12/12/2024
Dear FORA family! As I step down as President of FORA, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride as I reflect on our extraordinary journey together over the past year! What a remarkable period it has been! Together, we've made incredible strides, and our achievements are a testament to our collective passion, dedication, and unwavering belief in our mission of creating an ecosystem of solidarity and trust as we seek to learn from each other’s expertise and speak with one voice. From just seven founding organizations of the Federation of Romanian-American Organizations - FORA, we've expanded to 31 members and affiliates, with 15 full members now within our ranks! That growth is not just a number; it signifies our commitment to progress and unity. Our Annual FORA Summits in 2023 and this year are showcasing what an authentically representative forum can be in terms of bringing together diverse grassroots voices and visions coming from our diaspora hubs, in terms of sharing insights into opportunities for joint program panning, implementation and forging connections.
Our public social media sensitization campaign and discrete efforts in coordinating with our diaspora peer organizations within EU member states to assist Romania in reaching its goal to be accepted within the Visa Waiver Program have been fruitful and appreciated by our governmental partner institutions. It is a type of public-private joint effort that hasn't been enacted since the push to have Romania join NATO. Throughout the year, our monthly calls have transformed into an incredible platform for engagement, allowing every voice to be heard and every idea to flourish. We've revamped our member resources, emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility—hallmarks of our values! Thank you to our board of directors but especially to Raluca Bucur for all your time and professionalism in developing our online presence!
I'm especially proud of our work on the FORA Operational Manual created to ensure FORA's institutional memory and smooth transitions and as a resource, to ensure our commitment to transparency and proper public communication. We've been diligent in refining our constituent documents, our state and federal registrations as a tax-exempt non-profit, ensuring that our federation is built on a solid foundation of integrity. A special shout-out to Mirela Panaitisor, our dedicated secretary who served since June 2022 until now and whose tireless efforts have been instrumental to our success. Mirela’s commitment has kept us organized and focused, and her impact is felt throughout our community! But let’s not forget—our journey is about collaboration and mutual respect. We understand that recognizing each other's contributions is vital for our growth. Together, we've built interest-affinity workgroups focused on pivotal areas like Heritage Language Education and Community Youth Volunteering, highlighting programs that resonate deeply within our community. I'm thrilled and honored that our member organization ARCS and the initiators in Seattle entrusted FORA to adopt the Romanian American National Heritage Awards as our flagship program! This initiative embodies our values and celebrates the cultural richness of our youth in a significant way! Congratulations to our team, made up of volunteers from our various member organizations, who came together and commendably implemented the 8th edition of RANHA.
As I hand over the leadership to the remarkable Mihaela Ungureanu, I am excited for what the future holds! Mihaela brings a wealth of experience and a strong vision that will undoubtedly guide FORA to new heights. Alongside her, Cezar Ungureanu will step in as Secretary, ensuring that our operations continue to thrive. Thank you, FORA family, for your unwavering support, passion, and dedication. It has been an honor to serve over the years in various executive board member capacities since the inception of FORA. I will remain involved to council our growth and assist the new team in a smooth transition. Let’s carry this momentum into 2025, charging ahead with confidence and determination! Together, there are no limits to what we can achieve! Here’s to an even brighter future for us all! Onward and upward!
