Concerned Individuals for Pan (CIP) President?
By Aquil Arrindell
There is constant pressure on our group to offer an alternative president and executive for Pan Trinbago. Some argue that the CIP is demanding this executive gone but we are not offering a replacement.
The election time culture of Pan Trinbago has always been to attack the incumbent with smear campaigns in an effort to gather votes by an alternative president and slate. So it is a bit confusing to our membership that we are not offering a president or slate. It is imperative at this time to do things differently. We cannot do things the same and expect different results. We, the CIP, are not and would not be a part of any smear campaign. For the past three weeks we have simply been magnifying the information that is already out in the public via TV 6 news with Mark Bassant’s investigative journalism and other reports. We are not getting straight answers on these matters, so we are led to believe that all that has been said on the TV 6 news is true.
We also believe that just offering a candidate and saying vote for them is part of the reason we are facing this catastrophe today and it should be our very last option. Every member has the right to seek office and we intend to support that right. It is the responsibility of our membership to get information on their candidates, their policies, their qualifications/experience and most importantly, the state of their bands. All of these things would give an indication of good governance. We hope to give opinions and information on future candidates to help our membership make informed decisions.
The CIP is an advocate group. The watch dogs for pan; the opposition; the general council. We have no address because we reside in all the pan yards of this country. We have no official leader, secretary, PRO etc. because we all fulfil these roles. We are not registered because we are already registered with a group called Pan Trinbago and as MEMBERS of PAN TRINBAGO, according to our constitution, we the members are the highest authority on all matters concerning Pan Trinbago’s business. For too long there have been no checks and balances and so we will ask and demand answers on behalf of our membership.
Our long term objective is to have good governance with a constitution designed to facilitate this. Our immediate objective is to educate our members; design business plans; make suggestions on the frame work of our constitution; design plans to give the organization an international appeal; make member bands beneficiaries from all profits of Pan Trinbago; give players a voice and get rid of these pan vampires within our executive.
Concerned Individuals for Pan is the voice of all pan lovers. Join our cause, give your opinion, advice and support and let us move the steel pan industry forward together.
Document of the Concerned Individuals of Pan
Replies
There is no opportunity for any meaningful consultation or feedback with/from our public as the most important stakeholder. By the time that our public sees, hears, or find out anything at Executive Offices at Pan Trinbago, it is a fait accomplished, that is, something already accomplished or done, and hence there is no possibility for review or reconsideration..... Simply put, that is totally unacceptable and ought not to be tolerated.....please my people....sign the petition...
Gregory: From the day that you called that march on Keith Diaz and PAN TRINBAGO, I have been in your corner. To me you are the ONLY MAN in the entire PAN MOVEMENT IN Trinidad who has that burning passion to bring about change in PAN TRINBAGO. I don't know how long you have been reading this forum, but there are a few people on this forum who have been RELENTLESS in their displeasure with KEITH DIAZ as president of PAN TRINBAGO. For years now, bugs and I have come on this forum routinely and attacked KIETH DIAZ as being corrupt and dishonest and not having the best interest of PAN PLAYERS or STEELBANDS in the MECCA.
I must remind you that long before Byron Serrette came out of the closet with the PAN TRINBAGO SKELETONS people on this forum were complaining bitterly about KEITH DIAZ. Long before you called your march!!! Long before the "luxury cars" and long before the Vasant did all his corruption series on PAN TRINBAGO!!!
Personally, I have such a big dossier on KEITH DIAZ and PAN TRINBAGO -- I could write a book about it.
Yet, I must warn you that YOU and the CIP do not have the political skills to OUST KEITH DIAZ. You did come close. You opened the door and you almost moved him out, but the newness of the political game got the best of you at that pivotal moment. And that was the lost opportunity.
The bands are NOT GOING TO SIGN THAT PETITION. And I will give you a few hints why.
One: Most of the bands are still loyal to KEITH DIAZ!!! Two: The CIP has no message (or money) that could reach the PAN MEN. And three: That whole 2000 page manifesto that you guys are designing to run PAN TRINBAGO is a TURN OFF. Do you really think that people who will sell their vote for a beer are willing to sit down and read that whole communist manifesto that the CIP is trying to implement in administrating PAN TRINBAGO.
Beyond that you guys are misreading the basic political cards. Which begs the question: How could you produce a 2000 page administrative document when you don't have the fundamental skills to read the relationships between DOLLY and ROWLEY and KEITH DIAZ as it pertains to winning the next GENERAL ELECTION where the BIG SHOT jobs are at stake?
Gregory: Get your most loyal 300 hundred men and call another march outside PAN TRINBAGO OFFICE. And I know that the politics is complex but sometimes in life you have to gamble to win. So carry the same 300 people to march outside ROWLEY OFFICE and OUTSIDE DOCTOR DOLLY OFFICE and outside the OFFICES of the TRINIDAD GUARDIAN and the TRINIDAD EXPRESS. And then go back and do another round of media interviews calling for the head of KEITH DIAZ!!!
Because dem STEELBANDS cannot afford to take the political risk and put their eggs in your basket until they feel the POLITICAL PAN EARTH shifting under their feet. And right now everything too stable and quiet!!!
For communication to His Excellency The President of Pan Trinbago (Acting or Substantive).. Thank you.
Good Morning Your Excellency Mr. President
Regarding the abovementioned matter, please be advised that out of a reconvened meeting at Northern Region Offices last Thursday, a resolution was passed and motion carried, regarding no entertainment of any discussion to any aspect pertaining to Panorama 2018, until such time as all outstanding remittances to players are properly overdue are promptly paid. Accordingly my orchestra is stalemated by the ultra vires requirements of this deadline, for which there is no constitutional requirement, for compliance, to take part at this stage; against the consensus taken in our Region's firm position by vote.
In other related matters, on behalf of Power Stars Steel Orchestra, we wish to indicate that we unanimously concur with this course of action via petition, as guided by the organization's Constitution, and shall acquiesce ourselves to this collective effort. Our best bet is to have a petition drawn up of a majority of its members as the abovementioned, present it to H.E the President of PANTRINBAGO and ALSO present it to the line Minister.
It may be interesting to note, that The Freedom of Information Act of 1999 objective is to extend the right of members of public to access to information in the possession of public authorities by.....public authority classification in PanTrinbago's particular case (clause K. Subsection (iii)); a body corporate which is supported, directly or indirectly, by Government funds and over which Government is in a position to exercise control.
Government has problems getting Pan Trinbago to account for the pittance it gives to them. I therefore think that one will succeed with that in some measure via Culture Ministry Audit which is well underway.
The question arises as to whether PT is supported "wholly" by public funds and whether Government is in a position to exercise control over it.
His Excellency the President of Pan Trinbago, Mr. Diaz will ignore a FOIA request and what will one do after that? The only thing one can do then is take them to Court. But then again it is already under the preview of judicial review before Justice Vashiest Kokaram to be delivered along a timeline, parallel to its line ministry forensic review.
Accordingly, please be informed and thank you in advance for your support and attention to this urgent development...
Warmest regards
I am in a mood to magnify some information that is already out in the public:The CIP cannot take down KEITH DIAZ!!!
As most people on this forum might "correctly" suspect, I am an agent provocateur for the current PAN TRINBAGO administration. It is true that when he had his recent HEALTH CRISIS I did not run on the forum offering prayers for his recovery -- unlike all the other posters; but that was just some DEEP COVER for my JIM JONES-LIKE devotion to the RIGHT HONOURABLE KEITH DIAZ!!!
And THE RIGHT HONOURABLE KEITH DIAZ would like to remind all of those who served UNDER HIM and now want to CUT HIS THROAT (for a few dollars more) that they should THINK IT OVER!!!
rite a comment...
Oswald Alexander
I quite agree that CIP should remain an advocacy group for Pan development.Participating Individuals should be free to offer themselves for office and they are also free to form alliances to form a slate.I know there are Individuals who think CIP should form a slate,and I respect their opinion totally,but I disagree.
I disagree because CIP has allowed me to meet with Pan people from different bands,different Regions,with different ideas and goals but all seeking the best for Pan.The passion for better has made me realize we have a unique vehicle,that should not DIE or be tied to any one Administration. WE MUST ALWAYS REMAIN CONCERNED and VIGILANT.
CIP SHORT term goal is the removal of PanTrinbago tainted and untrustworthy Executive members and changing the Constitution.
CIP MID to LONG term goals should be development of Steelbands/Steelband Communities Players,Tuners,Instruments,Marketing,Sound
and Video Production personnel,Etc. which are the keys to having a desired Global product,and this is where CIP could and should,focus it's energy.
In my mind,CIP should be hard and fast on Constitutional Reform, as this is key to the way forward.
These are CIP Standing Orders
*Respect others.
*Respect other opinions.
*No campaining.
We therfore agree to disagree, but not to be disagreeable with each other.
We choose to robustly challenge each other points,but to honour the consensus of the majority.
PS: If CIP decides it's best to remain as presently agreed too,any individual/or group can can approach me to support their nomination/ candidacy outside CPI gatherings.
In Pan
Sometimes I am bemused by some of the comments on these pages,and yes I know some are "agent provocateurs"
(1) Some posters because they are not too familiar with all that's presently taking place,think their solution is best,and cannot understand why those who are down in the trenches,would not do what they insist, is the ONLY solution.
(2) Some posters wonder why Concerned Individuals for Pan does not have a President,Secretary and a P.R.O ,arguing that having those post would give us structure and ALL the good things that comes with it.
(3) Some posters want CIP to have all the answers, a Plan A,a Plan B,C and so forth,and that has merit.
I would just Rock with these three for now:
CIP is actually about (1) One month old,and had (3) meetings so far.
At the first meeting ,the Standing Orders agreed too is as follows.
* Respect others.
* Respect other person opinion.
* NO CAMPAIGNING.
The third item was crucial to having as many voices,ideas,opinions and consensus on the best way forward.
CIP is quite aware that there are persons who interested in running for an Executive position.
CIP is also quite aware that a change in personalities ONLY,is NOT the solution.
CIP therefore invited everyone who has a burning interest in taking Pan forward. ALL concerned individuals are welcome to contribute in making PanTrinbago all it MUST be.
(1) Creating another body was discussed and is still up for discussion.NB: PanTrinbago is a creature of Parliament.
(2) PanTrinbago presently has a President,Secretary,and a P.R.O, BUT ....and I would leave that here.
(3) CIP is inviting all to participate in finding solutions to our myriad problems.CIP needs all those who have genuine concerns and is eager to make Pan better,to come share the burden. NB: We ( those who began the process) don't presume to have all the answers,as those who presently populate the PT Executive do.
CIP next meeting is on Tuesday 4th April 2017. 6.00 PM. @ Playboyz Panyard.
Come share your ideas,thoughts,and proposed solutions. Come share the burden!
YOU MAY HAVE A PRACTICAL SOLUTION!
Please observe the Standing Orders.
In Pan!
Is Pan Trinbago a cooperative? If not, then this structure should be considered.
The following is from an email received on March 23 2017 from Concerned Individuals for Pan (CIP):
“Still however, there are band leaders that, for fear of victimisation, are reluctant to sign the petition although they want this present executive gone. We, the Concerned Individuals for Pan (CIP), encourage you to stay strong as we empathize with you because we understand…”
The email also continues:…
“I am saying to all bands that the group, Concerned Individuals for Pan has your back. Join with us, sign the petition; let us overcome the evil that plagues our movement and remember that PAN EVIL PROSPERS”
Given the above, “Wha scene allyuh really on?” One time allyuh collecting enough signatures to force Diaz and company out of office, but by this present post it seems that allyuh doh have a plan B. Advocacy is one thing…and then what?
This is AD HOC advocacy ... we go cross the plan B bridge when we come to it!!!
merrytonestothebone: just sign the dam petition and stop analysing and parsing every sentence we write, eh!!!
Claude I doh trust you one bit...I waiting on my pardner Bugs to tell me what to do...If Bugs say sign...I signing...not before...
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