An open letter to the JCI University Coordinator For Asia-Pacific
Posted July 31, 2007 
Comments(0) After sending this email, I will be declining our South Luzon AreaCon’s invitation to HEAD train JCI Achieve. Not because I am not willing, but because JCI University has “downgraded” me to Achieve ASSISTANT trainer. I discovered I have been railroaded by the new set of policies being implemented by the JCI University, which your esteemed office coordinates in the Asia-Pacific.
Foremost, I would like to apologize for the delayed reaction to below circular. I tend to sort out long e-mails for later reads. However, had I felt the real implication of the NEW JCI University policies indicated below, I would have given it as much priority as other concise mails.
At any rate, below summarizes my personal reaction, as a Chapter President and as a JCI Trainer struggling to promote the culture of training in my limited sphere of influence:
1. I have recently discovered that my Trainer status–along with other trainers from my chapter–have been “downgraded”. I’m specifically referring to my status from JCI Achieve HEAD Trainer to JCI Achieve ASSISTANT Trainer.
I find this perplexing considering:
–> I attended JCI ACHIEVE Train-the-Trainers, conducted by no less than ITF Karen Smythe, who personally gave go signal for us to conduct Achieve. Does below policy also say: “All those 43 JCI Achieve Train-the-Trainers graduates should immediately STOP conducting JCI Achieve, until such time they attend the NEW JCI HEAD TRAINER Course”?
–> I have been conducting JCI ACHIEVE as Head Trainer for several occasions already. The disregard for my individual record is tantamount to invalidating my previous trainings. Browsing through the new policies, I felt eerily disconnected from training which I have embraced as a passion since I joined Boracay PRIME. I felt that after struggling to get my CNT–after being at the forefront of training in my little area of responsibility–JCI University decides and implements without prior consultation. (Or perhaps, consulting with little insignificant trainers like me, is asking way too much).
2. Transcending my sentiments from Item #1, being an advocate of kaizen, and embracing the fact that JCI University’s intentions include globalizing the high standard of training in JCI, I took the initiative to inquire about attending that must-have “JCI HEAD TRAINER” Course.
I learned that one was offered during the last ASPAC in Taiwan, which unfortunately I was not able to attend. I checked the future course offerings online and saw that the ONLY JCI Head Trainer course being offered currently will be on August in JCI Sto. Domingo, conducted in SPANISH language. I am surprised that JCI University seems to overlook the fact that a course so important it was made a prerequisite, be so elusive from aspiring head trainers. Ola!
Needless to say, I am looking forward to attending a JCI Head Trainer course, hopefully within the fiscal year and in the Philippines. I am so looking forward, I am already preparing a set of questions for its trainers–enough to make my insecure college professor thank me for giving him an easier time.
Again, my apologies. This time around for expressing my obvious disappointment at the sudden turn of the training facade of JCI Philippines. I am very open to sending my sentiments to ITF Karen, however, I deemed it appropriate to course it through the office of the JCI University Coordinator for Asia-Pacific, hoping the office would function not only as a funnel to convey new impositions from the JCI University or police NTCs of different countries like the Philippines, but as an effective medium to communicate the sentiments of insignificant trainers like me.
To expressly state, and by copy to my LOM Pres batch mates and fellow trainers, to rally them behind these particular points:
1. Implement genuine transitory provisions for “assistant” trainers who have attended trainings equivalent to the JCI Head Trainer Course. Example: Train-the-Trainer for Achieve should be tantamount to JCI Head Trainer Course in so far as Achieve is concerned. OR consider the number of trainings conducted in the past under the Head Trainer capacity. Experience after all, is the best teacher.
2. Issue moratorium on JCI University’s imposition of the new standard on having JCI Head Trainer Course as a prerequisite until such time significant effort has been exerted to offer this to local trainers. By significant effort, I meant accessible, with ample information disseminated, and before the AreaCons.
In summary, I wish to point out that adherence to higher standards of JCI University is not an undesirable end. But realizing such dream involves people who will feel passionate about pursuing that common end. People need to feel involved, and such policies should not feel like being shoved down the throat. It should be within context, it should seem personalized. I’m keeping my fingers crossed I am the only trainer affected by the new policies.
Finally, I thank Coach Cerwin who got me curious about training, Buddy Reggie who got me hooked and Coach Gleendo who kept me excited. I deemed it proper to start thanking people at this point, lest I wake up one day and find my so-called training career a big joke.
Keeping my passion alive until JCI Prime in Manila (where I’ll be Assistant Trainer, yey!),
concon
JCI Mem. Maria Concepcion Hernandez, CNT
President – JCI Lipa
