The FPCBP Needs To Concentrate – The Disputed Election Process

By Devin Meireles

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the following article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position and policy of lusocanada.com, Luso Canada Media Corp. and its administration

There’s been an inclination for me to write something since the fallout from the FPCBP (Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business & Professionals) General Membership Meeting in June 2023. For those unaware, there seemingly has been some contention among the elders that expected to be elected towards the younger candidates that were actually chosen during the election process, myself included at the time, however I have since stepped down from my membership on the Board.

I do agree that the voting process should have been facilitated better, standardized and transparent, however I can’t help but feel that if the roles were reversed, the younger group would not get any respect in that sense. If it were a question about ethicality, as it has been contested with the 2023 election, the older community members would just swat the youth aside with no explanation.

Such is the trope of the typical Portuguese to disregard the youth while complaining that they don’t get involved in the same breath. From my perspective, those individuals will never be happy unless they are at the helm of it all. Ego is very much a driving force for some. It’s easy to bellyache when you don’t get your way but without cooperation, communities don’t succeed. However, my impression wasn’t any different when I got behind the scenes as a Board Member. Apparently, everybody wants to be in control.

So there I was, relishing at the opportunity to contribute to the community, honouring the purpose and intent of the FPCBP mission statement, which I had been fortunate to be impacted by many years ago as a scholarship winner, while offering some insight into how the Federation can adapt to a new future however I found that the hardest part for me stepping into the role was being a proponent of change. It felt like I walked into a burning building with no smoke visible from the outside. That heat within a pressure cooker atmosphere was my first impression of being a Board member.

The reaction was overblown because I never thought the vision was to uproot what foundation had been established but rather to optimize how things are done so that the future can find a place where they fit, as I had been lucky enough to discover for myself. Without the youth, the future of everything falls apart but for whatever reason, some of the elders were kicking and screaming before even giving the new Board of Directors a chance. We were set up to fail. Now in retrospect, I understand some of what they complained about.

The biggest change at first was simply the faces but the Board had already seen financial support drop out before even getting started. That was a kick in teeth and certainly disheartening to see, especially after being backed by such sponsors for a long time. However, that could have been the onset of a new beginning for the Luso-Canadian community. In all honesty it still could be.

With the manner in which things transpired at the membership meeting, I think those people choosing camps are only drawing a line in the sand—you’re either part of the problem or part of the solution. How those people reacted will differentiate what side of the discussion they support. Unfortunately, not everybody is on the same page for the benefit of the community and from my perspective, things have only spiraled since then. I have chosen to not pick sides but have respectfully resigned as a Board member until I see a real vision with a plan.

Change is Hard to Accept

Change is inevitable. The evolution of society is constantly thrusting us into uncharted waters. We have to either sink or swim at the face of reconditioning with what we recognize to be our identity in hand. One hundred years ago, they would say that the devil is artfully steering us into the waters of hell. Lucifer is cunning as they are illustrative.

It’s been happening forever. Our parents’ parents and their parents have seen extraordinary things that are just commonplace today. Just look at where religion has gone, the influence of rock music and what computers have become. Alas, the world turns just the same.

So why is progress so hard to accept?

If the future is now, let’s get with it already. Something’s gotta give and it won’t be the kids. Apparently, it won’t be the elders either.

The bridge to progress has been unpaved for the longest time. It takes the future and the past to meet in the middle. That is necessary for proper handover. Without it, that is a communication gap between generations that has stagnated this acceptance. That is what muddles the cross wires. So, we collectively flounder, postponing the inevitable, until we all come to grips with the reality of where we are headed.

Tell that to your Uncle Joe that slandered Facebook for the longest time before sliding into your DMs with prayer gifs every morning! If we only accepted it without all the angst. They were just as annoying either way.

And that’s what bedevils progress. Misunderstanding and an unwillingness to change. The elders take issue with how the youth do things. Telling them what to do. Treading on their outlook but they hate it when told otherwise. The irony is baffling because both sides don’t want to listen to each other.

It seems like every decade there is some contention about where things are going, and with good reason, but if they seek to understand before judging, we all could be spared the headache of another lecture from Uncle Joe.

The funny thing is that we are more alike than we think or willing to acknowledge. In the grand scheme of things, there are inherent similarities across generations. We are tasked with breaking the ice for the ones that follow. It’s on us to break the mold for the future.

The clearest example are the immigrants who went against the tide to find opportunities overseas. They were brazen to do so. Some called them crazy. Some probably thought they had a deathwish. Alas, look at those pioneers now. They paved the path to make history. They formulated communities from scratch. They contributed to the cities where they landed, worked hard physical labour, built infrastructure then cleaned and maintained what they constructed. Their paychecks pumped money back into the economy. They created a foundation to thrive among themselves and set a future for their children. They were the icebreakers.

Similarly, we are faced today with another circumstance of tides changing. People will talk. People will pull funding and cry foul without seeing things through. The naysayers want to drown out the visionaries. The community finally has a group of young blood stepping up to the plate and all the discussion was around how the future is going sideways without the backing of these “passionate” leaders. It’s a damn shame. How ego can override any rational thinking.

So why is progress so hard to accept?

Why I Stepped Down

If you spoke of the success of those pioneers to the islanders from a century ago they would have probably called you a nutcase. An example of how short minded those set in their ways can be. That’s the communication breakdown. That’s the problem.

If you’re reading this, I implore you to actively listen to someone younger and hear what they have to say. Likewise, if you are young, lend an ear to an elder. Seek to understand before you want to be understood. That’s like extending an olive branch. Otherwise the dialogue will collapse. You will lose each other’s attention and never see eye to eye. If the elders take into consideration the progress that this Board wanted to implement, it can be observed how this would benefit the future of such an important community organization.

Imagine the FPCBP orchestrating a strategic plan to nurture more long-term success. Imagine adopting clear by-law language to carry the organization into the future and avoid any other membership meetings going array as it did in June 2023. Imagine setting goals, job descriptions, and updated policies and procedures. Imagine working towards full compliance with the government that can easily be presented when requested. Imagine doing all that while actively participating in Luso events and building more value for membership among businesses and professionals.

One of the pillars of the FPCBP is to encourage academic excellence and that will always be a major focus. Lifelong learning is important to everyone involved. That will always be one of the biggest incentives to get involved. The new Board had a grand vision of what that can be. All of us have to collectively try to garner this for the future and the elders need to recognize that pushing back only hurts ourselves.

The bridge to connect progress needs to be paved. It takes the youth and the elders to meet in the middle. That is the most practical method for proper handover. Without it, that is a continuation of the communication gap that has plagued generations.

All this being said, I stepped down from the Board after sensing that the objectives set out upon were cast aside. After six months, there was no strategic plan, the by-law language was not settled nor updated policies and procedures, and there was an apparent lack of focus on what mattered when we started. There was a lot more brainstorming than actually doing and that’s ultimately what drove me away. Perhaps guidance from those elders to stay on course and accomplish goals is what was missing from this Board.

I think it’s the same as it ever was but this can still be a moment for change. You can be part of the problem or be part of the solution. Surely this will happen again in the future, where a coup hinders what foundation had been set, but this time could be a momentous period for the Luso-Canadian community. The elders bear a responsibility to do right by their people and let bygones be bygones. They need to set aside their ego for the best interests of everyone. They need to stand alongside the new Board of Directors, and any future Board for that matter, to guide and steer them towards success, otherwise moving out of the way will not only give the youth free range but could hurt us in the long run. The FPCBP needs to concentrate and avoid distractions that derail their success.

My decision could be a part of the problem, and I recognize that, enabling what trajectory the FPCBP is currently headed towards; however I have chosen to support it at different capacities, be it volunteering or simply advocating for what is right. With my time, I want to go back to writing and plan on fulfilling my goals of publishing stories and articles. The politics and ego-stroking that happens behind closed doors is something that is not for me.

Through this experience, I realize that these things are not as simple as they may seem. If time has taught us anything, it won’t be those that seek the spotlight who step aside but egos must be disposed of for the betterment of the Luso-Canadian community. I wish to be selfless and continue to support as much as I can. The choice is either to get with the progress or get left behind. Regardless, we cannot abandon what has been established for over forty years because cutting off these community organizations will only shoot ourselves in the foot. We need unity now more than ever. Our future depends on it. With some coordinated concentration and a well-formulated strategic plan, I think that the FPCBP can win over those naysayers, but they really need to concentrate.

About the author: Devin Meireles was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, where growing up around the Portuguese diaspora had a profound effect on him. Now he volunteers to carry on the culture and give back to the community. In 2022, he published a book to preserve his rich Portuguese ancestry, which was a narrative nonfiction novel about his grandparents’ immigration to Canada. He has also been featured in literary journals, health magazines, and cultural newspapers. Apart from creative writing, he enjoys adding to a collection of tattoos, banknotes and travel stamps. His profession is in the healthcare industry as an operations leader where his expertise routinely ensures day-to-day business with high level coordination. He lives near Lake Ontario with his wife and dog.