David Levy – Your role in the future – Sep 21

I recently checked my blogs and I find I have been speaking to the world in general for eight years in total, normally on a monthly blog sometimes more than once.

What I now have to say is said with the future of Marinet very much in focus.   I do not wish to offend, but rather to make you think about how you can contribute to the future and take a more active role.

What I wish to say can be seen within NGOs around the country, and it reveals levels of apathy from the members within these NGO organisations.

In our case, this may be the Directors’ fault for not making campaigns more appealing or the things to do more accessible to you, the members.

When I look at the current state of play in other NGOs most of the decisions are within the hands of paid officials who have strayed from the grassroot networks that gave the NGO Movement its power base.

Marinet has never had paid employees, so I ask myself why have we not revealed more hands-on members, especially when both Stephen and I encourage actions and endeavours which challenge the current environmental norms.   We have done so with Deborah Wright and Brian Morgan, and they have run and produced work of the highest value.   Our web page and Facebook page are in good hands and, as an educational resource, I already know many people use our work as points of academic and campaigning relevance.

We live in a world which is quickly going to the dogs but the speed and complexity of this blocks more engagement, and here I have to agree with you that opportunities to make a difference are sparse.

If you play the Government’s game, the Government they will drain all your spirit, efforts and energy via consultation.   Consultation is ‘designed’ to frustrate and, in the majority of cases, to be ignored.   Our organisation, like other NGOs, has spent a lifetime trying to follow a code which promises a listening ear, but in reality just wants to run you through hoops and never ending committees and paperwork until you give up.

So: what am I asking you for?

• Original ideas and concepts.

• A dedication to a project.

• Information gathering.

• Hands-on in the environment.

• Evaluating data and communicating it.

• Have a goal, what you wish to achieve.

• Know who you wish to target.

• Understand that each person makes a difference.

• Recognising, working collaboratively is easier(two minds are better than one)

• Use Marinet as your support network (we are there to assist and guide you, not run you).

The future of Marinet needs this new direction.   To create this new direction we need you to take part by, first of all, asking you to consider this blog.   I have frequently in my life referred to the words of a late President of the United States of America:

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Never was a truer word spoken for the local, national and international community.

David Levy