As part of its staff development, Mahintana Foundation Inc. conducted its Community Organizing Training on September 15-17, 2018 at Dolores Farm Resort, Polomolok, South Cotabato. It was attended byparticipants of the different Mahintana projects, Dole Philippines Inc. Community Relations Department (CRD) and a representative from PASAR Corporation. The 3-day training was set to help the staff get the necessary skills in organizing the communities they are working with.
The participants were grouped into three big groups. Ms. Mindaluz “Dayluz” Tagle-Herezo discussed the training overview. She shared the experiences of Mahintana in the past 41 years of community organizing and community development. The staff were given a task to write in meta cards their frustrations, motivations and dreams as a community organizer. A representative of each group processed the feelings described. After, President and CEO Mr. Martiniano Magdolot shared Mahintana’s Development Approach. He discussed the 4 development strategies of the organization, as well as, the experiences that empowered it to help more communities. Mr. Magdolot said that we have to implement projects that are “worth the community’s while”, hitting the “kwento and kwenta” objectives. Admin & Finance Officer Ms. Liza Hora summarized the development approach.
Discussions for the next 3 days were about: Emotional Intelligence & Work Excellence, History of Community Organizing, Principles of Community Organizing, History of Community Development Work in the Philippines, Commuity Organizing: Mahintana Experience, Community Organizer’s (CO) Traits & Characteristics, Functions of a CO, Stages in Community Organizing, Understanding & Demonstrating CO Skills, Effective Communication Skills, Management & Leadership, Time Management, Basic Facilitation Skills, Handling Meetings, and Problem-Solving & Analysis. Group and individual exercises included the following: 1) one thing in your purse that describes you and/or your impact to the community; 2) writing of Community Organizer’s Creed; 3) Self-Awareness & Leadership Bingo; 4) drawing a caricature of one’s self; 5) CO Skills Demonstration per Group; and 6) writing one’s commitment as a CO. On the 3rd day, each group was given a caselet to solve and demonstrate CO skills. The group activity showcased the learnings during in the training.
