Background Information
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In 1971, the Asia Pacific Regional Fund was established through the initiatives of a member of the Asia Pacific. Sources of funds were mainly from donations and proceeds from the AP Bazaars organized at Regional events. Regional Funds were used for special projects and to augment WAGGGS allocation.
In the triennium 1995-1998 when WAGGGS budget was cut by 40%, the AP Committee recognized the demand to raise more funds to ensure that in the event of another budget cut, the AP Region would have the capacity to carry out plans without cancelling activities specially those addressing leadership training for young women.
In view of this, the committee thought of ways to generate more funds.
The idea of creating Asia Pacific Foundation was considered... In line with this, advice was sought from the World Board as to the legality of creating a foundation. The committee was advised that there was no policy restricting the Region in raising funds and therefore the initiative was encouraged.
Initial plans were made for the preparation of the AP Foundation. An Ad hoc group was appointed to investigate and study all aspects. The result of the study did not favour having a foundation at that time due to inadequate funds to set this up and difficulties in determining a country of domicile.
The AP Committee continuously explored avenues for fund raising at the regional level. After looking at many options, the FRIENDS OF ASIA PACIFIC REGION was considered as a first step to creating an AP Foundation
In one of the Committee meetings Dr. Juseon Byun was invited to participate in the discussion on how to organize the Friends of AP. At the same time she was appointed chairman of the Fund Development Ad hoc group together with four other former members of the AP Committee.
It was during this period that the membership scheme for the Friends of AP Region was developed and approved by the AP Committee. Leaflets and membership forms were produced. The essential elements of the scheme were the following:
Objectives
To raise funds for the AP Region to support projects / programmes addressing leadership training for young women.
Support Member Organizations in carrying out projects / programme of the AP region related leadership training for young women.
Membership
Membership categories were established according to the level of contributions. They were:
- Silver ----US $ 100 to 300
- Gold ---US $ 350 to 500
- Diamond ---US $ 550 to 1999
- Platinum ---US $ 2000 or more
- Corporate Plan --- US $ 1000 or more
As with any other regional initiative, it took a long time to get the project going. For almost one triennium membership take-up was very slow. It took another triennium before the results of the efforts put in by Member Organizations became evident.
The Fund Development ad hoc group on the other hand tried very hard to raise money in the forms of Silent Auction, individual solicitations etc.
In 1998 when Juseon was elected as chairman of the Asia Pacific Committee, the membership of Ad hoc group was reorganized. Dr. Amelita D. Go was appointed chairman. The Ad hoc group work by correspondence and meetings were held during regional events when possible.
During this triennium membership drives of some Member Organizations started to flourish. In some cases due to large membership, National Organizations had to appoint coordinators. Also Friends of AP of various countries started to organize activities for themselves providing opportunities to get together. A couple of countries have also organized trips and fund raising for the group activities.
In the triennium 1998-2001, The AP Committee appointed three Ad hoc groups. These were:
- Communication
- Strategy for growth
- Finance
Many exciting events happened during the period. These were:
- Publication of updated, corporate leaflet.
- Modifying the membership categories from the different levels to bronze, silver and gold.
- Membership certificates and pins and plaque for corporate members were made more attractive.
- Organizing Friends of AP Gathering at Regional Conferences. Agenda includes sharing of activities, exchange of membership campaign strategies, formulating recommendation to AP Committee. It should be pointed out that at the Friends’ Gathering in Brunei in 2001, the group recommended that the name be changed to FRIENDS OF AP, WAGGGS for ease of identity.
- Attendance of Friends of AP to part of the programme at Regional events. (They were invited to opening ceremony and international night other activities were organized by members of Friends of AP of National Organization hosting the event)
- A request was made by AP Committee to the World Conference Planning Group to allow Friends of AP WAGGGS to attend some of the sessions at the World Conference held in Manila. This was granted. In view of this Friends of AP WAGGGS, Philippines invited members from other countries to come to Manila at the time of the World Conference. Friends from Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and came and had the opportunity to attend the opening ceremony, regional gathering and world market. The GSP Friends organized tours and visit to GS units and shopping.
- Organizing membership ceremonies at Regional events and Friends of AP WAGGGS gatherings.
- Exchange visits between Friends in different countries.
- Acceptance of Princes Azizah, Malaysia, as Patron of the Friends of AP WAGGGS
The triennium 2001 to 2004 could be described as the height of overwhelming success. The target of US$ 100.000 (one hundred thousand US dollar) was over subscribed.
In the last triennium (2001-2004), the Asia Pacific Committee, in its desire to continuously sustain the membership growth, enhance the activities of Friends of AP WAGGGS, and to generate more income for the Asia Pacific Region appointed the Friends of AP WAGGGS Committee as a sub-committee.