It is only November, so too early for new year’s resolutions, right? Not too early for me. I’m already preparing my resolutions for a Better Bermuda in 2017.

For starters, let’s talk about “disenfranchised” Bermudians. What does this mean? It means that we have far too many in our community who do not see a Better Bermuda for themselves and their children in 2017 and beyond.

I have said before that on par with my concern about the thousands of jobs that left Bermuda, we desperately need to focus on addressing through immigration reform — another one of my resolutions — the slow loss of our “social fabric” in Bermuda.

I can’t quantify it, or measure it, but I can feel it. And it doesn’t feel good. But why? In two words: “income disparity”.

The Bermuda of old was built on a foundation of a large and strong middle class. Jobs were plentiful. Whatever the level of education attained by Bermudians, there was a good job to be had; a job that Bermudians could be proud of.

It enabled them to have a nice lifestyle and to support their families. Parents aspired for their children to have a better life than they had. Life was good.

What happened? The 2008 global recession hit. For a few months we didn’t feel anything because Bermuda doesn’t feel recessions that other countries feel, right?

Then, starting in 2009, we began to feel it. Expatriates started to leave the island in droves from 2009 through to 2013. Homes that were leased to expats became vacant. Proud Bermudians had problems making their mortgage payments. Restaurants and retailers owned by Bermudians suffered, as we had far fewer people on the island to shop, dine, take taxis.

And Bermudian jobs were lost, too. Proud people put out of work. The large middle class that was the strength of Bermuda shrunk big time. While some Bermudians have succeeded through these difficult times, many — far, far too many — are struggling; disenfranchised, not knowing where their place in the future of Bermuda is, or if there is a future for them?

Is it all doom and gloom. Absolutely not. There are “green shoots” growing, but we need more. What is the answer? I’m not too proud to say that I don’t know. But I’m not willing to stand on the sidelines and do nothing.

The one thing I know for certain is that we need to start talking about it and collaborating to find solutions.

As I have said previously, Bermuda is working for many, but not enough. If Bermuda is going to work for all, it has to work for those who are experiencing tough times, through no fault of their own.

We all need to listen, and understand. January 1 is in some respects just around the corner, but for those proud Bermudians who are feeling disenfranchised, it is a long way away. Let’s start working on solutions now.

•John Wight is the president of the Chamber of Commerce