10 Ways to Kill An Association: Which One Have You Mastered?

A satirical article in our club bulletin (the Rotary) surprised me one night. On page 3 was "Ways to Kill an Association" which really got me laughing.

Later I asked myself why I found that article very funny, but that's getting ahead of my story.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="333" caption="Does anyone remember how Andres Bonifacio died and why? These days, we need living heroes: real men, who stand for principles, regardless of cost. May you be that kind of hero to your kids. (Image from Wikipedia)"][/caption]

Do you care to know what the funny article said?

Ways to Kill An Association

1. Don't come to meetings.


2. But if you come, come late.


3. If the weather doesn't suit you, don't think of coming.


4. If you don't attend, find fault with the word of the officers and other members.


5. Never accept an office, as it is easier to criticize than to do things.


6. Get sore if you are not appointed to a committee. But if you happen to be appointed, don't attend the committee meetings.


7. If asked by the chairman to give your opinion regarding some important matter, tell him you have nothing to say. Conduct your private meeting with the guy beside you. After the meeting, tell everyone how things ought to be done.


8. Do nothing more than absolutely necessary, but when other members roll up their sleeves and willingly, unselfishly, use their abilities to help matters move, howl that the association is run by a clique. Raise point of order motions and impose the use of parliamentary procedures at every discussion. But the moment it becomes formal, revers your gear and rationalize, "We're not lawyers so let us talk common language, without the usual decorum." At every turn, monopolize the discussion and raise hell whenever possible.


9. Hold back your dues as long as possible. Or don't pay at all.


10. Don't bother about getting new members. Let the other fellow do it.

A few nanoseconds after I was finished laughing, a "kill joy" question got through my psyche, which went, "What's so funny, Marvin?"

Can you tell me what indeed was so funny with that article?

I could put names and faces to every line of that article. That was the funny part.

My name and face count among them. That was the not-so-funny part.

I chose the image above for a sentimental reason. Andres Bonifacio was one of my heroes when I was a kid (no kidding).

But I must have slept in my history classes from elementary to high school, and a few years of college. That was because I found out about how Andres Bonifacio died only when I was already in my third year at the University of the Philippines. How could I be so dumb about that little detail in my country's history?

Anyhow, I felt sad about Bonifacio's death. I felt betrayed by General Emilio Aguinaldo. Then I felt sorry for the weakened and polarized Katipunan.

Going deeper still in my psyche, have Filipinos of today, especially the men, learned from the past? What have our fathers taught us about ourselves?

Then what are we teaching our sons about ourselves.

Don't you think a country is defined by how the men in that country look at themselves?

May your son model on you rightly.


Marvin
RaisingFilipinoBoys.com