The Filipino Women’s Association UK (FWA-UK) held its Executive Board Orientation Meeting on Saturday, 25 October 2025, at the elegant Balmoral Suite of the Royal Garden Hotel. The event brought together the newly elected board members and committee leads for the 2025–2026 term, marking the start of another year of service, compassion, and collaboration.
The session opened with a prayer and housekeeping reminders, followed by a warm welcome from Chairman Glyndell Belmonte, who highlighted the association’s continued mission to empower women, support education for disadvantaged children in the Philippines, and strengthen the Filipino community in the UK.
Strengthening Foundations Through Governance and Collaboration
Adviser Dr. Remy Reyes provided an insightful overview of FWA-UK’s identity and governance structure, reaffirming the association’s role as a multi-awarded, UK-registered charity founded in 1988 by Mrs. Angeles “Nene” Quimson, wife of a former Philippine Ambassador to the UK. Dr. Reyes emphasised the importance of upholding the Constitution as the association’s guiding framework—its “bible”—ensuring that all activities are carried out with integrity, transparency, and alignment to its objectives.
Adviser Nenita Garrad followed with a detailed discussion on the Rules of Procedure, explaining how these complement the Constitution in regulating internal processes, meetings, and member conduct.
The morning sessions concluded with a review of the Terms of Reference and a reminder of the general duties and expectations of trustees, including respect, stewardship, accountability, and care for both the association’s members and beneficiaries.
Financial Stewardship and Communication
After a pleasant lunch break, Treasurer Rina Grosser walked attendees through budget planning, expense authorisation, and the process for releasing funds, reinforcing transparency and compliance with charity governance standards.
Later in the afternoon, Dr. Remy Reyes returned to lead the communication session, where she introduced standard templates for official correspondence, meeting documents, and project proposals. This ensured that all committees have a consistent, professional framework when engaging internally and externally.
Looking Ahead
As the new term begins, the 2025–2026 Board stands ready to advance FWA-UK’s vision of empowerment and service. The collaborative energy and renewed commitment from this orientation set a strong foundation for a productive and impactful year ahead.