Haribon members received updates from on & off the field at the 1st orientation of the year.
By Chrizelle Anne So
Environmental membership organization Haribon Foundation recently held its first gathering of members this year in its headquarters in Quezon City.
Co-organized by a group of volunteers from the De La Salle University (DLSU) under their Department of Communication, the event aimed to introduce Haribon and its conservation work to new and potential members, and to discuss the various ways on how they can get involved in achieving its goals.
“As a Haribon member, you are our biodiversity champions. Your support in different capacities will help amplify our advocacies in caring for the environment and its biodiversity,” said Arlie Endonila, Haribon’s resource and development manager during the orientation.
To contribute to the organization’s goals, members of Haribon choose a specific committee where they think their skills and passion fit best. Committees include membership (i.e. recruitment of potential supporters and organizing of member events), resource development (i.e. fundraising), communications (i.e. awareness-raising, photography, videography, layouting) training and education (i.e. facilitating or documenting of training activities), advocacy (i.e. positioning of Haribon’s causes in various campaigns), site action (i.e. support in site-based interventions) and conservation science (i.e. collecting data on sites, habitats and species).
At the end of the orientation, a number of non-member attendees proceeded to apply for membership whereas existing members reported that they learned more about the organization and gained a new perspective regarding their roles as members. Member Kevin Laranang told Haribon, “I am glad to know that there is an organization like Haribon that advocates for biodiversity conservation in the country. I hope they carry on the good work.”
The membership orientation was organized by graduating students taking up Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication. When asked about their volunteer experience, student organizer Kriselle Valenzuela remarked, “It feels great knowing that I get to help a cause that I passionately believe in.”
Apart from organizing the activity, the volunteers also helped produce the materials including membership primers and also helped facilitate the marketing and promotions for the event. “Volunteering for an environmental conservation group was definitely a great experience especially that we get to contribute in achieving Haribon’s goals,” shared Zaira Tan from DLSU.
“We are grateful to our volunteers from the De La Salle University who worked hard since day one to help put up this successful orientation. Thank you for choosing Haribon,” Endonila addressed the volunteer organizers.
About Haribon Foundation
Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, Inc. is a membership organization committed to nature conservation through community empowerment and scientific excellence. Hatched in 1972, it is the pioneer environmental organization in the Philippines. It’s natural and social scientists work with communities and people from all levels governance to promote biodiversity conservation.
Act. Make an Impact. Protect, Conserve and Save Biodiversity. Be a Haribon member today. Register here or e-mail to membership@haribon.org.ph. SIGN UP NOW!
