Human resource crisis as most pan people are incompetent and dishonest. True or False?
By Aquil Arrindell
It may seem that there are very few people within the pan fraternity that can bring credibility and professionalism to the organization, but that is less than true. One of the fraternity’s young regional executive members in anticipation of an early election this year, summoned a meeting with some of the fraternity’s finest youths. His intention was to gather some of the youths that are qualified and accomplished within the pan fraternity, to get them to offer themselves for the upcoming election. People involved had PHD’s, had titles under their belts as arrangers and band leaders in different categories, including the large band category. The pedigree of youths was so high, I myself did not get an invitation. However, after the first meeting there was not a second. Why?
In my short stint as education officer, I made several attempts to convince my fellow university graduates and my co-workers at the Ministry of Education to join with me, to create some structure toward our music education system. This would influence the way we educate the pan community in both the informal setting of the pan yard and the formal setting such as the schools. These people are also relatively young people, but hold important jobs which they ascended to using the steel pan as they main instrument e.g. conductor and bandleader of a national symphony, curriculum development officer in the ministry of education, music teacher in some prestigious schools at both primary and secondary level. All of whom are holders of one or two Bachelor’s degrees or Masters or PHD’s. There were also one or two persons who had already done research in the field that I was asking them to be a part of. All of those I approached wished me the best in my endeavours. They committed to help but none wanted to be on any committee that bore the name Pan Trinbago. Why?
Pan Trinbago has a culture of attracting deceitful, untrustworthy, dishonest and incompetent people to central executive positions for a long time now. People who are not of that ilk, either resign if they were elected into office or, serve one term and distance themselves from the organization. UWI, Costatt and UTT all have degree programs using pan as the main instrument. However, graduates are refusing to be a part of Pan Trinbago. UWI has its degree program in existence for over two decades now and 99% of them, other than to judge a competition, would not get involved for fear of getting their name tarnished at some point or other whilst lending their skills to the organization. We also have the doctors, lawyers, politician etc. who also play the instrument and have the same concerns.
There are too, the detractors. Youths who do ascend to some sort of leadership position are being ridiculed, embarrassed, frowned upon for whatever shortcomings they may have. Instead of magnifying their strengths whilst trying to help eradicate their weaknesses, some people do the opposite. These people lack self confidence and are usually underachievers. Sadly, for them to feel superior they need to make others feel inferior. This is not only a pan fraternity problem but it has affected our organization to the point that only about 5% of band leaders that attend PT meetings are less than 50 years old.
There is no doubt that a group of young Pan People who worked hard for their BAs, degrees, Masters, PhD’s or some sort of higher education are not willing to risk their names being tarnished on account of Pan Trinbago, and rightfully so. People like them, are not people who are dependent on the organization for a pay day. Therefore, they view executive positions at Pan Trinbago as charity work. Their experiences serving at Pan Trinbago should at least add value to their already impressive resumes, however, the reality is to the contrary. That being said, we must recognize the youths who, at that level, offer themselves at some point despite Pan Trinbago’s unattractiveness. Youths such as Carlon Harewood, Marcus Ash, Keron Valentine, Khion De las, Makesi Josephs, Salisha James, Brian Thomas, Avis Bruce-Brown, Aquil Arrindell and others. Thank you all and I do hope we all continue to offer our services at all future elections.
We must change Pan Trinbago’s culture and finds ways to develop and encourage people who can do the work efficiently. Some have said that the Pan Yard is the greatest University of them all and if you pass the test there as a band leader you can be a leader at all levels. Therefore, band leaders, identify young leaders who are honest, hardworking and fair. Groom them by example; bring them to Pan Trinbago meetings and teach them the politics within the movement. We need succession planning from our Pan Yard university practitioners because we can no longer do the same and expect a different result.
Happy Father’s Day to all and it looks like Spain will win this World Cup.
Aquil Arrindell
Competence is among us.
Replies
Nearly all the observation are true.....
Mr. Tones.....Mr. Scoon...... Mr. josephs. their observation are the reality of our situation.
That is why when we find the youths who are willing to make the sacrifice we must encourage them.
i spoke to a youth tonight who told me he left his band after the band leader created a committee, which was made up of mainly youths, and mash it up after one or two mistakes was made. The young man was so discourage, he left his band.
I am hopeful that with in the next week i can make an intervention to put them back on the right track.
So there are youths that are willing but sometime the insecurity of the elders drive them away.
Well well...There you have it...
Aquil: Yuh eh even call meh name to give me ah LIL RECOGNITION .., yuh call SCOON and MTB and GLENROY.
And I have the most GLOBALLY INSIGHTFUL FLOWCHART to take the INSTRUMENT and the MUSIC around THE WORLD.
Ah tell yuh: Ah EXPAT is WITHOUT honour in TRUMP and ROWLEY COUNTRY!!!
My humble apology Mr. Claude.
All credit to the man that keeps this forum alive so that we can convene and share ideas at our convenience.
Mr. Claude I know most take what you do for granted, but not me. Thanks for your commitment.
Mr. Claude I hear Photo going to pull a Kublalsimgh on we......
You always told that me these are desperate men and i can't compete with that level of desperation. lol
mr Claude, i tell you about the Kublalsingh act.
Aquil: DOH PLAY SAILOR and FRAID POWDER, YUH KNOW!!!
Yuh drop yuh HOT TOPIC and now when MAN DECIDE TO ENGAGE YUH -- yuh gone AWOL!!!
Bring GREGORY and OSWALD and DANE to SUPPORT YUH!!!
Dear Aquil, the fundamental question is:
Change PanTrinbago culture or change from PanTrinbago?
PanTrinbago is the result of such a revolutionary change in the 1970s when new leaders realised that the old National Association had outlived its usefulness. Some of those who led that change are still around.
The young leaders need to disregard the dollar subventions that keep the movement tethered to handouts from whatever government that is in power. and put their trained minds and energies to rethinking the objectives, the form and the future management of PAN the movement in T&T.
Mr. Scoon .....
Change PanTrinbago culture or change from PanTrinbago?
million dollor question?
Interesting premise, Mr. Scoon: That the young leaders with their trained minds and energies have developed beyond the GIMME GIMME SYNDROME.
Personally, I would like to see a little bit of EVIDENCE!!!
They have not Claude. None of them realize that Pan is theirs to guide and protect hence their continued reliance on "ole people" to lead them. Very few young panmen/women are interested in anything but their personal welfare... In other words, what pan could put in dey pocket...full stop. Little do they know that the rules for maintaining a successful steel orchestra have not changed. People have to be prepared to learn to do the work...Even if it means dealing with personal or even financial sacrifice. I could tell yuh for free...Young people not interested in managing individual steelbands, yuh think they have any business in running Pan Trinbago...by any name?
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