The last weekend of January was a busy period to me and the rest of the IV Board. We started with a half-day retreat led by Manong Herman Moldez. It was good to see him and his wife, Ate Mercy, again. I see them often during our Annual Corporation Meetings but our interactions would mostly begin and end with casual greetings. Hi and hello lang.
But during a half-day retreat with the theme: Pursuing God’s Will Together, I got more than the usual kumustahan. I felt like a student camper again and gained much not only from the lectures but from his stories of the past as former staff, Gen Secretary, and Board Chairman. I sensed that we, the current board and perhaps, even the staff, have more opportunities and tools today than him and his counterparts.
“Spiritual leaders are distinguished by their commitment to discern important matters together so they can affirm a shared sense of God’s desire for them and move forward on that basis.” I was reminded of this at the retreat. I realize this is a challenge because as the Chairwoman, I have to be extra sensitive not only to the voices of the members of the Board but also to other stakeholders. I realize I have to listen carefully – even to silence because silence also communicates. During uncomfortable moments of decision-making, silence or a few words could be as loud as the high-pitched voice and lengthy presentation of ideas. I have to intentionally help pursue the will of God, together, with my fellow Trustees. I have to always check my heart that what prevails are not my views but the views of God. And certainly not what the Board wants but what God wants.
After the retreat, we had training on ministry governance. We had six marathon sessions skillfully facilitated by Mr. Reuben Ang, Board Chair of the Fellowship of Evangelical Students (our sister movement in Singapore) and IFES East Asia Governance Development Resource Person.
The modules were:
Module 1 – The Mindset of a Board Member
Module 2 – Three Important Relationships
Module 3 – Roles and Responsibilities of a National Movement Board
Module 4 – Roles and Responsibilities of Individual Board Members
Module 5 – Leadership of a Dynamic Board
Module 6 – Principles and Practices of a Highly Effective Board
It was a comprehensive training – over a day and a half. During this period, I felt that the more I knew, the more I felt ignorant. At the end of the sessions, we were asked for three words or phrases that struck us. Mine was Trust…Trust…and Trust. And if there were a second word, it would be Obey…Obey…and Obey. From a mind that declares lack of knowledge, I pray for a heart that is sensitive to the heartbeat of Jesus.
The Inter-Varsity Leaders Development Center (IVLDC) remains a special undertaking because the Board has been tasked to implement this project. The work goes beyond the usual direction-setting and policy review and oversight. It is quite a challenge as we are involved in fund-raising, design, building construction, hiring staff, developing, piloting and kick starting operations. Truly, we need prayers, since many of us are still employed and busy in our work and other ministries. And yet, we know we cannot give up on this, as this has been our dream for a long time and the Boards before us have initiated this project.
As an update, we admit we have underestimated the time needed for pre-construction work, such as the meticulous work of applying for demolition and building permits. (We need to demolish the storage room, former LitHouse, and garage which currently occupy the space where the IV LDC will be built). We also have to hire an anti-termite company before demolition. The Lord willing, we hope we get the building permit in March so we can immediately start the construction. This should also give us more time to raise 30M Pesos. So far, we have more than 3M Pesos in the bag and God-willing, we pray that more donations will come as the building is constructed.
I would greatly appreciate your prayers for the Board. I am grateful that the Lord has gifted us with committed, selfless, and talented trustees with unique experiences and fields of expertise. Together, we try to always work and pray for God’s will to prevail in every decision that we make. We meet every other month for business meetings and every month for prayers. We try to work by committees which means smaller special meetings before the regular business meetings where the committee chairperson presents updates and recommendations for Board discussion and approval. A special effort this year is to come up with guidelines and selection criteria for student representation in the Board by next ministry year.
I would love to get feedback from you: any response to what I have said in my first two letters or to this letter? Or any prayer request? My email address is: noraquinogonzales@gmail.com.
We would love to bond with you by also praying for you.
Blessings,
Leonora Aquino Gonzales
Chair, Board of Trustees
