Bonti Liverpool calls it quits

Bonti Liverpool is calling it a day as Chief Scout Commissioner

J.M Bonti Liverpool, the man who led the resurgence of scouting in Dominica five years ago, has decided to call it a day as Chief Scout Commissioner citing succession considerations and the fact that he has turned 60.

“I am 60 now and my scouting sun is waning,” Liverpool explained. “It is time for me to step aside to let the suns of my subordinates reach their zenith.”

He said although he is not retiring from scouting all together he believes that the scouting movement needs a younger person to head it. “I believe that a youth movement such as scouting needs a younger person to head it at Chief Commissioner level, of course aided, supported and guided by elder experience and counsel. Having said that, let me hasten to add that I am not retiring from scouting, neither am I resigning from the scout movement. As US Army General Douglas MacArthur put it: ‘I am not retreating. I am advancing in another direction,’” Liverpool stated.

According to the scouting commission Liverpool has contributed enormously to the scout movement on the island. Invested in August of 1967, Liverpool to date has given 45 years of service to the scout movement. A hard-nosed and thrusting leader, he was at the Fourth Caribbean Jamboree with Eardley James in 1972 and at the 9th Caribbean Jamboree with B.B. Williams in 1987. 1988 saw him ramrodding the 5th Caribbean Cuboree as the Camp Chief.

Universally known as “Chief,” the ace Scouter fought and won a protracted war with drugs and alcohol to come roaring back to take the all but dead scout movement to where it is at present. From two troops in 2007, statistics now show the  Association boasts 16 troops around the island with a vision to establish a troop in every primary school.

Liverpool has been described as a multifaceted individual, tough, sensible and tenacious. He is a Unit Commander in the Dominica Cadet Corps, President of the Grand Bay Tourism and Environmental Committee, Coach of the Thunderers Basketball team in the Grand Bay Basketball League and the Executive Director of the only residential substance abuse programme on the island.

It is said that his driving leadership carried a brand of its own, and his charisma was unmistakable. Many say he is a leader of the old breed who led from the front. His skills at both oral and written communication were legendary and he possessed an irrepressible sense of humour.

Notwithstanding the fact that he has committed himself to remaining in scouting, there is no doubt that his hand at the helm will be sorely missed.

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31 Comments

  1. Quentin Bhikoo
    February 2, 2013

    Bonti
    Have not heard or seen you for close to four decades.
    I have to say meeting you in the neighburing Island was an great experience, to have a retropect of the way things were back then, you would certainly wear a GREAT SMILE as to your accomplishments .You have done a GREAT JOB..
    Hear from you soon.. email address [email protected]
    Quentin Bhikoo

  2. dorcas
    October 5, 2012

    a job well done

  3. dorcas
    October 5, 2012

    well done mr liverpool

  4. dorcas
    October 5, 2012

    :cry: :-P

  5. once a scout ...
    October 4, 2012

    Mr. Bonti Liverpool became Chief Commissioner in 2007. But he was called Chief since in the early seventies. People like Sooloot Govern’s mother, Dogo’s mother (Asay,) Miss Agnes they all use to call Mr. Bonti Chief when he was our Scoutmaster in Grand Bay. Chief was a man you could trust. He was a hard leader, but we would follow him to hell and back. Once at the Center, in the middle of the night, rain, rain, rain. Chief crawled on his stomach in the mud under our tent to take our hot pot of food on us. Chief was a first category scout, and he would train you. Chief was hard but he had jokes and old stories. He has left the Chief Commissioner post, and I don’t know what will happen to scouting. But Chief always knows what he is doing. He will die before he let scouting die. Ask fellas like Lolly, Jeffo, Clifton, Pensho, Dogo, Pupa, Flappy, Gregory and a million other scoys around Dominica and they will tell you what kind of scout Chief was, and is. RESPECT CHIEF!

  6. st Joe Scout
    October 4, 2012

    thanks Mr Liverpool for the service that you have given to Dominica socut movement, i am one of them that can confest to you leadership in he movement you have teach me well, and I thank you very much, the st joseph scout troop will miss you your work will not go unnoticed my God give you good health to continue the work that you would like to do let wihs you good in your endeavors, and I pray God scouting will move on. thanks Chief

  7. Sout Man
    October 4, 2012

    Well done ‘Batu’. South City is proud of you.

  8. Clever_E
    October 4, 2012

    A job well done chief , you did us well, I learned a lot of my leadership skills from you and by your fun way of passing on what you know to the younger generation ….. We at the Kalinago Scout Troop truly appreciate you…..Your Legacy will go on……

  9. Big Fast Windy
    October 4, 2012

    We are proud of you, N’Batu Mohamad Ali Kaboul Kawuka…..keep on doing the good works..JAH BLESS…. :wink:

  10. out of south city
    October 3, 2012

    We’ll continue to produce great personalities in Grand Bay. Bonti, you have done your job and may I congratulate you for your stedfastness, sacrifice, tenacity, arduous work, your love for the youth and those who many gave up on.
    Most of all, you are a resilient person.

  11. CUBA
    October 3, 2012

    People like Patrick John and those who like to hold on to power and fight for power needs to learn from Mr. Liverpool. Although he was performing well he still felt that he must make way for those younger than himself. That is a real leader who can lead a country. I am disapointed that he has left being the Comissioner because no others did what he did and no others can lead the scouts like him. And with the work he does with alcoholics and drug people that man is a blessed man sent by God.

  12. Not a herd follower
    October 3, 2012

    It is great to see that Bonti Liverpool has fought his demons and resumed his community leadership. The Bonti of old is back! I wish him success in his personal life and community endeavours.

  13. Anonymous
    October 3, 2012

    AB the scout leader name is Mr. Davidson John. I share that same suggestion also to have him as commissioner. He is an outstanding member of the scout movement for many years, a community man, one who is firm and serious but can be very jovial at the right time. I hope one of the good days they will see it fit to give him his flowers while he is alive and make him a recipient of a national award.

  14. J.J.John-Charles
    October 3, 2012

    The man is saying “I have not been active for the major part of my life”.But he is still finding fault with Bonti Liverpool,Quoting the motto “Be prepared”, and asking WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THAT NOW?

  15. Lougaoo Mem
    October 3, 2012

    We are proud of your achievements as the Chief Scout Commissioner, and confident that you will continue to play a pivotal role in mentoring the youth in our beloved village. We wish you all the best and still expect great things from you. Bondolo, you are special, take care and God bless!

  16. HigherDanDat!
    October 3, 2012

    “Old Soldiers never die, they only fade away”

  17. I am watching..
    October 3, 2012

    I know Mr. Liverpool personally and no doubt believe that he is a great leader, a good writer and a great motivator. I must confess i learn alot from him and wish him all the best his future endeavors.

  18. Francisco Telemaque
    October 3, 2012

    Lord Baden Powell the organizer of the Scouting did not quit as the head scout master when he turned sixty years old. What happen to the Scout Motto where states: ” Once a Scout always a Scout?”

    I was a cub scout at age, 9 years old, became a full pledge Scout at twelve years old, and although I have not been active for the major part of my life I am still a Scout.

    As we were thought to: ” Be Prepared. ”

    What happens to all that now?

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • Anonymous
      October 3, 2012

      He has paved the way for someone like you to take the baton and run with it.

    • Dorival John
      October 3, 2012

      Well, he said he is still a scout…..he just quitting as scout commissioner for younger blood to take up leadership position. I good move, in my opinion.

      • Francisco Telemaque
        October 3, 2012

        Okay great, but Lord Baden Powell remained in command until the day he died, and when he died his wife continued as chief scout leader, in this case the age of the leader does not matter.

        Take for instance the Supreme Court of the United States, once you are appointed an supreme court judge, that position is for life, unless you become so ill that you are unable to function.

        If the person above suggest that I take up the baton and run with it, I must decline, since I reside in California, quite a few thousands of miles away from Dominica you see, nevertheless if I was at home maybe I would consider developing a scout trope in whatever area I reside.

        I am certain it would be in Wesley though; by so doing I might be in a position to help keep a few boys out of trouble, by engaging their minds into something productive, thus preventing them from becoming involve into criminal activities, and ultimately hardened criminals.

        Scouting is a good organization: it produces highly discipline people; its doctrine teaches that we must help other people at all times under all circumstances.

        That doctrine has saddled me all of my life.

        Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • Shameless
      October 3, 2012

      The scouting motto is still “Be Prepared” the last time I checked. The “once a scout always a scout” is and old scout saying so even if Chief retires as commissioner I am sure he is not ever going to stop being a scout. Its in his blood. Let me take this opportunity and say a BIG THANK YOU to Chief for his selfless service. Because of people like him, B.B. Williams, Raul Hector and Edward Henderson I am a much better person today.

      Assertive, NOT Agressive!

      • Looking in
        October 3, 2012

        So my Dad did help in molding your life and making you a better person. Thank you for being so grateful. Even though is just one person, that makes me feel so good.
        Bonti, from one Scouting family to the next, I wish you all the best and thank you for serving. Keep up the good work.

      • :)
        October 4, 2012

        Francisco yeah ..all u say is if you were in DOmnica what u would do..but when u were what did u do?..stupes…Mr. liverpool is still with us so what r u trying to saying..stop running your fuel out for what u do not know..do not let the headlines of dno get to you…stupes man. He has done alot for us scouta and is still doing..so step back and give Mr. liverpoool a break on his 60th birthday..We love you Mr. Liverpool and our young leader is coming full force with your help.

    • Anonymous
      October 4, 2012

      Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemague… AGAIN!!

      Oh God, forget me. Please help DNO.

  19. Peacock
    October 3, 2012

    A beautiful review of the accomplishments of Mr. Liverpool. That is indeed giving one’s flowers whilst he is alive. Kudos to Mr. Liverpool.

  20. AB
    October 3, 2012

    I wish to suggest that this scout leader from Mahaut be the replacement to Mr. liverpool. I do not know the name of the guy from Mahaut, slim guy, very serious yet embodies the spirit of community and scouting. If any one knows his name please share it here. I think he should be considered as the next scout chief.

  21. October 3, 2012

    Bonti..you have done a great service for all those young men! Dominica is so much better because of your kindness and good will. You will be missed!

  22. beware
    October 3, 2012

    well done Bonti! You have to be admired and congratulated for your selfless dedication to Scouting and the Scout Movement in Dominica. I know it can be a thankless job for which you do not receive any pecuniary reward but your efforts at moulding our young men has been tremendous. We need many more leaders like you who have overcome your own personal challenges to contribute voluntarily to the development of our youth. I wish you all the best as you move on.

  23. Observer
    October 3, 2012

    Thank you Chief. You have done well. Some of us know when to quit and allow another generation to come up and lead. Recycling ourselves often times brings about more problems than we can afford. Keep the fire burning. Good luck.

  24. Anonymous
    October 3, 2012

    Has he received a National Award?

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