By GKOM Australia News/Web Bureau Date Posted: Apr 22, 2008
A new and exciting program has arrived in Australia… Gawad Kalinga One Million Builders! All things were revealed last Sunday 20 April during the GK1mB O-Day!
Enthusiastic GK advocates and partners attended the much awaited Orientation Day on “What is GK1mB?” to find out the implications and directions of this new ‘mother’ program within ANCOP and GK Youth Australia.
GK1mB Committee leaders, EJ Cuaresma and Therese Santos conducted the full introduction to GK1mB including videos and emphasised the fact that “to get to where you’re going, it’s good to know where you came from”. EJ stated that “GK is a gift that we must treasure in our hearts. It involves radical volunteerism and servant leadership. One of the important factors in GK is the caretaker team in each village. Here in Australia, we are also called to be the caretakers of GK, to bring glad tidings to the poor and share this work with others”.
The session began with the core values and vision of GK and also focused on 4 aspects; to reminisce, reflect, unite and celebrate the Australian contribution as of March 2008.
GK1mB was launched in the Philippines last 25 February 2006 and its aim is to gather 1 million GK heroes that would dedicate 4hrs in a month for GK.
Here in Australia, the GK1mB Official Launch will be on 21 June 2008 where all of the existing partners and donors are invited to attend a gathering which we are calling the GK1mB Concert Rally. The GK1mB Concert Rally will be at Parramatta Town Hall and our Special Guest Speaker is GK Executive Director Luis Oquinena.
One of the most exciting things about GK1mB is that people can finally register for particular area(s) where they would like to volunteer. The 7 areas of volunteering include GKOM, GK Village Development, GK Institute, Partner Management Group, Administration, Builders Corps and Projects.
The BIG5 GK Events were also revealed during the GK1mB O-Day! These are the GK1mB Concert Rally, City2Surf, Miss GK Australia Coronation, GK1Day & Expo and The November Gawad Kalinga Concert. People who register in GK1mB are strongly encouraged to participate in the BIG5 Events and also attend the Quarterly Builders Assemblies.
GK1mB will provide the framework for the Quarterly “GK Builders Assembly”, conduct occasional empowerment sessions, facilitate the values formation and training programs.
GK1mB is a big program where everyone can get involved! Its aim to develop and maintain more GK volunteers here in Australia certainly is an exciting task. GK1mB is here to assist ANCOP and GK Youth in gathering more radical volunteers with the guidance of the GK1mB Philippines and USA primers. It is not going to replace GK Youth or ANCOP. It is simply a new program within the organisation here in Australia. GK777 is happening now and Australia is proud to be part of it! GK1mB will be offered to everyone so no one is left behind.
Preparations for the GK1mB Concert Rally are now on the way so please gather all your friends, organisation and family to come along to this milestone event in the history of GK in Australia. Get involved! The GK1mB Australia Website will open on 1 June 2008. For more info contact EJ Cuaresma 0401 663 466 or Therese Santos 0414 955 795 or email: gk1mb.australia@gmail.com
One of the most exciting things about GK1mB is that people can finally register for particular area(s) where they would like to volunteer. The 7 areas of volunteering include GKOM, GK Village Development, GK Institute, Partner Management Group, Administration, Builders Corps and Projects.
