Workshops, reflections and role playing on the second day of CADIS Asia-Pacific conference

The CADIS conference in Cebu continued full steam ahead on the second day. After the inspiring first day dedicated to the different CADIS and CTF realities in the Asia-Pacific region, participants had the opportunity to get involved through a series of workshops and role plays.

Fr. Siby Khaitaran, CTF India, facilitated the session on ‘The Backbone of CADIS: The Role of Volunteers, Involvement and Donor Management’.. He shared their established experience on volunteer recruitment. Volunteers were involved in all the climate emergency response they organized in India. The climate emergency affects several parts of India with frequent and increasingly violent floods. Government aid often failed to reach all affected areas. Thanks to the presence of 2000 volunteers across the country, CTF India is able to provide immediate assistance to the most remote areas and reach communities in extremely vulnerable situations.

For an organisation, volunteers are invaluable resources. People who dedicate their time with passion and dedication to a common cause are perhaps one of the greatest assets one can have. Moreover, feeling a part of something big gives hope that real change can actually take place. CTF India has  beautiful testimonies and track record of volunteer engagement. 

Then, Fr. Mars Digal of CADIS Taiwan, introduced another focal and indispensable topic for non-profit organisations: ‘Networking and collaborative fundraising strategies specific to CADIS's mission’. Fundraising is always a complex topic that needs attention, resources and systems. Being able to count on the concrete support of individuals, other organisations, and companies or congregations for its missions is the driving force that drives CADIS to initiate emergency projects, but above all long-term projects. In order to see real change in the vulnerable assisted population, time, planning, human and financial resources are needed. CADIS Taiwan has a lot of success stories on this. The trust of people who regularly donate to common causes can really make a difference into the lives of the people and the community. In addition, but not the least, is the interfaith collaboration that is created based on a relationship of mutual esteem and trust. 

Based on the experience of CADIS Taiwan's fundraising team, participants were involved in a hands-on simulation to immerse themselves even further in fundraising and resource mobilisation activities, with the aim of engaging new potential donors and partners.
 

In this regard, the two CADIS Australia ambassadors who actively participated in the organised activities spoke. 

Chymbeelyn de Pasion and Ma. Sofia Valdez, respectively ranked first and second in the ‘Faces of Australia Queensland’ competition. Through their story, they shared their experience which led them to get in touch with CADIS Australia and become its official ambassadors, with the aim of making a new segment of the population aware of the emergencies of our times. CADIS Australia, which has always been at the forefront in Sydney to help the most vulnerable in the community, is an example of how organising charity events, volunteering activities and involving young women with significant social media followers help the whole community. Furthermore, the involvement of young female ambassadors can mark a starting point for CADIS Australia's national expansion.
 

So many thoughts and so many ideas to work on in the coming months and years, trying to involve more and more volunteers, donors and supporters of CADIS International around the world.