February 1, 2011

I am humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed upon us, and mindful of the challenges, opportunities and expectations in the days to come.

I personally thank President Letty Waddell and the 2010 leadership team for the service and commitment to our community, as well as the generosity and cooperation they have shown throughout the transition process.

Our challenges this year may be new and different. The instruments with which we meet them may be new and different. But those values upon which our success depends—honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and dedication—these things are old. But these things are true. These have been the quiet force of progress throughout the history of our community and our society. What is demanded then, is a continuous effort to bring these truths to our people. What is required of us now, is a new era of responsibility, a recognition on the part of every member that we have duties to ourselves and to our community. Duties that we do not grudgingly accept but, rather, seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

Let me say this once again, that in order for us to continue our purpose and to expand our determination as a community, I have an agenda to propose to the new board and to all of you to provide a clear definition and sense of direction to our mission and vision for 2011. I would like to strengthen the unity of this community and make everyone feel a part of this organization; by promoting our youth development and participation, develop strategic planning to effectively enhance communication and dissemination of information, creation of “Balik FACC” Committee to boost and bring back inactive members; and evaluation of population demographic in order to design programs to meet the needs and common interests of the members . Of course, it requires a village and a great investment of our time and effort to make this possible. But with these new leadership team behind me and most importantly, with your support and involvement, I strongly believe that together we can make it happen. Therefore, I am making an appeal to all of you to help us send our message to all and to encourage everyone to be a part of our objectives. Let us join our hands and work together to make this organization, an organization once and for all, we can be proud of.

The measurement of our success is not the depth of our objectives, not what we say, but what we do and achieve.

Lastly, let me say “ Ask not what your community can do for you, but what you can do to your community.”

Thank you and may God bless you all.

Bert Rodriguez

2011 FACC President