Our Vision

The strength of the Filipino American voice is realized in San Diego County

Our Mission

To enhance the social, educational economic, and civic empowerment of the community through collaboration of organizations and individuals.

Our Values
COPAO Envisions and Values a Filipino-American Community:
  • That is grounded in the values of integrity, service, leadership, social justice, and inclusion;
  • That is continuously moving forward within a culture of evidence and transparency that inspires civic engagement, reflection, and critical dialogue in a respectful, thoughtful, and proactive manner;
  • That highlights and maximizes the richness and diversity of our culture and defines what it truly means to be a “Filipino” within the context of our contribution in re-defining what is “American” while at the same time, uplifting our Motherland;
  • That has the political clout and influence commensurate with our growing population and is effective in advocating policies that improve the livelihood of Filipino Americans at the local, state, and national levels; and
  • That sustains its viability by being responsible stewards of its resources, creating opportunities for leadership and inspiring a pipeline of leaders from the high school, college and professional levels who are committed to giving back to their community.

Strategic Goals
​Strengthen Community Engagement
  • Outreach to community organizations and groups
  • Raise awareness of Filipino needs and issues
  • Provide relevant support to organizations and groups
  • Raise and maintain awareness of the Philippine and Filipino-American experiences
  • Maintain Philippine transnational connections
 
Serve as a Leader in Civic Empowerment
  • Lead activities for civic engagement and increasing Filipino representation
  • Establish knowledge of policy that impact the Filipino community
  • Identify and articulate issues within the Filipino community and greater community
  • Provide organizational and/or political leadership development
 
Develop Capacity Building
  • Support organizational development – internally and with other collaborative organizations
  • Develop succession planning processes
  • Implement cross-generational engagement
 
Guiding Principles
With over 200 hundred Filipino American organizations in San Diego County alone, the Council of Pilipino American Organizations has done some serious reflection and assessment of its role in the community.  We believe that COPAO has established itself as a recognized entity and an acknowledged voice of the Filipino American community. 
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COPAO will continue to leverage that recognition and will actively seek opportunities to collaborate with individuals and organizations who are committed to the political, economic and educational empowerment of our community.  COPAO will also resolve to realize its strategic goals of community engagement, civic empowerment and capacity building through its organizational activities and collaborative efforts.