Remarks by Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis Leader of the Free National Movement FNM Retreat - July 7th 2012

"Many feel that we lost touch with the human element, I challenge them by saying, all we did we did for our people......" Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis

A pleasant good afternoon to this, the core group of supporters who today had the monumental task of making history within this Free National Movement Party.

Today we ushered in a new spirit of involvement… We ushered in a new spirit of teamwork and… A renewed spirit of togetherness.

The road ahead of us is a long one, but not one we have not traversed before. Prior to 1992, we spent what some would deem a lifetime in the wilderness, in opposition. From a fledgling party established by our founding members out of a struggle for greater accountability and transparency opposing the Pindling- led regime.

Through our numerous accomplishments, the Bahamian people are now afforded rights and benefits only dreamt of in the past. We have delivered on many promises and have increased the standard of living for many among us, through our infrastructural improvements, social programs, health and environmental improvements.

We have accomplished a lot but we lost our appeal to many of our people. Many feel that we lost touch with the human element, I challenge them by saying, all we did we did for our people. Many feel that we lost appeal to the youth, I challenge them by saying, we were building a future for the youth.

So I now challenge you, my FNM family and my support, we have to strengthen inside before we grow outside. We have to trust each other before the voters trust us. We have to have faith in each other before the Bahamas has faith in us.

Today, we embarked on the task of internalizing and looking deep within our party highlighting our strengths and opportunities, with a charge to enhance or improve their potency. We also embraced the difficult task of probing our weaknesses and threats, for when these components are not identified and managed can create catastrophic structural damage in the foundation of an organization.

FNMs, I pledge to you based on the SWOT and strategic input a vision that encompasses the principles of accountability and transparency, a vision that will furiously and continuously fight against corruption and victimization.

This core vision will be achieved by our new team of leaders who are indivisibly committed to our party and to the advancement of the Bahamian people.

A critical objective of our party is to continue to promote accountability, high ethical standards and dedicated and efficient service in public life. We have to improve our organizational efficiency by establishing roles, policies and procedures that complement our vision and ensure our success. This will be facilitated through standardized meetings with a view of full involvement of members as we all have valuable experience that would serve to benefit the group.

Another foundational objective is to improve relationships, relationships not only outside of our party but our internal relations as well. Externally, we have to improve our community programs and schedule regular walk-abouts and visits. I would also establish regular meetings with the various neighborhood associations that are established and in areas where there are no associations; we should be there to help facilitate them.

We will hold quarterly church services at various churches not only improve visibility in the communities but to drive home what the old adage says, “a family that prays together, stays together”.

It is paramount for us to adapt a win-back strategy, a strategy to reach, renew and revive relationships with FNMs that have left the fold. I pledge to visit the families of the founding members to ensure a gateway between their vision and ours.

FNMs, we must develop a communication strategy, one that will fully utilize technology of today to reach those among us of the social media as well as those that have not embraced that culture. Encompassed in this communication strategy must be an improvement of our public relations, we have to effectively communicate our vision, our strategy and our accomplishments.

Another critical area of focus will be what I term as development. Development as it relates to our supporters, I envision political ascension for members in the Torchbearer’s Association, where a mentorship program emerges that ensures when we hit the campaign trail it is greatly influenced by current and former Torchbearers – carrying the torch into the future. Engrained in the development strategy is providing opportunities those in the Women’s Association to ascend to the Senate, the Boards and other positions of leadership within our society. We will take care of our own.

WE must be united in our purpose to be united in progress. Now, anyone who knows me, know that I am not a sports fanatic, but I always found interesting a quote used often in sports, “In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put the team first -- ahead of personal glory.”

I draw on this quote as it speaks to unity and the importance of it. As long as we stay and fight internally, fight, backbite and undermine each other, we lose the strength to fight externally – this should be our real goal. We all need to keep our ears open and defend our party when detractors write about us on facebook, Bahamas Press and other media vehicles. We must defend our party when people hit the airwaves and attack us, we have the ability and right to call in, all we need is the will to do so. Our shared vision, strategies and objectives will give you tools to fight with and principles to fight for.

FNMs, today I thank you for participation in this conclave as your input is invaluable in developing the way forward.

Today, I ask for your support of the new leadership team… Today, I ask for your re-commitment to this Free National Movement party… Today, this conclave served as a catalyst to reorganize internally, restructure our plans, revitalize our people, rebuild confidence in our leadership, and return as the next government of this great Commonwealth. FNMs today, we hold the torch high to ignite the hope in the youth. We hold the torch high to ignite the pride in the founding members, a pride that is entrusted to us.

We hold the torch high to ignite the faith in the electorate. We hold the torch high to ignite the future!

In closing, Woodrow Wilson, the 28th US President once said, “We cannot be separated in interest or divided in purpose. We stand together until the end."

Thank you.

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