LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

The Soroptimist Leadership Academy of the Soroptimist International of the Philippines Region, (A Foundation), Inc. (SIPR), was recently launched by Dr. Ma. Paloma B. Papa, SIPR Governor for Biennium 2010-2012. She spearheads an academy that will serve as the “learning arm” of officers and members, with focused training on different levels of leadership skills.

The academy is a foremost project of Gov. Papa, as she saw the need to refocus and strengthen the mission and vision of the Soroptimist as an organization of women and to reinforce the effective implementation of its various programs for women and girls, through empowered membership and leadership at every level, with a composition of 80 clubs and almost 2000 members throughout the Philippines Region.

The program of the academy are aimed at assisting members develop their skills to become professional Soroptimists – with the idea that membership and volunteerism in the organization is a career by itself which they can be proud of. Proper orientation and training are therefore very vital, especially in ensuring membership growth and development. Training at the academy are provided at professional level by experienced Soroptimists, many of whom have held offices  at Region and Federation levels.

Gov. Papa would like to professionalize the academy as an institution of learning, eventually opening its doors to other NGOs for training courses geared to strengthen a volunteer organization, especially through its membership growth, development and retention. Currently, there are 3 level of training in the academy: Level 1 doe new members; Level 2 for officers and officers-elect; and, Level 3 for officers and potentials for higher positions. The academy is housed in the SIPR Headquarters at Globe Plaza, Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City, and conducts off-campus training for club members who are in farflung places. By July 2011, it will have 100% implementation of its training programs for Levels 1 & 2 and by next year, for Level 3.

Gov. Papa considers the academy as het best contribution to the Soroptimist organization and hopes that it will be her lasting legacy. Her extensive exposure and special field of study in Human Resource development makes her keen on developing people at all levels. She said that people are the biggest asset of an organization and the most difficult to manage, despite the abundance of equipments and money. She envisions the academy as a stage and laboratory for continuing education, learning and sharing.