A Kelvin Gray pledges transparency, accountability and responsibility

A Kelvin Gray pledges transparency, accountability and responsibility

On Saturday, November 28, 2009 Bassa Dorkpah-Uniboa Minnesota Chapter held ceremonies for the induction of its officers.

In his installation speech, the president of the organization, Mr. A Kelvin Gray pledged to execute his duties and functions in the atmosphere of transparency, accountability, and responsibility during his ternure. Here is the full text of the speech:

Guest speaker, Dr. Howard, Installing Officer, Members of the Clergy, Officers and members of the Liberian Community, Presidents and members of Sub-Organizations, Officers and Members of Bassa Dorkpah, Patrons, guests, and Friends. Thank you and I am very delighted to welcome you to our program.

My family and I would like to thank the members of this great organization for the privilege to serve as the first family of Bassa Dorkpah-Uniboa Minnesota Chapter. We also give thanks to our parents and the almighty God who made this day possible.

After more than twenty years of existence, the only thing we are proud of and can show is the Name Bassa Dorkpah. It is time for a positive change. The changes that will bring the Bassa people together, the changes that will involve civil and meaningful discussion, changes that involve our elders, and changes that will boost our financial stability. All of these changes can only be possible with your full participation.

Our Administration shall not encourage, nor engage in any form of gossip, backbiting and slandering. As we move forward, we must compromise and be willing to adapt to new ideas. The way forward should not be HIS WAY, HER WAY, MY WAY, but rather OUR WAY. As you volunteer your time and give your financial donations, we shall inform you about the progress of the Organization in accordance with the constitution. It is in this cause and our firm commitment to promptly inform you about the affairs of the Organization that we develop the theme; transparency, accountability, and responsibility.

Your decision to elect us has greatly intensified our desire to ensure that we shall be transparent in our deliberations, meaning, we shall have open discussion. We shall be accountable to you, and setup a firm system for financial disclosure. We shall exhibit responsible behavior, and uphold our constitution. We also ask that you join us, and do your part, and understand that the work of the Association cannot be done alone, but accomplished through collective efforts.

We are asking you to start a new day with us. We do not intend to undo what has been done, however, we intend to build on the good that has been done and correct faults and failures of our past. Our first step to correct some of the faults is our recommendation to the membership to review and amend our constitution. We encourage all Bassonians and friends to get involved in the Organization, despite our differences, we can work together, to create a viable present and future for generations to come.

The goal of our Administration is stated in our Constitution under Article II, Section 1 and 5; which states, "to promote peace, unity, progress and social awareness amongst the people of the Bassa Counties and all Liberians in the Americas; and to serve as forum for the exchange of views amongst the people of the Bassa Counties residing in the Americas". To fully implement our goal we shall engage all Bassonians, members of Sub-organizations, Officers and members of the Liberian community in creating an environment that is sensitive to the needs of our children, adults, and elders. We shall encourage everyone to put aside their ego, enviness, finger-pointing, and separate their personal interest from the good work of the Organization. Our goal is to work with everyone regardless of age and educational levels. The time to unite and pull this Organization together is now.

In this new day, the 21^{st century, we must challenge ourselves to make our
Organization one of the best in the Twin Cities and America. Our Administration is determine to work with the Local Board
of Directors of Bassa Dorkpah with new ideas, the National Leadership of Uniboa with new vision, Presidents and members of
Sub-Organizations , and Officers and Members of the Liberian Community with the intend to change from business as usual, and
try something new. Our recommendation to the Liberian Community is that we need a fair representation of County Organizations
on the Board of OLM. This idea shall stop the use of OLM as a political entity, instead, a legitimate non-profit organization.
Our success in the county organizations also depends on a successful leadership of OLM, therefore, we take pride in how it
governs itself.}^{As I closed, I shall leave you with
this; good character is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece, by thought, choice, courage, and determination.
God Bless you, God Bless Bassa Dorkpah, and God Bless the United States of America.}