PROFESA 2008

As we welcome a New Year, we believe that 2008 was one the most dynamic and successful years in our organization's nine year history. Upholding our founders' mission, defined by our "triad" of promoting our traditions and culture, networking and empowerment, while emphasizing charity and community service, PROFESA and its Board of Directors proudly presents a brief recount of this year's achievements.

Tradition and Culture

In January 2008, we celebrated our traditional "3 Kings Day" during our Family Picnic at TropicalPark. During the year, several successful musical events were organized and/or supported by PROFESA, including " Mis Joyas Prestadas," a musical presentation by Puerto Rican, Marisol Calero, and an intimate Piano Bohemia hosted by Puerto Rican talented performers Francisco Paz and Grammy winner Yoel Henriquez, at Universe Cafe. We ended 2008 with our much anticipated and fabulous Christmas Party held at Alcazaba Lounge, on December 19th. This event was attended by over 150 invitees who had a great time to the beat of "Bomba y Plena" and typical Puerto Rican Christmas music, while treated to a delicious "Asopao."

Networking

In March and August, networking events were held at Salvatore Cafe, in which members were able to meet and exchange contact information and have a relaxing and enjoyable time. In July, PROFESA's Summer Tour was launched with a successful activity celebrated at Universe Cafe, featuring Puerto Rican groups "Batukealo" and "Plena Es." Also as part of the tour, many members gathered at Dolphin Stadium where we enjoyed a great game between the Florida Marlins and the NY Mets, followed by a fabulous concert by Olga Tañon. We also went kayaking in the Florida Keys and hosted a memorable Halloween Party, on October 31st, at Alcazaba Lounge. PROFESA's 8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament was held on June 14th at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa. This event, our biggest and most successful of the year, proved again to have become a summer tradition for the Puerto Rican golfers in South Florida. New strategic partnerships were established with Polytec and Ana G. Mendez Universities and CareerBuilder.com, among others.

Empowerment

PROFESA continued its support of other Puerto Rican organizations by promoting and/or participating in activities conducted by The Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of South Florida, Puerto Rican Cultural Center of South Florida, Puerto Rican Leadership Council, Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida, NACOPRW, ASPIRA and the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau's Ambassadors program. Our membership continued to grow and new directors joined our Board. Strong bonds were formed with the Miami Herald and, several articles were published, about the contributions of Puerto Rican professionals to South Florida, as well as features about talented Puerto Rican performing artists residing in South Florida. We also participated in celebrating an event honoring ASPIRA's President and CEO, Raul Martinez.

Community Service

During February, PROFESA, along with other Puerto Rican organizations, held the "Demonstration for the Dignity of the Puerto Rican People," to show our displeasure with the derogatory statements made by elected officials in South Carolina and Florida. Many PROFESA members volunteered in non-partisan efforts to register Hispanic voters for the election. PROFESA also protested discriminatory policies developed for Spanish speaking prisoners at a local correctional facility, as a result of our efforts the policy was rescinded.

Charity

Our commitment to charitable causes continued during 2008. Donations were made to Open Door Health Center, NACOPRW scholarship fund, a new scholarship was established for a Puerto Rican student at the Polytec University, and our Christmas Toy Drive lead to happy times for some of the less fortunate children in our community. Canned food and other items were collected and donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Miami, and funds were donated to the Red Cross Caribbean hurricane relief.

Our Ten Year Anniversary

This year, our organization will reach a decade since its birth. We are very proud to have achieved this milestone. Thanks to the efforts of all the volunteers that, through the years, have contributed countless hours to make this possible. We have great things planned for this year, including our Anniversary Gala, with Richie Ray and Bobbie Cruz, which we anticipate will be an unmatched event in the history of the Puerto Rican community in South Florida. We look forward having your continued support and we invite you to join the most progressive Puerto Rican movement in South Florida.

Sandra Rosa, MA.

Chairwoman
PROFESA Board of Directors

PROFESA 2007 A Year To Be Remember!

PROFESA 2007 A Year To Be Remember!

Written by Edwin A. Cordero, MD.

Past Chairman and current member of PROFESA Board of Directors

PROFESA 2007 marked one of the most successful years in the history of our organization. The year began under the interim chairmanship of Mr. Hector Diaz along with a dedicated Board of Directors which by design decided to concentrate all our energy in our biggest and more complex annual activity our Charity Golf Tournament. A committee work very diligently for several months, resulting our most successful golf tournament so far.

By August a new Board of Directors was selected among those willing to volunteer their professional skills and precious time to keep our organization active and thriving. Ms. Sandra Rosa was selected as our new chairperson and many positions in the executive board were filled with dedicated members.

During the following month PROFESA developed a strategic partnership with the Hyatt Regency of Coral Gables and it entertainment facility Alcazaba Lounge. At this facility PROFESA partnered with many private and civic organization and series of networking events were held starting a renascence in our organization. Many activities were held at these facilities such as De Un Pajaro Las Dos Alas, Hallowing Party, PROFESA Octavitas Party, PROFESA Christmas Party, events frequently featuring charity or cultural themes as well.

As has been our tradition, PROFESA continued to fulfill its commitment to empower people, organizations and institutions linked to our Puerto Rican community in South Florida. Donations were made to NACOPROW and PROFESA’s Carlos Albizu University Scholarship Funds. A fundraiser was sponsored for Fundacion Camino de Esperanza and funds were donated to Open Door Health Center, as well as, and the result of our toys drive, over $2500 in total. PROFESA continued to be committed to the Puerto Rican Cultural Center of South Florida jointly advertising our activities and foraging a spirit of cooperation.

PROFESA partnership with many local civic and business organization during 2007. An extremely successful activity was put together with Puerto Rica Day Committee: the Puerto Rican biographical musical Quien Mato a Hector Lavoe. PROFESA partnered with the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, the Puerto Rican Bar Association, Carlos Albizu University, Execumar Productions, the Hyatt Regency of Coral Gables and the Ambassadors for the Puerto Rican Tourism Company, as well as many other institutions to fulfill our commitment of empowerment through union, for the benefit of our members and the Puerto Rican community at large.

Our cultural goals also had a prominent place during 2007. As mentioned before we had a very important role during the presentation of Hector Lavoe’s biographic musical. We brought Plena Es to delight our ears with wonderful Puerto Rican plena during the Octavita’s event, Puerto Rican artists such as Zayra Mo and Dr. Carlos Crespo found a receptive and willing partner with PROFESA and their work was promoted and recognized, the Three King tradition was upheld and celebrated during our Three Kings Family Picnic celebrated at Tropical park January 6.

PROFESA did not forget its civic responsibilities. A letter supporting Borinquen Health Center, a Puerto Rican facility servicing many low income patients, was sent to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources supporting their application for continued funding in jeopardy of impending cuts. When PROFESA learned that the Department of Correction was planning to develop an English only program which will unjustly affect Spanish speaking inmates a letter opposing such unfairness was sent the Director of this department, resulting in freezing of such discriminatory program. Let’s not forget PROFESA Speakers Series, a membership and community service, in which practical and important subject were presented such as protection against personal attacks and computer hacking.

With the laborious effort of a dynamic Board of Directors many enhancing changes were achieved during 2007. The best and most important beside the selection of our new board was the makeover given to our web site PROFESA.org. Finally our web site has become a tool of communication that gives us access to the rest of the world. Fabulous new sections were added such as the Distinguish Puerto Rican Professional: Mr. Keith Harrell, executive from American Airlines, Ms. Silka Gonzalez entrepreneur and president of Enterprise Risk Management and Dr. Carlos Crespo, doctor in psychology, artist, writer and renascence man of the 21st century. After these outstanding exposures of the talent and quality of the Puerto Rican professionals and its contribution to society they will live forever in our PROFESA Hall of Fame as an example for future generations.

PROFESA was also in the news as well. As part of an effort lead by the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, the Puerto Rican Bar Association, PROFESA and many other Puerto Rican organizations to bring attention to the Puerto Rican professional contributions to South Florida, a meeting with the editors of the Miami Herald produces a first page article featuring PROFESA chairwoman Sandra Rosa. In this publication Ms. Rosa effectively and masterfully depicts what the Puerto Rican business and professional community is about. Our network continued to expand and there is a vibrant excitement about our organization not only locally but also in Puerto Rico, New York and many other parts of United States where Puerto Rican are concentrated. In Central Florida our sister Chapter, PROFESA Central continues to be growing presence and a player in this important Puerto Rican enclave.

In summary 2007 was quite a year for our organization. We expect even a better year for 2008 in which PROFESA not only will continue fulfilling it mission goals of networking, empowerment, culture and charity, but also become the true representative of the Puerto Rican Professional in South Florida, and a shinning example of the extraordinary qualities possessed by the Puerto Rican people. We will remained vigilant and will make sure our dues are given when modestly deserved, we will put in focus the achievements of our members because a positive light brought on one of us illuminates all of us, we will advocate for the just and we will donate to the needy.

Finally, there is only one more thing to say: join us today, get a good view, tight your seat belt and come along for the 2008 ride!

PROFESA Board of Directors

www.profesa.org

PROFESA, Present and Future

PROFESA, Present and Future

by

Edwin A. Cordero, MD.

The Present

Welcome to PROFESA's blog!

Today, the Puerto Rican Professional Association (PROFESA) continues to move toward the future with the introduction of this communication tool. As is our tradition, it is our hope, desire and duty to utilize all means of communication to advance the directives and goals of our association, the only association dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the Puerto Rican Professional.

We will be celebrating our seventh year of existence this coming December, an achievement we embrace with pride. From the founders to the current Board, all volunteers committed to servicing our members and bound by our love of Puerto Rico, the organization has maintained a straight path leading toward community recognition and presence.

Anchored in our founding pillars of NETWORKING, EMPOWERMENT and CULTURE, we have been able to achieve very formidable goals. Through our dozens of networking events, many connections, friendships, and business deals have been conceived. We are the only Puerto Rican organization that publishes a Professionals and Business Guide listing Puerto Rican professionals and their businesses. Our Speakers Series offers a more educational, formal venue to learn about important subjects impacting the professional and business communities.

Our charitable contributions have no equal when it comes to a grassroots organization in South Florida. This has been one of our most important instruments of empowering our compatriots. Without grants or government assistance, we are happy to announce that last year we founded PROFESA's Scholarship Fund, of which we are truly proud, and awarded scholarships to three Puerto Rican students at Carlos Albizu University. We also provided funds to NACOPRO, Open Door Health Center, needy families going through medical crisis and many others. As has been our tradition, last year once again, we partnered several Puerto Rican organizations sponsoring local events and freely distributed information promoting these events throughout our over 3000 contacts. Our Jobs Opportunities/Jobs Seekers Service continues to be utilized by hundreds of individuals and companies both local and all over the United States and Puerto Rico. More than 50 jobs connections were made last year alone and our feedback from the business community has been fantastic.

Culture, the flag that keeps together the Puerto Rican Nation, is the cement of our organization as well. In South Florida, we are fortunate to have a wonderful organization dedicated to showcasing and preserving our beloved culture and traditions: The Puerto Rican Cultural Center of South Florida. We want to publicly acknowledge the unparalleled work they have done for this community. Our organization also promotes the culture by supporting local Puerto Rican Artists such Saria Mo, an upcoming talented photographer, by featuring Puerto Rican artwork in our Professional and Business Guide and by celebrating the Octavitas Tradition, held this year at Alcazaba Lounge, Hiatt Regency, Coral Gables. In the past we have held multiple art exhibitions, as well as hosted concerts and musical events.

PROFESA is 501 (c) 3, a not-for-profit organization, which generates all its income from membership renewals and donations made during sponsored activities such as our Golf Tournament. This unique event, the only one of its kind organized by a Puerto Rican organization in South Florida, not only shines brightly in our crown of achievements but after seven consecutive years has become a tradition among our members, partners and friends. This year, our Seventh Annual Charity Golf Tournament, was held, very successfully, at Doral Golf Resort and Spa, Silver Course on June 23. Due to carefully controlled finances, our organization has always been able have financial stability, no significant debt and still be able to donate much to the Puerto Rican community of South Florida, while maintaining a high professional image.

The Future

We at PROFESA continue to look for ways to improve the quality, services and communications of our organizations. At this moment we are actively working on our new PROFESA.org web site to build it into an interactive, useful tool that you will be able to utilize to gather information not only about PROFESA, but also events in Puerto Rico, surveys, forums and galleries which allow you to exchange information with other Puerto Ricans all over the world, and much more. Soon, items such as the PROFESA's Distinguished Puerto Rican Professional and Puerto Rican Professional-Virtual Hall of Fame will be up and running. We will also be starting a membership drive and have a number of networking and Speaker Series events in the planning stages. We will continue supporting and strengthening our Central Florida chapter and their recently elected board.

We are very excited about PROFESA's future. Hopefully this upcoming year our organization will reach another glorious step in its ladder of achievements. Remember if you are a Puerto Rican professional or business person wishing to be part of this progressive movement, do not wait any longer. Join us and enjoy the ride. Become a Profesista today!

PROFESA today, PROFESA tomorrow, PROFESA always!