The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Fraternal organisations in the Bahamas are said to be a dying breed. There are numerous debatable reasons why this may be the case. I cannot speak for other organisations; I can only speak in regards to the one I dedicated up to if not over ten years of my life to.

Standing on the outside looking in, the Elks organisation appeared to be everything its constitution speaks too. Brotherly and sisterly love, rendering charity to all in need, and so on. But once in, everything the order preached goes right out the window via the help of a few of its leaders and fast hand members. Jealousy, back stabbing, gossiping, clicks within clicks, bearing false witness against, and other such activities are the favourite pastime for some confusion-driven Elks.

Some leaders whose manifestos are based on whatever negative thought that pops into their heads are killing the spirit of the order.

Forgetting or trying to wipe from history the contributions of particular members because of how a leader/member feel about them is always on the top of the things to do list. New members who join under these individuals soon look down at members who were the backbone of the order, when they had no idea that the order existed.

It must be a heavy weight on some individual’s shoulders to know that they can never accomplish everything that someone before them was able to. So they look down at those persons, but those person’s accomplishments in the order will always be looking down at them.

Yet still, I have never been one to allow negative, ill-willed, bad leadership or fools to overshadow the good work that the Elks have done for many, many years. The Burial Fund, Charities, Civil Liberties, Beauty and Talent, and Education departments have helped countless thousands, and dare I say changed the landscape of these islands. As the Elks annual convention nears, I am confident that this great order will not fall because of the negative influences of a few misguided, insecure...Negroes... which all organisations suffer from... rather it will continue to steadily rise because of members who have and continue to practise its core principles.

And with leaders who lead with their heads and hearts, and not with a part of their anatomy located on their backside.

CHRISTOPHER KNOWLES II

Former Exulted Ruler RGKlBSA, Former Leading Knight RGKlBSA, Former Director Talent Dept BSA, Former Director Youth Dept BSA and former Secretary Charities Dept BSA.

Nassau,

May 2, 2016.