Former National Director of ChildFund Caribbean Francis Joseph is seeking legal redress concerning a decision by the agency not to renew his contract.
Regional Director of the Americas ChildFund International Paul Bode has confirmed that the organization has received a letter from Joseph’s lawyer in that regard.
“From our perspective we are fully complying with all legal requirements and he has his full rights to seek legal redress if he thinks there is grounds for that but we think different. His lawyers wrote us a letter and we will be disusing the matter further,” he said.
He said the decision to dismiss Joseph was based on a new strategic plan which requires a fresh blood within the organization.
“Joseph during his long tenure with ChildFund has made a significant contribution to development of our programs in the region. But at this moment we are in the process of a strategic change towards the organization. We want to become stronger advocates for children and youths and considering the need we have now, we figure we need new leadership in the position of national director. We need fresh blood and that is the main reason why we decided to part with Mr. Joseph,” he explained.
Joseph, who worked for ChildFund for over 17 years, ended his tenure in April 2011.
ChildFund has named Mr. Mario Lima as interim National Director. Mr. Lima is currently the Director of ChildFund Guatemala.
Correction dear people, Joseph, or rather ChildFund, never and has NOT fired, or dismissed any employee since the global strategy approach began. As a matter of fact , Joseph and or ChildFund cannot fire anyone at the Federation *(community) level, it is the Board of the Federations to do. Please understand how Child-Fund and the Community Federations are structured.
An injustice was done it needs to be clarified……no reason, as far as \i am hearing was given for Joseph`s departure and at the same time that man Paul is out-here telling us in the field that “it is not his performance he was dismissed for….” to date no reason is given…it is unfair as \dominica has laws to be respected and one cannot apply USA laws on our people…..The last I heard Dominica is an independent country with laws to protect its people, and it laws must be respected
Good luck
Hello………I read unsubstantiative responses and I am an employee of Child\fund at the Federation level and to tell you that No ONE has been fired under the global strategy. We have been assessed to be well postioned to undertake this new task under the careful and sound leadership- leadership of Mr. Joseph..The level and credibility of CCF and ChildFund has been raised to a level unsurpassed by any other NGO and and this was carefully strategized and executed under the leadership of Joseph.. He has embraced new staff, with current staff with sound vision and developmental skills and they are all credible…Anyone, especially those laborites and Skerrities who want to comes out and try to smear the name of Joseph and enjoy this loss of a real son of the soul are in the company of people who really do not understand development. I take it that they will laugh at Joseph exit as they saw him as a threat, as against an asset whereas this is someone who is able to to comment and educate us and the country`s real issues even where government people themselves are unable to do so..
Finally to those who do not know Joseph, please refrain from writing, but best ask questions as we will help you understand the work he has done……I kmow of the money he got to complete the Salybia clinic….i sat a couple times observing the meetings planning the next step…he raised the money and managed it thorugh a quantity surveyor just for transparency, accountability…good luck Joseph
MY GOD …POOR MA Dominique
DOMINIQUE…..MR JOSEPH THANKS…..
Dominicans must understand when a man has a contract it could be renewed or not base on your performance, no person should not take someone to court for not renewing a contract because you were not appointed. Too many of us are educated beyond our capacity. It is just like my good magistrate friend whose contract did not renewed and took the state to court. he is taking a ride on a dead horse. Deye’ mois pley bel ke’ visage mois.
At last mr joseph will fell what it is to be fired! thats how the other people he fired during his tenure at CCF felt, and funny, he did not want to hear about lawyer or Labour division, now he want to send layer letter to those people, eh eh, whats good for the goose is good for the gander; , god is not a policeman, he does give us our chance but when he ready, he pulling back her string, prayer is the best answer to all man’s cries
I shared the same sentiments and DNO never put my post but I will say again he must remember that the sayin “All dog have it day” and “what goes around comes around” is not a proverb of the past it is still applicable 2 day.. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm…. I SAY WRAP TAKE IT LIKE A MAN.”
Educate yourselves people. Child fund is not a Government Organisation. There main offices are in Panama and Richmond. Mr. Francis has let go persons in the organisation because of the new strategic plans so why cant he
I am a sponser of various children in Dominica. I also assist in their educational expenses. I have travelled to Dominica and was quite impressed with the island that I visited more than once. The screws spa is my favorite place. I reside in the United States and came across this blog via a search engine.
I met Mr. Francis Joseph at various functions for Child Fund and that includes his extremely impressive presentation at the United Nations where he represented the children of Dominica. His wealth of knowledge and genuine affection for Dominca is something that is lacking today. Dominicans should be proud of him and he will be missed.
The decision to release him was not the GOVERNMENT of Dominica but Child Fund formerly known as Christian Children Fund. To the best of my knowledge, Child Fund tried to cease helping the children of Dominica until Mr. Joseph took over 17 years ago. There decision to terminate Mr. Joseph is NOT based on his performance or their need for new blood. I am concerned about their timing since Mr. Joseph objected to their redirecting overseas sponsers away from Dominican children to those in Africa. I experienced their lack of sensitivity to Dominica children when, on more than one occasion, they ignored my wishes for Dominca and purposely sent me children from Africa.
It saddens me to read anything negative about Mr. Joseph especially from those who do not know the depth of his knowledge and expertise. I would rather see Dominicans rally around this great man from your rich, green, and “Eden” island that God has blessed with natural beauty rather than belittle the great that he has done. I was so touched by his dedication to the children that I got some of my financially independent friends to help secure funds for the building of the Salybia clinic. That was yet another achievement of his.
One must question something that does not make sense. Why would they remove Mr. Joseph and replace him with someone from another country? Who has the best interest of Dominica and its children? With Mr. Jospeh out of the loop, the children of Dominica will see less funds from sponsers and the organization will eventually leave Dominica.
God Bless Dominica. God bless Mr. Joseph. Dominca should be proud of him. You have a diamond in him for the price of silver.
You Name please
Thank you. it is not often that people take the time to write kind things about others. i too am aware of the move to redirect the funds which Dominica is now receiving … the rational being, there are more impoverised nation than ours. I will admit that this is true, however, we are grateful for what we receive. i join in saying thank you to Mr. Joseph. You have served the children of Dominica wel, and for that we re forever in your debt. God bless you.
I just want to say to the rest of the world that all Dominicans are not so ignorant. For the most part we are a well informed people.
It’s obvious that you people have access to the internet. So before making stupid comments use your computer and do a little research on the organization.
And as for Mr.Josephs dismissal. He being there for 17 years doesn’t mean they owe him anything but his pay check and any other remunerations stipulated within his contract. It’s not like he was a volunteer.
Joseph must know what is good for one is good for all, fair and balance. He must search within himself
Here we go again, blame the PM….Oh its raining its the PM fault.
Was Mr. Joseph an employee of the Government of Dominica? Is ChildFund a governmental organization, or a Non-Governmental Organization?
It is an NGO!!!!!
Boy DLP Government fence low…
And if it is what can you do about it???
DNO you need to make a correction. Government had nothing to do with Joseph’s employment.
I take this as a typo.
But from where in the article do you people get the sense that government was mentioned? ‘Cause I don’t see it even after rereading it over and over.
There is contradiction here. this picture does not add up not even after viewing every pixel.If a man or woman served in a position for over a decade and you have had not found fault with him how the hell you come to such a decision on a baseless criterion as wanting new blood? Are you guys on medical marijuana or friends with chemicals? That arguement hold not water.Why can you not change direction with him /her as the rudder? Will he be taken on board in the welfare department and have him continue to contribute his deep experience in that direction.We are slowly losing any thing good that remains on island we continue to reward incompetence and destroy the competent. This is crystal clear to all and sundry see our national leadership (parliament)President, law enforcement,business sector, construction industry at a stand still engineers sidelined for oriental twits, venezuela & china all of a sudden determine our national direction,look at our legal system what a mess Da has suddenly regressed 35 yrs. It’s no longer the land I new this madness has to be halted by the necessary means. We will not may have to fight for our political economic and social independence independence this time around This sino accord is not acceptable no little crayfish can come into town and alter our national direction based on dictatorial methods. They oyght to be taught who own DA.
what does that have to do with the story? “regressed 35 years?,” we are not living on the same island.
Personally I don’t undertsand why Mr. Joseph feels that this position is his own and should not be given to any one else. He has held it for over 17 years, I can fully understand if the management decides that they want fresh blood in their organisation.
o.0….just so
lol by Government?? I thought is Child fund international that is Mr.Joseph employer!
why da fire d man
but what is wrong with these people,after the man do all that for child fund they letting go the man.well then again…………………………………this is the NEXT LEVEL.
get informed Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:42 am
@ cruz
You folks are so ridiculous and downright ignorant. Since when is the management of this institution the responsibility of the Government?
And what does the government have to do with him being laid-off, asked to resign or whatever the case may be.
Get your frigging facts straight before you belch out trash!…….frigging a….hole!!!
What i can’t believe that nonsense, fresh blood? This man has been working his butt off for this organization and you all just push him a side for fresh blood. “Francis Joseph is seeking legal redress concerning a decision by government not to renew his contract”
I am shocked that this is saying Government did not renew his contract. If so why and was this a political decision because his speaks his mind. Weh, weh, weh. Child fund in Dominica will never be the same again just wait and we all will see.
Francis i want you to make them pay legally, cause this nonsence is really unfair.
The Man was not working For Government. Fine Out The Meaning Of NGO Please.
I am not convinced that the ground provided to justify Mr. Joseph’s dismissal is sufficient in law unless if there are terms within his employment contract which provided for such eventualities.
We need fresh blood? and is this fresh blood a Dominican (Mr. Lima is currently the Director of ChildFund Guatemala) ? Dominicans we need to look closely at the decisions being undertaken in Dominica.
so those days it seems that one can only talk about things pertaining to his work and nothing else even if it is affecting him. You see that thing,, it going too 4 queens too far. May sa sa ye non? tonnerr man!!!!
Don’t worry Francis,
You are a man of transparency,intergrity,honesty etc,etc. They will try their best to silence you since are not for sale, but stand strong my brother and let the lord work for you. Your dad was a champion and you were raised with the best family values which you have carried on through out your various journeys.
Prod of you. They can’t keep a good man down.
I am puzzle! whose duty is it to appoint such person to Dominica is it the government or some other organization or body? The reason given by Mr Paul Bode is vague and seemingly lacking something. who is He? It seems that the government continue to discriminates voices of truth and independent opinions. I am sorry to accept such poor reason for dismal of a man of such experience in an organization. Mr Joseph I support your response may the good Lord uphold you. All the best.