What is GTP? Green Team Pilipinas is a non-stock non-profit organization that aims to expand its presence across the country through members and chapters and leverage the same for the promotion of reforms and positive programs that benefit Philippine society particularly in the areas of the environment, education, and economy. As an organization that aims to be a distinct force in society, We pledge to uphold the rule of law, the spirit of volunteerism, stewardship to nature and shall endeavor ourselves to maintain our communities with dignity, whose people take pride in their rich culture and heritage, enriched by the failures and victories of our heroes past and present whose sacrifices shall inspire us to contribute in the collective undertaking of bringing about sustainable economic development and just and lasting peace to all parts of the country. What are our guiding principles? WE advocate the principles of Democracy, Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, Humanism, Environmentalism, Multiculturalism, Self‐ Determination, Equal Protection of Law, and Subsidiarity as strong foundations by which our institutions are built. We believe in genuine people empowerment that is free from the dictates of patronage politics, money and violence as a means to achieve our common aspirations of a better country How did we start? Our short history? Back in 2009, through the social network site Facebook, several people made contact to create a group in support of a candidate running for the Presidency in the elections of 2010. That candidate’s vision and principles inspired a lot of people across the country to be active in volunteering for the fundamental value and desire of positive change and reform in the country. Unfortunately, the campaign did not win the presidency. But the passion, notwithstanding, remained. And so a number of volunteers from that campaign thought of setting up Green Team Pilipinas - a name adopted from the loose volunteer network named Green Team 2010 in the elections. A concrete legal entity was established to serve as a democratic vehicle for people who the share the guiding principles of GTP. How long have we been in existence? GTP as the organization separate from what popularly then Green Team was known for – a volunteer group for a presidential candidate, was set up before the SEC as a legal entity in August of 2010 – a culmination of the plans made in the months after May 2010. No longer a group singularly devoted to such campaign, GTP nevertheless shares and imbibed the principles that its predecessor stood for. What do we do? What have we done so far? In the one year of GTP’s existence – despite the constraints of a start-up organization going through its birth pangs only mobilized through volunteerism – the organization has made some progress for its worth. Several projects/events were made to happen by the organization. Component parts of GTP? GTP has two major organizational thrusts: one that is socio-civic and the other one, political in nature. These thrusts were made to be consistent with the three major key points of GTP – its three E’s: Education, Environment, and Economy. What have been major milestones? Milestones/projects on the socio-civic and political sides have been the following: 1. Octoberde 2010 (the 1st-ever) was held last October 2010 – a party-for-a-cause whose proceeds were donated to the Immaculate Conception Parish of Cubao under a program of scholarship for poor students. This is under the Education thrust of GTP. 2. Plant-A-Berde held in November 2011 was a tree-planting activity in Sariaya, Quezon. This activity was consistent the Environment part of GTP’s three E’s. 3. A Gift-Giving was made also to the “Octoberde 2010” scholars in December 2010. On the same month, a Christmas party was held for GTP. 4. February 2011 served as the Induction for the Officers and Members of GTP held in Quezon City. 5. Green Talks 1: Leadership for Young Leaders – which focused on political party reform – was the 1st activity under the political side of GTP inviting illustrious political personalities to share their views about the topic at hand – this was held at the University of the Philippines. It is envisioned that more of this would be held going forward. 6. Green Cut: Free Circumcision in the summer of 2011 was held under the socio-civic side that was conducted in Cubao, Q.C. and in Tacloban City, Southern Leyte. 7. Culminating GTP’s first year is the General Membership Meeting held August 2011 – the month of GTP’s founding. Members convened to affirm the proposed new Constitution and By-Laws of Green Team Pilipinas as well as the election/affirmation of officers of the organization. Certain misconceptions? Obstacles? While there are many green teamers from the election past, the actual members of GTP as the organization are those who have subscribed to the membership guidelines of the group. GTP intends to attract many more new members and establish more chapters under the organization as it is presently set-up. How do we see ourselves in the future? As ordained by the newly affirmed Constitution and By-Laws of the organization in its recently held General Membership Meeting, GTP is poised – objective-wise – to develop itself as a social force for positive good in the Philippines. In terms of actual direct engagement in the political landscape, the organization might just endeavor to take the plunge at some point.
