deserves my time.
Third, a leader should be a good follower. As I've said, leadership is rooted in relationships. So, communication lines should be open. A leader must be ready to accept suggestions and not impose her idea only.
Fourth, one must know how to deal with each member, based on his or her personality.
Lastly, a leader should be a good worker. It's not really nice to delegate everything and then the leader ends up with nothing to do. It's nice to show members that you also work. It's easier to get their help that way.
KVC: In your four years in the Jaycees, aside from leadership, what is the most important thing that it has given you?
AB: It has given me the inspiration of my life, my Jaycee boyfriend. (April's boyfriend is Councilor Carlo Fortuna of Mandaue City, who is also the national president of the Philippine Councilors League)
KVC: On that note, do you plan to follow his footsteps? Or become like Councilor Merci Drilon-Garcia?
AB: What?! (laughs). It's not my cup of tea and service is not only in politics. (KVC)
(January 17, 2005 issue)
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