Being a FOUNDER?

In many organizations, particularly within the Philippine GUARDIANS Brotherhood Inc. (PGBI), the title of Founder carries significant weight and prestige. It is a designation earned through hard work, dedication, and the creation of a new chapter within the organization. True founders are individuals who have actively contributed to establishing a new branch, recruiting members, and upholding the core values and traditions of PGBI.

According to the PGBI Constitution and By-Laws, a Founder (F) is defined as: “He / She is a senior member of the Organization coming from the ranks of the Ranking MAGIC Group (RMG), in the case of MAGIC Groups (MG), and Godfather (GF) and Godmother (GM), in the case of uniformed personnel, with at least five (5) years of active membership of good standing and who have established or organized at least one (1) local or foreign chapter. There shall be only one (1) Founder for every organized local or foreign chapter who shall stand as the adviser therein and supervise all initiation rites within his chapter. Only Filipino citizens can become Founders of local or foreign chapters.”

Within PGBI, the title of Founder is reserved for those who have successfully organized and founded a new chapter. This process involves recruiting members, establishing a chapter structure, and embodying the organization’s principles. It is a role that comes with great responsibility and is regarded as a noteworthy achievement within the community.

Historical Context:
As per Guardians history, sometime in the early 1980s, all military personnel who joined the Guardians Brotherhood, Inc. were recognized as Founders. During that period, there was no specific policy or formal criteria on how to recognize a Founder, so this designation was broadly applied to all military personnel who became members. These recognitions were arranged chronologically as per the dates of their joining or founding activities.

Additional Practice:
In addition to the practices of recognizing uniformed personnel into the rank of Founder, if they have recruited at least ten (10) personnel under their name as a uniformed personnel, this may also be considered as a basis for recognizing their contribution towards the establishment of a chapter and could be a factor in awarding the title of Founder.

Unqualified and Unfair Recognition Practices:
In some cases, when an influential leader, such as a Supremo or an official within the organization, wishes to elevate certain individuals, they can simply point or finger at whom they want to be marked as Founder or Supremo. This decision is often made without any formal basis or criteria, except in cases where the candidate has shared their personal resources—such as money for drinks or other favors. This practice undermines the integrity of the recognition process and diminishes the true meaning of being a Founder or Supremo.

There have also been instances where the rank of Founder has been conferred upon individuals without fulfilling the established criteria. Some have been granted this title based on their connections, financial contributions, or other reasons unrelated to the actual founding process.

This practice can be problematic. First, it diminishes the true significance of the Founder title, undermining the hard work and dedication of those who have genuinely gone through the process of establishing a chapter. It also creates a sense of inequality within the organization, where the respect associated with the role may not be equally deserved.

Moreover, awarding the Founder title without merit can harm the organization’s reputation. It risks portraying PGBI as lacking integrity and authenticity, potentially discouraging prospective members who value genuine leadership and commitment.

What Does it Mean to Be a Founder?

A Founder is someone who establishes or creates something new—be it a chapter, organization, or movement. Founders are often seen as visionaries driven by creativity, passion, and perseverance. They are willing to take risks, think innovatively, and push boundaries to turn ideas into reality.

Founders face challenges along their journey but overcome obstacles through resilience and determination. They also play a crucial role in shaping the culture and core values of the organization they create. Their leadership sets the tone for how the organization operates, the relationships within it, and the overall mission and goals.

Many successful organizations owe their origins to founders who dared to pursue their dreams and challenge the status quo. These individuals leave enduring legacies, not only through the entities they establish but also through the positive impact on their communities and members.

The Importance of Upholding Standards

In conclusion, it is vital for organizations like PGBI to uphold clear standards and criteria for awarding the Founder title. Doing so preserves its meaning and ensures that only those who have genuinely contributed to establishing and growing the organization are honored with it.

Assigning the Founder title to individuals without substantive involvement dilutes its significance and disrespects the dedication of true founders. The title embodies pioneering spirit, leadership, commitment, and tangible contributions—values that must be earned through genuine effort.

Not long ago, in 2002, the Philippine GUARDIANS Brotherhood, Inc. (PGBI) severed those practices by publishing a Resolution on the Implementing Rules and Regulation on Promotion known as NEC Resolution No 2002-003, Series of 2002. This resolution aimed to standardize and formalize the recognition and promotion processes within the organization, moving away from arbitrary or unqualified recognitions. These standards were arranged chronologically as per the dates of their issuance to ensure consistency and fairness.

However, though the revelation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations for Promotions, still there were those chapter leaders promoting individuals without going through the proper processes. They just promoted and marked individuals without following the formal procedures, and then submitted their documents after qualifying themselves. This practice undermines the integrity of the recognition process and contradicts the standards established by the organization.

During the administration of Engr Melliardine GS MEL G Gamet, abruptly reduced those persistent promotions. Instead, GS MEL, through the Committee on Promotions, went on documenting those Founders, RMGs, and Supremos that were promoted without proper documentation. They have standardized the forms, evaluations, and conducted interviews with those applicants to ensure proper procedures were followed.

By maintaining integrity in our recognition practices, we uphold the core principles of authenticity, dedication, and accountability. This not only strengthens the trust and credibility of our organization but also secures the legacy we leave for future generations.