Dr Ramona Morales, ASD-Historian of Asia Pacific Area 2020-2021
History, is one of the many Service Areas of our organization; however, it may seem to have been afforded the least of cognizance.
This article is submitted, in an attempt to stress its merit, hoping that a stronger focus on History can be appreciated, support through records contribution is increased and bringing it up – to – date is encouraged.
2020/21 ASD Historian Ramona UJ Morales
Our organization is distinct and unique; we are the only service organization having a special partnership with the longest and largest youth organization in the world – the YMCA. Our mission is anchored on Christ’s teachings. These facts should be reasons enough to be proud as Y’s Men.
Nearly a hundred years since 1922, our organization has grown remarkably; from a meager fifteen, led by our founder, Judge Paul William Alexander to today’s around 26,000 membership. Along with this growth however, comes the challenge to adopt to the changing global atmosphere and varying needs of the community we serve.
In the evolution of time, only past events can help us track and determine how we are moving forward. To effectively do that, we must have accurate records to remind us of our successes as well as teach us from our failures. Yes, we hear comments that “there’s no need to dwell on the past; what matters is the future.” Yet, only documented History as a reference tool, can tell us how we have moved along and how we may do better.
The question now is – how much value have we given to our History or how mindful are we to the need of chronicling our records, at least for our Asia Pacific Area?
In her 12 September 2020 Memo, ISD/PAP Debbie Redmond disclosed that “many people complained about the History book written for the 75th Anniversary since they didn’t think it was Global; yet not enough information had been provided to make it more Global”. So, she echoed an appeal; that “any significant dates, any photos (past and present) and additional information would be greatly appreciated”.
In response to ISD Debbie, AP David Lua reflected, “it is unfortunate that we have not had much success in the past in documenting the history of our Area Asia Pacific”.
Without doubt, there are so many good stories to tell and voluminous achievements to pride ourselves through the years; we may not just have much success to collect and collate them.
Why History?
Use of history explains how an organization can utilize its past. The job of leaders, is to inspire and devise smart strategies for the future. As a leader strives to get people working together productively, sharing the organization’s history can implant a sense of identity and purpose. For our leaders then, the challenge is to find the usable inspiring past of our organization’s history.
Once this basic truth about how history shapes our culture is recognized, learning lessons from the past becomes clearly important. Although today’s context is radically different from what it was 20, 40, or even 80 years ago, we can still draw lessons from how previous generations of leaders confronted and responded to challenges and opportunities.
You can leave a Legacy!
Great leaders respect and honor the basic truth that to lead with a sense of history and to acknowledge its power is not to be a slave to the past. And though they may not view themselves as historians, they find it useful to think and talk about the past—in the present and in living color. In doing so, they don’t simply manage their organization more effectively; they find their own place in history.
Let us think like a Historian.
The reality is that we are all historians when it comes to making decisions. The ability to identify opportunities or problems in the present (and to frame aspirations for the future) inevitably grows out of personal experience, augmented by our broader societal knowledge of what has come before.
The great historian of business strategy and organization Alfred D. Chandler Jr. never tired of asking his Harvard Business School classes and colleagues, “How can you know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been?” In other words, “Look Back to Plan Forward”.
I appeal to every member of this team for your contribution. Please share your “aha moment”; be a part of history and help provide a guiding pathway for generations to come.
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