Toronto, Canada, November 9, 2008:- Supporters of Grenada’s ruling National Democratic Congress must tighten their bonds of solidarity and deepen their involvement in the party, says the former chairman of the NDC Toronto Support Group.
“On the social side, we must involve ourselves in becoming members of the NDC at home and do whatever we could to strengthen the party’s organs,” Lincoln Toro Depradine said in a report at last Saturday’s annual general meeting of NDC Toronto.
“I also believe that for the long-term survival of the party, it ought to have its own headquarters. Perhaps NDC Toronto could lead an initiative in establishing an NDC Building Fund in which a contribution will be made each year towards the purchase of property for an NDC headquarters.”
NDC Toronto was formally established on September 27, 2007. In commemoration of this year’s first anniversary, the group organized a fundraising dinner and dance which were attended by NDC leader and Grenada’s Prime Minister, Hon. Tillman Thomas, and party general secretary Peter David, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism.
During elections held at last Saturday’s AGM, Depradine relinquished the chairmanship of NDC Toronto and was succeeded by banker Allister Romain, a former Grenada national football goalkeeper. Romain served as treasurer during the first year of NDC Toronto. Other returning executives are secretary Sandra Pierre, floor member Paul George and former public relations officer Peter Bishop, who is the new vice-chairman.
First time executive officers are treasurer Derney Emmanuel, assistant secretary-treasurer Christine Lowe, PRO Edison Taylor and floor member Richard Decoteau.
Depradine, in remarks to the NDC Toronto group, told members there will be many internal and external battles to be fought in the months and years ahead.
“The key is to pick our battles carefully,” he warned. “Consider whether engaging in a particular fight would help or hurt our party, and whether it would lead to positive change or changes. Consider whether at the end, all we get is the satisfaction of having fought which, in my view, is hardly a good enough reason to wage a war – especially a public one against those who are supposed to be on the same side as us.”
