Hello Rilpaqueños!!

As I read all the press releases ant media information about the census results and the
shocking growth of the Latino community, I was reminded of a draft document I
prepared back on December 12th, which I was going to present to community leaders and
try to develop a working document.

Being that that the census projections for 20005 took place in 2001 instead, I want to
share the beginning of the draft I started, and see if may be can get together and try to
answer some of the questions and develop others. Let me now what you think of the
following information.

Tomas Alberto

Latinos 2005 - 2025 A 25 years Vision with 5 Year Plan, Towards the attainment of
Parity and Leadership: Preparation to becoming a Majority Minority

What will it be like in 5 years?

What does it mean to become the majority minority?
What responsibilities come with it?
Who's going to lead?
Are we ready to lead?
What do we need to do to prepare?
Who will be/are our allies?
Who/what are our detractors?
What are the benefits/liabilities?
What are our Goals & Objectives?
Have we develop master plans? strategic plans?
What are our vision statements?

Issues: Affordable Housing, Education, Health, Civil Rights, Bilingualism,

Neighborhood Enterprise: South Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket, Woonsocket,
Newport, West Warwick, Cranston.

Wealth Creation: Copetitive Advantages, Political Empowerment/order, Collaborations,

Partnerships, Economic Empowerment, immigration, Employment, Guide Lines
Development, Research, Studies, plans, reports, PL,

What are our organizational assets? CHisPA, PU, GUA, QIA, CAA, Project Hope,
LADO, State Agencies, Federal Agencies.

Establishment of leadership, management and policy institutes.

Begin the preparation of future executives.

Add your questions and ideas

According to Geoffrey Fox in his book Hispanic Nation, the only 2 issues binding the
Latino Agenda are: The defense of the working poor's interest requiring the defense of
social services, job & housing creation and the making of the Latino presence feel
respected through language & culture.

Close Up Foundation - Canal Place, Alexandria, VA, Nonprofit, and nonpartisan civic
education organization. It's goal to inform, inspire & empower young people to exercise
their rights, responsibilities of living in a democracy. Mission - Textbooks & lectures
alone are not enough to help students understand the democratic process and make it
work. Students need a close up experience in government to have to have an appreciation
& respect for it. Trip to, City Halls, City Councils, State House, Congress in DC
"Democracy is not a spectator sport - it requires the active participation of citizens"
Stephen Janger

Close Up training goals:

1. Informed and engaged individuals are the foundation of strong communities and vital
democracy. Community-wide participation is essential; no one should be left out.

2. Ignorance, cynicism and apathy are persistent threats to our democratic system of
governance.

3. Gaining the knowledge & practicing the skills necessary for civic and community
involvement are life-long commitments.

4. One person can make a difference.

"Seek first to understand, then be understood" Stephen Covey's Fifth Habit