It has been a successful two months in 2015 and we've only tackled the relatively small events - a successful New Year's Eve Party, one of the most well attended Pinoy Breakfasts in January, and lately, the highly talked about Valentine's Party – all held at the Filipino Cultural Center. These events have been financially beneficial to maintaining the assets we have to continue our mission of preserving and promoting Filipino culture not only among our members but among a very culturally diverse Kansas City area. These small events are no less important than the bigger ones as we build enthusiasm and camaraderie from one event to the next. The true value of these events lies in their ability to bring more valuable assets closer to the Association which is more people and eventually more members.

Membership dues alone do not sustain the Association and many people know this. However, without the numbers to boast of, the camaraderie that is built and the relationships that are founded, sponsors are less likely to be generous and trusting of us to be stewards of their gifts. To this end I commend you all for maintaining the positive rebirth of a highly inclusive organization. Some are now realizing that they do have a place within the organization where they can belong and hopefully help nurture the next new member that comes along.

Lastly, we have a leadership team which includes the Board of Directors, the officers and committee chairs who understand the importance of transparency with discretion, accountability with compassion and the desire to succeed by showing others how good things can be. By working together and not against each other, we stand a much better chance to succeed not only within the organization but benefit from the resulting positive energy as it spills out in our own personal lives as well.

By the way, did you hear about an honest to goodness, unscripted and knelt-down proposal at the Valentine's Party? Now THAT is inspiration!