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PRO Fails in His Attempt to Defend the Pan Trinbago Oligarchy Against Charges of Corruption

By LuvMehPan

[This is a review and critique of “Pan Trinbago Defends Itself Against Charges of Corruption,” by Michael Joseph, PRO of Pan Trinbago, published on When Steel Talks]:

http://www.panonthenet.com/news/2017/jan/pan-trinbago-strikes-back-...

At the onset I should indicate that I have known Mr. Michael Joseph for some time, but mostly at a distance. I have admired the work he has done over the years with Southern Marines. One of the things we have in common is a grassroots perspective on the steelband movement. Simply put, pan evolved in response to the social conditions affecting the “lower-class” who therefore should remain the custodians and the main beneficiaries of its development and expansion.

I have also observed him over the years as a member of the Pan Trinbago Oligarchy, a fitting characterization of leadership of the steelband movement as suggested by their practices and policies over the past 35-40 years. I should also acknowledge the many accomplishments of Pan Trinbago, especially those related to young pannists, such as the Pan in Schools Program which prepares them for careers in the steelpan industry and other areas of cultural and festival arts. But overall, their operations have been mired in controversy.  Questions about transparency, accountability, financial management capability and, in many cases, experience and expertise to manage a critical emerging industry have been raised about the organization’s leadership. These are just some of the issues which have impeded the forward progress of the steelband movement in the “Post-Goddard” years.

Mr. Joseph should be complimented on responding in defense of the Pan Trinbago officials against whom charges of corruption have been made. After all, he is fulfilling the mandate of his job as the Public Relations Officer by presenting a positive image of the organization. Additionally, he has been a main figure in the steelband movement for many years and therefore should be privy to its inner workings. There were many factual statements in his response, with those I concur; however, I take issue with several points he made.

A “clear history of the evolution of the Steelpan”

First, let me indicate that I have reasonably “clear history of the evolution of the Steelpan.” I have a good understanding of the steelband movement because I have made the study of the steelpan from its origins to today my lifelong work. More importantly, I have been directly involved with the steelband movement since the early 1970s, when I served as a member of the Executive Committee of a top steelband in Trinidad and Tobago.  Additionally, I have been the director of a steelband in the US for over 30 years. This gives me a broad perspective on the steelband movement. From the mid-1990s I started formerly applying social science tools of analysis to researching, dabbling in theory and offering rational suggestions to steelband administrators. I have organized symposia, presented papers at conferences, and engaged other activities directed to contribute to the maximizing of the economic benefits that accrue to pan players.

In April 1997, for example, at the “Steelband Experience: A Pan Trinbago Symposium,” held at La Joya, in St. Joseph, I challenged the orthodoxy that steelband administrators have an inherent right to manage the finances of steelbands to their benefit and without much accountability to pan players. That belief is based on the administrators being the ones who did all the year round work to keep the band solvent.

Some steelband managers present at that symposium were advocates of that perspective. (The T&T Broadcasting Company has the audio recording of that conference.) And, true to form, many steelband administrators, leaders, managers, captains, etc., have made a living (and a good one at that), essentially skimming of the top of their band’s finances, at the expense of the pan players. Similarly, at the national executive and regional chairmanship levels, the benefits and perks received by Pan Trinbago far outstrip the income received by even the best “crack-shot” pannist.

 

Why is Pan Trinbago “fighting for its survival . . .”?

I agree with Mr. Joseph that Pan Trinbago (and its precursor organizations) is indeed one of the oldest grassroots organizations in Trinidad and Tobago. The question is why at this juncture “it is fighting for its survival in the space and the arena that it struggled long and hard to establish and maintain for over sixty years.”

Mr. Joseph indicated that “Pan Trinbago produces an audited financial statement annually to NCC, the Minister and the Permanent Secretary, unlike most other entities across this nation.” That is indeed true.  But questions should be raised, and have often been raised, regarding the contents of those statements.  

 “audited financial statements”

Correct me if I am wrong. These “audited financial statements” are included in Pan Trinbago’s report which is presented at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). That report is the basis of decision-making which results, for example as with the 2015 AGM, in the election of officers for the organization. My understanding is that these reports are made available to delegates on the morning of the AGM. Why can’t these reports be made available say, a month before the AGM, so that they can be read, understood, and discussed within individual steelbands, thereby enabling delegates at the AGM to make rational decisions on their band’s behalf? Without some knowledge of accounting, which could be true in the case of some delegates, it may be necessary to get an accountant to explain the financial statements in the reports. Further, as in the 2015 report, critical financial information was missing. That needs to be changed.

I have reviewed several of these “audited financial statements” and my first take is that the auditors themselves need to be audited. For example, the following two phrases recur in each of these audited statements qualifying sections that should be called into question. The first statement which should be subject to scrutiny is the following:

“In common with many non-profit organizations, Pan Trinbago reports gate receipts and donations which are not susceptible to verification by audit practices,”  (Pan Trinbago Convention Reports.) 

Gate receipts and donations are two main sources of Pan Trinbago’s income outside of the subvention from government. Why are these not susceptible to certification? There are multiple computer software and programs with which accounting for tickets sales can be properly accomplished. Every PC should have Microsoft Excel. No software is needed to add up and report donations!

https://whensteeltalks.ning.com/profiles/blogs/pro-fails-in-his-attempt-to-defend-the-pan-trinbago-oligarchy-aga

 

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  • The Constitution needs updating a complete revision.

    Here’s a problem I have interpreting, isn’t the President an Officer?

    http://www.pantrinbago.co.tt/Overview/The-Constitution

    ARTICLE 13 – DISCIPLINE

    DISCIPLINE OF OFFICERS

    A. OFFENCES

    1. Offences for which an Officer of the Association may be tried are as follows:-
      1. Repeated failure to abide by the provisions of this Constitution or any other written laws of the Association.
      2. Espousing doctrines repugnant to the principles, aims and objectives of the Association.
      3. Misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance in office.
      4. Personal Misconduct such as to bring the Association into disrepute.
      5. Conduct unbecoming of an Officer
      6. Misappropriation or misuse of funds of the Association.
      7. Abuse of powers and prerogatives of an Officer.
      8. Willfully failing or refusing to use means at his disposal to protect the property, rights and interests of the Association

    B. PROCEDURES FOR TRIAL

    1. The President shall appoint a sub-committee of not less than three (3) persons to examine the facts and ascertain whether there is any merit in the allegation.

    Any sentence imposed by the Central Executive Committee may be suspended where in the opinion of the President it is just and expedient to do so?

    How can the President appoint a sub-committee or suspend a sentence if he is the guilty party?  This reminds me of Spoiler Calypso “Magistrate Try Himself.”

     

     

  • World Governing for Pan....No phone Service.....No good...

    Great Discourse..Hmph.....Trouble for those people ..robbing and looting de treasury...eating ah food,..

    Thanks  for the perspective....

  • All very good questions, Russell Providence,.deserving of honest answers.question for you

    May I have your permission to direct via email to the auditor specific at Ernest Young to highlight these observations,,along with others for the audit now being conducted at 14 - 17 Park Street..

    please advise.....many many thanks

  • The Constitution of PanTrinbago Inc.

    ARTICLE 11. FINANCE

    1. The Association shall maintain a system of financial accounting conducive to its programmes and activities and shall have the right and power to raise funds for its programmes and activities.

    Is the association here interpreted to mean the executive? Does the association as a body exercise its right as vested in the constitution to determine what system of financial accounting would be in the best interest of the general membership to ensure transparency and accountability at all times?

    2. The Treasurer shall have responsibility for the overall financial accounting system of the Association but shall be subject to the authority of the President who shall have the power to supervise and give directives for the proper functioning of the same.

    How does this clause lend to accountability? Is this clause acceptable to the general membership? Has any member ever moved a motion to amend this clause in the interest of transparency and accountability?

    3.  The accounts of the Association shall be audited annually by such Auditor or Auditors for the time being of the Association as have been appointed by the General Body at the Annual General Meeting.

    Does the General Body at the Annual General Meeting actually determine who audits the accounts of Pan Trinbago? Is the general membership aware of their right as vested in this clause of the constitution? Does the general membership demand enforcement of this clause enshrined in the constitution?

  • “In common with many non-profit organizations, Pan Trinbago reports gate receipts and donations which are not susceptible to verification by audit practices,” What does the law of the land require? Is it absolutely necessary from a legal standpoint? What are the measures that are to be taken to reverse this trend? These are some of the issues that I would be inclined to suggest must be addressed. Is it that Gate receipts and donations, two main sources of Pan Trinbago’s income outside of the subvention from government are not susceptible to certification because legally it is not required? I believe that this issue may transcend the authority of the pan movement and may quite likely require legislative amendment at a national level. Considering the proliferation of NGOs in Trinidad and Tobago, and the fact that there are many legislators past and present with vested interests in NGOs, is there any willingness on the part of our legislative bodies to demand more transparency and accountability from NGOs by aggressively introducing the debate at a national level in an effort to have the necessary laws enacted? We may need to look at the unwillingness of successive governments, and by extension legislators who have advocated campaign finance reform as it relates to the source of income of political parties, and the procurement process by which taxpayer dollars are disbursed for the purchase of goods and services, and for infrastructural development and do nothing about it. These conversations can be compared to the recurring decimal, as they keep coming up again and again, and while numerous opportunities become available nothing is done. I suspect it has to do with a culture of corruption where loopholes are created for manipulation of the system, without any intention of ever plugging them by those with the authority to do so, although firmly holding the plugs in their hands. Having said that, what may also be required is constitutional reform, and considering who the authorizers of that mandate are, and the manner in which that body is constituted, the challenges associated with realizing that goal may be herculean.

  • I think that all the PAN LOVERS on this FORUM should really follow and study this discussion. Because it replays itself (subliminally) in so many other discussions.

    Sherman: I want to buy a copy of your book and I want you to autograph it before you send it to me.

    Here is my email address (realtyeyes@hotmail.com) we can work out the payment and shipping!!!

    Claude

  • Hi Sherman.... So sorry to disappoint you.... but the men of whom you refer were Pan Trinbago then.... They were the pilots, and they were on the executive on the genesis of that pan in schools idea. Since the head office was on Queen Street POS.

    • Thanks 4 your update Carlyle, but b 4 Pan In Schools there was Schools' Steelband Festival, when certain bands adopted a school. Invaders had Woodtrin,Pamberi had the Bourg Malatresse school and so on. that is the time u are alluding 2. After that Belgrave & Sullivan opposed the leadership and were sidelined. Then the Pan In Schools Co-ordinating Council was formed & these guys being teachers got most of the schools 2 come on board and they ran the schools' pan festival and brought the Education ministry into the loop. This is when pan in schools took off and the ministry formed the Pan In Schools Unit and started to place pans in schools. Subsequent 2 that the Creative Arts Centre at UWI started training personnel to teach in the schools. I could go on but I think this is enough. I was teaching pan in 9 different schools at that time some had no pans and I had 2 carry mine. No one from Pan Trinbago was involved at that time. All the meetings were chaired by Teddy, Andre & Pat.

  • Good point Sherman. Don't give Pan Trinbago undeserved credit.  The PRO is still ranting and raving in PT's defense.

    Any new publications?? We need to vibe.

  • Very good discourse. However I believe that Pan In Schools was started by the Pan In Schools Co-ordinating Council headed by Teddy Belgrave, Andre Moses, Nestor Sullivan and others , not by Pan Trinbago.Pan Trinbago came on board when it was realised  that it was becoming successful. They also organized the schools Steelband Festival. The Education Ministry got involved afterward and set up the Pan In Schools unit. While all this was happening Teddy and Nestor were persona non grata at Pan Trinbago. Don't give Pan Trinbago credit for their work.

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