Now that summer is virtually over (since Labour Day has passed and the kids are back in school) it’s time to get back to work. Here is a report on the Las Vegas Grand Reunion which was held in June. The Grand Reunion materials and hand-outs follow this report.
The attendees at the first Grand Reunion of the various St. Scholastica’s Alumnae Associations in North America – East Coast and West Coast USA and Canada (the Toronto Chapter) certainly made great strides towards achieving the theme of Unity and Outreach.
We’ve all heard from various attendees (and from Sr. Fe Andrea – better known as Sr. Andy ) about how successful the reunion was in terms of reuniting classmates and schoolmates and in terms of closing the gap that years of separation and divergent experiences have created among us all. It was truly amazing how we achieved the goal of Unity socially as well as in the workshops. Although the age range of attendees was very wide (from High School 1939 to High School 1975, from College 1954 to College 1976 – 40 years more or less) there was no feeling of a "generation gap" among the attendees and each one reached out to everyone else, so that even those who did not have any classmates at the Reunion did not feel left out.
The spirit of Unity and Outreach was demonstrated as well by the participation at the conference session of the reunion. Almost all the Reunion registrants attended the "serious" part of the conference and stayed for the full eight hours of the session, eagerly tackling the workshop discussion topics.
The conference started with welcoming speeches from the three Chapter presidents, Emma Fernandez Villa-Real, Eva Pascual Cullen and Boots Delgado Montano, which included a brief history of their chapters as well as a report of their activities.
A video, "This is our Heritage" demonstrating what St. Scholastica’s College is now – its social apostolate as well as its academic mandate, was a great introduction to Sr. Andy’s Message from Manila. Sr. Andy conveyed loving greetings from the nuns and our former teachers at St. Scholastica’s and updated us on their whereabouts. She also shared the nuns’ hopes and visions for the future of our alma mater.
We then broke out into three groups to discuss the following topics – Internationalization, Marketing and Fundraising. It is noteworthy that in each group networking and communication emerged as critical ingredients.
Internationalization
This group stated that in order to keep each chapter going: we require a goal and/or objective; and to have better relationships among the various Chapters, we must have a common platform. Networking and communication were considered extremely important to achieve internationalization, to reduce isolation and increase involvement among the alumnae within the chapter as well as between the chapters and with the alumnae association in Manila (SSAA).
Ways to network and communicate were discussed, such as a map indicating where Scholastican alumnae and Benedictine convents are located all over the world, so that, hopefully, Scholasticans who are travelling or emigrating know where they can find "home away from home"; a world-wide directory/database of Scholastican alumnae, including e-mail addresses. The idea of a Scholastican "passport", which could be a possible source of revenue for each Chapter was also mentioned.
It was suggested that each Chapter work at strengthening its own organization first and then forging strong links with other Chapters in North America as well as SSAA. Although we need to have our own projects which are geared to our own particular environment, we would like to have better communications with SSAA so that we can join them in projects that may be more "international" than "local".
Visibility and Marketing the Alumnae Association in North America
Networking was also discussed in this group. We need a Scholastican database, as well as websites, by chapter as well as by graduating class. The SSAA newsletter could be reproduced in the North American website, with local chapters to distribute hard copies to those with no Internet access.
The feasibility of joint projects with SSAA was also discussed – choosing and prioritizing projects; what kind of support is needed, how to send materials and supplies, how to set up logistics and contacts so donations are received in the most efficient manner; how to target potential donors/benefactors, what methods of communication would work with benefactors, what projects benefactors would be willing to support and what results would they like to see.
The group then focused on the next generation – how we can show our children our heritage, both Philippine and Scholastican. Some suggestions were: exchange families, Balik-Bisita for balikbayans, particularly those with no families in the Philippines; tours to the Philippines, pilgrimages to Philippine sites.
Other topics discussed included social action programs, such as support for battered women, typhoon victims, medical missions, scholarship programs (particularly for Benedictine schools), etc.
Fundraising Arm to Support Chapter Activities
The focus of this group was mostly American, especially with regard to ensuring that chapters take advantage of tax breaks available to non-profit organizations in the U.S. In this context, it was suggested that perhaps all U.S. chapters be incorporated as one (St. Scholastica’s Alumnae Association North America, or SSAANA), with a Board representing all chapters and an accountant to take care of all financial matters. Each individual chapter would have an accountant who will report to the SSAANA accountant.
The items to be considered with regard to this suggestion are: each chapter would have to apply for non-profit status in their state; who would be willing to sit on the Board of SSAANA; how to divide the accountant/auditor’s fees (a CPA would be required); the organization of SSAANA would have to be discussed and by-laws drawn up for the association. The various American chapters would have to get together to see how practical this solution would be.
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After lunch, which included a Scholastican Trivia contest (with prizes generously donated by Scholasticans), Dr. Rena M. Nora, a psychiatrist spoke to us on the topics of Coping with Stress in the Workplace, Humor, Sexuality and Aging (this topic slightly censored out of consideration for Sr. Andy’s tender sensibilities). The pointers she gave us on these topics were very practical, sensible, and appropriate for the woman of today.
Finally, Gloria Topacio Caoile, 2002 Pax Awardee (and who arranged the hotel accommodations for the Reunion), the Superkulasa Extraordinaire in North America, spoke to the group about Working Hard, Doing Community Work, Raising a Family, and Having Fun (all at the same time!). It was an inspiring yet humorous and down-to-earth speech about life and living in North America. She is truly deserving of the Pax Award.
There were no activities planned for the Friday evening nor for the Saturday morning or afternoon (except for golfing on Saturday early morning), which allowed us to shop, go to dinner, visit with classmates, tour the casinos and watch some entertainment and relax after the conference session.
Saturday evening found us at the private cocktail reception hosted by the Topacio sisters. This was a great start to an evening of wining, dining and dancing. Although the Scholasticans were guests at the San Beda College Alumni Association dinner dance, we took over the dance floor and danced to our hearts’ content, showing the same enthusiasm and energy we did as students at St. Scholastica’s umpteen years ago!
The Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Abbot Tarcisio Narciso, OSB of San Beda College on Sunday morning officially ended the Grand Reunion, but most Scholasticans met for brunch after Mass to say tearful good-byes and to make dates for future get-togethers and grand reunions.
Congratulations to the Planning Committee – the Presidents of the three Chapters, Rosario-May Mayor, the Conference Coordinator, Gloria Topacio Caoile, and Jo Ann Lara. It was a job well done!
Submitted by Gwen Flor, H.S. 1960, A.B.
1964
