We want to express how grateful we are for the opportunity to present to NTM the thoughts and feelings that were expressed to us by many of you. All along the way it weighed heavily on us the importance of accurately communicating your thoughts and feelings when the time came. We want to assure you that we believe we were able to do just that at our meetings this past weekend.
We know that as we all look back at the pain of the abuse that was suffered and NTM’s response to it, we agree that their response was lacking. They appeared to lack the volition to do what was right, the public empathy we needed and wanted, and the willingness to pursue transparency with the end goal of a healthier organization. These are some of the concerns that we addressed with NTM during our meetings.
We, as a representative group, are hopeful. The five of us who sat across the table from three members of the NTM-USA Executive Board, an attorney, and the Director of Personnel, believe that they realize we are not on a witch hunt and our purpose in confronting them with our concerns is NOT an effort to destroy NTM. We are also acutely aware of the fact that the Panama MK’s as a whole are extremely diverse in outlook, experiences, beliefs and desires. We believe that we effectively communicated this to NTM this weekend as well. We do not take lightly that what will arise from this investigation may be painful for many of us and our families.
What we DO want is for NTM, as a whole, to deal in truth. We recognize the difficulty in looking back 30-plus years to decipher what truth is. But we know that IS possible in spite of the difficulties. Most importantly it is essential that NTM address not only the abusers, but also the abusive environment from which these things grew, as well as the leadership who may have known of abuse and failed to act.
We believe that there is a way forward. Through greater openness in the investigative process and a willingness to advocate for those who have been wronged, NTM can achieve a successful result which will justify the significant expense of this process.
We ask for your patience as you wait with us for the statement of actions from NTM to which they will commit. We want to again express our heartfelt thanks to all of you who prayed, responded and gave generously.
Sincerely Panama MK Representatives
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