You are on page 1of 2

On Building a Non-Exclusive Home Organization

By: Kenley Earl Tan


The Ateneo Management Economics Organization (MEcO) has been known to
promote financial literacy and impact investing among students. This aims to help them
make strategic and responsible financial and economic investments, thus cultivating an
organization of competent and socially oriented student investors geared towards the
economic improvement of the Philippines.
What makes MEcO interesting as a home organization is that they are nonexclusive, allowing people from diverse courses to immerse themselves in MEcOs
advocacy. With that in mind, how does MEcO manage to sustain the engagement of its
members? For Christian Anthony Ladores, A.Y. 2015-2016 MEcO president, its a matter
of going back to the basics.
For starters, they revamped the structure that used to be flat into one that had a
hierarchy. That way, ideally, members have to go through or experience each level of
hierarchy to show what they are actually capable of before they can take a higher
position. Role confusion was also minimized with the revamped structure with a
reduction in the number of Machine members, a pool consisting of the core that head
their projects. Even with all these changes, they still tried to cultivate a familial
environment. As for recruitment, they take into consideration the leadership experience
of every applicant.
Although the final say of every big decision comes from the president, members
are always consulted throughout the process of making the decision. When it came to
work everyone could speak putting everyone in equal ground. This had helped them
since they could not afford to make a loss in any of their projects. It was either
breakeven or profit, except of course, for their socially-relavent attempts their own
simple way of exercising responsible investments.
Even with these changes helping in MEcOs performance, it still needs to be
sustained by the incoming Executive Board, so how do they handle transitions? MEcO
has mentoring programs not just for potential officers, but also for student investors.
This bore fruit when MEcO had a close fight during elections. One major change in their
election format was that the member needed to have been at least a core team member
in order to be an eligible voter. The requirements for this year were heavier and the
challenge was a higher position-specific quota. Last year, there was a failure of
elections, but this year, they were able to reach their quota in three days. Once the
officers have been elected, they are exposed to what it means to be in the position
through individual consultations with the current holders of the position.
Ladores thinks he has succeeded in rebuilding the org this year, and the
numbers speak for themselves. Hes proud of the fact that lots of people not only
patronize the projects through attendance, but moreover, through volunteering. He is

also proud that MEco is forming holistic leaders and they hope to prioritize this even
further in the coming years.
Their projects were well integrated with their thrusts for the year which included
diversity. Even if someone isnt from management nor economics, they could be
interested in investing. After all, MEcOs advocacy is financial freedom for all. They may
be competitive when it comes to work, but they see to it that theres a divide between
personal life and work. In the end, what they are after is complete balance.
Ladores vision is that in five years time, the organization and most importantly,
the succeeding executive boards will be able to maintain the familial aspect and live up
to being Ateneos premier investing organization. He wishes that the organizations
members will grow, not just as leaders, but as human persons.

You might also like