BETHANY UPDATE

When we made our plans to retire to Talakag it was with the intention of doing just that, retiring after a very hectic but also fulfilling working life. As most readers know I was very heavily committed to both the local as well as business scene back in the North East of England during the 18 years that I lived and worked there. Retiral in the fullest sense has had to be postponed I’m afraid as at the last Bethany Board meeting I was proposed and seconded to become the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
To me this post to which I was very honoured to accept is something completely new to me as I have worked all my life in the private sector and never in an NGO/Charitable capacity.
Not one to pass up on a challenge I see this post as an opportunity to take Bethany to a new level and hopefully through a series of changes that will strengthen its foundation and secure its long term future amidst the current financial constraints it faces.
I’m sure those of you who read this will be heartened to know that the past of Bethany will not ever be forgotten but it’s the future now that counts both short and long term.
Bethany consists of several facets namely: The Orphanage, The School both Elementary/High and the Farm.
The Orphanage cares for children from new born to high school graduates or in some cases for children who go on to complete college or university.
Not all children are fortunate enough to be adopted and with the Bethany policy not to separate siblings those of larger families do indeed stay until their education is completed at least to high school graduation.
The Elementary/High School not only provides an education for the Bethany children but also children from the surrounding barangays as well as the town of Talakag itself. So as you can imagine it plays a large part in the community’s education and is an important part of the Bethany complex.
The Farm was established originally to supplement the food stock for the orphanage as well as utilise the land available for planting cash crops to help in the running of Bethany. So as you can see it’s important to ensure that all three facets function efficiently and cost effectively as would be expected in any normal business setup.
Its mine as well as the boards intention to carry out a S.W.O.T. analysis in order to determine the current situation and plan for the future needs of Bethany based on a comprehensive budget fit for purpose with full accountability and transparency for the many people to whom we are most grateful who contribute both regularly as well as occasionally to the funding of Bethany. The new Bethany Board of Trustees comprises of people with skills and knowledge that will be fully utilised in the shaping of the future of Bethany. The Bethany board has also decided to bring in outside help in the form of volunteers who will help in carrying out in-depth studies of both current and past practices in order to determine what is the best option for the future of Bethany. All staff members will be involved in this exercise and have an opportunity to input, drawing from their own experience and knowledge.
I will keep all our readers regularly updated on the progress as and when it happens.
God bless you all.
When we made our plans to retire to Talakag it was with the intention of doing just that, retiring after a very hectic but also fulfilling working life. As most readers know I was very heavily committed to both the local as well as business scene back in the North East of England during the 18 years that I lived and worked there. Retiral in the fullest sense has had to be postponed I’m afraid as at the last Bethany Board meeting I was proposed and seconded to become the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
To me this post to which I was very honoured to accept is something completely new to me as I have worked all my life in the private sector and never in an NGO/Charitable capacity.
Not one to pass up on a challenge I see this post as an opportunity to take Bethany to a new level and hopefully through a series of changes that will strengthen its foundation and secure its long term future amidst the current financial constraints it faces.
I’m sure those of you who read this will be heartened to know that the past of Bethany will not ever be forgotten but it’s the future now that counts both short and long term.
Bethany consists of several facets namely: The Orphanage, The School both Elementary/High and the Farm.
The Orphanage cares for children from new born to high school graduates or in some cases for children who go on to complete college or university.
Not all children are fortunate enough to be adopted and with the Bethany policy not to separate siblings those of larger families do indeed stay until their education is completed at least to high school graduation.
The Elementary/High School not only provides an education for the Bethany children but also children from the surrounding barangays as well as the town of Talakag itself. So as you can imagine it plays a large part in the community’s education and is an important part of the Bethany complex.
The Farm was established originally to supplement the food stock for the orphanage as well as utilise the land available for planting cash crops to help in the running of Bethany. So as you can see it’s important to ensure that all three facets function efficiently and cost effectively as would be expected in any normal business setup.
Its mine as well as the boards intention to carry out a S.W.O.T. analysis in order to determine the current situation and plan for the future needs of Bethany based on a comprehensive budget fit for purpose with full accountability and transparency for the many people to whom we are most grateful who contribute both regularly as well as occasionally to the funding of Bethany. The new Bethany Board of Trustees comprises of people with skills and knowledge that will be fully utilised in the shaping of the future of Bethany. The Bethany board has also decided to bring in outside help in the form of volunteers who will help in carrying out in-depth studies of both current and past practices in order to determine what is the best option for the future of Bethany. All staff members will be involved in this exercise and have an opportunity to input, drawing from their own experience and knowledge.
I will keep all our readers regularly updated on the progress as and when it happens.
God bless you all.