THE EDITOR, Sir:
"EVIL CAN only triumph where men of goodwill are too intimidated or lazy to speak out or to act in defence of the public interest when it is threatened."
In years to come, the conference you have convened at the Family Church on the Rock on June 5 could be regarded as a significant milestone on the journey to restoring morality and decency to the fabric of Jamaican society. The eventual outcome depends on our willingness to do some serious work as talking alone will not solve the problems.
I consider our highest national priorities at this time to be:
1. Moral regeneration in all spheres of life public, private and business.
2. Development of good community leaders in all sectors of society and neighbourhoods.
3. Increased patriotism and a greater appreciation of our past achievements as a nation and our potential for future greatness.
4. Development of a true partnership between all stakeholders interested in education and a pooling of resources to fund a comprehensive master plan for education which will address adequately the problems of the sector on a sustainable and long-term basis.
5. Economic empowerment for all Jamaicans.
To achieve the desired results a person must be 'born again' (re-invent himself) in the following respects:
(a) Be prepared to approach issues with an open mind and to give others the benefit of the doubt until one is sufficiently informed to arrive at a fair
verdict.
(b) Deny one's ego and be willing to admit to shortcomings and to compromise: to accommodate differences of opinion when consensus is impossible
(c) Be willing to embark on a voyage of self-discovery and self-improvement.
(d) Be willing to forsake
mediocrity.
(e) Acquire the self-discipline and a methodology for managing oneself.
(f) Respect the rights of women, children, the elderly and the disabled.
(g) Respect the laws of the land; assist the police in the
lawful execution of their duties; desist from defrauding the
revenue; pay one's taxes on
time, etc.
(h) Be our brother's keeper
and love one's neighbour as
oneself by being willing to
contribute five to 10 per cent or more of one's income to helping the poor and disadvantaged.
(i) Forgive the debts of persons in distress who are indebted to you.
(j) Be willing to put Jamaica first and foremost always.
In order to move forward I suggest that the following be done promptly:
1. Establish a (steering) conference committee to move the cause forward.
2. Develop formal/specific vision and mission statements.
3. Develop a strategic plan to achieve the goals of the vision and mission statements.
4. Create a database of the men/churches present at the conference who shall form the nucleus of a Men on a Mission Alliance.
5. Establish a secretariat.
6. Create a Web site.
7. Develop strategic alliances/partnerships with other NGOs which can help to advance the cause.
8. Ask each participant (associate) to develop for himself/his church a personal mission statement and a list of specific projects to be undertaken (within specific time frames) to achieve the stated mission.
9. Every associate ought to become a member of at least two not-for-profit entities engaged in rendering public service; join their old school's past students' association; join a credit union; join the library.
I am a man on a mission who is willing to do more than just talk. If I can be of service to your noble cause do not hesitate to call on me. Where I stand on the substantive issues is clear and unequivocal and I am confident that with God's guidance all that I have set out to accomplish will not only be achieved but exceeded by a wide margin.
I congratulate you and The Gleaner Company for this initiative which must be pursued vigorously to its ultimate conclusion for the upliftment of Jamaica and the greater glory of God.
If one is really determined, any lofty goal is attainable. Are you prepared to stay the course?
I am!
I am, etc.,
RALPH A CHEN
4 1/2 Camp Road
Kingston 4
rackgnja@hotmail.com
