23 NOV 2004

Update on Organizational Diagnosis FGDs
by: Trina J. Pineda, Program Officer for Communications

The first phase of the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP) Foundation, Inc. organizational diagnosis (OD) with the Center for Organizational Research and Development (CORD) commenced in the JVP local communities of Zamboanga, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. A day was spent in each of the local communities to conduct the focus group discussions (FGD) which tackled the areas of organizational vision and mission, membership, and organization and governance structure.

The local communities participated well, providing substantial data about how they see the Foundation and its role in the life of a former volunteer of the one-year Volunteer Service Program. Two FGDs are still to be conducted: for the Manila and Naga local communities. These are scheduled for November.

The second phase of the OD will be a workshop where representatives from each local community and key people in the Foundation will participate. It is slated for November 27-28 in Manila. The third and final phase will be a presentation to the Board of the output and recommendations from the OD in the February 2005 Board of Trustees meeting.

The JVP Foundation, Inc. and CORD entered into a Memorandum of Agreement last September 15, 2004 for CORD to conduct an organizational diagnosis of the Foundation. The OD is a response to the changes in the life of the Foundation and Philippine society, which were recognized in the JVP strategic planning concluded in the year 2003. Results and recommendations from the OD will be presented to the JVP community during a special assembly in the Grand Reunion in April 2005.

The Foundation is very grateful to those who participated in the FGDs in the Mindanao local communities and hopes that participation in the other local communities will be just as enthusiastic.