96th AGM MINUTES - Amcham Philippines

96th AGM MINUTES

Minutes of the 96th AmCham Annual General Meetingheld on Wednesday, November 20, 2019,

4:00 pm, Marquis Events Place, BGC

I. OPENING /ANNOUNCEMENTSExecutive Director Ebb Hinchliffe gave an opening remarksand made some announcements.

Mr. Hinchliffe prompted to show a Thank You Video for H.E. Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines.

After the AVP Ambassador Kim gave his message.

Ambassador Kim was joined on stage by Mr. Hinchliffe and AmCham Board of Directors and AmCham Corporate Partners for a toast, presentation of Token of Appreciation and Photo Opportunity,

President James Wilkins officially called the meeting to order

II. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM/CALL TO ORDERA quorum having been declared by Atty. Aileen Lerma, Corporate Secretary of Amcham and Senior Partner Romulo, Mabanta, Buenaventura, Sayoc, de los Angeles law office called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.

III. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE 95th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 21, 2018.

Upon motion made and duly seconded, the minutes of the 95th Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at Marques Events Place were approved.

IV. CORPORATE SECRETARY’S REPORT

Atty. Aileen Lerma of Romulo Mabanta reported that AMCHAMremained to be in good standing with the SEC, BIR and all other relevant government agencies.

96th AGM CORPORATE SECRETARY’S REPORT

96th AGM CORPORATE SECRETARY’S REPORT

Board Resolutions passed since last annual meeting: ❖ Election of directors & officers❖ Approval of audited financial statements❖ Banking resolutions❖ Resolutions relating to the various chapters: North Luzon,

Visayas & Mindanao (per requests given)

V. APPOINTMENT OF COMELECAppointed as members of the Comelec were: Robert W. Blume, Brian Lane and Jun Salipsip.

96th AGM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

VI. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT - EBB HINCHLIFFE.

It is a privilege to be the Executive Director of AmCham Philippines andI am pleased to report on another very successful year with AmCham.

It is hard to believe this is my 7th Annual General Meeting as ExecutiveDirector. I continue to be amused when people introduce me as theNEW AmCham ED, which says a lot about the legacy of the great guywho preceded me, Mr. Rob Sears.

Again, I would like to express my appreciation to our AmCham Board ofDirectors whose guidance has helped make 2019 such a successful year.Today we will be electing six new Board members; due to term limits,we regretfully say good-bye to one of our long serving Board members,Rick Santos. While we will greatly miss him at our Board meetings but,


knowing his dedication to AmCham, there is little doubt he will stayactive with the Chamber. Rick leaves the Board as Vice President andhas served two terms as President over the years.

Committee activities are the backbone of the Chamber and so I alsowant to give a shout out to the Committee Chairs who have comethrough again, chairing so many varied committee activities. Like theBoard members, they are volunteer, not on the Chamber’s payroll,but they do their part of civic responsibility. We all owe them BIGthanks.

Our records indicate we have had 300+ events this year, of whichabout 200 are at the committee level.


In 2018/19 we felt the need to further address community needs, andlaunched two additional committees: Education and, our most recentrollout, the Sustainability Committee.

This year, instead of printed reports or distributing USB’s, all theCommittee Reports are on the AmCham website.

Our Communications Team did an outstanding job by producing 12issues of the AmCham Business Journal, the annual MembershipDirectory, as well as enhanced our social media presence. Please followus on Facebook and our Linkedin.

We welcome to Mr. Mardie Torres, the new Managing Director of theAmCham Foundation; the CSR arm of the Chamber. His appointment


has added long-needed professionalism to the Foundation. In addition,Mardie also serves as the Co-Chair of our Sustainability Committee.

This year our number of AmCham Foundation scholars has increased to192. These needy young people are getting a quality education, thanksto the funding of the Foundation from you, our generous members.Funding comes through various Foundation activities supported bythese generous members; the annual “ScholaRun” in February, theannual “Charitee” golf tournament in April and an outstandingtraditional Thanksgiving Dinner in November; the 32nd annual eventwill be celebrated on November 8th this year.

The Arangkada Project funding ended in March, but the Chamber haskept the team in place with continued financial support thanks to many


of you. The main focus of our advocacy this year has been towardsopposing certain provisions in the proposed tax bill that endanger somany of our members.

The big event of the year for Arangkada will be held tomorrow at theMarriott; the much anticipated annual Arangkada Forum. The themethis year is “Turning On The TAP”, though it has nothing to do with thewater crisis. “TAP” stands for Tourism, Agriculture and Power. We willbe presenting our latest White Papers on these three sectors. It is nottoo late to join us…see John Forbes or his team for tickets.

Another highlight of the year was our Business Leadership Program(BLP) which celebrated its 17th year in April. This year the Committeeaccepted 32 of the brightest university students in the Philippines forthis 10 day in-house program.


The Philippines is in good hands with these bright young futureleaders. AmCham greatly appreciates the generosity of our companiesthat sponsor this unique program. The cost per student is aboutPhp100, 000 each for the 8 day program and certainly couldn’t bedone without our members continued support.

With the creation, and expansion of the three chapters outsideManila, AmCham Philippines has become a nationwide organizationthat allows us to spread our message and help create jobs in thecountry.

AmCham Mindanao currently has 60+ active members. An all timehigh right in the back yard of the Philippine President.


The chapter held four General Membership Meetings in 2019. Twowere in Davao, one in Cagayan de Oro, and one in General Santos City.AmCham Visayas had another excellent year. They had four GeneralMeetings and seven Membership meetings, four Network Nights, fiveCommittee Meetings and three major events: the Amazing AssistantsNight, the 4th of July American Picnic, and the 2nd annual AmChamCebu Foundation Golf Tourney at the Cebu Country Club.

The North Luzon chapter has developed into a major businessorganization. It now has 60+ members, and meetings have rotatedbetween Clark, Subic and Baguio. There were six General MembershipMeetings in 2019, three Network Nights, seven Committee Meetingsand one special event.


AmCham’s relationship with the Philippine government has beenstrained at times over the proposed tax bill - CITIRA, Trabaho orvarious other names. However, the chamber works closely with theCabinet members and we have a strong friendship with the PhilippineAmbassador to the US, Ambassador Babe Romualdez.

AmCham Philippines continues to benefit from our participation inthe Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers (APCAC). The SpringConference was held in Hong Kong with 400 businessmen, localgovernment officials and US government representatives inattendance.


The Annual APCAC Doorknock in Washington D.C. was held in mid Julyand the Philippines was well represented. Most of the discussion wason the Trump Administration response to China, but good discussionswere also had concerning Free Trade Agreements: particularly the TPPbeing discussed, in spite of the Trump administration pulling the USout of discussions.

One of the highlights of the Doorknock was the speech andinteraction with Secretary of State Pompeo.

The APCAC Executive Director Meeting, in which benchmarking andbest practices are the primary themes, was held in Bangkok and wasvery beneficial.


Our AmCham Corporate Partnership Program has grown to 15. Thesecompanies are: Marriot-Sheraton, PMFTC, BDO, Santos Knight Frank,Coca Cola, Procter & Gamble, Emerson, Capital One, Pfizer, AIG,Crown, Quantity Solutions, Globe, 3M, and American Airlines.2019 has indeed been a tremendous year with exceptional growthand additional activities. We will continue to build on the successesof 2019, to see continuous improvement in all that we do.

The focus of 2020 will be sustainability and, of course, staying focusedon being relevant in the age of disruption.

Thank you for your continued support and working together, we willmake it happen.

Mabuhay

96th BLP CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

VII. BLP CALL FOR PARTICIPATION AND SPONSORS AVP

BLP Co-Chair David Caldwell made a pitch for the 2020 Business Leadership Program (BLP). The program is looking for partners and sponsors for next year. To get to know more about the program, a video was played.

96th AGM PRESIDENT’S REMARKS

As we near the end of a very eventful year, it is good to reflect onthe many activities and accomplishments for AMCHAM in 2019. Iwant to thank the Board of Directors and Staff of AMCHAM whosecommitment, passion and leadership continue to make thisorganization so impactful and successful. It has been a privilege andalso a lot of fun to work with such an excellent team and I thankAMCHAM for the opportunity.

No organization can be successful without strong leadership at thetop and AMCHAM is fortunate to have that from our ExecutiveDirector, Ebb Hinchliffe. We also have an extremely active anddedicated board of directors including Rick Santos, Bruce Winton,Philip Soliven, Jocot De Dios, Winn Everhart, Peter Hayden, ArielLacsamana, Mark Lwin, Belinda Racela,

VIII. PRESIDENT’S REPORT – JAMES WILKINS.


Frank Thiel, Directors Ex-Officio George Drysdale, Don Felbaum, and RobSears and Atty. Aileen Lerma. They have helped uphold the organization’sMission Statement that “The Chamber exists to serve the needs andwants of Filipinos and US businesses through the participation ofmembers in promoting their long-term objectives, while fostering closerrelationships between the two countries and contributing to the civic andeconomic development of the Philippines.“

The year 2019 was a busy one for AMCHAM’s advocacies and work withlocal government and the private sector addressing business issues onmembers' behalf. Of note is AMCHAM’s involvement in; TAPP or TheArangkada Philippines Project, US Chamber of Commerce, Asia-PacificCouncil of American Chambers, Joint Foreign Chambers. AMCHAMcontinues to be most active in providing members opportunity to present


themselves to the public in events and publications, engaging andhosting a series of forums throughout the year to keep membersupdated on latest business and economic issues and organizing regularnetworking events providing easy-to-enter social and professionalgatherings for members and a wide range of industry players, academeand government sector.

AMCHAM continues to have a strong partnership with the US Embassy,including the staunch support from Ambassador Sung Y. Kim and histeam. We are sad to see Ambassador Kim finish his assignment in thePhilippines and wish him well in his new role as Ambassador toIndonesia. Special thanks to: Lynne Gadkowski, Douglas Fowler andZeenat Syed of the Economic Section; Chargé d’Affaires John Law;


Russell Brown, Kimberly Kelly, Martin Lahm and Tonya Gendin of theConsular team; Gregory O’Connor and Yuri Arthur of the ForeignCommercial Services Section; and US AID Director Lawrence Hardyand Deputy Director Patrick Wesner and Jeff Lehrer. We are gratefulfor your support and look forward to continue working with you.

Special appreciation to the growing list of AMCHAM corporatesponsors; 3M, AIG, American Airlines, BDO, Capital One, Coca ColaPhilippines, Crown, Emerson, Fluor, Globe Business, Marriott, Pfizer,PMFTC, P&G, Quantity Solutions and Santos Knight Frank.

I cannot be more proud to be part of AMCHAM Philippines, thelongest-serving and most vibrant American Chamber in Asia andrecognized as the voice of business since 1902.


Congratulations on another successful year. Thank you for all you have done to support AMCHAM and I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead for us in 2020!

James Wilkins President

96th AGM TREASURER’S REPORT

IX. TREASURER’S REPORT Philip Soliven

Mr. Hinchliffe reported that for the year 2019, AmCham was in good standing with a total assets ofP 42.27 M while liabilities stand at P 23.51 M. Projected gross revenue was P 41.32 M and projected total expenses

of P 45.5 resulting to net surplus of P -4.18 M.

Appointment of AmCham Auditor

It was moved and seconded that the services of the present auditor, SGV & Company be retained.

96th AGM COMMITTEE REPORTS

X. COMMITTEE REPORTS

An Audio Visual Presentation of the Chamber’s committee accomplishments for 2019 was shown.

A complete detailed reports will be posted on the website.

XI. RECOGNITION

As a way of thanking AmCham’s partners and sponsors for their continued support and patronage to the Chamber, Mr. Hinchliffe awarded Connell Bros. as the oldest member of AmCham while Santos Knight Frank was given the most active member for the year.

96th AGM

XI. RECOGNITION

Messrs. Robert Blume, Brian Lane and Jun Salipsip were given special recognition for serving as Comelec for more than ten years.

A slide presentation of the current Board members was shown.

96th AGM ELECTION RESULTS

XII. ELECTION RESULTS

The COMELEC represented by Mr. Jun Salipsip announced the results of the Election for the new members of the Board of Directors for the term 2020-2021.

1. Mark Lwin, AIG (Insurance/American) 2. Peter Hayden, Capital One (Financial/American)3. Roberto Batungbacal, Dow Chemical (Mfg./American) 4. James Wilkins, Fluor Daniel (Infra/Engineering/American) 5. Jose Victor Emmanuel de Dios, GE (Energy/Non-American)6. Frank Thiel, Quezon Power (Power/American)

96th AGM ELECTION RESULTS

Incumbent Directors for Fiscal Year 2020

▪ Ariel Lacsamana, 3M (Manufacturing/Non-American) ▪ Belinda Racela, Chevron (BPO/Non American) ▪ Philip Soliven, Cargill Phils. (Agribusiness/Non-American) ▪ Winn Everhart, Coke (Mfg./ American) ▪ Bruce Winton, Marriott Hotel (Hospitality/American)

XIII. ADJOURMENTThere being no further business to transact and upon motion made and duly seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.

NOTED BY:EBB HINCHLIFFEExecutive Director

96th AGM MINUTES - Amcham Philippines

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