Q & A with BCA-USA Vice President

BCA-USA MIRROR PROFILES IN SERVICE: BCA-USA

Q & A WITH BCA-USA VICE PRESIDENT

Ma Florence Bassa was elected Vice President of BCA-USA in 2014. It was her first time running for any elected office in the association. During her term in office, she has shown great leadership and dedication to the organization often stepping in to run NEC calls in the absence of the president and supporting committee chairs and chapter presidents. From traveling to BCAUSA events as well as supporting BCA Europe, her dedication and leadership has earned admiration and praise from all who have worked with her. Here, she reflects on her time in office.

BCA-USA Mirror: It’s been four years since you were elected Vice President. It seems to have gone by so fast! Tell us how you became a member of BCA-USA and why you ran for leadership in BCA-USA in 2014?

Ma Florence: Matters of BCA-USA constantly came up in our monthly Nda-Kum. I learnt in my very early years in the USA, what this association was all about. I became interested but was not financially viable to commit as a member. Then came 2004 when Minnesota had the privilege to host the convention and also to welcome His Royal Highness to the US for the first time. I was by default involved from the start to the finish point; under the leadership of my late brother Ni Levai Babaya. The excitement was immeasurable but I still did not commit myself until 2005. My first convention out of state was in 2006 after I had finished school and established a career. The excitement of meeting family and friends from all over the US once in a year never stopped till date. As far as running for the office of VP, it never occurred in my mind that I could. The more involved I got with BCA-USA business, the more people began to notice me and to recommend that I run for a leadership position. So in 2014, a number of persons approached and encouraged me to do so. After some considerations I decided to give it a try. BCA-USA Mirror: During your tenure, you also

faced some health challenges and through it all your commitment to the organization was never shaken. You still showed up for conference calls and travelled to events. We are so happy to see you have recovered. What was it like for you?

Ma Florence: You know, life comes in a package. Sometimes the going is smooth and on other times not so much. We learn to joggle all the elements that life presents to us. Challenges are part of the package; most of which makes us stronger and even more determined. In my case I could not let the poor health take over my life. I had too many responsibilities which gave me the drive to keep going. I had to be a mother, sustain the finances for

the bills and at the same time, be Na VP. BCA-USA Mirror: What did you enjoy about your

tenure as Vice President of BCA-USA?

Ma Florence: Mostly every good thing that happened during my tenure. For instance, our executive taking over leadership of the Multipurpose Center Project and bringing that project to an anticipated finish line. I feel very proud to have been a part of this in every way possible. There is not much some of us can do to give back to our home land Bali. The presence of this building shall remain something to talk about and to show to my grandkids someday. To tell people that I was a part of this magnificent accomplishment. I also enjoyed the speed at which BAC-USA grew in membership. Somehow it feels like my team has done something right to make all these happen. It was a wonderful experience traveling to foreign lands to meet and support other Bonbani.

BCA-USA Mirror: What are some of the challenges you encountered during your term?

Ma Florence: The challenges were many but who said there weren’t going to be? We all remember the year 2014 and the happenings in BCA-USA. It was a year that I hope never repeats itself. That was the start of my tenure. I became benevolent about the whole experience but there was no turning back. Our God always takes care of those things that we cannot handle. I am not sure how I settled down to work but I did. I made up my mind to just be me and to serve bonbani. As time went by, the challenges normalized to those that anyone in a leadership position is bound to experience. Again, they made me stronger and a better person today than when I started.

BCA-USA Mirror: So many people look up to you as a leader. What advice do you have for whoever takes up the vice presidency after you and for anyone interested in seeking leadership position in the organization? Ma Florence: I would say be ready to work. Be ready to sacrifice time, energy and money. Most especially energy and time. If you don’t have those to spare it might not work out too well for you. For example, I work at night; imagine staying on a conference call for three hours, then go to work without being able to take a nap! Be ready to face some strong Bali minds that might not easily give you the pass to change the world in the manner that you had dreamt. You must be ready to not take things personal and to keep your focus on the best interest of the association. As the VP, you always want to be on top of things even if you don’t have to do or say much. Circumstances might occur when the President is not available and you have to step up. Overall, it is one of the most relaxing positions in the leadership of BCA-USA.

BCA-USA Mirror: What will you miss about being VP?

Ma Florence: I don’t think I will miss much about being the VP. I look forward to my retirement. Most of the work that I did during this time in office were similar to things that I was already doing before I ran for the position. I am not leaving the organization so I will still get to see the people and continue to work as a member. I hope to follow the footsteps of persons that have served BCA-USA and continue to do so years after their term in office. BCA-USA Mirror: Next year, the convention is heading to Minnesota. And we know you are going to be involved in planning the event. Can you tell us some things to expect to see in the land of 10,000 Lakes?

Ma Florence: Minnesota has always done well, in receiving its guests. You will agree with me that Minnesota holds the record in entertaining Bonbani. Remember the boat ride in 2012 when we almost sank the ship? Good food? I rather not let the “cat out of the bag” for 2019. All I can promise is that you will have a memorable experience come May of 2019●

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