FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIPS REQUIRED
Hilbert Morales, EL OBSERVADOR
It was obvious to the group meeting at National Hispanic University (NHU) a few days ago that the context emphasis used by a national organization's representative could be improved. A need for local sources of volunteers and local marketing acumen was communicated. The Hispanic College Fund (HCF), based in Washington, D.C., was proposing to have a Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute at Santa Clara University Campus this coming summer (July 28-31, 2010). The purpose is to expose pre-selected local Latino youth to three nights of college dorm life coupled with four days of college academic orientation. The cost per youth would be $1,000, which would be made available as a scholarship to 250 pre-selected youth. Ordinary mathematics can be used to assemble a budget: $250,000 in scholarships, honoraria for the selected speakers, hotel and travel expenses, plus promotional costs; plus the lease for the use of dorms, catering and meeting facilities at Santa Clara University. An estimated preliminary budget of $550,000 can be assembled for this proposed first time Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute.
The HCF representative had approached Dr. David Lopez, President, NHU, for assistance. Dr. Lopez, as host, was both interested and cooperative as an educator who is very concerned about the need to motivate and engage Hispanic youth. However, NHU, as an institution, has not fully developed relationships with local community based organizations, their volunteers and culturally competent promotional expertise.
A local retired educator, David Castro, Ed.D., became concerned since for the past 24 years. The Hispanic Development Corporation (HDC) has conducted its Portraits of Success fundraiser every September linked with its Hispanic Youth Leadership Conferences (HYLC) and its Mini-conferences, which introduced local Latino high school students to the elements of leadership and academic accomplishment. These elements include stewardship, communication skills, cultural sensitivities, a vision of desired future outcomes, and dealing with the lack of enabling information.
Upon hearing Dr. Castro's version, it was obvious to many present at the HDC board meeting last Saturday morning that a friendly attitude and composure was needed and would be mutually beneficial. Without a doubt, this proposed Youth Leadership Institute collaboratively supported by HCF, NHU, HDC and local school districts is needed. This collective effort to schedule, promote, and put it on needs to be done in a manner that lets local community based organizations provide needed services and volunteers in keeping with the need to inform our local youth. However, a responsible business organizational perspective must be assembled and applied which permits local, regional, and national interests and resources to be used effectively.
Each local community group must be respected, valued, and receive reimbursements from HCF for the services and expertise provided. For example, NHU needs to receive some support for the efforts headed by Dr. David Lopez. HDC also needs to be rewarded for its efforts and services. El Observador Foundation, Inc. needs to be included for its staff's creative promotional efforts, which include using the proper communications, directed to the community, parents, and their school age children. This includes the balanced use of print media, regional community radio, TV and effective messages, which target the Hispanic youth on the Internet (twitter, linkedin, facebook, blogs, email blasts, etc.). None of these efforts can be provided at no cost because HCF, as a national enterprise, needs to understand that our local community based organizations have a need for supportive funding. We understand HCF funding is provided by corporate contributions whose profits are derived from the sales of goods and services to our community's consumers. Both want recognition as good corporate citizens. It is money being recycled back to its consumer sources. Money is the license to perform...to keep on keeping on at all levels...local, regional, and national. We all need enough to cover our expenses so none feels exploited. The sense of being exploited results in each clutching to what little each has now without the opportunity for collaborative synergy. To minimize the feeling of exploitation all need to know their core values, usual and customary expenses. Full communication with trust, integrity, and transparency is required.
Full communication informing all about the proposed objective is required. In addition, a question needs to be posed; 'Is something similar to this already being done locally?' This would engage and involve all stakeholders of local efforts. Friendship involves coming together in an intentional manner, which bonds us all towards becoming a diverse inclusive community in a synergistic effort that enables our best and brightest students. Dave Castro stated, "For clarification, I do not dispute any organization whether it be local, state or national that is attempting to benefit our community's youth. The concern I have is we need to facilitate the goals and objectives of each organization to better facilitate the outcomes in our community." Friendly relationships are required.