MANGO holds training with APIAHF
The Marianas Alliance of Non-Government Organizations partnered with Asia Pacific Islander American Health Forum for a two-day program managers training at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan.
- Non-government organizations and some government agencies gather at the Marianas Alliance for NGOs’ two-day program managers training last week at PIC Saipan. (Frauleine S. Villanueva)
- Representatives from various NGOs discuss what they can do more for the community they each serve in the CNMI. (Frauleine S. Villanueva)
Pacific Islander Affairs and program officer on Racial Equality Initiative national advisor Taunuu Ve’e and STRIVE/REACH program manager Pedro Arista headed the interactive training for new and potential managers from public health non-governmental organizations last Friday and Saturday.
“Our hope from this training is really to increase the capacity of local NGOs here in the CNMI to really think about how to manage their programs,” Arista said.
“It’s important for us as a national organization to really provide not only support but to also see what’s unfolding in the commonwealth and other parts of the Pacific as well because when opportunities arise at the national level, it is important for us to help elevate the voices of the commonwealth as well as the greater Pacific,” he added.
Various non-profit, non-government, and civic associations as well as representatives from some government agencies were present at the training.
“APIAHF developed this resource in response to feedback we heard from across the U.S. and the Pacific about the lack of training opportunities for supervisors and program managers in non-governmental organizational settings,” APIAHF executive vice president Edward Tepporn said, responding to an email interview.
According to MANGO president John O. Gonzales, they want volunteers or members of the board or any organization to learn how to be more effective in their roles so that they can be more efficient in providing services as well as leveraging resources for those whom they serve.
“The goal is to provide continuous education and professional development training for our many non-profits that we believe would benefit,” Gonzales said.
He added that they focused on the health sector for the annual training this year because of the need to help the community to achieve better and healthier lifestyles.
MANGO, Inc. is the umbrella association of all Northern Mariana Islands-based NGOs.