PLAN OF ACTIVITIES

As suggested, we encourage existing FILIPINO ORGANIZATIONS in Thailand or SMALL-GROUP FILIPINO TEACHERS in different areas/provinces to host a local-based FILIPINO EDUCATORS CONFERENCE. This is in preparation for the planned “FIRST FILIPINO EDUCATORS NATIONAL CONFERENCE” to be held in Bangkok this summer of 2008.While waiting for its KICK OFF, it would be best for all of us if you can organize a simple yet MEANINGFUL teacher conference in your own respective provinces.

Here in Chiangmai-Chiangrai, we are preparing for one. Below is the PROJECT PROPOSAL for LOCAL CONFERENCES (draft) and we encourage you to use it in order to facilitate the organizing of the bigger NATIONAL CONFERENCE:

Title:

1st FILIPINO EDUCATORS NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Theme:

“Empowering the Community of Filipino Educators in Thailand through Renewed Commitment, Courage and Competence”

Goal:

Establish a federation of Filipino educators in Thailand.

Objectives:

1. Discuss the establishment of the Federation of Filipino Educators in Thailand and its vision, mission, objectives and activities.
2. Discuss the pressing issues on employment and classroom instruction.
3. Launch a network of Filipino educators in Thailand by identifying pilot chapter areas and coordinators.

Implementing Groups / Organizers:

1. Federation of Filipino Educators in Thailand core group
2. Siam Pinoy Thailand (SP)
3. Association of Cordillerans in Thailand (ACT)

Rationale:

The need for a strong representation of the Filipino educators in Thailand is seen necessary and beneficial. Teaching is one of the main job opportunities which Thailand could offer to the world. Filipinos and other non-Asian nationalities grab this opportunity from reasons of supporting their families to simply enjoying the pleasures of life in Thailand. The community of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Thailand is comprised by a growing number of educators. It is believed that there are more than 3,000 Filipino educators throughout Thailand. They are, in fact, the active members of most if not all of the other Filipino organizations in Thailand. Their participation in civic-oriented programs, social functions and other projects in their respective organizations proved that they too can form a strong institute that would directly benefit themselves. One of the major concerns of a Filipino educator working in Thailand is the unfair treatment and comparison they are getting from local school administrators and the community as a whole; specifically, monthly salary and other benefits based on one’s nationality instead of qualifications and skills, parents’ low confidence to Filipino educators teaching English as a second language, and the community’s notion that ESL/EFL is best taught by a native speaker of English. However, there are also some major teaching and personality flaws that a Filipino educator possesses that need special attention like strong interference of his/her first language in using the English language which affect comprehensibility; the need for trainings on how to contemplate their teaching techniques and strategies to Thai culture for effective teaching and learning; and the lack of encouragement and support they are getting from the Filipino community as a whole to bring out the necessary confidence they need in the workplace. Moreover, there are few sensitive issues that needed to be dealt politically with the help of the Philippine government in order to protect the interest of these Filipino educators; for instance, reasonable and just compensation, their participation in Thailand’s Ministry of Education in addressing foreign teaching concerns and among others. These pressing issues could not be properly tackled without proper representation and recognition; thus, it is high time for all Filipino educators in Thailand to get organized.

The proposed one-day conference enables Filipino educators to finally sit together in planning appropriate activities in handling both professional and labor related concerns for the betterment of the Filipino community in Thailand as a whole.

Tentative Date and Venue:

March 15, 2008 ( One Day) / _______________

Target Number of Participants:

50 participants (potential leaders)

Program:

Morning Session

8:00 – 9:00 Arrival & Registration

9:00 – 9:30 Opening Program:

National Anthem
Invocation
Welcome Remarks
Introduction of facilitators/ participants
Leveling of Expectations
Briefing and Orientation

9: 30 – 10:30 Group Brainstorming 1

Topics: Introductions, Survey on Needs and Issues, Resolutions

10:30 – 11:00 Intermission & BREAK

11:00 - 12:00 Introduction of the Guest Speaker

TALK 1: “Dealing with Employment Concerns and Issues through the Philippine Embassy in Thailand”

Open Forum

12:00-1:00 LUNCH

Afternoon Session

1:00 – 2:00 Group Brainstorming 2

FFET’s vision, mission, objectives, activities

2:00 – 3:00 Group Presentations:

1. Needs, Issues and Resolutions
2. FFET’s vision, mission, objectives, activities

3:00 – 3:30 Intermission & BREAK

3:30 – 5:00 Introduction of Keynote Speaker

Keynote Address: “____________________”
Ms. Hedda Tan (FFET)

Open Forum

Committee Formation & Meeting: Future Activities

5:00 – 6:30 Teacher Testimonials on Working in Thailand

Evening Session

6:30 – 8:00 DINNER

Break

Closing Program:

Awarding of Certificates
Tributes from the participants
Closing Remarks
Creed
Invocation
Evaluation
Pictorials
Departure

Tentative Plan of Activities

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER

Planning Stage

Program drafts; forms; documents; etc.
Organizing Core group: FFET
Delegation of Work: Committees

DECEMBER-JANUARY

Pre-Conference (FFET)
Participants (Selection)
Sponsors
Donors
Finalization of Program drafts, etc.
Contracts/proposals

FEBRUARY

Reproduction of materials and documents
Invitations

MARCH IMPLEMENTATION STAGE:

conference

Post-Conference:

Evaluation
FFET
Regional Conference
Etc.

Prepared by:

ABEL M. CADIAS
FFET Program Organizer
Filipinos and Friends in Chiangrai (Representative)

Noted:

HEDDA TAN
FFET Director / Program Chairman

LORNA CORAL
Program Organizer
Association of Cordillerans in Thailand (Representative)

JOSE TAN
Program Organizer
Siam Pinoy Thailand
http://www.siampinoy.com