The UAP Davao Chapter's 1st General Membership Meeting (GMM) for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 was a significant and well-attended event held at the Airpro Showroom on Bacaca Road, Elrio Vista, Davao City, on July 25, 2024. With over 100 applicants and regular members participating online and in person, the meeting officially commenced the chapter's activities for the new fiscal year. It provided a comprehensive platform for discussing crucial matters, including the President's Report, adopting critical board resolutions, and announcing upcoming events, all setting the stage for the chapter's strategic direction in the months ahead.
The meeting commenced with the President's Report, which offered a detailed overview of the chapter's activities from June 8 to July 13, 2024. In his address, the President highlighted the successful team bonding event held at Skyview, Marilog, Davao City, on June 8-9, 2024. This event, attended by ten incoming and three outgoing officers, was a formal handover of responsibilities and a fun and engaging kickoff for the new leadership team. The turnover of finances and documents was handled with transparency, and the drafting of the Calendar of Activities for Fiscal Year 2024, along with committee assignments, was completed with the active participation of all attendees. The President emphasized how this event laid a strong foundation for the incoming officers, ensuring they were well-prepared to lead the chapter with enthusiasm and a unified vision.
Following the bonding event, the President attended the President's Orientation & Inaugural Event at Gallio Event Hall, Metro Manila, on June 22, 2024. This significant event, attended by chapter presidents from Districts A to D, allowed the new chapter leaders to align with the UAP National Board's long-term strategic plan, dubbed "Future Progressive: One Strong UAP." The President shared insights from this event, highlighting the National President's address, which focused on building a sustainable, thriving, and notable organization that would continue to grow and resolve challenges effectively. The event also featured Senator Vic Gordo as a guest speaker, whose motivational message resonated with the chapter leaders, inspiring them to pursue excellence in their respective roles.
On June 29, 2024, the chapter held its 1st Board Meeting at Blooms Café, Ecoland Drive, Davao City, where the primary agenda was discussing and planning the chapter's activities for the upcoming fiscal year. The President detailed how this meeting was pivotal in shaping the chapter's calendar, with the board members working collaboratively to outline key events and initiatives to engage the members and advance the chapter's mission. The discussion also included committee assignments, ensuring that each board member was tasked with responsibilities matching their skills and interests, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability.
The 2nd Board Meeting on July 11, 2024, focused on drafting board resolutions crucial for the chapter's operations. The President reported that this meeting was a critical step in formalizing the chapter's governance framework, with discussions centered around proposed amendments to existing resolutions and the introduction of new ones. This meeting set the groundwork for the resolutions later presented and discussed during the 1st GMM.
A key highlight of the President's Report was the summary of the interviews conducted for new members on July 12, 2024. Held at the Airpro Showroom, the same venue as the GMM, this event saw the participation of 35 applicants, including recent passers of the Architecture Licensure Exam and transferees from other chapters. The President commended the efforts of the interview panel, which consisted of chapter officers, for their thorough evaluation process. He emphasized how these interviews were crucial in ensuring new members were qualified and aligned with the chapter's values and objectives. The successful completion of this event added to the chapter's growing membership base, further strengthening its position within the UAP community.
Another significant event mentioned in the President's Report was the chapter's participation in the 1st GRX Landasin (GAMEESCC) Event held in Bacolod on July 13, 2024. The President highlighted the importance of this event, which brought together architects and allied professionals from across the country. The chapter's active involvement in this event demonstrated its commitment to fostering collaboration and exchange of ideas within the architectural community, locally and nationally. The President expressed pride in the chapter's representation at the event and looked forward to further opportunities for engagement in similar national events.
Following the President's Report, the meeting discussed board resolutions, a critical component of the GMM. The first resolution on the agenda, BR.1, proposed amendments to Board Resolution No.1 from Fiscal Year 2023-24, which established house rules for General Membership Meetings. The proposed amendments focused on refining the dress code (Item 4) and improving the communication and announcements protocol (Item 6). These changes were intended to create a more professional and orderly environment during meetings, ensuring that all members adhered to a standard of decorum that reflected the chapter's values. However, after a thorough discussion, it was decided that further revisions were needed before the resolution could be adopted, and it was deferred for further consideration.
The second resolution, BR.2, aimed to amend Chapter Resolution #3, Series of 2023, concerning the status of chapter members. The proposed amendments included changes to the computation of chapter dues and penalties, the treatment of dues-delinquent members (Item 3), and the status of elder members and members of emeritus (Item 5). The board recognized the importance of these amendments in ensuring that the chapter's membership policies remained fair, transparent, and accommodating of the diverse needs of its members. Like BR.1, BR.2 was also pending further revision, with the board agreeing to revisit the resolution after more comprehensive deliberations.
The third resolution, BR.3, was perhaps the most debated during the meeting. This resolution proposed that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) events be counted as official General Membership Meetings (GMM). This resolution aimed to encourage more members to participate in CSR activities by offering them an additional avenue to fulfill their GMM attendance requirements. However, the board raised concerns about this change's potential implications, particularly in maintaining the integrity and focus of GMMs. After an extensive discussion, the entire resolution was strongly recommended to be revised to address these concerns. The board decided to postpone the adoption of BR.3 until a more refined version could be presented.
The final resolution discussed was BR.4, which established guidelines for the resignation of chapter officers. This resolution was particularly significant as it aimed to formalize the process of officer resignation, ensuring that such transitions were managed smoothly and without disruption to the chapter's operations. The guidelines included a formal notification period, requirements for a written resignation letter, and specific obligations that resigning officers needed to fulfill before their resignation could be accepted. After a thorough review, BR.4 was ratified, unanimously approved, and seconded by the board. It became the first Standing Chapter Resolution for UAP Davao Chapter FY 2024-2025, Series of 2024, marking a milestone in the chapter's governance.
The meeting concluded with several important announcements, including the upcoming National Conference of Architects, the "Langkub" event by the Guild of Liturgical Designers, and the 49th UAP Davao Chapter Induction. These events were highlighted as crucial opportunities for members to engage with the broader architectural community, enhance their professional development, and contribute to the chapter's ongoing success.
Before the meeting adjourned, a group photo opportunity was organized, capturing the attendance of the more than 100 architects, applicants, and members participating in the GMM. This photo session served as a memento of the event and symbolized the unity and collective spirit of the UAP Davao Chapter as it embarked on a new fiscal year.
Overall, the 1st GMM of the UAP Davao Chapter for FY 2024-2025 was a comprehensive and productive gathering that set the tone for the year ahead. The meeting provided a clear roadmap for the chapter's activities through detailed discussions, the presentation of the President's Report, the deliberation of critical board resolutions, and the announcement of upcoming events. Members' strong attendance and active participation reflected the chapter's vibrant and engaged community, poised to achieve its goals and continue its legacy of excellence within the architectural profession.