Elaine Lehman, FACC Executive Director Says, `Looking Ahead to a Brighter Future…I WILL’

By: Veronica Leighton

 

Veronica’s Vibes topic last month dealt on the FACC’s recent trouble that involved the newly phased-out Board of Trustees or Directors versus the newly-formed Board headed by its current president, Dr. Rufino Crisostomo and his executive director, Elaine Lehman.

On April 22, some community leaders rallied in front of the Rizal Center building and police officers came and helped to halt the commotion. Accusations, name calling, even pushing, and hurting others allegedly happened and were reported to us.

In this May issue Elsie Sy-Niebar (Notebook, page 14-15) reports about the April 22 demonstration in front of the Rizal Community Center consisting of the old guards (Bascos, Estacio, Clarito, et al). She interviewed some leaders who expressed their feelings about the sudden changes that are happening with the FACC management and physical changes inside the Rizal Center. On the other hand, I thought of getting a statement from Elaine Lehman, the Woman of the Hour, who seems to be the object of the old guards’ ire as “the unauthorized occupant, the `non-Filipino alien’ inside and outside the Rizal Center.”

Elaine Lehman’s statement: “It should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago, that its endeavors for change have generated yet another firestorm between the old guard and the change makers.

Regrettably, this melodrama has played itself out before on numerous occasions over the past 20-plus years, representing in my, well as others’, view, a series of actions that are entirely irresponsible and yawningly predictable. This time, it is through deeply flawed characterological attacks on me as the FACC’s new executive director.

For more than two decades, certain individuals took advantage of the generous nature of the local Filipino American community and the Rizal Community Center was largely closed from public use and slowly degraded, depriving Filipino Americans, US born and naturalized, and Filipinos, longsettled and newly-arrived, from enjoying the community center. The outrageous hypocrisy we sense in this group’s inaction over the past administration’s breach of fiduciary duties, as well as their own protracted nonfeasance is unacceptable. They fail to acknowledge their role as enablers of the malfeasance. Their inaction and appalling disregard for the interests of the FACC resulted in the following situations:

The FACC’s charitable organization registration was cancelled by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General in 2003, due to the past administration’s chronic negligence of responsibilities and disregard to file the required annual reports. When registration is cancelled a nonprofit ceases to legally operate; is prohibited from soliciting funds; and loses its tax-exempt privileges.

T he FACC is in financial distress.

The Rizal Center building is in disrepair.

In late January 2017, I was appointed as executive director by the FACC Board of Directors (formerly called Board of Trustees) to clean this mess up. I discerned the critical state of the organization and of the Rizal Center, and moved strategically and swiftly to begin much-needed repairs. During this time, I endeavored to establish productive dialogue with the Board members and positive relationships with the previous clients and tenant. In less than three months, I was able to achieve reinstatement of the FACC’s charitable organization registration. These are incontrovertible facts.

On Saturday, April 22, we saw an example of how, once again, many of these individuals – who now comprise a splinter group which includes now former Board members Jerry Clarito, Carmen Estacio, Thelma Bascos (discharged by the Board in January 2017), and Norberto “Bobby” Luna (voluntarily resigned) – took advantage of our community, particularly our seniors, to further their own personal interests at the expense of our community’s future.

They entered and occupied the Rizal Center unauthorized. Bobby Luna told us that Michael Aguhar, executive director of AFIREChicago, had given the building entrance door key to Jerry Clarito, a co-founder and consultant of AFIRE.

The splinter group attempted to take over the FACC. B

obby Luna ordered the illegal change of entry locks to the Rizal Center.

The splinter group’s demonstration turned violent. Without provocation, two protesters, Jerry Clarito and Thelma Bascos, assaulted me. A police report was filed. Other protesters attempted to hit Dr. Rufino Crisostomo, FACC Chair of the Board of Directors, as he walked toward the Rizal Center. The FACC staff shielded him from harm.

Among the protesters was Alfonso Bascos, who was heard inciting others to shatter the glass doors of the Rizal Center. His actions in the Pasamba case implicated the FACC and led to the suspension of his license to practice law by the ARDC on March 20, 2017.

After the splinter group’s illegal change of entry locks, the police recovered the keys and determined from the crowd that Dr. Crisostomo and I were in charge of the Rizal Center. They handed the keys to me.

Like most of our countrymen, I cannot claim to be an expert in all things Filipino. But I do know something about identity – here, in the context of the Filipino and Filipino American communities. I must comment that after hearing about the much-talked about and parroted rhetoric by the splinter group’s leaders, I reached one very important conclusion: In an effort to serve their “political” arguments, they have overstepped and articulated frivolous, bigoted sentiments. Their credibility is undermined by their preoccupation and fear of otherness.

This is a particularly egregious attack. Those who seek to uphold the rights of oppressed minorities should never make public statements of racial or ethnic bias.

The splinter group’s assertions about what makes one Filipino are offensive. Contrary to the current rhetoric, many of the original FACC founding members who contributed to the purchase of the Rizal Center were Filipino Americans, who married non- Filipinos and had mixed-race offspring, and did not speak Tagalog. The focus of the original FACC and the Rizal Center embraced the rich diversity within our Philippine heritage. They showed us that there is so much we can do if we set our minds to it. That when we do it together, bridging the differences that needlessly separate us, and when we celebrate our commonality as Kababayan, as well as members of American society, we can make a world that is more tolerant, just, and vibrant.

To quote Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero, “He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination.” Inspired by Rizal’s words, we have reached out to and initiated discussions with some of the FACC’s founding members. They are now on the FACC Board of Directors and are currently charting a new course with us.

Growing up in Chicago as a child, I was impressed by the city’s motto, “I Will.” These two short words say so much about what we should be doing. Together.

We look ahead to a brighter future for our community. The FACC hopes to lead the way, and that you will join us. I WILL… ELAINE LEHMAN” ***

First time that I thought something kind ofweird (or normal)was happening at the Rizal Centerwaswhen I received an email notification about their email address, stating, “We look forward tomaking the FACC and Rizal Center awelcoming environment for all…”My instant retortwas, “What??? Welcome to the 21st century, FACC/Rizal Center. It’s like a breath of fresh air to be receiving an email from you.” For years, no onewould even answer their telephone number, and now, an email?

When I received an email invite for the first Rizal Center Open House, sent by Elaine, Joe Mauricio and I trooped down to 1332 W. Irving Park Road to look, see, and listen.

We, together with other curious onlookers (past FACC president Alex Gonzales, past board member Bob Mittenthal & former first lady Cely Somera, and young guest Josey Nieto), were toured around the place.

Nice to see dramatic changes in Rizal room, the reception room, and the auditorium, with some lost paintings now being displayed.

Some rooms are still in state of disarray, filth, and in need of serious repair.

Rizal Center Open House will be held once a month with Filipino refreshments to be served. Call or email the new management, Elaine Lehman, at facc.rizalcenter@gmail.com.##

National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s serene room at the Rizal Center.

At Rizal Center’s 1st Open House as administered by Elaine Lehman, standing, L-R: Ari Lehman, Bob Mittenthal, Alex Gonzales, Veronica, Josey Nieto and Cely Somera. Sitting in front is Elaine Lehman