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W
e are here again members, friends, ladies and
gentlemen, to another AGM that demonstrates the
viability of our organization, not just the viability of it, but the
vitality of it. Seeing the number of people here of varying ages
on a Saturday afternoon, certainly gives us, the Executive, a
sense of confidence that you are relatively satisfied with how
the Organization is growing. But in a nutshell, that is not
enough, because I want to present to you an organization that is
formidable.
I challenge any other NGO or even outside of NGO’s to have
31,000 plus financial members. Such is our organization! We
are not talking about 31,000 members on the books, for the
books represent a much larger number. We have 31,000 plus
financial members, in other words they are people who are in
good standing with the organization. So that is in one sense
how formidable this organization is.
I was glad to hear some of the things expressed here this
afternoon, especially with regard to pensions. I think people are
starting to sense that this organization does good things, but this
organization could possibly do more formidable things, more
aggressively and more quickly as we have demonstrated in the
past. I want to commit our organization to precisely that.
When I tell you that this organization has 31,000 financial
members, I want to give you a sense of what that means.
Those 31,000 members in part took place over the last five
years. Back in 2010, we were 20,000 plus members. Our
membership has grown in that five year period by 53%. Think
of any other organization in Trinidad and Tobago that can boast
of that, and what that means in terms of our potential. So we
stand at a time of great opportunity. There is a lot of bacchanal,
cursing and accusing and counter accusing and lack of
accountability in the society at large. Here is this organization
of senior members, of mature people, who have grown by 50%
over that time and are able to come together in a forum such as
this. Here we stand in a most transparent way and are able to
show you how your money is being spent. This is something
for which you should all give yourselves a round of applause
[Applause]
So as we go forward to the next years, our big thrill will be our
building. We were able to purchase a building in Belmont
when many persons thought we were mad, not realizing that
Belmont in fact was the next big thing. Anybody who has an
opportunity to buy property in Belmont, should go and buy it
now, and those persons who already have property in Belmont
please hold on to your property, and be sure that you maximize
that opportunity, because it is in that area that the next grand
things will be taking place. So we were very fortunate to be
able to make that purchase at the time and to see that property
appreciate.
The Treasurer and myself went to see the Bank on the question
of funding to construct this building, and they would like us to
get all the necessary papers because they are ready and anxious
to lend us this money, and they are able to do so because
we have a Balance Sheet which is as strong and powerful as
anyone could want in terms of any organization. We can go to
any bank, any financial institution and say, “This is our Balance
Sheet”, and they would be happy to do business with us.
I want you all to understand that it is not just the growth of the
organization, but the potential power of the organization, and
the financial ability, the financial security of the organization
and that is a tribute to all of us, to all of you. So next year
is going to be an interesting year, and also this year will be
interesting because we still have things to do. How do you
assess TTARP?
TTARP is involved in four things –
• Enhancing the quality of life of mature citizens. [So ask
yourselves whether we are doing that and what more we
can do to improve that.]
• Promoting independence and dignity and purpose of
mature citizens.
• We are to lead in determining their role in society. [ You
see how important this is in terms of what we were
talking about pensions etcetera]
• To improve the image of our golden years. [My image
has improved and I certainly hope all of you all have
experienced that]
So when you are thinking of TTARP, do not only think of the
benefits that you get when you go to Massy Stores, and medical
institutions, also do the assessment in terms of what is the
impact that TTARP is having on the quality of the social lives
of our mature people, and I dare say you will find that we have
done a lot although there is a lot more to be done but we are
on the right path. So thank you for the opportunity to share
these words with you, and we look forward to going forward
together in the New Year. Thank you.
The Chairman’s Address at
TTARP’s AGM
held at Cascadia Hotel on September 20th 2014.
