ACM Report for 2022-2023
Area Development Committee
1. PREAMBLE
Many may be familiar with the existence of the Area Development Fund ("ADF") but not how it is being used. The ASP Area Development Committee ("ADC") was first established during the term 2020-21 to oversee the ADF and to assist in the development and resource mobilization of the Asia Pacific Area. Since not many Regional Directors and successive leaders may be familiar with the role and terms of reference of the ADC, I will attempt to set out the objectives, purpose (rationale), membership composition, and terms of reference in this document for the first ACM in this new term 2022-23.
2. TERMS OF REFERENCE
The establishment of the ADC was approved by the ACM held on 5 Dec 2020 under the authority of Motion 6 with the Terms of Reference as set out below:
- To identify and strategize the holistic development of the Area;
- To explore avenues and seek funding for the sustainable development of the Area;
- To provide oversight on resource mobilization of the Asia Pacific Area Development Fund ("ADF")
- To propose guidelines for good management of funds, human resources, and growth;
- To advise the Troika on relevant matters.
The ADC serves as a sounding board for the AP and the Troika on matters concerning the Area. ADC Members have also been requested to serve as advisors and mentors to their respective Regional Directors.
3. MEMBERS OF THE ADC COMMITTEE
Membership of the ADC comprises past senior and experienced leaders who are committed and passionate about seeing the growth of the Area. Each of them represents a Region within the Area.
The Members are:
- David Lua, PAP (Chair), SEA Region
- Hiroyuki Tanaka, PAP (Vice Chair), JE Region
- Jennifer Jones, PIP, Australia Region
- Kazuhiko Takata, PAP, JE Region
- Kan Tanikawa, PICM, JW Region
- Dr Ramona UJ Morales, PICM, Philippine Region
- Wichian Boonmapajorn, PIP, SEA Region
- Edward Ong, PAP, SEA Region
- Rita Hettiarachchi, PAP Sri Lanka
- Hsiao Tung Min, PAP, Taiwan Region
Ex-Officio
- Charming Shen, AP, Taiwan Region
- Ohno Ben, IPAP, JW Region
- Keiko Tonegawa, APE/ADC Secretary, JE Region
The Committee Members were appointed for a renewable 3-year term of office. Ex-Officio members automatically become members of the ADC once they are no more in the Area Troika. The term of the current members expires on 30 Jun 2023.
The rationale for a 3-year term is to provide continuity in its work and to overcome the challenges of a one-year term that we see in the leadership appointments.
The Chair and Vice Chair were elected by the Committee members.
4. MATTERS OF CONCERN
The matters of concern to the ADC in addressing the holistic development of the Area and strengthening it so that it can be sustainable, are broad. The key ones are:
- Membership - extension and conservation, demographic of the membership - the need to attract younger members, activities to sustain membership, fellowship.
- Funding - internal and external
- Governance - ADF Policy on Utilisation of Funds.
- Strategies to achieve the desired outcomes.
5. COMMUNICATION STRUCTURE
The ADC performs an advisory role and works through the Area President and with the Area Council.
6. DELIBERATIONS TO DATE
Since its formation, the Committee has had good attendance at its meetings. Deliberations included matters relating to the subsidy for the deficit suffered by the Taiwan Region in hosting the 29th Area Convention, Centenary Celebration Project Funding, conflict resolution of disputes that arose in the Philippine Region, and brainstorming on future actions.
[Eighth ASP ADC Meeting]