NPIEN Board Holds Annual Retreat

NPIEN's Board of Directors and Staff held its annual retreat at Gateway Business Bank in Lakewood, CA on January 23, 2009. Board Members Falanai Ala, President, Eugene Mafi, Secretary, Martha Donnenfield, Treasurer, Rita Scanlan, Member, and Aileen Tanimoto Matsuura, Member, joined with Executive Director Dr. Victor Thompson and Chief of Staff Tino Andres to plan the board calendar and goals for 2009. In reviewing its mission, board members defined NPIEN as:

• Networking to support educators who teach Pacific Islander students
• An organization that educates parents and students about the college application process and financial aid
• NPIEN supports and encourages higher education for students, educates teachers and administrators who serve Pacific Islanders, finds role models for students, and mentors youth in the educational and democratic process
• NPIEN shares the Pacific Islander culture with students, parents, teachers, and the community