PCF still accepting applications

A leadership development program created by the charity arm of a local business corporation is still accepting applications.

Those interested in joining the Pacific Century Fellows Program Marianas Chapter still have until March 1, 2019, to turn in their applications.

The program was created by the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, the charity arm of TanHoldings Corp., and is designed to offer leadership training to motivated individuals.

The nine-month program has goals similar to the objectives of Hawaii’s PCF program that was founded by the former mayor of Honolulu, Hawaii, Mufi Hannemann, in 1996. The PCF in Hawaii, in turn, drew inspiration from the White House Fellows Program, founded by former president Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

“The most important thing of the program is you get to experience the ins and outs of the public and private sector,” said CNMI Scholarship Office workforce program coordinator and Class 2017 fellow Monique Sablan.

Sablan noted that once you are selected into program, you would be undergoing at least two retreats to Guam and Hawaii for three days and a week, respectively. She further noted that the retreats educate fellows on several topics relative to the CNMI and the Western Pacific in general such as workforce development, education, government, healthcare, and more.

“Some of the most important things that I’ve learned is to see firsthand how these agencies and corporations within the public and private sector…[operate],” she said, adding that they had also been afforded the opportunity to ask questions on the spot.

“…You get an inside view of how other islands operate and develop within our region,” she said. “You can see the similarities and differences and it is very important because young professionals…are the region’s future.”

For those interested in joining the program, you may submit a completed application that is downloaded from the PCF website at www.pcf-marianas.com before March 1, 2019.

Applicants must be within ages 25 to 45 years old; have resided in the CNMI for at least one year; provide two letters of recommendation; must attend the opening weekend retreat from March 16, 2019, to March 17, 2019; and must meet the minimum attendance requirements to join.

The program would be selecting fellows on March 9, 2019, that aspiring members are mandated to attend.

For more information, you may call Mel Naputi at 235-0560 ext. 118 or click http://www.pcf-marianas.com/.