BOSCO WRITES I don't believe the GOA sell themselves as "prior membership to any sort of club not necessary". But I do know with certainty that new immigrants are usually dealing with issues that affect new immigrants - jobs, house, jobs, rent, jobs, family, jobs, kids school, jobs....you get the drift.
RESPONSE. I did not indicate nor imply that the GOA had any PRIOR Club Membership requirements. Your statement is in itself proof that since they have never had exposure to the Club system, their life revolves along as you say " jobs, house,jobs,rent,family,jobs school jobs. They do not have a broader outlook to life other than their own inner circle neither can they see beyond their noses that there is a big world out there waiting to be discovered and shared with them should they take their beaks out of the sand. The founders of the GOA and subsequent committees and members had the same or indeed greater constraints, yet were able to set aside time to devote to this exceptional organization which promotes and brings together people of Goan descent in a forum where they can meet other fellow Goans and enjoy cultural and social activities. I think that the current influx of immigrant Goans is as I have stated not in the least inclined or find it possibly not economical to join and participate in the Associations activities and as I have said before, neither are the majority of our youth. True the latest trends in more youthful committees is a good sign, but this has sadly not resulted in any significant level of increase in membership. I also feel , having been in one of the committees, that there is no appreciation for members of the committee by certain members who while contributing the least by way of helping the committee members achieve their goals, are the most vocal by way of criticism and pulling down or demeaning members of the committee particularly at the AGM. Keep in mind that all the committee members are volunteers and give of their services willingly. Your comments regarding the Clubs in Africa being Cast based is true. We therefore have a Good chance of forming one united Goan organization and indeed this organization should and has been the GOA. Now you perhaps are trying to undermine the largest Goan Association by striving to promote the Canorient Toronto. There you go again, fragmenting the community by opening yet another splinter clubs. Why cannot we Goans unite? This is our downfall. When we see success, within our community, we try to minimize it or downplay instead of being proud of and supportive of the success. Your comments regarding Hindu Goans migrating to Bombay, is noted. However the immigration of Hindu Goans to Bombay is still not as large as the Christian Migration out of Goa which is so significant that whereas there used to be a Christian majority, there is now a Hindu majority. Manuel ( Eddie) Tavares.
