REMARKS AT THE 15TH NATIONAL CONVENTION
WELCOME REMARKS
by Hon. Charles Nagbe, President, Washington D.C. Chapter (Host)
Fellow Bassonians:
On behalf of the UNIBOA - Washington D.C. Chapter, it gives me great pleasure and a personal honor to welcome our UNIBOA family home. We are honored that you selected to come to spend this weekend with us. We hope our deliberations will be fruitful and rewarding. Your presence speaks volumes to the level of dedication and commitment that you possess not only to UNIBOA, the Bassa counties but also our beloved Liberia.
As we celebrate a weekend of endearing fellowship and personal commitment, we must direct our attention, engergies and aspirations toward the development and growth of our organization. The future of our country is in our hands and we need to re-dedicate ourselves to the lofty goals we set for ourselves, initiate new strategies and pave the way for a better Liberia. The time is now to create our own reality, to empower ourselves to collectively focus on creating and maintaining self-sustaining institutions through capacity building.
Going foward more emphasis will be placed on coordinating and enhancing our projects and projects and programs, fund-raising and formulating public policy initiatives that enhance our ability to thrive as a people. UNIBOA is moving to the next level and we ask you to join us in taking an active role in shaping the destiny of our people. We applaud your continued support through time, commitment and financial contributions and look foward to your continued involvement and participation. Let us all remember that we can accomplish a great deal more when we work together.
We hope your stay in the nation's capital will be wonderful and enjoyable. It is my ardent hope that this ocassion will serve as yet another medium to strengthen our Union. A loving thank you to all!
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESSS
by Hon. Thompson B. DahnSaw, National President
Let me say thanks to the Almighty God for the strength, wisdom and courage that he granted me over the past five and a half years to serve the United Bassa Organization in the Americas (UNIBOA). It is with mixed emotions that I am preparing to leave office of this great and dynamic organization. UNIBOA is dearest to my heart. It has been a pleasure serving you and I thank all of you, especially my family for your support. As I take this big step, I want to assure you that I am stepping down but not stepping away from UNIBOA's future.
It has been said by great leaders that a leader who has his people at heart must set the example for others to follow. He must lay the foundation that would bring integrity, productivity, respect for constituted authority and accountability and I hope I have demonstrated all of these qualities during my tenure as your leader. It has been a tremendous experience for me to have worked with such talented, creative and productive people and I am grateful that we traveled this road together. Your hard work will be the legacy we leave and history will judge the legacy we leave today. When I took over the rein of leadership, my first action was to ensure that we unite the members of our organization. The task assigned to me by your trust and confidence was an elephant task but with God's help, we have made giant steps.
My accomplishment has geared to ensuring that we remain unified. I have no doubt as we go to Elections, we will not lose sight of our obligation to continue to work for unity. I encourage all of you to continue on this path of promoting unity. I would also like to appeal to all citizens of the Bassa Counties (Montserrado, Margibi, Rivercess and Grand Bassa) to redouble our efforts in the reconstruction of our country. Let us strengthen our resolve to focus our collective efforts on reaching the lofty goals and objectives of UNIBOA.
I urge you to join ranks with the incoming leadership and work to make our organization the best ever. Liberia needs us more than ever and we must work to ensure peace, stability and sustainable development in our beloved Liberia. I admonish all of uss to continue to carry that great torch for a new Liberia. Working together we can do even greater things.
May the Almighty God richly bless you and continue to give wisdom, vision and determination.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
by Hon. Walter Greenfield
On behalf of the officers and members of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to warmly extend greetings on the occasion of the 15th National Convention. We applaud you for taking time from your busy schedule to join us in Washington D.C., the headquarters of our Union. We extend special greetings to our friends and supporters who have traveled from far and wide to be with us today.
UNIBOA is founded in great tradition, which has become a rich and grounding experience in our lives and is formed by the connections between generations. The bonds of friendships are strengthened each year as we meet. Meeting each other each year has become a tradition in our organization. No matter how bitter and unpleasant our debates become, we regroup as a family and enjoy each other's presence. I am always proud to be part of UNIBOA's tradition and compressed by friendship, cherished memories, involvement and commitment to UNIBOA by its members. Ours have always remain supportive and involved and we are grateful for this.
However, this Convention is significant for two important reasons. First of all, this convention provides us with the essential reflective time our accomplishments over the years and where we want to move foward in the future. We need to take a critical look at our programs and projects and make some decisions if this is where we want to go. Secondly, this convention is a time-honored event in which we reassert our commitment by casting our ballots for a leader of our choice. I urge you to excercise your franchise wisely and select a leader who promises to uphold the honor, integrity, heritage and tradition of our great organization. This leader must be committed personally to the mission and vision of UNIBOA.
Our membership is facing one of the most important challenges by having to make a choice of a leader. Please do not be emotional or persuaded by rhetoric. You need to listen carefully and make a wise choice. Failure to do so, we will have to live with agony and frustration of poor leadership. Be alert and aware that this is a personal decision but you need to put UNIBOA first. Leadership is not at the ballot box; choice is the ballot box. Leadership comes from the choice we make at the ballot box. Let your conscience be your guide.
UNIBOA is a special and significant institution because of you. Our reach and scope are strengthened by your commitment and belief in our mission and your generosity. Words cannot adequately express our thanks for your part in helping to achive our collective vision. I offer you a heartfelt and simple "thank you" for all you do.
