One of SIFI – RSS’ mission is to provide agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBO) the essential capability building programs they need to strengthen their organizations. In the past strategic action planning workshop for ARBOs, one of the common problem that members identified were issues and weaknesses affecting their organizations’ human resources.
To address these concerns, SIFI – Responsible Sourcing for Small Landholders conducted two batches of 2 day live-in organization development training for agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations focusing on “Understanding and Appreciating the Self and Organization” at Nature’s Village Resort, Talisay City last April 26-27 and May 12-13, 2022.
The development training led by trainer Rhoderick K. Samonte, Director for External Affairs of Carlos Hilado Memorial State University was participated by a total of 39 small farmers from 8 RSS partners – ARBOs, with 4 organizations joining per batch.
20 farmers from Sitio Tayap Upland Farm Workers Assn. (STUFAWA), Silay City, Guin-olayan ARC (GARC), Manapla, Asuncion Farmers Beneficiary Assn. (AFBA) & Hda. Bernardita ARC (HBARC) in Cadiz City joined the first batch.
And 19 farmers from Don Esteban ARC (DEARCO), Escalante City, San Juan Torena ARC (SJTARC) & Cotcot Upland Farmers and Farmworkers Assn. (CUFFA) in Cadiz Cadiz City, and Defuego 2 Multipurpose Agri. Farmers Assn. (DFMPAFA), Silay City.
The training’s goals are to help the participants have a better understanding and appreciation of one’s self, others, & the organization; to clarify and broaden their concept of person, their core values, & roles in the organization; to develop a stronger sense of commitment & responsibility; and to identify areas for growth and improvement of the self and the organization.
Samonte conducted a total of 7 sessions during the 2-day live in training focusing on understanding the self, understanding the person, understanding core values, and an affirmation session to cap day 1.
On day 2, Samonte started the session with a team building exercise to create a tower using barbecue sticks. The exercise’s goal is to help the participants have a better understanding of what an organization is supposed to be. Next is a SWOT Analysis or analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Then in the last session Samonte discussed the elements of a healthy and effective team or organization.
A follow-up 2 day live-in organization development training focusing on Building Organizational Capacity & Organization and Project Management participated by the same ARB organizations was conducted last May 19-20 at Nature’s Village Resort, Talisay City.
Trainer Rhoderick K. Samonte helped the organizations in creating a roadmap after the SWOT analysis output they produced from module 1. Samonte also had a discussion on visioning and goal-setting, organization capacity, and handling and dealing with conflict in an organization.
The SIFI-RSS organizational development trainings were organized by RSS Consultant Judy Ann Gonzaga with the assistance of junior agriculturists Rhyan Clyde Dario and Rommel Cortonez.
