A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT

To our Members and Supporters:

I'd like to thank you all for your continued support over the years.  I want to extend a very special thank you for all our retired members, especially those living out of state, all over this country, who continue to support this organization.  Is it with them in mind that the importance of this website, the delivery of scheduled newsletter, and the honest accuracy of both their content is written and timely delivered.

I’ve had the privilege to work for this organization in previous positions such as 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President and Treasurer.  As a long time member, previous and current member of this executive board, these positions offered me the opportunity to watch, work and learn from former presidents of this society, from the eloquent Tony Romero, to the articulate SFM Hector Rivera, to the sometimes abrasive style of Lt. Jose Garcia, to, of course, the diplomatic style of Lt. Miguel Ramos.  My hope is to bring my own style of leadership to this society, never forgetting the work and struggles which propelled us to the level of respect we’ve earned and cherish today.

I have and always will keep this society safe and strong.  My goals are several: make the society even stronger and larger, to bring your concerns, the concerns of this society to the forefront of this department.  I want to reach out to all the Hispanics, in all areas, of this Department.  Our brothers and sisters in headquarters, EMS , fleet services, mechanics division, etc should not be forgotten or ignored.  There is strength in numbers.  When one is disrespected and underprivileged then we are all disadvantaged by it.  I have & continue to reach out to our affiliate fraternal organizations for better communication and relations in our similar endeavors.

During my campaign for the presidency I stated there will be a change for more involvement and representation for our younger members.  I will work hard with this new Executive Board to listen and address the concerns brought forth.  I will be looking to appoint certain younger & senior members, both male and female, Fire, EMS & non-uniform, to an adviser committee to work alone with this new Executive Board to assure a good and fair representation of all our members when reviewing options and our game plans.

As we all know, this society is more than just an organization that has picnics, attends parades and holds great scholarship dinner dances and parties.  I ran for President to continue to build a Society that lives up to our founding promise of equality for all our brothers and sisters.  Equality is a moral social imperative. That’s why throughout my career, I have always supported this society’s efforts to eliminate discrimination and level out the playing field.  I personally believe that the Hispanic Society represents one of the best ways to insure that equality.  But I also believe that it is our moral responsibility to view the balance of what we give up in the pursuit of that equality.  I will continue to fight your fight and speak up on your behalf and hold this department to account.

That is where I stand on some of the issues of the day. But having the right positions on the issues is only half the battle. The other half is to win membership support for those positions. And winning support will require stepping outside my comfort zone.  As history has proven, I have no problem stepping out of mine and weathering the storm, when need be, but knowing that it’s done with your support will strengthen my fight.  Remember, there is strength in numbers & that united, not divided, we are strong. 

Lack of racial and gender diversity has been an issue in the FDNY for decades and continues to be an area of major concern.  Our numbers are growing with 68 Hispanics in our last probationary class but this is no time to rest.  The most important role we can have in this endeavor is that of the role model.  As positive role models, with visual exposure in our communities, we are the best recruitment tool we have at the moment.  The position of role model must be continuously reinforced and supported by all of us.  That is why the behavioral attitudes of some members of this department which forces our members to reduce or avoid public display of Hispanic heritage pride will be one of the focused areas of this new Executive Board.  We live in an era of being “politically correct” and some have learned new ways to hide their agendas.  Hispanic Members of this department have the same rights to display their heritage pride as do any of the other groups this great department is comprised of.  We have all learned about the “firehouse culture” but we need not and must not sacrifice our own culture in the process.

Since the election my election, I continue to read numerous letters & emails and listen to countless voicemails of what members have to say.  I address each issue and will respect them all.  I promised to make our meetings a place where all members are assured that they are always welcome to come, speak freely, state their concerns, their opinions and that all such will be always be respected.  I have instituted new policies and courtesies on the manner in which our meetings are conducted.  Cross talk has been eliminated and will not be tolerated.  All members who wish to address the society & its members are to do so thru the Executive Board only.  All future meetings will continue to begin promptly at 7:30pm.  Our meeting are held the last Monday of every month and are held on the lower level of the Mi Gente Café located at 1306 Unionport Road , off Westchester Ave , in the Bronx, New York , 10461.  Agendas will be handed out at the beginning of each meeting so members will know what and when topics will be covered.

I can always be reached by email at fdnyHispanicSociety@yahoo.com.  A voicemail message can always be left on our Hispanic Society Hotline at 718-482-3375.

Rest assured I am not gullible or easily persuaded.  I will never compromise on my commitment to The Hispanic Society’s fight for equality for all members and proper representation by this department of the city it protects.  But neither will I close my mind to the wise thoughts and advice of those with knowledge & experience from which I can benefit from.  This is the work I must do, the work we, as an organization, must do to move forward.

I have been granted the honor to represent and work for this society and all its members.  I continue to look forward to all our challenges and the achievements we will accomplish.  Again, thank you all for your continued support of this very successful and extremely important organization.

We, Latinos, as one in this country are a sleeping giant beginning to stir.  Inevitably, we will arise & when fully awaken our influence and contributions are undeniably evident.

Sincerely,

Lt. George Ricco Diaz
President Hispanic Society

MEMBERSHIP
If you are an employee of the NYC Fire Department, uniformed or civilian, Fire or EMS, and have not yet joined the FDNY Hispanic Society or know someone in the same situation, we urge you to come, visit, attend one of our events or meetings and see for yourself what we are all about. Check our Calendar of Events for the next scheduled event or meeting.  Together we can make a difference.

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