Happy Filipino American History Month!
October 13-15, Washington, D.C.
Thursday, October 13 Friday, October 14 Saturday, October 15 Thursday, October 13
Federation Forum
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
As non-profit organizations look to reassess current programming in consideration of a “post-pandemic” world and upcoming Midterm elections, the opportunity to mobilize our community collectively continues to grow. The “Federation Forum” leadership development summit will highlight tools and best practices around policy advocacy, representation, program development, strategic partnerships and other areas.
In celebration of Filipino American History Month, NaFFAA will host its flagship event, held in Washington, DC, delegates from national and regional organizations will be invited. The outcomes of this year’s Federation Forum include:
- Highlighting program assessment and evaluation best practices to help build the capacity of non-profit organizations in the current environment.
- Creating a blueprint for a national Filipino-American policy platform, with main topics to include:
- Increasing non-partisan civic engagement and voter turnout in the 2022 midterm elections.
- Discussion on recent data disaggregation efforts at the White House and how it affects our community.
- Healthcare access and what organizations can do to collectively advocate
- Developing a sustainable collaboration structure amongst national and regional organizations.
Legislative Reception
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Join us at the Rayburn House Office Building (45 Independence Avenue Southwest Room 2237 Washington, DC 20515) in celebration of Filipino American History Month!
[6:15] Opening Remarks – NaFFAA Chairman Brendan Flores [6:20] Remarks – Mo Elinzano, Deputy Press Secretary of Rep. Matsui [6:25] Remarks – Under Secretary Gina Ortiz Jones [6:30] Remarks – Tentative: Government Official [6:35] Closing Remarks – NaFFAA President Mariela Fletcher Friday, October 14
FilAm Alerts Launch Reception
12:30-3:30 PM EST
In partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), NaFFAA has created the FilAmAlerts Program to increase coordination of Filipino Americans to more efficiently respond to natural disasters and humanitarian needs in the Philippines.
There is a significant opportunity to improve our collective national response to providing resources and support when crises occur. Since 2020, NaFFAA and IOM have initiated exploratory investigations and research to formulate a Filipino-American disaster response program. Through this work, the FilAmAlerts Program overcomes the most difficult challenges that our Fil-Ams experience when organizing relief efforts to the Philippines, by providing custom tools for coordination. We took into consideration geographic challenges in communication and relief distribution, accountability for charitable contributions and transparency, the lack of primary source information to FilAms from the Philippines, and other logistical challenges in humanitarian relief and response particularly considering the culture of community leadership in the USA and generational perspectives.
This gathering will officially launch the FilAm Alerts website and recruitment for the Humanitarian Council. The Humanitarian Council will be composed of disaster relief stakeholders that can utilize their positions as an amplifier when there is a trigger of need.
NaFFAA’s Annual Filipino American History Month Reception
AT&T Forum from 6-10 PM EST
The NaFFAA FAHM Reception concludes the Federation Forum and official Filipino American History Month celebrations in DC. A nonpartisan event, the NaFFAA FAHM Reception has been the premier annual event in Washington, DC, that will recognize public servants for their outstanding support of public policies and programs that are vital to Filipino Americans. In addition, NaFFAA honors champions of the Filipino community from outside of the political spectrum who courageously advocate on behalf of the Filipino community.
[6:00] Networking [6:45] Opening Remarks by NaFFAA Chairman [7:00] Invocation and National Anthem [7:10] NaFFAA Video [7:20] Remarks by Deputy Director of OMB Nani Coloretti [7:35] Remarks from Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz-Jones [7:50] Dinner [8:30] Awards [8:50] Remarks by Romeo + NaFFAA Documentary Teaser [8:55] Closing Remarks by NaFFAA President [9:00] Networking [10:00] End Saturday, October 15
FilAmVote National Webinar for Filipino American History Month
8:30 AM PST / 11:30 AM EST
In celebration of Filipino American History Month, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) will host a national webinar on Saturday, October 15th at 8:30 AM PST / 11:30 AM EST for its FilAmVote program in advance of the midterm elections. This non-partisan event will feature national leaders who have dedicated their service in ensuring a civically engaged Filipino American electorate. In partnership with APIAVote, we will also highlight the findings of what matters for Filipino voters from the “2022 Asian American Survey”.
According to AAPI Data, the Filipino community had the lowest voter turnout rate amongst other Asian American ethnicities in 2020. Given that FilAms account for the third largest AAPI demographic in the United States, ensuring our vote is heard is of critical importance in ensuring that Filipino equities are heard in all levels of government.
[11:30-11:35] Chairman opening remarks;
[11:35-11:40] Trustee remarks with background of FilAmVote;
[11:40-12:00] APIAVote Remarks and Survey Findings;
[12:00-12:10] President Implementation of FilAmVote;
[12:10-12:15] Chairman Closing Remarks and Call to Action;
[12:15-12:30] Open Q&A Session
FilAmVote Background
Since 2002, NaFFAA’s non-partisan civic engagement program, “FilAm Vote”, has aimed to unite, build, and increase political empowerment through five main components:
- Voter Registration – Increase the number of eligible Filipino American voters
- Voter Education – Filipino Americans will learn the issues that affect their everyday lives
- Voter Protection – Should be explained thoroughly to avoid voter intimidation
- Get Out the Vote – Filipino Americans will turn out on election day
- Running for Public Office – Supporting Filipino American running for elected office
FilAm Vote Vision Statement:
NaFFAA FilAm Vote Program envisions a society where Filipino Americans are included, heard, and represented in the decision-making process at the local, state and national level in the political arena united with one voice.
FilAm Vote Mission Statement:
NaFFAA FilAm Vote Program’s mission is to promote the development of political leadership and build public policy knowledge to strengthen and fill the political pipeline for Filipino Americans pursuing public office at the local, state, and federal levels. Please visit NaFFAA.org/vote for more information about the program
