CEBU CITY -- Chairpersons, Chairpersons and Committee Chairperson of NATCCO member cooperatives met on April 12 and 13 to form and elect the officers of the Chairpersons' Club.

Some 90 representatives came from all over the country to participate.

Theme for the event was "Resilient Leaders: Building Trust of Sustainable Cooperatives Towards the Wellness of Members".

CDA Chairperson Joy Encabo said during the opening preliminaries: “Resilient leaders are the pillars on why sustainable cooperatives thrive in the face of challenges. They remain steadfast, adaptable, and relentless in their commitment to serve their members and communities . . . as resilient leaders we have the capacity to build trust, inspire hope, and create a brighter future to all.”

Keynote speaker Jess Lorenzo of the KAYA Natin Movement cited success stories of communities and local governments working together to fight the drug problem and ensure food security.  He mentioned Pilar Sorsogon Food Security Initiative that pushed for family farms that produced local food and generated modest savings for households.  

He also encouraged cooperatives to harness social media to engage communities.  Using social media will also enable cooperatives to reach young people.

A topic that sparked great interest was “Mastering Board Leadership: Navigating and Conquering Challenges in Chairing Boards” by 

Sub-topics included roles of the Board like: Agenda Setting, Effective Communication, Strategic Planning, Representing the Institution, Overseeing the CEO’s Performance, and Decision-making.  Participants were asked to rate their own performances from “Easy” to “Challenging”, or Not Practicing.

Another question raised was how to balance financial and social goals.  Nenita Malbas of Tagum Cooperative replied that co-ops should comply the Cooperative Code and follow CDA Memorandum Circulars.  

“For business processes, we need to digitalize, it is not an option, but it is a must.  We need to advance!” she added. 

 A workshop followed on “Development Needs/Programs for Chairpersons” led by NATCCO Training Group Head Glenn Medez.  The participants listed the following challenges: “Mentoring and Coaching, Becoming Visionary, Facilitation skills (Parliamentary procedures), Conducting and Monitoring Strategic Planning, Policy Reviews and Formulation, Legal matters, business trends, applicable tools, agility, handling and settling conflicts, risk management, and more.

One of the most important discussions was on what co-ops can contribute to make the NATCCO Network integration become a reality.  The Chairpersons responded: Patronizing NATCCO Products and services, adopting the NATCCO Logo in their primary, remitting CETF, collaboration, standardizing processes, and a common banking software platform.

CDA Board Member and Assistant Secretary Luz H. Yringco, formerly manager of the Abuyog St. Francis Xavier MPC in Leyte said in her solidarity message: “Leaders must prioritize the integration process, and must happen now. To integrate now means lesser costs, more benefits and more satisfaction to members. Better services to members based on best practices, documented and established. There is going to be need based and well executed customized programs through sharing of resources and experiences that cuts the repetition of mistakes. Hence, a shorter journey, least expensive way.”

The participants then elected the officers of the newly-organized Chairpersons’ Club.  

Asst. Secretary administered the Oath Taking of the new officers: President, Peter Pelonio (from Camarines Sur Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative); Vice President Edilberto B. Euraoba II (DCCCO MPC in Dumaguete City), and Secretary Ms. Rosamaria S. Torrejano from Tagum Cooperative.