40TH AREA IV CONFERENCE

Written by:

Ma. Katrina Carmina Nisce-Anisco JCI Roxas Makawiwili

Unlimited crabs and talaba. That’s what we hoped to have served the 461 registrants at the supposedly opening night of the 40th Visayas Areacon in Roxas City. We had planned festive fun-filled activities for our guests to showcase the fresh seafoods and tourist spots we have in Capiz. But due to the pandemic, we were suddenly faced with the challenge of how to conduct the Area Conference through an online platform. Planning, preparation and sponsorships seemed to be a difficult endeavor we had to take on. We greatly appreciate the generous support we have received from our Provincial Governor Esteban Evan Contreras, City Mayor Atty. Ronnie Dadivas, our benefactors and stakeholders for making the event successful. The Area Council Meeting of the National Board, the Quadro Awards, the Public Speaking Competition, and a series of JCI Trainings were lined up for this 2-day conference.

Through the leadership of our Areacon Director Joan Adonay and guidance of our AVP Maylene Villanueva and 2020 LO President Katrina Anisco, along with active participation of the Area 4 Regional Vice Presidents and co-host chapters which included JCI Bacolod, Chicks United, Iloilo, Mandaue, Regatta and Tacloban Love, and members from our chapter JCI Roxas Makawiwili; we were able to make an extraordinary mark in this first ever online conference in JCI history.

Foundational and Leadership Training Courses conducted gave the participants the opportunity to understand why JCI exists as they focus on the core values and framework that drive the JCI mission. It also helped empower the members to become effective leaders to create sustainable impact in a changing world. We also added topics like, “How to Conduct Online Meetings” and “Recruitment in the midst of Pandemic” to help local chapters adapt to the changes in the new world we are in.

The Public Speaking Competition co-hosted by JCI Bacolod was headed by Area Chair Mae Joy Osano. The six participants were given 24 hours to prepare a 7-minute speech on the topic, “If you were to share a story about this pandemic with your future grandchild, what would it be and how would you tell it?” Sandro Silverio of JCI Regatta won the competition who went ahead to win the 2020 National Public Speaking Competition.

The highlight of the Area Conference is the Hybrid Virtual Quadro Awards headed by Area Chair Angelo Tribunal which bestows recognition to deserving individuals and local chapters for their outstanding performance and to provide motivation to the award winners for the excellent work they have accomplished in their fiscal year. One of the most awarded chapters was JCI Iloilo Ilang Ilang which bagged the most outstanding JCI Local Organization and President (JCI Mem Ma. Monica Leticia Espinosa) for category 2, Best of the Best LO President and Local Organization.

We truly hope that the Area 4 participants enjoyed the conference and felt the warmth of the Capizeños even from this virtual world we are in.