Dr. Connie Uy steps down as PAFCOM board chair after 10 years
Today is a personal milestone for me with ambivalent feelings of joy and sadness as I end my 10 years of being the chair of PAFCOM’s Board.
As I traveled my road in PAFCOM , there were crossroads that I’ve encountered. Not only was I the chair of its board, I found myself at times to be a dreamer, guidance counselor, event planner, finance advisor, mediator when there were conflicts, compliance officer and whatever needs to be accomplished. Being in this position for a decade, I was able to witness the products of all the innovative projects that we planned. That is what is so rewarding that I loved as PAFCOM chair. Just like what Steve Jobs told the 2005 graduates of Stanford University: “You’ve got to find what you love.”
PAFCOM is different from the other nine organizations that I have served as president and as board member of 10 foundations and advocacy groups. It is a community serving the Filipino people not only in Hudson County and the Tristate area but also in the Philippines.
As I moved on with my career in academia, I found myself involved with the community and the professional organizations where I could serve and contribute to make a difference, to make things happen. In serving I learned a simple truth. We need each other and we need to care for one another.
As leaders, we must understand the different generational mindsets.
We must be willing to forego old habits and comfort zones to the more fertile grounds of innovation. Leaders need to align the creative energy of the younger generation, and the experience of the seasoned workers to the organizational values and vision. Failure to do so brings trouble to the organization.
I say that no matter which generation we belong, we share the same values and ideals that have enabled us to move ahead to where we are today. Such values include personal commitment, motivation, compassion, cooperation and dedication.
According to John Quincy Adams: “You are a leader if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more. Good leaders are trailblazers, making a path for others to follow.”
And John Seaman Gams said: “Real (good) leaders are ordinary people with super ordinary determinations.”
Six important points from Michael Dell that we can apply to our everyday experiences:
1. Build a vision of how it could be better and work like hell to make it happen.
2. There is no such thing as a self-made success.
3. The greatest mistake you can make is thinking you can do it all by yourself.
4. Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, you invite smarter people or find a different room. In professional circles, it’s called networking. In organizations, it’s called team building. And in life, it’s called family, friends and community.
5. Always remember where you came from…. Of the places that helped shape us.
6. Count our blessings that our path has taken us through.
Let us be cognizant of the love, support and sacrifice from our families as we spend countless hours of work in the pursuit of our dreams and goals.
Let us be thankful to our friends and colleagues who have given us encouragement and assistance in pursuing our vision and
Let us pray to our Almighty Lord for giving us the strength and wisdom to travel the road to success.
In closing, allow me to share this poem by Susan Staszewski:
If you have a dream alive in your mind,
Bring it to the world, give it life.
Too often the treasures which are ours alone to give
Are never given the chance to grow.
We each have a unique gift to bring to this world
It is our purpose in life to offer this gift
For even only a few people benefit from our offering,
The world is then a better place to live.
Thank you and have a wonderful afternoon.
Speech delivered during the 2024 PAFCOM Turnover Ceremony held January 20, 2024
at the Hank Gallo Community Center at Lincoln Park, Jersey City. Connie S. Uy, MD was board chair from 2014 to 2023.
