Saipan Tribune

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Monday, February 04, 2013

Saipan to host Micronesian youth network conference

The Micronesian Youth Services Network's 2013 Conference will be hosted by the CNMI on April 17-19, 2013.

The steering committee would like to host the conference at the Fiesta Resort & Spa on Saipan if the committee is able to raise the funds.

The network is a non-profit, non-government regional organization whose mission is to support, collaborate, coordinate, promote, and strengthen youth programs and services throughout Micronesia.

Saipan also hosted the MYSN Conference in 2006 and 2009. The MYSN conferences rotate throughout the Micronesian region. The last MYSN conference was held in Palau.

Each year MYSN selects the Top 10 Youth Supporters from the region. Candidates for this award must be supporters in Guam, CNMI, FSM, Palau, and Marshall Islands. Candidates should have volunteered at least 40 hours in the past 12 months in a key leadership position, donated at least $5,000 in cash, or caused to have a major policy or regulation be implemented to support youth services.

The following are the past Top 10 Youth Supporters from the CNMI: James Brewer, Linala Malauwasch (2005); Yasuo Miyazawa, Pacific Development Inc., Laolao Bay Golf Course, Dr. Rita Hocog-Inos (2006); Basketball Association of the NMI, Elias Rangamar, Marian Aldan-Pierce (DFS), Bank of Hawaii Foundation (2007); Rep. Ray Tebuteb, Jackie A. Quitugua, George Cruz of Marianas Health Services (2008); Jerry Tan of Tan Holdings, CNMI Little League (2009); Anthony Pelligrino (2010); Juvenile Justice Task Force (2011)' and Juan “Santiago” Tenorio of J.E.T. Holding Co. (2012).

Aside from honoring the Top 10 Youth Supporters, the hosting entity is tasked to showcase a couple of its best practices. These are programs that are successful that the CNMI would like to share with the participants from off-island. This year the steering committee will showcase the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library and the Agriculture Program at San Vicente Elementary School.

Funding for the conference is a challenge. The steering committee needs $21,000 to host the conference on Saipan. So far, it has received donations worth $5,158 ($3,300 cash and $1,858 in kind).

“In order to secure the Fiesta Resort & Spa, we need to make a deposit of $7,500,” said committee chair Frances M. Sablan. “We got $3,300 for the deposit, but we're lacking $4,200 just for the deposit. Once the deposit is secured, then our other task is to raise the other 50 percent between now and April.”

Any businesses or individuals who would like to contribute to the 2013 MYSN conference may call Sablan at 234-3462.

The steering committee will be posting the conference theme: “Pursue, Cultivate, and Sustain A Balance,” call for papers and presenters, registration forms, and other information on the MYSN website, www.mysnetwork.org.