As we close the 2009-2010 Administration, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for all your support and for believing in me.  I could have not done it without YOU! You truly made a difference.  As a non-profit organization that needs people to give their time and effort to volunteer 100%, it takes SPECIAL people to have the passion to do that.  From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for all that you are and do.  It has been a privilege and a wonderful journey to have been your leader. 

I always believe in serving from the heart and from within.  I truly have the most aspiration for those that serve year after year as I have been serving in this organization for the last century.  You are the heroes of our community and our State and our Country.  Your service will be the legacy to this fine organization.   Throughout the years of service to the Filipino Chamber, I wanted to make a difference and always have in mind Steve Job’s Three Rules of Life…as it goes like this. 

1. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.

2. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice.

3. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition - they somehow already know what you truly want to become.

The nature of life is constant change.  The world is not the same today as it was yesterday, and it will be different still tomorrow.  We can be victims of that change, or we can proactively drive change.  The way of success that I’ve learned is that:  Visualize the end result, Plan, Take action, Persevere, Re-plan, Take action, Persevere. 

As your leader, there were a lot of times in this environment that I needed to adapt to the new climate and need to persevere.  I was warned from the start that I need to be prepared to create enemies, create new friends but always reminded that never loose FOCUS, for at the end of the day, you are still the same person as you are if you believe from your heart and from within.

The Filipino Chamber has become part of my family.  YOU are the family that I hold close to my heart like a delicate treasure.  I was fortunate to have a distinguished group of men and women composed of our Chamber’s Board of Directors and Chairperson on each event and programs for 2009-2010.  The strong teamwork that emanates from this group really allowed the Chamber in achieving and able to reach our goals.  Together, we accomplished “Building Relationships for a Successful Future.”  I am indeed very grateful to all of you. 

Rosemarie V. Mendoza

President