If Keith Diaz is not the BEST POLITICIAN IN THE WORLD -- I don't know who is. Allyuh really think that meeting coming up in 20 days? With Christmas right around the corner and PANORAMA PRELIMINARIES starting as early as January 4th -- all Keith Diaz has to do is to blur some lines and the next thing you know this meeting is taking place on Christmas Eve Day and everybody too busy to attend.
Keith Diaz TIME THE MEETING LAST SUNDAY to RUN OUT OF TIME. If that is not brilliant politics -- I don't know what it is.
But I have to give credit to THE CIP in the middle of all this KEITH DIAZ chicanery. The one thing they did was to keep the $500 short pay issue on the front burner because that MONEY ISSUE is a big thorn in everybody's side. Coincidentally, I sent a letter to Rowley on September 11th asking him to pay the PAN MEN the rest of their money, giving him a deadline of October 31st without thinking about the AGM being held around the time of the month. The next thing I know is that Rowley send two spies to monitor my postings on this forum. So, clearly, the $500 short change of the PAN MEN is on everybody's mind because it was an injustice that is making the PERPS and the VICTIMS lose sleep.
The CIP should make that SHORT PAY the CHORUS in their attacks on Keith Diaz because he has no MONEY TO PAY and the HOPE of getting the $500 will keep the PASSION glowing and growing and bring more PAN PLAYERS under the CIP FLAG. And the cries could get LOUD ENOUGH to force Rowley and Dolly to come up with the money and finish paying the PAN MEN even though they (these two Ministers) are in a really bad financial position right now having to borrow money from foreign banks to pay civil servants their monthly salaries. But what is an extra FOUR MILLION to pay off the PAN MEN in the BIG DEBT PICTURE?
This is your BIG CHANCE Gregory Lindsay. The CIP is getting all kind of MEDIA SUPPORT. You guys have to FINISH THIS JOB -- PRONTO!!!!
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There are a multiplicity of small steel bands in all categories that have adopted the same dictatorial approach in the running of their organizations not dissimilar to the approach this Pantrinbago regime has adopted, where mention of, or questions on accountability and transparency is outlawed, where a total lack of democracy and other behavioral patterns may be responsible for their dormancy. If someone, or a group of people believe that, and act like they own something, then they have taken upon themselves the responsibility of maintaining it. It would not be surprising if the current executive is able to cling to power for some time still based on the number of votes that they can still command. What is the course that the CIP have charted for the steel band movement? Do they possess the capacity to steer the movement through these turbulent waters? Is $500 or $1000 their only trump card? Is Panorama their only goal or is their vision focused beyond the horizon? There are many more questions that can be asked. However, I believe that it is not inconsiderate to suggest that the time has come for the steel band movement, a $B global industry, to consider becoming a public company, where member organizations would become initial shareholders, shares based on the value they bring to the overall product. They would be required to up their game in an effort to determine the dividends they receive from the marketable products available for trading on the world stage. Enough data is available from research providing the organization a platform to build on. The business venture in Nigeria that Diaz embarked on may not necessarily be a bad idea, although it may not have been conceived and executed in the best way., and in the best interest of the movement There is much more that I can add and contribute to the topic for discussion as the way forward in breaking loose from dependence on an annual government subvention. Someone, some group of people must begin to think outside of the box, someone has to make the first move if the steel band movement is not to remain dormant, and I dare say sterile if the current mindset is not abandoned.
read our a to z document. Mr claud say it to long but there is a lot to be done so it have to be.
Having read the CIP's A-Z suggestions, I have found it to be an interesting document. However, it may need some adjustments (which is understandable) in its effort to take the movement forward. I deliberately chose not to immediately respond, and would also deliberately refrain from offering suggestions, as I believe that persons who are serious about, and have a vested interest in investing their time and effort in taking the movement forward should be given the opportunity to articulate their views and Ideas. I honestly believe that there are numerous opportunities available to panmen to reduce the movement's dependence on an annual government subvention, but as Claude Gonzales has always pointed out, the sitting president is unquestionably one of the greatest politicians to have run for, and held office, and it may require much more than a literary initiative to unseat him and the secretary for life. I take my hats off to them in that regard.
Russell: THE LOCALS cannot see "beyond the TRINIDAD HORIZON" but when it comes to PAN they somehow feel that they are sitting in a satellite OVERLOOKING THE WORLD OF PAN.
And as you well know, people seldom abandon mindsets; they usually take them to their grave.
Please feel free to add and contribute to the topic for discussion as the way forward in breaking loose from the dependence on an annual government subvention.
Who knows? Yours is the voice that might penetrate the DORMANCY!!!
Mine is just a voice crying in the wilderness, the opinion of an onlooker entertained by the circus, its ringleaders and performers. I strongly suspect that the Big 5 initiative may quite likely be the catalyst that could transform the culture of the art form from what appears to be perpetual dependence. Is it practical for all steel bands to be continuously viable in an economic context within their comfort zones with its limits and challenges? The answer to that may quite likely be no, as in an environment saturated with a proliferation of the same product, the competition generated may only be able to ensure that the most competitive, the most innovative, the most consistent, the best marketed product survives comfortably, comfortably here being the key word. The authorities have been publicizing the current cruise ship season (northern hemisphere winter I presume) as one of the most active, how many steel bands are prepared, and would be capitalizing on the opportunities that may be available? How are the opportunities that may become available structured to ensure equity and profitability? How closely do the ministries of tourism, culture and trade collaborate in an effort to raise, promote and monetize the product, and the standard of the product that is pan? What policy and mechanism does the world governing body have in place for equitable distribution among its shareholders, its membership? Are steel bands tooled to maximize the opportunities that may be available? How are bands structuring their organizations, preparing their memberships to take advantage of the opportunities for growth and development that exists in a global village? What methods are are being used to identify the potential that exists? Enough said and asked for now, I would sincerely hope that the A - Z document to which the gentleman refers would have captured the essence of substantially more of what I have set out for consideration.
DRAFT DOCUMENT
If we can find a-z+ problems in Pan Trinbago, we can find a-z+ solutions
Concerned Individuals for Pan has a document which proposes 68 suggestions on improving the system which Pan Trinbago operates under. These suggestions are categorised by topic such as STRUCTURE, POLICIES, BUSINESS, INTRENATIONAL TRADE, EDUCATION, PANYARD DEVELOPMENT and EVENTS. We would like your input. Be sure to make suggestions and offer constructive criticisms.
This is an extract of the document.
Structure of Organization:-
a. Separation of responsibilities. Executives must not hold administrative positions. E.g.
No more President /C.E.O.
No more Secretary / Office Manager etc.
No more Vice President / Events Manager etc.
b. Administrative arm (C.E.O, Officer Manager, Events Manager etc.) must have qualifications /experience and will be on short-term contracts. These contracts would only be renewed on a result-based assessment.
c. The executive would act only as the Board of Directors, charting the way forward with futuristic planning. The execution of these plans would be the responsibility of the C.E.O. and his team.
d. A team willing to volunteer their expertise/advice to the executive would be created. E.g. (business men, lawyers, economists, educators, politicians etc.)
e. Constitutional reform.
f. Recognize the pan players and represent their needs as an item in the constitution or by-laws.
Policies on Accountability, Transparency and Efficiency: -
f. Maximize efficiency throughout departments.
E.g. Departments must be created, equipped, staffed and have an annual budgetary allocation. E.g. Public Relations department, External Relations department, Education department etc. This system would ensure that elected officers have all the support needed to accomplish their objectives, does not exceed Pan Trinbago’s budget and it would be easier to assess the elected officers’ performance or lack thereof.
g. Maximize efficiency through communication e.g. using electronic media to get information to bands in a timely manner.
h. Efficient Secretariat.
i. Minutes, agenda and financial reports circulated one week before meeting.
j. Minutes and Financial Reports should also be circulated to Zonal Chairman.
k. Correspondence must be promptly addressed and feedback provided to sender at meetings.
l. President must have a recommended ceiling figure he may approve for payment. Any amount above this must be approved by the board.
m. Salaries, stipends, bonuses and honorariums must be approved by the board and they must inform the membership of these figures prior to payment.
n. All contracts should be approved by the board and any contract which is signed without a board decision will not be binding. Members must be informed of the contractual arrangements and the figures of the contract prior to execution.
o. Mechanisms must be put in place to measure individuals’ performances both in the executive and administrative departments of the organization.
p. Written commitment from Government sponsored shows or competitions prior to hosting.
q. There must be a maximum financial cut off on items purchased for the organization by the President/Treasurer/C.E.O. Items above this range must go to the Executive for approval. E.g. A minimum of three quotes from various suppliers must be supplied, prior to discussion/consideration or approval.
r. Constringent policies for rental of commodities/vehicles on behalf of the organization e.g. Approval by the board of any item to be rented must be given prior.
s. Member bands must be awarded first preference on contracts within the organization, as opposed to external organisations. e.g. Millions of dollars in contracts on the Greens by none entity of the Steel band movement.
t. Selection of Bands for tours e.g.
To create a list of bands on our website for selection for International tours. All bands listed would be eligible and selection would be based on availability and succession i.e. bands would each have a turn at selection. The bands would know when it is time to get themselves prepared. This process would alleviate biasness and would not allow executive members to have their bands alone selected for tours.
u. Selection of bands for Pan Trinbago shows during the year e.g.
Creating a list of bands on our website for Pan Trinbago shows during the year. All bands listed would be eligible and selection would be based on availability and succession i.e. bands would each have a turn at selection. The bands would know when is time to get them selves prepared. This process would alleviate biasness and would not allow executive members to have their bands alone selected for these gigs.
v. Selection of judges for International duties e.g.
Create a list of viable judges on our website for selection for International duties. All judges listed would be eligible and selection would be based on availability and succession i.e. This would alleviate biasness and would not make it seem that the President and certain members of the Executive giving the judges a favour. A favour which then makes the judges compelled to give these executive members bands high points in Panorama in order to be selected for international duties again.
Document of Concerned Individuals for Pan
Suggestion to improve the document would be accepted, deliberated and possibly incorporated.
Be apart of the solution not the problem.
Correction on the A to Z solution document.
Administrative staff changed to administrative arm and will now read as:-
b. Administrative arm (C.E.O, Officer Manager, Events Manager etc.) must have qualifications /experience and will be on short-term contracts. These contracts would only be renewed on a result-based assessment.
Dear Mr Gonzales, having read the CIP's A-Z suggestions, I have found it to be an interesting document. However, it may need some adjustments (which is understandable) in its effort to take the movement forward. I deliberately chose not to immediately respond, and would also deliberately refrain from offering suggestions, as I believe that persons who are serious about, and have a vested interest in investing their time and effort in taking the movement forward should be given the opportunity to articulate their views and Ideas. I honestly believe that there are numerous opportunities available to panmen to reduce the movement's dependence on an annual government subvention, but as you have always pointed out, the sitting president is unquestionably one of the greatest politicians to have run for, and held office, and it may require much more than a literary initiative to unseat him and the secretary for life. I take my hats off to them in that regard.
Mr Diaz strategy is to create chaos which he uses as a smoke screen to buy time.
Let's hope that PT do not get any Panorama 2018 monies from Dolly. Otherwise, most, if not all, of this will probably go missing and, once again, the pan men will be scrunting!
Claude, I totally agree. PT are going to use delaying tactics and before you know it, we have Christmas, then the New Year and then preliminaries taking place so it will be too late to boycott Panorama!!