BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CHAIRMAN's REMARKS
Delivered at the
19th National Convention - 2009
Read National President's State of the Union Address delivered at 2009 Convention
Mrs. Mydea Reeves-Karpeh
Fellow Bassonians and Friends of UNIBOA, First of all, please allow me to extend, on behalf of the Board of Directors my warmest congratulations on the 19th National Convention of our organization. I am confident that this Convention will be crowned with success because we will be working hard to bridge the gap. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to UNIBOA Pennsylvania Chapter for its fruitful work in hosting this year’s Convention.
The purpose of this Convention is to use this opportunity to reaffirm the call to work harder to bridge the gap in providing the necessary resources for the development of the Bassa Counties of Montserrado, Margibi, River Cess and Grand Bassa. I am encouraged by the willingness of people like yourselves to sacrifice your time and resources for the principles and ideals that helped to shape our organization and that will help us rebuild our nation of Liberia.
I feel a wide range of emotions due to my own personal experiences on both sides of the coin in this organization. For the last 18 years I have served this organization in various capacities from being the Secretary who took the first minutes for what is now known as UNIBOA to National President and Chairman of the Board. I thank you for the confidence you have always reposed in me and I am always humbled by your preferment. I am always so grateful that I can serve my people in the Diaspora. However, as we move along the stage of life we must play our roles well and then step back and see the rewards of our labor.
You see , life is much like an iceberg. It is possible to see only a small portion of the substance of successful persons. What is not seen is the hard work that was necessary to be successful. Today as UNIBOA Maryland Chapter -A Moh Bedo Inc. join the ranks of the great member organizations of UNIBOA, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude that this wonderful name plate will be known to future generations.We hope this latest member will be a catalyst for change that will not only help to break down barriers that hinder a more diverse institution, but through its commitment will have a positive impact on how people relate to each other in general.
As we deliberate during this 19th Convention let us work harder to bridge the gap by revisiting our goals and objectives with the aim to promote community cohesion through a variety of social, cultural and economic perspectives to inform, educate and support our members. By developing a greater sensitivity to what we stand for as well as promoting mutual understanding and respect among our members, we will begin to bridge the gap which exists between where we are now and the goal we intend to reach. Our talent and energy are required to rebuild the physical infrastructure of Liberia and we must simultaneously work to protect those intangibles that will help our nation to thrive. Let us work closely together in a pioneering spirit and advance in step with the times.
Bridging the "divide" within UNIBOA member organizations will require a sustained long-term effort. Let us go forth to help individuals and families gain perspective, self-awareness and learn tools for life including accountability, responsibility, integrity, respect and self-esteem. Our goal must remain to provide and support the delivery of specific skills and information in a proactive, preventive manner in order to ensure that all people have the opportunity to achieve success. I urge you to lead the way in helping Liberians at home and abroad to understand that there is no free lunch. We can never get everything we want without sacrificing something. Let us continue to refine our vision, inspire and motivate one another, and establish clear goals and objectives.
Peace and blessings,
Mydea Reeves-Karpeh (Mrs.)
Chairman of the Board of Directors
