Development and Business-Incubation Program Series

2007-2010

Presented by
The Association of Haitian Professionals (AHP)

The Association of Haitian Professionals

Expanding our reach and widening our influence

I. Objectives and Vision

The Association of Haitian Professionals (AHP) is launching a new Development and Business-Incubation
Program Series. The program will run over a definite period initially (one to two years) and will address
various issues of relevance related to Trade, Energy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT),
Transportation, Education, Industry, Finance and Economy, and Entrepreneurship. The content of the series
will incorporate the legal and policy, socio-political, logistical, technical/technological and financial
investment aspects of each topic discussion of the series as applicable.
The main objectives for this program are:
1. informing the AHP membership base and the general public about the facts, lessons learned and best
practices in a particular topic discussion
2. recognizing and collaborating with prominent individuals of Haitian descent who contribute
professionally, educationally and culturally in the specific topic areas represented
3. facilitating and nurturing an open business networking environment for idea dissemination and
information sharing for potential investors, business owners and entrepreneurs that could lead to the
creation and sustainability of transnational/overseas ventures (Haiti, US or elsewhere)
4. encouraging an entrepreneurship spirit within the AHP membership base, Haitian and HaitianAmerican communities for professional betterment, wealth creation and furthering US-Haiti
economic growth
5. satisfying the long-term goals for AHPs Professional/Educational Development operational sector
The series are envisioned as a stand alone program under the direction of AHPs Professional Development
Officer who will produce for each topic discussion a compilation report summarizing the outcomes of the
session and potential next steps for further discussion (e.g., related subjects on the topic). In addition, AHP
will rely on technology tools such as the World Wide Web to archive and publicize the information produced
and shared during these sessions. This approach will provide continuity and a great research repository for
future opportunities. Furthermore, the participating guest speaker(s) and audience will be afforded the
opportunity to offer suggestions and contribute to refining the program over time.
AHP considers partnerships and alliances with other organizations, business interest groups and Government
representatives (US, Haiti and elsewhere) as essential core elements to the success of this program. Doing it
alone, while an option, is not the most reliable avenue to achieve the momentum and great interest that would
result into the transnational economic and business growth between Haiti and the US. As it has done in the
past since its inception, AHP will strive to seek and invite to the series key stakeholders and interest
groups/individuals with expertise and awareness in each subject area. Their presence will provide world
knowledge and experience, and reinforce the credibility and genuineness of the issues discussed.
AHP realizes that it may face financial, logistical, and resource allocation challenges as it implements the
Development and Business-Incubation series. AHP anticipates alleviating these concerns through the
aforementioned partnerships and alliances, or through enacting admission fees to cover required expenses.

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P.O. Box 34071 Washington, DC 20043-0071
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The Association of Haitian Professionals

Expanding our reach and widening our influence

II. Proposed Format

The format for the different sessions of the Development and Business-Incubation series include but are not
limited to the following:
Panel discussion
Seminar,
One-day conference;
Demonstration sessions,
Workshops and/or
A combination of the aforementioned.
In addition, within each topic discussed the legal and policy, socio-political, logistical,
technical/technological and financial investment aspects will be reviewed and addressed as applicable.
III. Proposed Event Date and Location
The event dates and location will be determined as the program progresses.
IV. Anticipated Topics and Speakers:
The table below provides a general view of the planned topic discussions and respective guest speaker(s).
The sequence of the topic discussions will change and be updated as new information becomes available,
guest speakers and dates/times are confirmed over time.
Table I - Development and Business-Incubation Topics
Theme
Energy; Entrepreneurship

Topic
Cooking Charcoal from Agricultural Waste

Information and Communication

Technology

IT Tool for Developing Haiti Town by Town:

www.buildhaiti.com

Energy

Biofuels in Haiti: Current state, Developments

and Opportunities

US-Haiti Trade

Port of Wilmington Delaware: Potentials and

Perspectives for Transnational Commerce
Creation of a Stock Market in Haiti: Myths vs.
Realities

Economic Growth and Financial

Market

Speaker(s)
- Jules Walter (MIT
Student, US);
- Ambassador Guy
Lamothe (CFI, Haiti);
- Albert DeCady, Esq.
(HAIPA, US)
- Pierre Brunache
(Vyalex Global, US)
- TBA (USAID)
- TBA
Georges Valm
(Haitian American
Agro Industries)
TBD

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TBD

Date/Location
01/25/2008 / Howard
Univ., Washington, DC
COMPLETED

06/20/2008, 06/27/2008

TBD

The Association of Haitian Professionals

Expanding our reach and widening our influence

Theme
Information and Communication
Technology; Entrepreneurship
Apparel Industry
Furniture Industry
Economic Growth and Financial
Access
Economic Growth and
Development
Education and Training
US-Haiti Trade

Topic
Nurturing Youth Entrepreneurship within Haitian
Families
Growing and Organizing the market for Haitianmade sandals
Showcasing Bamboo Furniture from Haiti
Community Banking and Credit Union for
Haitian Communities Overseas
Strategies for Turning Remittances into
Development/Investment Opportunities
Turning Haitis Vast Human Resources into
Skilled and Professional Labor Force
Offshore Opportunities beyond/outside of the
HOPE Act

Speaker(s)
TBD

Date/Location

TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD

V. Audience
The audience targeted for this series includes but is not limited to:
AHP dues-paying members
Haitian/Haitian-American Individuals, Professionals and Communities in the Washington metropolitan
area
Haitian and Haitian-American business interest groups
Local US and other potential investors/business groups
Special interest groups and other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
VI. Benefits and Opportunities
Various benefits and opportunities emerge from delivering the Development and Business-Incubation series.
The potential benefits include, but are not limited to:
Disseminating information and educating the general public on current development/business topics
pertinent to Haiti
Creating an environment to reach a wider and multi-disciplinary audience (Haitian and non-Haitian)
and to foster community participation
Providing a framework for brainstorming innovative solutions and new/fresh ideas relevant to the
sectors of interest
Forging links with/between non-profit organizations to sponsor initiatives, conferences, and
community programs that support the Haitian communities and its causes
Many opportunities can be derived as well including, but not limited to:
Increasing investment and business interests towards Haiti
Establishing a conducive atmosphere for networking and building joint ventures for potential
economic growth and development, and business development (between Haiti and US).

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P.O. Box 34071 Washington, D.C 20043-0071
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The Association of Haitian Professionals

Expanding our reach and widening our influence

Encouraging teamwork between organizations with the intent of accomplishing mutually beneficial
goals, which otherwise would be less sustainable and effective for each organization to achieve alone

VII. Profile of Requirements for Sponsorships and Partnerships/Alliances

As it pursues further planning and the implementation of the series, AHP seeks business and/or individual
sponsors for specific segments of the Development and Business-Incubation Series. Financial or in-kind
contributions are welcomed and will offer the sponsors: 1) an opportunity to assist in the development of this
program and 2) have a voice in the success of the series and the growth of our organization. The
corporations, through AHP will contribute to making a positive impact and remaining active within the
Haitian Communities (in Haiti and abroad). The business or individual sponsorship will promote a
company's presence or an individuals acknowledgment at the series.
Furthermore, AHP considers forging partnerships and alliances as another means to achieve the delivery and
successful execution of this Development and Business-Incubation Series. A partner under the auspices of
this program should be an entity or individual that can contribute further to the conceptualization, planning,
delivery and execution of the different sessions for the series in terms of finances, resources, know-how or
logistics or all of the aforementioned.
VIII. Summary and Next Steps
The Development and Business-Incubation Series, spearheaded by AHP, will provide a platform to discuss
issues that initiate projects with concrete outcomes that will lead to potential economic growth,
entrepreneurship and business development in Haiti and the US. While AHP does not hold any exclusivity to
the program, however, as the initiating organization, it will use this program to reinforce the
Professional/Educational Development goals established in its mission and to recruit potential new duespaying members.
Some of the next steps beyond the conceptualization phase of the program are as follows, in no specific order
of priority:
Reach out to potential partnering government representatives, organizations and individuals
Hold preliminary contact and discussions with guest speaker(s)
Identify regular locations and initial funding to hold the planned event sessions
Determine key stakeholders to invite to participate
IX. Non-disclosure Statement
This is an AHP proprietary (internal) document. Access to this document implies that you agree to retain and
use this information within the framework of the organization and its partners, and not to disseminate to
outsiders that are not directly participating in the endeavor.

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P.O. Box 34071 Washington, D.C 20043-0071
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The Association of Haitian Professionals

Expanding our reach and widening our influence

X.

AHP Background Information

Mission Statement
The Association of Haitian Professionals (AHP), a 501c(6) DC nonprofit corporation, promotes the
professional development, educational advancement, and socio-economic enhancement of people of Haitian
descent. By expanding the reach and widening the influence of Haitian professionals, AHP seeks to reverse the
effects of intellectual dispersion, community and cultural deterioration, and economic disempowerment by
fostering a commitment to community service, increasing educational opportunities, and encouraging
knowledge- and skills-sharing throughout the Haitian community.
Objectives
As a non-profit entity dedicated to community improvement, the objectives of the AHP are as follows:
To coordinate professional development opportunities for people of Haitian descent;
To support the development of educational, leadership, and scholarship opportunities for students of
Haitian descent;
To promote result-oriented positive intellectual and social discourse pertinent to Haiti and its people;
To educate the public on the history, art, music, culture and language of Haiti; and
To become an inspirational source of exceptional team culture for people of Haitian descent.
Methodology
To achieve these goals, AHP seeks to enrich the lives of its members and the Haitian community by:
(1) Organizing professional development programs, networking functions, discussion groups, and other forums
to facilitate the exchange of ideas, information and skills amongst its members, Haitian communities
worldwide, and the public at-large;
(2) Establishing and coordinating mentoring opportunities, educational scholarships, and tutoring programs for
students of Haitian descent;
(3) Providing access to Haitian cultural and social activities by sponsoring partnerships with Haitian and other
cultural organizations;
(4) Publishing information related to issues affecting Haitians in the U.S. and abroad;
(5) Sponsoring fundraising activities, which support both local and global initiatives to meet the underserved
needs of Haitian communities worldwide; and
(6) Recognizing and collaborating with prominent individuals of Haitian descent who contribute professionally,
educationally, and culturally to the world;

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The Association of Haitian Professionals

Expanding our reach and widening our influence

Vision
Our vision within the next five (5) years is for AHP to become a professional resource and reference
organization for the Haitian community. By bringing together the strongest elements of any successful
community, AHP can transform initiatives that begin at the grass-root level into broad, progressive movements
that improve and strengthen the Haitian communities, organizations, and individuals we touch.
Core Values
Every committed organization must have a set of core values, which drive its membership and underscore its
organizational goals. AHP has five (5) core values, which we affectionately term the P.R.I.C.E. model. In
our view, this model encompasses the most fundamental reasons for AHPs existence now and into the future.
The P.R.I.C.E model core values are:
Professionalism
Responsibility
Innovation
Compassion
Empowerment
Professionalism Proper conduct and attitude are the hallmarks of success. Even though individual success is
noteworthy, we understand that the success of the overall community is the benchmark by which leaders are
judged. AHP is committed to expanding opportunities to develop successful habits through a professional team
culture that emphasizes mentorship, networking and professional development.
Responsibility Every person has a role to play in maintaining the community. Each person that is given
responsibility within the community becomes a stakeholder in that community. As professionals, we have a
moral responsibility to ensure the well-being of others and apply our knowledge in ways that benefit society.
Innovation Innovation is the mechanism by which AHP will both position and differentiate itself within the
community. AHP exists in part because the Haitian community deserves a new way of conceiving and
implementing ideas that are supportive of the goals of Haitian people regardless of social status, income, or
location. By consistently forging new paths towards consensus and cooperation, and encouraging the diverse
strengths and resources of each to shine through for the benefit of the whole, AHP aims for its ideas to be
adopted as normal behavioral patterns into the Haitian community.
Compassion Compassion is the driving force behind AHP. AHP was founded so that professionals could
have a venue for effectively directing and coordinating charitable efforts in the form of training, mentoring,
activism, community service, or fundraising initiatives to support those in need.
Empowerment Empowerment is the ultimate form of inclusion. AHP seeks to empower both individuals and
communities to achieve higher education, economic independence, fiscal sustainability, personal and
community responsibility, cultural expression, and the desire to live free from discrimination, crime, poverty,
and community deterioration. AHPs access to professionals in every field of endeavor will help us in our effort

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The Association of Haitian Professionals

Expanding our reach and widening our influence

to lower and eventually remove the barriers to entry and success for people of Haitian descent.
Philosophy
We are professionals by our unwavering pursuit of knowledge and mastery of our craft.
We are professionals because we strive for excellence and the fullest realization of our potential for the benefit
of our families, community and profession.
We are professionals through our courteous, conscientious and respectful interactions with others.

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