.
“A Christmas Carol” is the perennial story by Charles Dickens that shares the redemption of a miserable human being with little hope or caring in his heart for the struggles of others. Ebenezer Scrooge’s salvation comes in three phases, as prophesied by the ghost of his partner, Jacob Marley, who has had to suffer for his greed and self-serving life by wandering the Earth weighted down with heavy chains.
The Ghost of Christmas Past and Present leave Scrooge shaken, but it is not until the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows him his eventual fate that he promises to renounce his insensitive, avaricious ways. Scrooge then finds himself safely tucked in his bed in the present day, and leaps out a changed man ready to start a new life.
Many plans and ideas have been shared that could turn things around for the Commonwealth. Some have been considered, but most lie dormant, waiting for something or someone to breathe life into them. In many of my columns, I have tried to be upbeat about the future, but given our extreme circumstances, it might be fitting to imagine where our present course is taking us. It sometimes takes a glimpse into the future to see where the trajectory of our life is headed. What would the CNMI look like and what might we experience if we were shown our future when we finally hit rock bottom? In the spirit of Dickens’ tale, here’s what the Ghost of CNMI Yet to Come might share with us:
Driving down a once busy street, it’s apparent that many businesses have left the island because half of them are closed or have graffiti painted on their façade. The Garapan business district is like a ghost town with scattered tourists walking on the sidewalks. Tourism continues to struggle because there are no direct flights from other countries and every visitor has to be routed through Guam. It costs over $300 for a round-trip ticket between Saipan and Guam. The guests that do visit are shocked by the dilapidated buildings and trash strewn on the beaches and other public areas. The once pristine lagoon is now murky and full of sea vegetation from the pollution that has continued to be spilled.
The businesses that remain are struggling to keep their doors open. This has caused a continued loss in government revenue which has led to further wage cuts and initiated a reduction in force that has left many families jobless. Crime is extremely high as people struggle to make a living. Most of the families are dependent on food stamps and other government assistance programs because of the dwindling jobs in the government and private sector.
Many government supported agencies and entities had additional funds cut, and this has caused the loss of many public programs and services. The reduction of revenue and ongoing challenges faced by the community college has resulted in their loss of accreditation. This also caused the loss of federally funded programs, and more people are leaving the Commonwealth to pursue their education.
While a lot of locals have moved to the mainland to find better opportunities, the many children of foreign contract workers born in the Commonwealth have graduated from high school to become a strong voting bloc. This has resulted in the first non-indigenous person to be elected as the governor, and more are gaining control of the House and Senate.
The retirement fund prediction of collapse has finally occurred and retirees have had to return to the workforce or depend on their children for support. There are no off-island medical referrals because bills are not paid by the government, and the hospital continues to have a high turnover of doctors and nurses.
CUC’s rates have climbed to become one of the highest in the world, even while their service hits an all-time low. Their engines are continually failing, and brownouts and blackouts are a common occurrence with power failures occurring regularly. This has eroded the quality of life, destroyed electronic components, and severely hurt businesses.
Because of the desperate times, politicians have been able to push the marijuana and casino bills through the House and Senate with the promise of bringing additional revenue to the CNMI. This, however, brought more social problems and dubious investors to the island. The casinos did not add significantly to the tourism numbers, but they did encourage more people living here to become addicted to gambling, which has destroyed many families and has caused more social ills that have spread throughout the Commonwealth and spurred more corruption, prostitution, drugs, and illegal activities that has turned this once family-friendly oasis into a crime-ridden, financially bankrupt island.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen many glimpses into this future and some elements are occurring sooner than later. In Dickens’ tale of a miserable man who is given a second chance to turn his life around, he encouraged his readers to experience the fullness of life in a selfish world that has stifled their compassion and hope for the future. Just as Scrooge pled to alter his future, we have the potential to alter the future of the CNMI and experience a different world than fate would have us know. But this does not have to be, and it’s possible for the Ghost of CNMI Yet to Come to give us a second chance. During this season, we have the perfect opportunity to honor Christmas with all our heart, turn from our avaricious and insensitive ways and do what is right and best for the islands and its people.
“Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world… and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!” – Charles Dickens
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Integrity, Transparency, and Efficiency
“Trust, honesty, humility, transparency and accountability are the building blocks of a positive reputation. Trust is the foundation of any relationship.” – Mike Paul
The recent decision by the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents to re-announce the position of the president was disappointing to me and many others. I would like to thank all the individuals who expressed their support and assisted me in my application to become the next president of the College. The selection process took six months from the first announcement in June until the decision to begin the process again. The Presidential Search Committee (PSC), led by Lt. Col. Edward Camacho, was thorough as they narrowed down 12 candidates to the top four that were interviewed. From the four, I was one of two selected as the finalists.
I was first informed that the interview with the Board would be on November 3rd, but less than a week before that date, I was told that the interview was rescheduled a month later to accommodate the other finalist. All of this was done without public disclosure. I learned that the finalists were not going to be announced to the public, and after the new president was chosen, he or she would then be introduced to the College and community. I was given no other information except for the date of the interview, and I did not even know the name of the other finalist until the name of Dr. Betsy Boze was revealed by Moneth Deposa, a reporter for the Saipan Tribune. Within 10 minutes after reading the article online, I knew that Dr. Boze had accepted an offer from the College of the Bahamas to become their next president because it was revealed on both the Wiki pages of Dr. Boze and the College of the Bahamas.
This created an interesting situation with only three options: 1) Interview and chose me as the new president, 2) open the interview to the other two individuals who were part of the four interviewed by the PSC, or 3) re-announce the position either before or after interviewing me.
So here we are, back at square one in the search for a new president. I was pleased to learn from the Board’s press release that the “search process will continue with integrity, transparency, and efficiency.” Transparency is essential for the search to be conducted in fairness and to keep all the stakeholders of the College informed, and hopefully involved in the process. As the press release revealed, the selection of a new president is “for the benefit of our students, staff, faculty, and the community.”
I urge the Board to involve the College and community in the process by publicly announcing the candidates, inviting the students, staff, faculty, and community to meet with the finalists, ask questions, and even have some say in the process. A lack of integrity and transparency will only engender an aura of politics at work and would negatively affect the credibility of the Board, College, and new president.
Will “transparency” be given lip service, or will it be a critical part of the new search process? Will the public be invited to express their opinions and ask questions of the candidates before the person is selected? Can NMC really have a new president by the end of January? It can happen if integrity, transparency, and efficiency are truly part of the search process.
In my original application, I included a Strategic Agenda that outlined the activities and goals for the first 100 days in office. In the spirit of transparency, I plan to share that agenda so you understand how I would approach the position, and I would also like to see the 100 day agenda of all the future candidates. What is their philosophy? Where do they see the College headed in the future? How will they deal with the challenges the College is facing? And, how will they involve all stakeholders to fully achieve the College mission?
I have served at the College in numerous capacities for over 13 years, and we are dealing with the most difficult challenges that NMC has ever had to face. It will take someone who is aware of the situation in the Commonwealth and College to step in and make timely decisions to save the institution.
If the goal is to hire someone by the end of January, the only way this could happen so quickly is if the Board has someone in mind who is currently working at the College and could immediately step into the position. Is there a possibility that I would seriously be reconsidered for the position? Probably not; however, I plan to reapply to make myself available, and to set the standard for the search to be conducted with integrity, transparency, and efficiency.
The recent decision by the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents to re-announce the position of the president was disappointing to me and many others. I would like to thank all the individuals who expressed their support and assisted me in my application to become the next president of the College. The selection process took six months from the first announcement in June until the decision to begin the process again. The Presidential Search Committee (PSC), led by Lt. Col. Edward Camacho, was thorough as they narrowed down 12 candidates to the top four that were interviewed. From the four, I was one of two selected as the finalists.
I was first informed that the interview with the Board would be on November 3rd, but less than a week before that date, I was told that the interview was rescheduled a month later to accommodate the other finalist. All of this was done without public disclosure. I learned that the finalists were not going to be announced to the public, and after the new president was chosen, he or she would then be introduced to the College and community. I was given no other information except for the date of the interview, and I did not even know the name of the other finalist until the name of Dr. Betsy Boze was revealed by Moneth Deposa, a reporter for the Saipan Tribune. Within 10 minutes after reading the article online, I knew that Dr. Boze had accepted an offer from the College of the Bahamas to become their next president because it was revealed on both the Wiki pages of Dr. Boze and the College of the Bahamas.
This created an interesting situation with only three options: 1) Interview and chose me as the new president, 2) open the interview to the other two individuals who were part of the four interviewed by the PSC, or 3) re-announce the position either before or after interviewing me.
So here we are, back at square one in the search for a new president. I was pleased to learn from the Board’s press release that the “search process will continue with integrity, transparency, and efficiency.” Transparency is essential for the search to be conducted in fairness and to keep all the stakeholders of the College informed, and hopefully involved in the process. As the press release revealed, the selection of a new president is “for the benefit of our students, staff, faculty, and the community.”
I urge the Board to involve the College and community in the process by publicly announcing the candidates, inviting the students, staff, faculty, and community to meet with the finalists, ask questions, and even have some say in the process. A lack of integrity and transparency will only engender an aura of politics at work and would negatively affect the credibility of the Board, College, and new president.
Will “transparency” be given lip service, or will it be a critical part of the new search process? Will the public be invited to express their opinions and ask questions of the candidates before the person is selected? Can NMC really have a new president by the end of January? It can happen if integrity, transparency, and efficiency are truly part of the search process.
In my original application, I included a Strategic Agenda that outlined the activities and goals for the first 100 days in office. In the spirit of transparency, I plan to share that agenda so you understand how I would approach the position, and I would also like to see the 100 day agenda of all the future candidates. What is their philosophy? Where do they see the College headed in the future? How will they deal with the challenges the College is facing? And, how will they involve all stakeholders to fully achieve the College mission?
I have served at the College in numerous capacities for over 13 years, and we are dealing with the most difficult challenges that NMC has ever had to face. It will take someone who is aware of the situation in the Commonwealth and College to step in and make timely decisions to save the institution.
If the goal is to hire someone by the end of January, the only way this could happen so quickly is if the Board has someone in mind who is currently working at the College and could immediately step into the position. Is there a possibility that I would seriously be reconsidered for the position? Probably not; however, I plan to reapply to make myself available, and to set the standard for the search to be conducted with integrity, transparency, and efficiency.
Telling Your Story
“Try not to become a man of success, but rather to become a man of value.” – Albert Einstein
Christmas is filled with numerous stories that are retold to recreate the spirit of the holidays. From Scrooge’s Ghosts of the Past, Present, and Future who uses stories to influence the miser to reevaluation his life, to whimsical tales of animated snowmen and jolly elves, we use stories to pass down traditions and keep memories alive.
One of those stories is about a red-nosed reindeer who was bashful and had a secret he hid from others – his nose was red and glowed. His parents were embarrassed and afraid that others would learn he was different. When his secret was discovered, he was rejected initially. However, it was his secret that made his story unique and eventually saved Christmas day.
We have had experiences that shaped our lives and created our own unique story. Stories help us connect to one another and transfer shared meaning. A story is a form of mental imprint that can mold perceptions and touch the unconscious mind. Each of us carries our own story that we have formed throughout our lives and that gives us identity. Whether we realize it or not, this identity is communicated to others in the first few minutes we meet someone new, and it can become our persona for the rest of our life.
Do you know your story and how you communicate it to others? Do you know the life-changing events in your personal or professional life that have forged your personality? Have you established the values and beliefs that are important to you, and then translated them into a corresponding look, sound, and feel that is unique only to you?
Everyone has a true story based on experiences and that shapes their values. You are really a composite of all your true stories – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Keeping part of your story secret out of fear that you’ll be rejected only hides part of yourself, and in the end, the effort to keep secrets will create greater tension of what’s inside wanting to come out to the surface to reveal itself. All of our fears can be summed up by feelings that we are not good enough or wondering if people will like us.
The most successful people have an identity founded on authentic, true-life stories that resonate with others because it is filled with human qualities that we can all relate to and believe in. Many of these individuals have had experiences that were difficult to live through, but shaped the person they are today. Their authentic stories have given greater hope and created a stronger bond with others.
Barbara Corcoran is one of New York’s most successful real estate professionals who started her business with $1,000 that she borrowed from her boyfriend. Ten years later she sold her business for $76 million, and she attributed her success to several key principles. One of those principles was to “share your secrets.” She said, “When you share your secrets with people, the most amazing thing happens. They share their secrets right back.”
In order to connect with people, you should reveal your authentic self to them. Some people may reject you for your honesty, but there will be many more who are naturally drawn to you and all that you offer. Your truth becomes the lighthouse of hope that will draw people to you because they trust that you have gone where they want to go and have made it back again. Sharing your secrets is an act of trust that will cause others to share their secrets with you.
Like the story of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, keeping your story secret will dilute your ability to relate to others authentically. When Rudolph was forced to expose himself, he discovered that his secret was actually his strength and what had held him back were all the ideas he had chosen to believe about himself.
Like Rudolph, you should identify your true story and share your uniqueness with others. Recognize that you already have a story, and you should take control of it to convey the kind of story that makes you unique. Connect your experiences to the things that are important to you. Express your values in a way that incorporates as many of the human emotions that touch people, so you’ll be remembered.
Each person wants to leave a legacy that will live on through their families, their work and the contributions they make in life. Make your story one of truth and authenticity.
Christmas is filled with numerous stories that are retold to recreate the spirit of the holidays. From Scrooge’s Ghosts of the Past, Present, and Future who uses stories to influence the miser to reevaluation his life, to whimsical tales of animated snowmen and jolly elves, we use stories to pass down traditions and keep memories alive.
One of those stories is about a red-nosed reindeer who was bashful and had a secret he hid from others – his nose was red and glowed. His parents were embarrassed and afraid that others would learn he was different. When his secret was discovered, he was rejected initially. However, it was his secret that made his story unique and eventually saved Christmas day.
We have had experiences that shaped our lives and created our own unique story. Stories help us connect to one another and transfer shared meaning. A story is a form of mental imprint that can mold perceptions and touch the unconscious mind. Each of us carries our own story that we have formed throughout our lives and that gives us identity. Whether we realize it or not, this identity is communicated to others in the first few minutes we meet someone new, and it can become our persona for the rest of our life.
Do you know your story and how you communicate it to others? Do you know the life-changing events in your personal or professional life that have forged your personality? Have you established the values and beliefs that are important to you, and then translated them into a corresponding look, sound, and feel that is unique only to you?
Everyone has a true story based on experiences and that shapes their values. You are really a composite of all your true stories – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Keeping part of your story secret out of fear that you’ll be rejected only hides part of yourself, and in the end, the effort to keep secrets will create greater tension of what’s inside wanting to come out to the surface to reveal itself. All of our fears can be summed up by feelings that we are not good enough or wondering if people will like us.
The most successful people have an identity founded on authentic, true-life stories that resonate with others because it is filled with human qualities that we can all relate to and believe in. Many of these individuals have had experiences that were difficult to live through, but shaped the person they are today. Their authentic stories have given greater hope and created a stronger bond with others.
Barbara Corcoran is one of New York’s most successful real estate professionals who started her business with $1,000 that she borrowed from her boyfriend. Ten years later she sold her business for $76 million, and she attributed her success to several key principles. One of those principles was to “share your secrets.” She said, “When you share your secrets with people, the most amazing thing happens. They share their secrets right back.”
In order to connect with people, you should reveal your authentic self to them. Some people may reject you for your honesty, but there will be many more who are naturally drawn to you and all that you offer. Your truth becomes the lighthouse of hope that will draw people to you because they trust that you have gone where they want to go and have made it back again. Sharing your secrets is an act of trust that will cause others to share their secrets with you.
Like the story of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, keeping your story secret will dilute your ability to relate to others authentically. When Rudolph was forced to expose himself, he discovered that his secret was actually his strength and what had held him back were all the ideas he had chosen to believe about himself.
Like Rudolph, you should identify your true story and share your uniqueness with others. Recognize that you already have a story, and you should take control of it to convey the kind of story that makes you unique. Connect your experiences to the things that are important to you. Express your values in a way that incorporates as many of the human emotions that touch people, so you’ll be remembered.
Each person wants to leave a legacy that will live on through their families, their work and the contributions they make in life. Make your story one of truth and authenticity.
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