"My present career allows me to exercise all my talents and interests."

GeriAnn Austin is human resources manager of Almond Beach Resort

Q: Are you where you always wanted to be?

A: I have always been passionate about representing peoples' bests interests and doing whatever it takes to resolve issues and alleviate concerns. To do this I have to be an extremely creative wordsmith and actor; my present career allows me
to exercise all my talents and interests, so I would say most certainly I am where I want to be at this time in my life. Recognising that life is in a constant state of flux as I continue to evolve, this too will change.

Q: What is your biggest professional challenge?

A: Successfully balancing my role as a "recruiter" and "disciplinarian" which often ties, due to the nature of the situation, a decision to terminate the services of persons in fields where there is a tremendous dearth – especially after going through the rigorous hiring process.

Q: What are your biggest life challenges?

A: Reconciling the way I would like things to be as opposed to what they actually are by actively seeking the actual to what I would like it to be.

Q: When you look to the future, what do you see?

A: The completion of educational pursuits and the establishment of my own business which encompasses my various talents and interests. Possibly political involvement at a strategic level.

Q: What is your favourite pastime?

A: Exercising, because it is essential to the stimulation of the mind and body; playing mas' and doing research.

Q: What is your favourite meal?

A: Grilled fish/chicken and vegetables and pelau.

Q: On Saturday nights where are you likely to be?

A: During Crop-Over I'll be at an all-soca fete, otherwise watching a movie or relaxing with friends and family.

Q: What upsets you most?

A: People who constantly criticise and complain yet do not actively engage in contributing to the improvement of the situation(s).

Q: What is your guiding philosophy?

A: When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel a sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better."

Q: If you had a chance to run Barbados for a day, what would you do?

A: Decentralise the role of Government and delegate it to the constituencies, where each is responsible for the management of its own affairs in all areas from social transformation to health. Community-run local Government will utilise community participation and social inclusion as methods of more effective and efficient governing, combating the replication of the challenges of central government such as domination by interest groups and elites to the disadvantage of the poor; corruption; gender bias and so on.

Of course central Government will have final legal authority in order to regulate and coordinate a more equitable distribution of resources as it would ultimately seek to represent and operate in the best interest of the island as a whole.

This form of Government should promote transparency, accountability, community participation for more effective and efficient resolutions to challenges and concerns, and hence contribute to the more comprehensive development of the country as a whole where not only urban and suburban areas will receive priority but rural areas as well.

This, I believe, would go a long way in reducing voter apathy and the general feeling of powerlessness that currently pervades the society. This would allow citizens to become more involved in decision-making that will fundamentally affect their lives.