JCI Queens unveils 2019 executive board, plans

Ruffy Ronas takes his oath before Stevenson van Derodar, 2018 president of  JCI New York State. To Ronas’s right is his predecessor Carolyn Joyce Pena Marticio.

Ruffy Ronas takes his oath before Stevenson van Derodar, 2018 president of JCI New York State. To Ronas’s right is his predecessor Carolyn Joyce Pena Marticio.

By Cristina DC Pastor

A polished gavel and the lighting of candles ushered Ruffy Ronas to the position of president of JCI Queens chapter in an induction ceremony on January 28 marked by solemnity and celebration.

“This gavel is a symbol of authority,” intoned outgoing president Carolyn Joyce Pena Marticio her face toward Ronas who was surrounded by past and current officers of JCI Philippines in New York and New Jersey. “Wield it with courage and with humility…with determination but with compassion and understanding.”

Ronas, a marketing professional and photographer, accepted the gavel followed by a silver chain that bears the insignia of the Junior Chamber International. JCI is a global organization that encourages young people – ages 18 to 40 — to promote efforts toward “social and economic development, international cooperation, goodwill, and understanding.”

Literature states that the local JCI was founded in 1914 out of Missouri, although the first international arm grew out of Mexico in 1944. Today, JCI has chapters in more than 120 countries. It is very popular among Filipinos because of its avowed mission of developing young leaders to serve their communities. In New York, for example, there is a JCI Philippines state chapter, as well as a city and borough chapters.

Deputy Consul General Kerwin Tate, who inducted the 2019 Executive Board, lauded JCI as an organization “close to the heart and the purpose” of the Philippine Consulate.

“The JCI is an organization that does its best to rise above personal circumstance, transcend personal interests, and stand for something better for the community,” he said.

Marticio said she was a long-time activist and grassroots organizer when she joined JCI Queens and became its first president. She is grateful to the organization for honing her leadership skills.

The candle ceremony.

The candle ceremony.

For his part, Ronas said “Leaders become great not because of their power but because of their ability to empower others.” He said his team has lined up the following projects: the launch of a privilege or discount card for members in collaboration with different establishments; and providing a second livelihood for members through job recommendations.

“We want our members to be proud to be members of JCI Queens,” he told The FilAm. “I observed some members come and go in our chapter. Mas masarap tumulong kaysa tinutulungan will be my leadership goal.”

Also present during the induction were high-ranking JCI officers, led by Ria Serrano, National Vice President of JCI USA 2017; Jocelyn Bernal, Executive Assistant of JCI North & South America 1989; and Stevenson van Derodar, past president of JCI New York State 2018.

The 2019 JCI Queens Executive Board below:

Ruffy Ronas, Chapter President
Carolyn Joyce Marticio, Chairman of the Board
Bryan Joseph Rivera, Executive Vice President
Jed Shan, Community Development Affairs VP
Richie Leann Garcia, Individual Development VP
Joseph Lineses, International Affairs VP
Dolores Agda, Memberships Services VP
Neil Durante, Treasurer
Lyn Agustin, External Auditor
Charles Tacasan, Director
Pardeep Singh, Director
John Sohn, Associate Director

Advisers: Jeanette Marco, Donna San Pablo, JCI Senator Ria Serrano, JCI Senator Cristina Ramos, and JCI Senator Sergio Estrada

© The FilAm 2019

Keynote speaker Deputy Consul General Kerwin Tate: JCI is ‘close to the heart and the purpose’ of the Philippine Consulate.

Keynote speaker Deputy Consul General Kerwin Tate: JCI is ‘close to the heart and the purpose’ of the Philippine Consulate.



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