My Response:
No, you will not lose your job.
Similarly to the Will the Band go Broke question:
"On the business end, everything will be the same, as businesses that are in place now will still be in existence, after a future transition in the Chief's office. The day-to-day operation structure will remain the same, as the CEO, management and employment positions will not change."
After a transition in leadership, the Band will still need people to; run all the Band programs (social assistance, health, drug and alcohol, education, etc), work in all the Band businesses (sell pop and chips, provide tours, make houses), work in the Band office (cut the grass, answer phones, record presentations), etc.
On the employment end, things will remain the same.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Members Concern: If you become Chief, will the Band go broke?
My Response:
No, the Osoyoos Indian Band or Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation will not go broke.
On the business end, everything will be the same, as businesses that are in place now will still be in existence, after a future transition in the Chief's office. The day-to-day operation structure will remain the same, as the CEO, management and employment positions will not change. However, what will happen is more transparency and accountability within the existing businesses and future business decisions.
I believe that OIBDC needs a refocusing of development goals, not goals that are based on making jobs and money but goals that are driven from the community members. Even the simple goals of jobs and money can be problematic. For example, how much money is needed for a certain area to be developed, what is it worth to the community, why are trying to sell the land for 99 years, etc.? Also, what types of jobs do community members want, how many are needed, do members want meaningful employment or any job and any wage, what do members see as meaningful, etc.? We don't know until we ask the community members. It is the community members that are supposed to benefit from OIB development in the first place, so, shouldn't it be the community members that are involved in the decisions that are made and what goals are set? Currently, those decisions are only being made by a handful of people.
We need more transparency within business operations. That means, at the very least, band meetings on all of the OIB businesses where managers can provide updates on how a particular business has been performing and what has happened over the year (or, 6 months). We also need accountability. This does not mean sharing of financial statements, because those are nice to see, but if there is no ability or mechanism for community members to provide feedback, then it is not adequate. Accountability involves two-way communication. Why do we keep borrowing more and more money, and falling further and further into debt? If a business isn't making as much money as projected, then why? Saying is it is due to the economic downturn of the Canadian economy isn't good enough, the membership should be provided with specifics.
These are some of the reasons why I am calling for Transparency and Accountability in all Band operations and businesses.
No, the Osoyoos Indian Band or Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation will not go broke.
On the business end, everything will be the same, as businesses that are in place now will still be in existence, after a future transition in the Chief's office. The day-to-day operation structure will remain the same, as the CEO, management and employment positions will not change. However, what will happen is more transparency and accountability within the existing businesses and future business decisions.
I believe that OIBDC needs a refocusing of development goals, not goals that are based on making jobs and money but goals that are driven from the community members. Even the simple goals of jobs and money can be problematic. For example, how much money is needed for a certain area to be developed, what is it worth to the community, why are trying to sell the land for 99 years, etc.? Also, what types of jobs do community members want, how many are needed, do members want meaningful employment or any job and any wage, what do members see as meaningful, etc.? We don't know until we ask the community members. It is the community members that are supposed to benefit from OIB development in the first place, so, shouldn't it be the community members that are involved in the decisions that are made and what goals are set? Currently, those decisions are only being made by a handful of people.
We need more transparency within business operations. That means, at the very least, band meetings on all of the OIB businesses where managers can provide updates on how a particular business has been performing and what has happened over the year (or, 6 months). We also need accountability. This does not mean sharing of financial statements, because those are nice to see, but if there is no ability or mechanism for community members to provide feedback, then it is not adequate. Accountability involves two-way communication. Why do we keep borrowing more and more money, and falling further and further into debt? If a business isn't making as much money as projected, then why? Saying is it is due to the economic downturn of the Canadian economy isn't good enough, the membership should be provided with specifics.
These are some of the reasons why I am calling for Transparency and Accountability in all Band operations and businesses.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
OIB Nominations Results
Jan 6, 2009
Nomination Meeting at OIB Hall - Results:
Nominated for Chief:
1. Clarence Louie Nominated by Modesta Betterton, Celina Alex
2. Ethan Baptiste Nom. by Kenneth Bryson, Theresa Gabriel
Nominated for Councillor:
1. Charlotte Stringam Nom. by Leona Baptiste, Aleana Baptiste
2. Kathy Falkus, Nom. by Linda Anderson, Modesta Betterton
3. Anthony (Tony) Baptiste, Nom. by Modesta Betterton, Deborah Baptiste (Bouclair)
4. Helen Gallagher, Nom. by Leona Baptiste, Anthony (Tony) Baptiste
5. Charlene Baptiste, Nom. by Deborah Baptiste (Bouclair), Georgina Wright
6. Hubert George, Nom. by Ethan Baptiste, Moses Baptiste
7. Veronica McGinnis, Nom. by Ethan Baptiste, Cecilia George
8. Theresa Gabriel, Nom. by Ethan Baptiste, Irene Bryson
9. Roger Hall, Nom. by Kenneth Bryson, Clayton Gabriel
Nomination Meeting at OIB Hall - Results:
Nominated for Chief:
1. Clarence Louie Nominated by Modesta Betterton, Celina Alex
2. Ethan Baptiste Nom. by Kenneth Bryson, Theresa Gabriel
Nominated for Councillor:
1. Charlotte Stringam Nom. by Leona Baptiste, Aleana Baptiste
2. Kathy Falkus, Nom. by Linda Anderson, Modesta Betterton
3. Anthony (Tony) Baptiste, Nom. by Modesta Betterton, Deborah Baptiste (Bouclair)
4. Helen Gallagher, Nom. by Leona Baptiste, Anthony (Tony) Baptiste
5. Charlene Baptiste, Nom. by Deborah Baptiste (Bouclair), Georgina Wright
6. Hubert George, Nom. by Ethan Baptiste, Moses Baptiste
7. Veronica McGinnis, Nom. by Ethan Baptiste, Cecilia George
8. Theresa Gabriel, Nom. by Ethan Baptiste, Irene Bryson
9. Roger Hall, Nom. by Kenneth Bryson, Clayton Gabriel
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