Hunter presented with SYP Community Leader Award

CORE member Glen Hunter is presented with the Community Leader Award by the Saipan Young Professionals on Saturday at Kanoa Resort during their Christmas and community efforts celebration. (Contributed Photo)

SYP president Mable Ayuyu congratulated Hunter and recognized him as the recipient of this year’s Saipan Young Professional’s Community Leader Award, noting his selfless efforts and his dedication to helping out in the recovery efforts after the devastation of Typhoon Soudelor.

In his message on Facebook, Hunter said: “I am so humbled to have been presented with this award. I think it should have been the other way around though. The SYP are the true community leaders. At times the frustrations brought on by decisions of our current leaders can get me feeling hopeless. It is refreshing to watch this next generation stand up and speak out and take action. They are setting a new example. They are breaking the mold,” he said.

Hunter said that SYP possesses the kind of courage needed to lead the CNMI community forward, recollecting the tumultuous times and changes the CNMI has long endured.

“Myself, and those before me, have failed the CNMI. We overlooked all the incredibly unique resources we have. We opted for short-term gain. We failed to properly plan. We have failed to foster entrepreneurship. We have failed to preserve our natural resources. We have squandered public funds. We have abused our positions of power when given the reins. We have failed to plan and therefore we currently have a plan of failure. Have we directly done all that? Perhaps not but we have failed to stop it. At times we feigned ignorance. We have turned a blind eye. We have cowered to those in the community who bully the masses into silence and apathy. We have hushed our voice. It is up to the SYP leaders to change that,” he said.

Emphasizing the need to recognize and realize the true potential of the islands and to set a proper plan and vision for these islands, Hunter quoted the late businessman Tony Pellegrino, who used to say “we have diamonds beneath our feet…In the end, it is the members of SYP that give me hope for these beautiful islands I call home.”

According to Hunter, CORE is still working on providing comprehensive relief to survivors of Soudelor and, as a network partner with Commonwealth Advocate for Recovery Efforts or CARE, they are working with the American Red Cross NMI Chapter’s Immediate Disaster Case Management Team. This week they continue to discuss what unmet needs have been prioritized and how CORE can assist. They are also focusing on their work with the Medical Reserve Corp and Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. for medical clinics in 2016 similar to what they have done in the past.

The community award, along with other service activities, are one many SYP goals “to embrace an inclusive and powerful definition of professionalism and leadership that drives civic and cultural responsibility and community service.” Becoming a Saipan Chamber of Commerce stakeholder, building an authentic network and voicing ideas about important issues that affect the island are promoted within the group.