It’s been about four months now since the Philippine Community Council – New South Wales (PCC-NSW) elections. Relationships have been strengthened and some deteriorated. Emotions ran high, and then settled down as new directions were revealed.
For a term that only lasts for a year, and for an unpaid post, politics should have no place. But politics surfaced with its ugly face. As seen through my eyes, eyes that have only been made aware of the presence of the PCC-NSW about four years ago, I was amazed – and saddened.
Who won the elections?
Let’s have a look at the meaning of the word win. It means to come first, to triumph, to prevail, and be at the peak. Be at the peak of what? For a group or individual whose desire is to be charitable and to provide community services, they would have no need to be elected into the PCC-NSW. But for a group or person whose desire is to win, then they really need to see what they have won.
What is their motivation for winning? A better meaning of winning is success. How does one measure success? For some it means financial and material wealth. For others, it means satisfaction for a job well done. It is seeing the smile and appreciation from the recipient. Filipinos are known for being charitable. I have experienced and seen a lot of instances of this both here and back in the Philippines. One can only ask each PCC-NSW affiliate group or individual to list their works.
Who won the elections? Does it matter to the Filipino Community as a whole?
To me, the nagging issue about the February 2010 PCC-NSW election remains to be the timing and legality of the suspension of affiliates on account of supposed lack of activity or activity reporting non-compliance. Two teams vied for positions; one team walked out and allegedly withdrew their nomination, the other stayed and being unopposed, won the positions.
The exercise of cleaning up PCC-NSW by way of suspending non-compliant affiliates was not properly executed. There should have been better ways – and a better timing – without hurting people’s feelings. After all, regardless of their structure and activity reporting, there were one or more groups or individuals who were genuinely providing a service to the Filipino and Australian community. The clean up could have been deferred for the next board.
Out of disenchantment, APCO, the Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations, was formed. APCO members seek to form networks and alliances with other groups and individuals that share their vision of helping them achieve their community-oriented objectives.
Who won the elections?
Neither vying team won the election. Both sides experienced some form of hurt or discomfort. They lost. The community is the winner. Now, there are two groups that compete to offer the community a service. It is up to each group to work out what benefits they can get from being a member of APCO or an affiliate of PCC-NSW.
Let’s hope the two competing groups remain true to their mission of providing a service to the community. Keep in mind that winning means success and success means satisfaction for a job well done and seeing the smile and appreciation from the recipient.
Other post/s by Mitchell Badelles
- Will the sea levels rise when the ice caps melt? - May 30th, 2011
- Priest runs for Chifley - July 30th, 2010
- Magellan induced a ‘current affair’ - January 21st, 2010
About Mitchell Badelles
“Politics” is a dirty word purely because it is driven by greed for power or social advantage. Unfortunately, not every one does it for free and looks at the WITFM (what’s in it for me); hence the vision suffers and the organization loses its integrity.
I have only heard of PCC last year because an official approached us to get a quote on an entertainment fee for an annual ball. For the sake of our fellow Pinoys, I hope that unity and the mission prevail above all egos concerned as I strongly believe, the moment you choose to be in a position of public service is the time you become accountable to its purpose and expectations – and that is to do something for the good of the community.
I have an ex-official e-mail me about her “sacrifices” and I totally commend the outcome but I should mention that it shouldn’t be a surprise as it does come with the job. After all, if worthwhile projects were non-existence then what’s the point of forming an organization in the first place?
To all those concern, let’s win this for our people quick smart because at the end of the day this is not about who is presides/lead or what not – this is about what the organization stands for and what they have achieved FOR the people.