Generation Now!, Inc. is a non-profit organization
founded in 2002 by a small group of young Virgin Islanders for the purpose of
undoing the apathy amongst their peers in matters pertaining to the leadership
of the community. That apathy has
emerged as a result of years of exclusion from the political and social
decision-making institutions within the Virgin Islands. Over the years, advocacy groups have emerged
to represent the interests of all other segments of the population with the
exception of the one with the most at stake - the young working men and women
of this community. Generation Now!,
Inc. exists to give these people a voice in the decisions that affect their
peace of mind and well-being.
The stated
mission of Generation Now!, Inc. is to create a network that educates and
inspires the community to improve the quality of life for all Virgin
Islanders. Generation Now! ambitiously
envisions itself becoming the premier organization positively creating and
molding the socio-political environment of the Virgin Islands in the not too
distant future. The organization
intends to accomplish its mission through the education of the community on the
social and political issues of greatest importance. By demonstrating the impact that these issues have on the average
man and woman, Generation Now! is hoping to break down the barriers of apathy
and ignorance.
Generation
Now! Inc. is rapidly building a membership base of diverse individuals to help
the organization accomplish its goals.
These young Virgin Islanders are focused, service-oriented, progressive,
dedicated, and energetic. They are
preparing to assume their rightful place in the leadership of this
community. They realize the torch will
not be passed unless they reach out to take it. Generation Now!, Inc. is there to advocate on behalf of those
with young children, young careers, young dreams, and young aspirations. This generation cannot wait on the promise
of a brighter tomorrow, for them the future starts today!
The group
is comprised of three standing subcommittees that coordinate the majority of
the groups work. These committees are:
- Public Policy
- Planning and Development
- Marketing
Public Policy is responsible for staying abreast
of the issues and crafting policy to address problems in the community. The
most significant development to date is the creation of the Legislative Report
Card. This report card is compiled every election and tracks all of the bills
and resolution of the senate over the last two years. The bills are sorted by major
sponsor and then ranked by their impact on the community. This tool has been
used by the electorate to cast informed senatorial votes.
Planning and Development is responsible for tracking the
course of the organization and making sure that the we stay true to our vision.
The planning and development community is responsible for the organization's
website, bylaws, and our articles of incorporation.
The most
significant by planning and development to date is the strategic plan for
Generation Now!. The strategic plan contains the vision, the mission and our
core values. This is the credo that guides all of the organization's
activities. The plan is a living plan and Board members routinely review and
revise the plan to ensure that actions of the group are consistent with its
vision.
Marketing is responsible for the growth of
the organization through public relations and events that foster a positive
image for Generation Now!. The most important rile of the marketing committee
is fundraising. This team works tirelessly to come up with new ideas to not
only raise funds but to create a fun environment for the many members that
volunteer for the work.
The
Executive officers and the three committee chairpersons create the Generation
Now Executive Board. The board creates and manages the budget and makes
decisions on funding and policy. They provide oversight for the organization
and handle the day to day business.
We are
extremely proud of the progress that we have made thus far and look forward to
making even more in roads to our community. We have a very diverse membership
that hail from all walks of life. We are neither generation nor political party
specific. Generation Now, Inc. serves as neutral forum for people who want to
make a difference in our community. Membership is open to the public and we
welcome new people who are committed to a better Virgin Islands. Remember,"Our future starts today".