Central Virginia Times

CFAC celebrates diverse membership

Diversification in today’s fast-paced environment is necessary for any organization. Public, private, ornongovernmental organizations (NGOs) should practice diversification to be effective. Diversity is vitalto larger organizations or businesses and a prevalent practice to be competitive and advantageous among competitors.

Practicing diversity in a small organization is nearly possible due to the fluidity ofcommunication and understanding within the group without going through bureaucratic intrusion.Inasmuch as the small nonprofit organization is concerned, its leadership has the advantage of getting toknow each member’s skillsets, values, and culture.

The Culpeper Filipino-American Community (CFAC) is a small nonprofit organization that has grownexponentially from a small group of five to nearly 200 members since 2014. Scattered pockets ofFilipino-American families informally gathered on the weekends from different locations throughoutCulpeper, VA. Each group celebrated its culture by sharing significant life events and gathering togetheras a community. Since our humble beginnings, a diverse membership has been a living and breathing core to CFAC. We welcome members with different opinions and beliefs regardless of ethnic background,status, age, gender, or religion because we intend to involve the entire local community. The importanceof having equal representation as a cultural group is to promote inclusivity in Culpeper. To encourage thisvalue as an organization, it suffices the fundamental human right to show respect for one another as agroup and inherited community values of friendship.

Equality must not be mistaken for acceptance. Members of the organizations should be treated equallyin terms of their gainful benefits in the workforce related to their professional capacity and skillsets.Treating an employee with fairness equal to other employees, including with organizational leadership,promotes employees’ enhanced motivation and encourages productivity. We are reminded each year ofMartin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal U.S. holiday reminding us that equality requires work anddedication. In the words of MLK Jr. “The time is always right to do what is right.” Every business withina community is challenged to observe this and what they can do to grow as local leaders.

The CFAC is committed to doing what’s right for a more inclusive local community. As an organization,we want to bring diverse voices and backgrounds to be heard and valued. CFAC is more than a localgroup. It brings a spirit of camaraderie, friendships, and a willingness to serve its local community. As aresult, these values have become the fundamental standards of CFAC living norms and values. Weencourage each community member to unite as one community with one vision of unity and harmonythrough collaboration. CFAC members have developed a sense of belongingness that makes Culpeper ahome that has turned our expanding organization into a family.

Inclusion is the leading aspect of a team process to positivity and continuous production. An organization can have this competitive advantage when small teams’ contributing ideas are heard and accepted for the common good of the organization. Thus, its outcome is contagiously influenced byothers’ attitudes toward collaboration, cooperation, and esprit de corps.

The CFAC is known to embrace diversity, equality, and inclusion. The adherence to cultural values,respecting others’ opinions, and prioritizing family values are among the few CFAC members exhibitstrengths. Members have a sense of belongingness, acceptance, and a feeling of togetherness incollaboration with diverse members, feeling equal and included in the community. If it works with smallnonprofit organizations, it will also work with private, public, and NGOs for better business relationshipsin Culpeper’s local community.

Willy Golez is the President of The Culpeper Filipino-American Community.

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