Public servants urged to serve with enthusiasm in these 'trying times'
The Premier was at the time making remarks at the Opening Ceremony/Church Service for Public Service Week at the New Testament Church of God International Worship Centre in Baughers Bay on Sunday June 2, 2013.
“You know that right now we are incurring some trying times and we need to all be on deck working to the best of our ability to so that the country can continue and survive,” Premier Smith stated.
Earlier, and after having sat and enjoyed some lusty singing, Premier Smith told the gathering, “I was just thinking when I heard the beautiful rendition by members of the Warriors that another way to raise funds is to have the public service put on concerts because you guys have got talent. When I go back to work tomorrow I will have discussion with the Permanent Secretary and see what I can do.” This promoted loud laughter and rounds of applause from the audience.
On a more serious note, the premier said that he was of the hope that every member of the public service community was looking forward to the weeklong activities as the competition therein helps to sharpen employees to doing better work.
“There is a concept called PSM, that is called Public Service Motivation, it is thought that some people, that some people are born to serve the public they have this attitude that they call public service motivation, some people have it in greater degrees than others. But I am led to believe that even though some people may not have this as an attribute that everybody can grow to love to serve the public,” Premier Smith said, adding that he is sure that everyone in the Public service arena of the Virgin Islands possesses those attributes.
Governor William B. McCleary underscored the observances as celebrating the contributions made by public servants towards the development of the Territory and to give members of the wider public an opportunity to gain a better appreciation and understanding for the work of the Public Service. He also acknowledged the various teams that have been formed for the purposes of the various competition that are being held this week. The teams are Panthers, Supersonics, Warriors and Eagles.
While the week will see a number of sporting activities, a number of preliminary competitions were started prior while a pep rally, cheer leading and track and field events take place during this week.
“I would like to congratulate all those who have been out at those events particularly the senior members of staff from the various organisations and ministries. It’s great to see everyone out there together playing with their team as team work is particularly important as we enter this Public Service Week,” stated Governor McClearey.
In addition to the sporting events, later this week would see the recognition of long serving and retiring public servants and the new activity this year being the Employees’ Feud. For the first time the open house would be held away from the Central Administration building. It will now be held at the multi-purpose sports complex to give visitors an opportunity to see the wide range of services offered by the government of the VI.
Several senior members of government were present at the Opening Ceremony, including Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering, Permanent Secretary within the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley who did a scripture reading and Mrs Joycelyn Hoyte of the National Bank of the Virgin Islands who did the inspiring sermon challenging public servants to take up their rightful roles and to do due diligence in performing their duties. Also present were UNESCO’s Dr Allison Flax-Archer and her husband David D. Archer, Mr Wilbert Richardson among several others.
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13 Responses to “Public servants urged to serve with enthusiasm in these 'trying times'”
Look at the church empty that should send the message how civil servants realy feels
Show what enthusiam, check out the immigration department. I see strippers refused entry and the decision was overturned by the Ch...f because they were coming to his friend. Whats there to be enthused about. Labour ddepartment make decisions and the minister override it seems like for the "might is right" status quo. T n C make decisions and the premier overturn them to satisfy the status quo. whats new, whats there to be enthused about. people come inot govt officers and disrespecting government employees. whats thee to be enthused about?
For the last two years I struggle to leave my apartment to go to work. I am not challenged, de-motivated, and I am surrounded by other young people that feels the same. My Ministry seems like it has no vision on really anything and the Department I work functions like it is standing on its head.
Works do not say anything for the fear of being fired and instead of working with passion and a sense of pride, many people stay hours dragging their feet. I thank God that I have a job but many times I wonder if these people see me. You put forward plans but no one takes you on. I suggest ideas and people say it sounds good but nothing is done. You ask questions for edification and they respond that the answers are above your pay grade.
So though I thank God for the job, I am not happy, I am depressed, I am not motivated, the frustration is growing, my anger is growing, the pain is growing and you wonder why people are leaving the service or contemplating suicide, or getting divorce, or just do not care about making a difference in the service anymore. No one cares and appreciates the junior staff and the daily paid so why then should we?
Many of us struggle to put on a smile and try to do something because we say we are children of God, and we try to go to church to get some sort of encouragement to push through the working week but even that sometimes is just not enough.