A master plan toward progress

Former CNMI Judge Jose S. DelaCruz, Tony Pelligrino and Hyatt General Manager Nick Nishikawa have made statements in our newspapers that are proactive, not reactive. That’s a great step forward but they fall short of what I feel is actually needed.

We need an articulated, detailed, flexible, master plan for progressing toward the quality of life we desire. Planning on a CNMI-wide basis is of paramount importance. Locally available expertise can be utilized to implement what I have in mind. Here’s how to do it.

First we need to ask ourselves this question: What do we want the CNMI to be like in 20, 30, or 50 years? Then set up the Economic Summit suggested by Mr. DelaCruz. Three questions need to be addressed to realize this summit. Who should be the participants? Where and when should it be held? Who should be the participants? The participants should include folks with the following characteristics and you know who you are. Contributors attending the summit:

1. Should understand that change is normal and that the rate of change is increasing.

2. Should see events as interrelated, not separate and unconnected.

3. When looking at change, recognize the need for a whole system perspective.

4. Need to understand that there are many possible alternative future scenarios. There are probable, possible, and preferable futures.

5. Should be able to identify goals that will make the preferable future more probable.

6. Should be able to recognize the values on which the preferable future is to be based.

7. Should have the ability to commit energy, resources, and time to create the preferable future desired.

8. Should recognize and internalize that everything, including our future, is uncertain.

9. Should be aware that everything we do (or don’t do) has consequences for which we must take the blame or the credit.

10. Must have a gut feeling of the importance of their ideas, values, and positive visions as they relate to creating a better future, i.e., we can make a difference!

11. Must accept the concept that what each person does today will impact tomorrow.

12. Recognize the importance of short-, medium-, and long-range planning. We cannot leave the future to chance, but must proactively try to create the future we prefer for ourselves and our posterity.

For us to have a preferable future, we must all recognize that our choices and actions in the present will have an impact on creating this preferable future. We must realize that each of us is creating the future that we will be living and working in by what we think and do in our everyday lives and that we have choices in what we do. We must make a personal commitment to do something—no matter how small it may seem—that we feel can help make this world a better place. We’ve already started making a better future when we smile and are cordial to strangers. After all, a stranger is just a friend that you haven’t met yet.

What should be addressed at this summit? Establishing goals and the activities required for improving the areas of most concern to this community. What are they? Healthcare, education, public safety, and infrastructure. Remember, events in each of these areas are interrelated and have direct bearing on our economy, which in turn has direct bearing on our quality of life.

Where and when should this summit be held? Mr. Nishikawa, could the Hyatt provide a venue and some support? I know it would be done well. I estimate 100 participants give or take. When? As soon as possible, ASAP. It is obvious that the public cannot rely on elected leaders to provide the wherewithal to accomplish what I am proposing. While some may think me presumptuous, I am more than willing to take on the coordinating responsibilities needed to see this summit materialize. Contact me at ludwick@itecnmi.com or 322-4950. Hopefully, I can count on the assistance of Judge DelaCruz and Tony Pellegrino, and the rest of those proactive individuals in our community. I can’t do it alone. Let me hear from you. Of course, plans don’t get implemented without work. After the results of the summit are produced, our whole community of proactive people will have to work together to see that these fruits come to fruition. As a friend of mine once said, “Talk is cheap.” Let’s get on with it!