tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80811983601513209092024-03-13T22:09:55.533-05:00Towards AGM 2010 - A Blog of the PRSJPRSJ Minutes, advisories, membership mattersPRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-52104680172384817862013-11-27T07:03:00.001-05:002018-08-03T08:05:47.532-05:00Minutes General Meeting November 27 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Minutes of the General Meeting</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Tuesday, October 29, 2013</b></div>
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<b>New Kingston Conference Centre (NKCC)</b></div>
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<b>New Kingston Business Centre, 30 Dominica Drive, Kingston 10</b></div>
<b><br /></b><b>Present</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Mr Christopher Benjamin, President, Consultant</li>
<li>Mr Rohan Powell, VP Membership, RJR</li>
<li>Mr Durrant Pate, Institute of Jamaica</li>
<li>Mr Ellis James Laing, Bureau of Standards</li>
<li>Mr Gordon Brown, Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission</li>
<li>Mrs Gwyneth Davidson, General Secretary, Cabinet Office</li>
</ul>
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<b>Apologies</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Past President Dayner Azzellino, Marc Astuta</li>
<li>Ms Meris Haughton, Tax Administration of Jamaica</li>
<li>Ms Maxine Francis, King's House</li>
<li>Mr Leo McEwan, Ministry of Transport, Works, Housing</li>
</ul>
<b>Visitors</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Kimberlyn Williams, Registrar General's Department </li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QDxZS6nAqiQ/UpYE6Lx9_LI/AAAAAAAADQU/gI_6lXF2DHM/s1600/20131126_192844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QDxZS6nAqiQ/UpYE6Lx9_LI/AAAAAAAADQU/gI_6lXF2DHM/s320/20131126_192844.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Christopher Benjamin, <br />
Kimberlyn Williams, Gordon Brown</td></tr>
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The meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM by President Benjamin.<br />
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<b>GENERAL DISCUSSION</b><br />
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<b>MATTERS ARISING</b><br />
<b>2013 Communication Conference</b><br />
President Benjamin updated the meeting that the New Kingston Conference Centre would be the venue for the conference. The panel discussions for the day were reviewed and further suggestions were made and it was accepted that the conference would be on one day, Friday November 21, and not across two days. The PRSJ aims to have a $5,000 registration fee.<br />
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The subject areas for presentation are: News Media; Social Media; Corporate Affairs; PR and Entrepreneurship. It was agreed that the one-day event may facilitate presentation of individual case studies.<br />
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In order to cover the material, it was suggested by the meeting that registration will start at 7AM for an 8AM start. The PRSJ executive will publicise this information shortly in order to allow persons to make appropriate plans.<br />
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President Benjamin noted that he had approached a highly respected media practitioner as a panelist, and was advised that the appearance comes with a fee. The PRSJ is not in a position to pay presenters. The meeting assigned persons to follow up with several proposed presenters.<br />
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K Williams suggested that companies that provide advertising services would be suitable as booth holders for the conference. This view was accepted and billboard, merchandise branding, in-store television monitor branding and printeries would be approached. Jampro would also be approached.<br />
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The meeting was advised that Past President Patricia Gillings had agreed to undertake the printing of the conference magazine, which would include a listing of practitioners who are known to the PRSJ.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G_hNqzMvd30/UpYE6NYq0MI/AAAAAAAADQk/jo4ZlcGpLWk/s1600/20131126_192829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G_hNqzMvd30/UpYE6NYq0MI/AAAAAAAADQk/jo4ZlcGpLWk/s320/20131126_192829.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Christmas Event - December 15, PAJ HQ</b><br />
The PRSJ Christmas event will be an afternoon lyme on December 15 from 1PM to 5PM at the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) at 5 East Avenue. D Pate secured a special rate for the use of the property. President Benjamin will approach Stephen Jones of Boon Hall Oasis on the cost of catering.<br />
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<b>ANY OTHER BUSINESS</b><br />
There was general discussion on topical matters.<br />
<b>Editorial Independence in Newsrooms</b><br />
It was noted that the PAJ in its event at CARIMAC earlier that day discussed the loss of independence when journalists and editors accepted hospitality from businesses. Meeting attendees expanded on examples of how corporate organisations in Jamaica had pulled advertisements when after giving hotel rooms or day passes to media workers, their direct requests for editorial space were not granted. It was also noted that the editorial managers and business managers in media houses sometimes do not agree on how to proceed on this matter.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hs7BlNwxozw/UpYE7CKDfPI/AAAAAAAADQs/rjUA5NXa9R0/s1600/20131126_192952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hs7BlNwxozw/UpYE7CKDfPI/AAAAAAAADQs/rjUA5NXa9R0/s320/20131126_192952.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durrant Pate, Rohan Powell, Ellis James Laing</td></tr>
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<b>Registration of Civic Groups</b><br />
The discussions in Parliament on having mandatory registration of civil society groups whose primary goal is to lobby for causes was also brought up. The proposal in Parliament is that this is how the funding of these groups would be disclosed. The general view of the meeting is that such a registration would hamper freedom of expression and create its own bureaucracy.<br />
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It was however noted that such groups that had large budgets to do their work should be registered as companies and in this way, the source of funding would be disclosed in annual returns.<br />
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Lobby groups that do not have large budgets but do have access to the media were considered to be allowed to have their freedom of expression without regulation.<br />
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<b>ADJOURNMENT</b><br />
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The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM on a motion moved by President Benjamin.</div>
<div>
/gd</div>
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PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-50381138267396194872013-11-01T21:22:00.000-05:002013-11-27T09:13:16.773-05:00Minutes General Meeting October 29, 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Minutes of the General Meeting</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Tuesday, October 29, 2013</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>New Kingston Conference Centre (NKCC)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>New Kingston Business Centre, 30 Dominica Drive, Kingston 10</b></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Present</b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mr Christopher Benjamin, President, Consultant</li>
<li>Mr Rohan Powell, VP Membership, RJR</li>
<li>Ms Maxine Francis, Assistant General Secretary, King's House</li>
<li>Mrs Janneth Mornan Green, Past President, Media Central Ltd</li>
<li>Ms Cheryl Smith, Ministry of Finance and Planning</li>
<li>Mr Durrant Pate, Institute of Jamaica</li>
<li>Mr Ellis James Laing, Bureau of Standards</li>
<li>Mrs Gwyneth Davidson, General Secretary, Cabinet Office</li>
</ul>
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<b>Apologies</b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Past President Dayner Azzellino</li>
<li>Ms Meris Haughton, Tax Administration of Jamaica</li>
<li>Ms Karelle McCormack, Jamaica 4H </li>
<li>Phillip Hamilton, International University of the Caribbean</li>
<li>Dr Carrole Guntley, Ministry of Tourism</li>
<li>Dr Carroll Edwards, University of the West Indies</li>
<li>Ms Camille Taylor, PCJ</li>
</ul>
<b>Visitors</b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mr Oludie Brown, auto trader</li>
<li>Mr Richard Brown, Student of Business, University of Technology </li>
</ul>
The meeting was called to order at 6:17 PM by President Benjamin.<br />
<br />
<b>GENERAL DISCUSSION</b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ftx6LfTTq54/UnRW8M_bDfI/AAAAAAAADP4/ZRCxpyZ9m2o/s1600/20131029_193839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ftx6LfTTq54/UnRW8M_bDfI/AAAAAAAADP4/ZRCxpyZ9m2o/s400/20131029_193839.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janneth Mornan Green, Cheryl Smith, Durrant Pate, <br />
visitor Utech student, Richard Brown</td></tr>
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<b>Avoiding Bad News</b><br />
The meeting discussed current public affairs and President Benjamin noted the quote by UK publicist Max Clifford, "Hiding from people is never a solution."<br />
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Others in the meeting endorsed that trying to maintain an information vacuum is not good as it leads to speculation. It was also generally agreed that any information officer who sought to encourage executives to take the initiative and inform the public could be punished.<br />
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<b>Views on National Mass Media Content</b><br />
The ongoing challenges of having stories that do not have an "exciting" lead or events that may not win over an audience carried in main stream media was discussed.<br />
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There was also discussion on the struggle that some producers have to attempt as they try to replicate what is offered in US markets and they ignore indigenous material. The TVJ programme <i>All Together Sing</i> was commended for being a programme with local content and focus that was of high quality.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i28oqDAi_yk/UnRWupu38nI/AAAAAAAADPc/5SsLBmUWK8M/s1600/20131029_193817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i28oqDAi_yk/UnRWupu38nI/AAAAAAAADPc/5SsLBmUWK8M/s400/20131029_193817.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rohan Powell, visitor Oludie Brown, Maxine Francis</td></tr>
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<b><br />MATTERS ARISING</b><br />
<b>2013 Communicator Conference</b><br />
President Benjamin advised the meeting that factors including the change in the exchange rate was behind the decision not to have a main presenter from overseas. The current model of the conference is to have a series of six panels of business experts across various industries and professional disciplines.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The objectives of the conference are:</i><br />
Facilitate professional development of ideas through sharing experiences<br />
Lift the profile of the society<br />
Fundraising for the society.</blockquote>
J Mornan Green suggested several persons who had stories to tell of outstanding PR experiences; she also noted the need to attract the interest of practitioners in the 25 to 40 age group.<br />
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The registration for the conference was being targetted for $10,000 for non-members and $8,500 for members. J Mornan Green suggested that the society raise sponsorships and keep the registration fee at no more than $6,000 per person.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59Oxshx7CJI/UnRW448WUtI/AAAAAAAADPo/tn8HsrtX8YI/s1600/20131029_193959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59Oxshx7CJI/UnRW448WUtI/AAAAAAAADPo/tn8HsrtX8YI/s400/20131029_193959.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher Benjamin, Maxine Francis, Ellis James Laing</td></tr>
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<b>NEW BUSINESS</b><br />
<b>Christmas Event</b><br />
It was suggested that the society host an event on December 15. R Foster and D Pate to investigate the possibility of having the event at the Press Association of Jamaica.<br />
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<b>ANY OTHER BUSINESS</b><br />
There was general discussion on several matters.<br />
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<b>Personal Mentions</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Congratulations</b><br />
The meeting received the welcome news that Past President Dayner Clarke had given birth and wished her every happiness.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Condolences</b><br />
The meeting extended condolences to Executive Member Rohan Powell who recently buried his mother.</blockquote>
<b>DATE OF NEXT MEETING</b><br />
The date of the next meeting is, 5:30PM November 19, 2013, NKCC.<br />
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<b>ADJOURNMENT</b><br />
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The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM on a motion moved by President Benjamin and seconded by M Francis.</div>
<div>
/gd</div>
</div>
PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-27842120450966103062013-06-26T11:31:00.000-05:002013-06-26T13:03:16.038-05:00Minutes - General Meeting June 25 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-48dbf2d0-814b-551b-3113-9b1673dc4647" style="font-weight: normal;"><img height="62px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QxmmuX1TvtsnkqA_SArHY9rTYvyUa3E5h9ONt4CL3mCXFILMfFnO5OlkhZ6sCy4tP3QLlDx0EOM9Xa7b8ZYBMCcULeDIOLJKr1rWwg-ijF4Epaa09VmT-8oXVg" width="134px;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christopher Benjamin, President, consultant</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Durrant Pate, IOJ</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gwyneth Davidson, Cabinet Office</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leo McEwan, Ministry of Transport, Works, Housing</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maxine Francis, Assistant Gen Sec, King’s House</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maxine McDonnough, Touchstone Productions</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Phillip Hamilton, IUC</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rohan Powell, First VP, RJR Group,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Karelle McCormack, 4H Clubs</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Durrant Pate, Institute of Jamaica</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gwyneth Davidson, General Secretary, Cabinet Office</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Apologies for absence</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Analisa Downes Allen, SLB</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alison Christie Binger, Illuminarte </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dayner Azzellino, Trustee, Marc Astuta</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Janneth Mornan Green, consultant</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kathleen Johnson, consultant</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meris Haughton, VP Membership</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Clea Mayne, (UK)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Claudette Myers, PIOJ</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Opal Davis, NSWMA</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JE09u7CpDzA/UcrZUBseaPI/AAAAAAAADJk/Zximp3ValBk/s1600/IMG_3685%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JE09u7CpDzA/UcrZUBseaPI/AAAAAAAADJk/Zximp3ValBk/s200/IMG_3685%255B1%255D.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visitors</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">David Brown, Ministry of Transport, Works, Housing</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Patrice Tomlinson, Citizen’s Security and Justice Programme (CSJP)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leroy Porteus, CSJP</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peta Gay Hodges, consultant </span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Call to order</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The meeting was called to order at 6:0PM by President Benjamin. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prayers were said by Maxine Francis.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">President Benjamin welcomed the attendees and received apologies for absence.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OLD BUSINESS</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">UWI Singers Benefit - June 9</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vice President Leo McEwan expressed disappointment on the lack of support from members and appealed for better support in the future. The reconciliation is not yet complete, and all persons with returns are asked to do so. DPate noted that not enough time was given to sell tickets.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C Benjamin noted that the benefit was for collaboration and members to socialise more than as a fund raiser.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2013 PR Conference</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C Benjamin gave an update on the plans for the conference. He noted that there were attempts to have a conference over the past four years, and with the guidance of Dr Carroll Edwards of UWI, plans were now well underway.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Date</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">September 19 - 20, 2013</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Proposed Speakers</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The overall theme is crisis communication, and local experts on the topic of crisis communication to cover social media, sports and entertainment.. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Featured speaker to be Leading USA crisis communicator, Judy Smith. Consultant for the political thriller ABC TV series,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Scandal.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ms Smith’s speaking fee is being negotiated down from US$12,000 to US$10,000 per engagement. The plan is that she would speak twice. At the main conference and to students of PR from comms faculties of UWI, UTech, IUC, ICC, and NCU.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fundraising and Sponsorship</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The proposal is in its final stages of preparation. Advances have already been made to the Minister of Information and national media.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" />The meeting suggested that the conference also facilitate booths.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Venue</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The audience expressed a preference to have the conference at a conference facility on the North Coast.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Registration Fee</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The meeting suggested that the cost not exceed the equivalent of US$150 with a consideration for members. It was suggested that a hotel package also be pursued.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-seArAfnSs3E/UcrZljS540I/AAAAAAAADJs/GYdOF6sY5go/s1600/IMG_3686%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-seArAfnSs3E/UcrZljS540I/AAAAAAAADJs/GYdOF6sY5go/s320/IMG_3686%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NEW BUSINESS</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What the PRSJ can do for Me - Discussion</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The gathering suggested that the PRSJ should facilitate vibrant networking so that members can collaborate profesionally; also that the society should facilitate and promote ongoing professional development. D Beckford noted that practitioners should consider membership essential for their career credentials and seek to be part of a community and not “out there on their own”.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">D Pate said that persons like himself coming in from other professions see the society as a place to grow professionally. The relevance of the newsletter was discussed, and D Beckford noted that it was useful and actually motivated her to attend the meeting. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was suggested that the meetings could be structured so that it has a learning component so that members have an opportunity to improve skills. M McDonnough suggested that public speaking could be one such skill, where meetings would allow coaching in this area.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">K McCormack suggested that the society undertake a social cause. The gathering was reminded that the society had supported educational causes (MoE pre schoolers book drive, Ostend special school toy drive, and Allman Town Primary labour day projects).</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">M McDonnough noted that the society could donate time and expertise to assist a charity organisation that needed PR support.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">L McEwan called for the creation of a register of professionals who would be expected to meet standards of skills and conduct.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was agreed that each general meeting does not need a guest speaker, and that this would be reduced to once per quarter.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div style="line-height: 1.15;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To improve enjoyment at meetings, the giving of small tokens as prizes for attendance, good conduct and carrying a guest will be done.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Members were reminded:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twitter: PRSJm</span></span><br />
Facebook: Jamaica PRSJ and Public Relations Society of Jamaica </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AOB</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Permanent Office</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This matter was not advanced at the meeting.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The meeting was adjourned at 7:16PM by C Benjamin on a motion seconded by Leo McEwan.</span></div>
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PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-58958315301098067282013-04-05T10:52:00.003-05:002013-04-05T11:03:46.074-05:00Notice of PRSJ Annual General Meeting 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8NOkhPdASM/UV7zEcrnTqI/AAAAAAAAC-8/cPLDHBH08P8/s1600/PRSJ+AGM+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8NOkhPdASM/UV7zEcrnTqI/AAAAAAAAC-8/cPLDHBH08P8/s640/PRSJ+AGM+2013.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>
<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/gojamaicapr/home/towards-agm-2010/paid-up-members-2012---2013" target="_blank">Paid up members 2012-2013</a></div>
PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-3767627915497590712012-08-30T09:06:00.001-05:002012-08-30T09:23:01.481-05:00Tribute to Walton "Wally'" Zinc<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHYRszjijtU/UD9zJsK4kbI/AAAAAAAACxA/2tkj68Dg26A/s1600/walton_webster_zink_a_612x360c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHYRszjijtU/UD9zJsK4kbI/AAAAAAAACxA/2tkj68Dg26A/s320/walton_webster_zink_a_612x360c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walton "Wally" Zinc<br />
Pioneer in Local Government PR</td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; line-height: 32px;">The Public Relations Society of Jamaica marks with respect the passing of Jamaican Public Relations pioneer, Mr Walton "Wally" Zink.</span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; line-height: 32px;">Mr Zinc was the first PR Manager for the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) and was a very prominent, popular and well-respected figure in the profession.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; line-height: 32px;">He was among attendees at the seminar conducted by Professor Albert Walker of the University of Chicago which led to the formation of the PRSJ in 1981.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; line-height: 32px;">Mr Zinc was recognised by his peers as performing an outstanding job in giving the KSAC a social and community-oriented (not political) face and was an excellent conduit between the public and the Corporation.</span></div>
PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-15856702455032779412012-08-29T17:35:00.005-05:002012-08-29T17:35:57.546-05:00Speech - Information Minister Sandrea Falconer at PRSJ General Meeting Aug 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Address by<br />Senator the Honourable Sandrea Falconer<br />Minister without Portfolio (Information)<br />Office of the Prime Minister<br />To the<br />Meeting of the Public Relations Society of Jamaica</div>
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Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 6:00pm<br />PCJ Auditorium, Kingston</div>
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<b>Theme: The Communicators' Imperative: Capitalizing on the Glory of Jamaica 50</b></div>
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SALUTATIONS<br />• Mr Christopher Benjamin, President of the Public Relations Society of Jamaica<br />• The PRSJ executive and members<br />• Media colleagues<br />• Members of the media</div>
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<br />Thank you for extending the invitation to share in your meeting this evening.<br />Let me begin by acknowledging and congratulating the members of the Public Relations Society for the work you continue to do in servicing the information needs of your organisations and the public good through professional execution of your responsibilities.</div>
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You have asked that I share some perspectives on ‘capitalising on the glory of Jamaica 50' which is very much a concern all of us share, especially given the spectacular décor, the memorable events and the sense of pride which was engendered both at home and abroad, by the staging of these spectacular Golden Jubilee celebrations.</div>
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As someone whose work and background is in media communications and public relations, I know the level of work that goes into conceptualization, planning and execution of events such as these.</div>
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I know the work is outside of the glare of the limelight which is one of the paradoxes of public relations - if I can term it thus, as the work is not about you - the practitioner and professional, but about bringing that sense of occasion to the event for which you have responsibility.</div>
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I regard the communicator as a skilled storyteller, someone with the requisite competencies to not only tell a story, but a professional with the range of experiences and capacities to tell that story beautifully and with impact.</div>
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And how beautiful part of the story of Jamaica 50 was told by the various practitioners, designers and artists through the use of our national colours and decorations at such places as our airports, corporate offices and the many public and private spaces around the country.</div>
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These wonderfully creative expressions did so much to evoke the spirit of Jamaican nationhood and pride.</div>
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Patriotism was also on show at the National Stadium as Jamaicans claimed every available seat to celebrate our 50th year of political independence and to witness an amazing feast of the finest of our cultural expressions.</div>
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Thousands of miles away in Diaspora centres in Canada, the United States of America and in the United Kingdom and continental Europe and so many other places where Jamaicans live, a similar story of pride and achievement was being played out as the world watched in admiration.</div>
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Ladies and gentlemen, there is no denying that Jamaica is punching well above its weight class in terms of global popularity.</div>
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This naturally easy and uniquely Jamaican style and personality remain the qualities that distinguish us as a people and is the bedrock of our world-class tourism industry. It is reflected in our cuisine, our art forms, our music, our expression - we are Jamaica to the world.</div>
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We pride ourselves in the fact that Jamaica has more churches per square mile than any other country but Jamaica also boasts the largest number of recording studios per square mile worldwide.</div>
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Our irrepressible culture, as expressed through our creative industries in music, film, fashion and sports, especially track and field athletics, continues to capture and dominate global attention.</div>
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There are those practitioners among you who would with justification, ask the question: with a product such as Jamaica, why are we not able to capitalise on the tremendous potential and goodwill? Afterall, effective public relations embrace having a good product - one that appeals to an audience.<br />With this in mind, one of the strategies employed by administration to capitalise on Jamaica 50 was to undertake a joined-up government approach to strategically positioning ‘Brand Jamaica' at the London 2012 Olympics.</div>
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Jamaica House at the North Greenwich Arena at the O2 venue in London was the focal point to project all the positive attributes of Jamaica, not only to our Diaspora, but to entrepreneurs, international dealmakers, the travel and tour operators - indeed to anyone on doing business with Jamaica.<br />JAMAICA HOUSE 2012, conceptualized and created in just over 3 months, stood as a powerful example of what is possible through a ‘joined up' Government approach to showcase the nation's journey over the past 50 years on one a single platform.</div>
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Therein too lies an important part of the strategy - that of bringing attributes together into an integrated whole and delivering that across a common platform to a captured and targeted audience.</div>
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A powerful part of the strategy was having one collective space for the coming together of Jamaica next great moments and a declaration of direction for the next 50 years!</div>
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It was in this spirit of collaboration that three executing agencies of the Government - the Jamaica Tourist Board, JAMPRO and the Jamaica 50 Secretariat - under the tri-ministerial leadership of Tourism and Entertainment, Industry, Investment and Commerce and Youth & Culture, came together to produce JAMAICA HOUSE 2012.</div>
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This high level of inter-agency partnership ensured that Jamaica was well established in the heart of the biggest global event of 2012, in a way that was befitting of our 50th anniversary and the historic achievements of our athletes.</div>
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The result is we were able to leverage unprecedented and positive international media attention focused on our athletes and things Jamaican and use that platform to promote the attractiveness of Doing Business in Jamaica. That, in my view is effective strategy in capitalizing on Jamaica 50.<br />Many times, media attention on Jamaica is focused on the ‘less than positive' activities and events, but in this instance, we took centre stage and had captive audiences to which to sell the achievements of Jamaica, laud the successes of international investors and exporters, and promote the business opportunities that exist in multiple sectors.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 14px;">
The media exposure and feedback data are still being tallied, but let me share with you some preliminary information on the USA, Canada and Latin America Markets to point to some amazing media coverage that we just could not begin to quantify in dollar terms.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 14px;">
• Jamaica House O2 Coverage between May to August in terms of Circulation and Audience Reach is estimated at 258 million<br />• General Olympic Coverage between August 1 and August 13 in terms of Circulation and Audience reach is estimated at over 770 million<br />• Total overall reach 1.035 billion people worldwide who heard something positive about Jamaica.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 14px;">
We can therefore all agree that August 2012 was a red-letter period for us in terms of international media coverage.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 14px;">
The big question that now faces all of us is how do we capitalize on this net positive publicity to:</div>
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1. Build further national goodwill</div>
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2. Brand our respective initiatives in our various businesses and organizations to offer better service to our customers and stakeholders</div>
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3. Lead the national conversation on how we can establish a permanent, highly coordinated programme of country branding and positive portrayal of the nation to the world; and</div>
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4. Build case studies from our experiences of August 2012 to train and prepare upcoming communicators to continue a tradition of positive storytelling that effectively brands the nation to itself, and then to the world.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 14px;">
In one of the recent editions of your excellent newsletter, political scientist, Dr Hume Johnson cited other countries, which regularly develop face-to-face programmes in influential markets to embed positive perceptions of their nation on others. There is nothing stopping us from doing initiatives such as these and I look forward to hearing your own ideas and thoughts as to how we can develop initiatives like this going forward.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 14px;">
I know I am speaking predominantly to communicators with a firm appreciation of the importance of branding, as part of the marketing communications and public relations thrust. Whether we are talking about a country, or a product, effective branding must be part of the national development imperative, if we were to capitalise on Jamaica 50.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 14px;">
I believe there is an important role to be played by the wider cadre of communicators in both the public and private sectors developing functional models and private/ public partnerships (PPP) to secure a solid country reputation.</div>
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The truth of the matter is that Jamaica's ambition to be ‘the place of choice for citizens to live, work, raise families and do business' and to achieve developed nation status, must begin with a positive perception of nation-hood and belief in ourselves.</div>
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We need the skills and expertise of all the nation's communicators in the public and private sectors alike and the conversation must be broadened with private sector communications professionals with a view to exploring pathways for collaboration as we pursue the national development objective.</div>
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My central message to you therefore, as the Public Relations Society, is that there is a seminal role for you to play in Jamaica's journey into its next 50 years and beyond.</div>
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I challenge you to become bolder in your expressions. Let your voices and opinions be heard as part and parcel of the process of the development of our society. It is no longer enough for communications people to remain in the background and be the ‘moving hand' in the shadow of your organisation.</div>
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Jamaica 50 gives all of us a solid platform to emerge with the ideas and actions that can project our nation on a path of developed nation status and prosperity.</div>
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You - our storytellers, must believe that we can do this, and the moment is yours, to use your unique skills and talents to capitalize on the Glory of Jamaica.</div>
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Use your pens, your ipads, blogs and all forms of social media to tell the amazing story of Jamaica- a Nation on a Mission with Vision!</div>
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Thank you for the opportunity and my best wishes as you continue in your professional endeavours for personal success and that of our beloved nation.</div>
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I thank you!</div>
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PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-32393998691075821322012-08-29T17:34:00.000-05:002012-08-29T17:34:31.497-05:00Information Minister urges PR practitioners to tell the amazing stories of Jamaican achievement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-27IzcVIdBQQ/UD6YS4QBQjI/AAAAAAAACwo/k3qXPs5iibA/s1600/Falconer+at+Public+Relations+meeting++(3+of+5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-27IzcVIdBQQ/UD6YS4QBQjI/AAAAAAAACwo/k3qXPs5iibA/s200/Falconer+at+Public+Relations+meeting++(3+of+5).jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Benjamin welcomes Minister Falconer</td></tr>
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<strong>August 29, 2012</strong></div>
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<strong>One billion people saw something good about Jamaica, build on this -<br />Information Minister to Public Relations Practitioners</strong></div>
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<br />Minster with responsibility for Information, Senator Sandrea Falconer, urged public relations practitioners to build on the positive images of Jamaica that were broadcast across the world during the London 2012 Olympic Games.</div>
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Breaking news on the media coverage achieved, Minister Falconer said, "Preliminary information on the USA, Canada and Latin America Markets point to some amazing media coverage that we just could not begin to quantify in dollar terms. Jamaica House O2 Coverage between May to August in terms of Circulation and Audience Reach is estimated at 258 million. General Olympic Coverage between August 1 and August 13 in terms of Circulation and Audience reach is estimated at over 770 million. Total overall reach 1.035 billion people worldwide who heard something positive about Jamaica."</div>
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Speaking yesterday (August 28) at the General Meeting of the PRSJ in Kingston, Minister Falconer said that the country's communicators had a unique opportunity to capitalize on the awareness of Jamaica and said that she would shortly be inviting public and private sector PR practitioners to Jamaica House as a way to prepare for upcoming international initiatives, and also to build internal communications.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minister Falconer was at home with practitioners <br />Cheryl Smith (left) and Meris Haughton</td></tr>
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<div align="justify" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 14px;">
"We need the skills and expertise of all of the nation's communicators....My central message to you therefore, as the Public Relations Society, is that there is a seminal role for you to play in Jamaica's journey into its next 50 years and beyond. I challenge you to become bolder in your expressions. Let your voices and opinions be heard as part and parcel of the process of the development of our society. It is no longer enough for communications people to remain in the background and be the ‘moving hand' in the shadow of your organisation," Minister Falconer said.</div>
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The Minister said that a joined-up government approach had been used to create the Jamaica House platform in London which created an enabling environment for entrepreneurs, international dealmakers, tourism interests and other persons wanting to do business in Jamaica.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treasurer Mark Thomas welcomed Minister Falconer </td></tr>
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PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-58025407809139653702012-08-22T16:52:00.000-05:002012-08-22T16:52:59.829-05:00Jamaica Independence Message from the President <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.96666717529297px;"><br />Message</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.96666717529297px;">Independence Day 2012</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">President of the Public Relations Society of Jamaica, Christopher Benjamin<br />August 6, 2012</strong>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></strong></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.981481552124023px;">Tom Dickens' signal novel, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ gave us the memorable line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”. I recall this line now as we celebrate our 50th year of Independence since it encapsulates quite well our s</span><br />
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tate of being.<br /><br />No question, Jamaica is replete with examples of things which are right and have recommended us highly to the rest of the world. So our sportsmen and women, the exponents of our creative industries, our cuisine, our intellectual prowess for instance have distinguished our nation way beyond our shores, stamping what it means to be Jamaican far and wide. However “Jamaicaness” is not limited to us here on the island. A very recent example of what I’m talking about – at our recent ‘World Reggae Dance Festival’ held as part of our Jamaica 50 celebrations, it was ‘Japan Squad’ out of Japan that took home the top prize! And of equal note is the fact that at our ‘Dancehall Queen’ contest held also recently in Montego Bay, entrants were present from all over the world and it was, you guessed it, a Japanese that took the runner-up position.<br /><br />But even as we celebrate and embrace all the encomiums which have come our way as a result of these aspects of our culture, we can’t escape the unsavoury elements which continue to stifle our growth. So our crime rate continues to dwarf our achievements elsewhere; our unemployment rate is cause for concern; corruption in various spheres of our society sees us placing very low on the International Corruption Index and our economy has not recorded any positive growth for what seems like aeons.<br /><br />But all is not lost; indeed we have a future pregnant with positive possibilities. I want the Public Relations Society of Jamaica (PRSJ) to assist this nation in transforming some of those possibilities into reality. The Society has residing in our ranks some of the finest practitioners of our craft and I am confident that we can use our collective energies in having more of ‘the best of times’ and less of ‘the worst of times’.<br /><br />I am encouraging us to use this watershed moment in our nation’s history to pledge to have our voices heard on national issues; to lift the standard of our profession; to do our part in volunteerism efforts; to engage in activities that will assist in enhancing the potency of the brand that is called Jamaica.<br /><br />We in the Society have a great vantage point from which to do this. Let us seize the opportunity and run with it – history will judge us harshly if we drop this ball!<br /><br />Happy Jamaica 50 Independence.</div>
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PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-55076696697270683832012-04-17T06:25:00.001-05:002013-04-10T08:44:39.506-05:00Minutes - AGM 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The minutes were adopted at the AGM on April 9, 2013</div>
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<b>Minutes of the Annual General Meeting</b></div>
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<b>Public Relations Society of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jamaica</place></country-region></b></div>
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<b>Jampro, <street w:st="on"> </street></b><br />
<address w:st="on">
18 Trafalgar Road</address>
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<b>April 4, 2012</b></div>
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<b>Present</b></div>
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1. Akilah Maxwell, PIOJ</div>
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2. Cheryl Smith, Min of Finance</div>
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3. Claudette Myers, PIOJ</div>
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4. Ellis James Laing, Bureau of Standards</div>
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5. First VP Christopher Benjamin</div>
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6. Gwyneth Davidson, OPM</div>
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7. Leo McEwan, Ministry of Transport, Works, Housing</div>
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8. Meris Haughton, Tax Administration Jamaica </div>
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9. Past President Alison Christie Binger, Illuminarte Communications</div>
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10. Past President Janneth Mornan Green, Media Central</div>
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11. Past President Mark Thomas, Jampro</div>
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12. President Delmares White, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management</div>
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13. Trustee Camille Taylor, LIME Jamaica</div>
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<b>Apologies</b> </div>
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<li class="MsoNormal">Past President Elaine Commissiong, CARA</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Past President Jean Lowrie Chin, PROComm</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Past President Dayner Azzellino, Marc Astuta</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Maxine Francis, King's House</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Kathleen Johnson, Trustee</li>
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<b>Visitors</b></div>
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Rohan Powell, RJR, formerly of the Ministry of Justice</div>
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Welcome</div>
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President Delmares White called the meeting to order and welcomed members and visitors at 6:19pm.</div>
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Prayer</div>
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A prayer was said by executive member, Akilah Maxwell</div>
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<b>Tribute to Christine Ann Bell</b></div>
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President White invited Past President Mark Thomas to lead a prayerful moment in memory of Treasure, the late Christine Ann Bell who died on February 24. </div>
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In his remarks, Thomas recalled that Christine Ann Bell was a member who serviced as President and who was also a regular attendee to meetings and was the serving Treasurer at the time of her passing. He recalled her vibrant personality and a formidable professional. Thomas said that he visited her in hospital moments before she passed and it was said, but the members can take heart and be happy for the great inputs she gave to the profession for which she was well recognized. He said that <city w:st="on">Bell</city>’s reputation meant the highest levels of professionalism, use of English, and also someone who got the job done. He urged all to keep her life and memory alive by recognizing the worth of her life’s work. Several members indicated that they had attended one of the two funeral services.</div>
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President White noted that Christine Bell hosted the executive at her office. There was so much that <city w:st="on">Bell</city> tried to pass on to the Society, White noted, and remembered her as a vibrant and helpful hostess.</div>
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<b>President’s Report</b></div>
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President White expressed appreciation to the support provided by several the outgoing executive including Past President Mark Thomas, VP Akilah Maxwell and members Gwyneth Davidson, Meris Haughton, Leo McEwan and Cheryl Smith. and Akilah Maxwell. She said that two years ago, the PRSJ started on a path and the executive wanted to take the work of the PRSJ to a larger place.</div>
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She noted that there were plans to have a strategic plan with support from the rest of the group. Her recommendation for the last year and a half has been how the resources and time of younger members in universities can be utilized in the PRSJ by giving them a direct role and responsibility. </div>
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She noted the usefulness of the monthly newsletter that was solely driven by G Davidson with contribution by other members. </div>
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In May 2010, the PRSJ had undertaken to have a benefit performance by the University Singers, but the incursion into <place w:st="on">West Kingston</place> affected that and the Society currently owes the Singers a balance.</div>
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The February current account bank balance is $23,995.06.</div>
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She said that the challenge of the PRSJ is to find creative ways to earn income outside of subscriptions. The Society also needs to increase its membership and also frequency of meetings.</div>
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She also noted that the PRSJ needed a working group with visibility to project the ethics of the profession.</div>
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How we can generate more membership of persons who are willing to commit to a meeting once every four months.</div>
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<b>Members’ Tribute to President White</b></div>
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Vice President Christopher Benjamin, Gwyneth Davidson and Alison Christie Binger each rose and gave individual tributes to President White. It was recalled that President White stepped in to serve the Society after a period of dormancy and her work and time had resulted in new life in the Society and its work. A Christie Binger also recalled that President White had been recovering from a serious injury when she assumed the role and that did not stop her spirit or her commitment.</div>
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The Minutes, which had been posted online shortly after the 2011 AGM were confirmed by Mark Thomas and seconded by Delmares White.</div>
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<b>Election of Officers</b></div>
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Trustee Camille Taylor noted that the term of the 2011 Executive was expired, and directed the election of new officers.</div>
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2012 Executive</div>
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President - Christopher Benjamin: nominated Leo McEwan seconded Gwyneth Davidson </div>
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First Vice President Akilah Maxwell: nominated by D White, seconded by C Benjamin</div>
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VP Special Events Cheryl Smith: nominated by C Benjamin, seconded by M Thomas</div>
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VP Membership Meris Haughton: nominated by C Benjamin, seconded by M Thomas</div>
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Gen Secretary Gwyneth Davidson: nominated by C Benjamin, seconded by M Thomas</div>
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VP Finance Mark Thomas: nominated by Meris Haughton, seconded by Cheryl Smith</div>
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Assistant Secretary Leo McEwan: nominated by Mark Thomas seconded by Cheryl Smith.<br />
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Trustees Dayner Azzellino and Camille Taylor were reappointed.</div>
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<b>President’s Reply</b></div>
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President Benjamin noted that it had been eight years since he had been associated with PRSJ. He started attending meetings as a student at CARIMAC. He recalled the exciting discussions of the time and how he left filled and energized and that he would like this to be a feature of the PRSJ again. He said that this, and other activities, can happen when all work together. </div>
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President Benjamin said that he would sit down with the team and come up with ten workable objectives, present the points to the membership, and work towards them. He would look back at the points developed over the past two years to see the current state of the profession. </div>
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President Benjamin said that he was heartened by discussions online and that he had promised Past President Keith Brown that there would be a debate on the new definition of PR as stated by the Public Relations Society of America.</div>
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<strong>Other Discussions</strong>Past President, Janneth Mornan Green, said that there needs to be standards of the practice and the Society needs to present itself as being on the cutting edge of new developments in the field. She noted that social media use and application is valued by clients. She said that the Society needs to return to a place where we are educating members about what we need to be doing.</div>
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President Benjamin noted that practitioners need to embrace new media.</div>
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VP M Haughton noted that as a group we can share with each other the new methodologies that are being used so that we all develop and grow from each other’s experiences.</div>
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Past President White asked if we could arrange more meetings via the online video and audio website, Skype.</div>
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Trustee C Taylor agreed and said that we need to look at different alternatives to meeting in one physical space.</div>
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Asst Treasurer, L McEwan, suggested that there be watchdogs for the profession and activities of persons who bring the profession into disrepute.</div>
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There was a general agreement of the Society doing a media tour.</div>
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Gratitude was extended to Jampro, through Past President Mark Thomas, for facilitating the meeting. Also to Past President D White who arranged the light refreshment.</div>
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The meeting was was adjourned at 7:20PM with a motion by Past President D White and seconded by President Benjamin.</div>
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/gd</div>
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PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-73108282103135688582011-12-21T13:51:00.000-05:002011-12-21T13:51:42.625-05:00New Members Admitted to the PRSJ - December 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">New Members Admitted to the PRSJ - December 2011 <br />
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<br />
The PRSJ is pleased to announce that two practitioners were accepted as Full Members of the PRSJ at an Executive meeting on December 20, 2011.<br />
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The new members are:<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Full Membership</u></strong><br />
Tracey Hamilton of Tracey Hamilton and Associates. <br />
Miss Hamilton is a marketing and advertising executive, with specialist knowledge and skills as an event coordinator. She is known as an outstanding professional and in the field of motor sports and entertainment. <br />
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Miss Carlene Edwards, Senior Corporate Relations Officer, Supreme Ventures Ltd. <br />
Miss Edwards has a strong administrative background that is used in coordinating key aspects of the SVL Group's sponsorships and branded marketing events. She also has responsibility for timely updating and monitoring of the group's website and online presence. <br />
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The new members will be inducted into the Society at the AGM in March 2012. <br />
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You are invited to help welcome the ladies though comments on this page.<br />
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</div>PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-39663605580137701112011-08-20T19:23:00.000-05:002011-08-20T19:23:06.012-05:00Life Members<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
List of Life Members<br />
<br />
Kathleen Johnson</div>PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-55215922690170641032011-08-11T11:58:00.003-05:002011-08-13T05:47:30.669-05:00General Meeting August 9, 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_8ml24w="157" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Minutes, General Meeting, August 9, 2011 </strong></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="157" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Jampro Training Room</strong></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="157" style="text-align: center;"><strong>19 Trafalgar Road, Kingston</strong></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="274"></div><br />
<div closure_uid_8ml24w="270"><div closure_uid_y57plv="193"><strong closure_uid_8ml24w="276"><u>Present</u></strong></div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="194"><div closure_uid_y57plv="197"><strong closure_uid_8ml24w="275">Members</strong></div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="188"><div closure_uid_y57plv="216"><div closure_uid_uvp9rw="181">Christopher Benjamin, Consultant - First Vice President</div></div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="188"><div closure_uid_y57plv="232">Gerrard "Gerry" McDaniel - Assistant Treasurer</div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="187">Akilah Maxwell, PIOJ – VP Special Events </div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="187"><div closure_uid_uvp9rw="175">Opal Davis, NSWMA - VP Membership</div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="187"><div closure_uid_y57plv="220">Karelle McCormack, Jamaica 4H Clubs</div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="185"><div closure_uid_y57plv="219">Gwyneth Davidson, OPM </div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="191"></div><div closure_uid_y57plv="200">Alison Christie Binger, Illuminarte, Past President </div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="196"></div>Patricia Gillings, Books and Events, Past President<br />
Mark Thomas. Jampro, Past President<br />
<div closure_uid_8ml24w="203" closure_uid_uvp9rw="177" closure_uid_y57plv="201"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="198"><div closure_uid_y57plv="198"><strong>Visitors</strong></div></div><div closure_uid_y57plv="221">Meeckel Beecher, Consultant</div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197"><div closure_uid_y57plv="226">Kawain Fearon, Sub Editor, The Gleaner Company, UTech communications graduate</div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197">Kaydian Edwards, HR Technician, UTech communications graduate</div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197">Cecelia Bell, journalist, Marketing Manager, The Jamaica Yellow Pages</div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197" closure_uid_uvp9rw="178"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197"><div closure_uid_y57plv="202"><strong><u>Apologies</u></strong></div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197">Delmares White, President, ODPEM</div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197">Christine Ann Bell, Treasurer, Innovative IDEAS</div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197">Cecil Thoms, General Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture</div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197">Camille Taylor, Trustee, LIME</div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197">Dayner Azzellino, Trustee, Marc Astuta</div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197" closure_uid_uvp9rw="179"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197"><div closure_uid_y57plv="217"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y99U84w0nnE/TkQ0vb5yKrI/AAAAAAAAB3I/wNMqoVebBhA/s1600/FabianBrown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y99U84w0nnE/TkQ0vb5yKrI/AAAAAAAAB3I/wNMqoVebBhA/s200/FabianBrown.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest Speaker, Development Specialist<br />
Fabian Brown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by VP Benjamin. He welcomed all members and guests. Members were urged to pay their 2011 dues so that the work of the Society could continue. Feedback and material for the monthly newsletters, PR Brief, is welcome.</div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197" closure_uid_uvp9rw="182" closure_uid_y57plv="204"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197"><div closure_uid_y57plv="203"><strong><u>Corrections to the Minutes</u></strong></div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197"><div closure_uid_y57plv="205">Karelle McCormack is a member of the Society and not a visitor as noted in previous minutes.</div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197" closure_uid_y57plv="190"><br />
<div closure_uid_y57plv="191"><strong><u>New Business</u></strong></div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197"><div closure_uid_y57plv="240"><strong>Lyme and Wine</strong><strong closure_uid_y57plv="241"> Event - PR 'Champion' Awards </strong></div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197" closure_uid_y57plv="171"><div closure_uid_y57plv="238">The meeting discussed matters around the staging of the social and awards event including the pros and cons of having an awards ceremony as a part of a social event . The meeting agreed that the awards ceremony would honour a few persons who are not practitioners but who, through their national profiles, promote good public relations practices. </div><div closure_uid_y57plv="238"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_y57plv="238"><div closure_uid_uvp9rw="232">The meeting suggested that the fields in which persons will be honored are politics, business, education, entertainment and security. Expertise will be recognised in the areas of speech delivery, strategic development and practicing organisational values.</div></div><div closure_uid_y57plv="238"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_y57plv="238">The event will be held in mid November in the Jampro Training Room. </div><div closure_uid_y57plv="238">The original location kindly offered by VP Bell was at 3 Ardenne Road. The meeting agreed that the Jampro Training Room would communicate the business tone for the event.</div><div closure_uid_y57plv="238"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_y57plv="238">The chairman of the organising committee is VP Maxwell. G Davidson is to develop a concept paper for the awards by Friday, August 19 to be shared with executive members and the past president corps.</div><div closure_uid_y57plv="239"><br />
</div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197"><strong closure_uid_y57plv="173">Calendar Competition 2011</strong><br />
<div closure_uid_y57plv="181">G Davidson said that the plans to stage a Jamaica 2012 calendar competition will go ahead. It was suggested by Past President Christie Binger to invite the Jamaica Observer that used to have a similar competition to be involved. Projected date for launch, September 2011. Members can indicate if they wish to be on the project team.</div><div closure_uid_y57plv="181"><br />
</div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197" closure_uid_y57plv="182"><div closure_uid_y57plv="211"><strong>Editors Forum</strong></div><div closure_uid_y57plv="210"></div><div closure_uid_y57plv="213">G Davidson said that an approach had been made to the Gleaner to host the PRSJ in an Editors Forum to discuss the role of PR in business and governance. Past President Christie Binger suggested that the visit should be made to discuss a topical theme. Themes will be discussed before a letter of request is sent to the Gleaner.</div><div closure_uid_y57plv="214"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_y57plv="214"><strong><u>Guest Speaker</u></strong></div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197"><a href="https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B8nqxeL9Gjp2MDVjODk0MmItNzhkZS00Y2JlLWI5OGEtMTlkZTU4ZjQzYTBh&sort=name&layout=list&num=50">Presentation on the Public Sector Modernisation Efforts - Audio link</a></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197"><div closure_uid_y57plv="242">Director in the National Transformation Programme of the Office of the Prime Minister, Development Specialist, Fabian Brown delivered a presentation on the Public Sector modernisation efforts of the Public Sector Transformation Unit (PSTU). He was introduced by Gwyneth Davidson who highlighted his expertise also in the areas of protocol and protocol training as a director of the company, Value Added Services.</div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197" closure_uid_y57plv="233"><br />
<div closure_uid_y57plv="234">Mr Brown outlined the goals of the modernisation efforts as being informed by developments in the commonwealth and also in the region. The first steps came into effect on July 1 where departments and agencies were reassigned to be better aligned with the core duties of ministries.</div><div closure_uid_y57plv="234">He said that the PSTU team in its report tried to answer the questions, "What should government do and pay for; what should government do and not pay for; and what should government pay for and not do?"</div><br />
<div closure_uid_y57plv="235">In the discussion afterwards, matters relating to the need to have leaders clearly define benchmarks of "improved performance" within each ministry of government. </div><div closure_uid_y57plv="236"><br />
</div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197"><div closure_uid_y57plv="209">VP Maxwell delivered the vote of thanks and made a presentation of a Jablum coffee and mug gift package compliments of Jampro.</div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197" closure_uid_y57plv="243"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197"><div closure_uid_y57plv="208"><strong><u closure_uid_dixhem="160">AOB</u></strong><br />
Promotional items were made available to attendees compliments of The Jamaica Yellow Pages. </div><div closure_uid_y57plv="208"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_y57plv="208"><strong><u>Adjournment</u></strong></div></div><div closure_uid_8ml24w="197">The meeting was adjourned at 7:20p.m. by Opal Davis and seconded by Mark Thomas.</div></div>PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-46185538532314963572011-06-14T18:57:00.006-05:002011-06-17T09:13:33.412-05:00Minutes, General Meeting, June 13, 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Meeting June 13, 2011</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Present</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YONo2N1vvyE/TfgCFaed6GI/AAAAAAAABw0/QKBtzPHzWNE/s1600/PRSJ+JUNE+13+INVITE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YONo2N1vvyE/TfgCFaed6GI/AAAAAAAABw0/QKBtzPHzWNE/s320/PRSJ+JUNE+13+INVITE.jpg" width="222px" /></a></div><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Delmares White, ODPEM – PRSJ President</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Christine Bell – Innovative IDEAS – PRSJ VP Finance </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Cecil Thoms, Min. Agriculture & Fisheries – PRSJ Gen Sec</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Akilah Maxwell, PIOJ – PRSJ VP Special Events </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Maxine Mc Donnough – Touchstone Productions</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Leo McEwan, Ministry of Transport and Works</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Gwyneth Davidson, OPM</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Carroll Edwards, UWI Marketing and PR</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Mark Thomas. Jampro, Past President</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Patricia Gillings, Books and Events</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Carole James, PIOJ</li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Visitors</b></div><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Karelle McCormack, Jamaica 4H Clubs</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Sandra Berry</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Hilda Vaughan</li>
</ol> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RpWfujZybP8/Tfe_NcF_qXI/AAAAAAAABwg/3bsGA-dDIzk/s1600/IMG-20110613-00391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RpWfujZybP8/Tfe_NcF_qXI/AAAAAAAABwg/3bsGA-dDIzk/s320/IMG-20110613-00391.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Akilah Maxwell, Mark Thomas</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal">The meeting was called to order at 6:00p.m. by President Delmares White. Videotaping services were provided by ODPEM.<br />
The Executive members VP Special Events Akilah Maxwell and General Secretary, Cecil Thoms, were introduced to the membership as they were not at the AGM and were accepted in absentia.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">During the meeting the visitors Ms Berry and Ms Vaughan were acknowledged as educators. Karelle McCormack was welcomed again as a visitor.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Meet Jamaica 2011</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Ms Maxwell guided a discussion to canvass views on the Meet Jamaica logo that will be used as the identifying business mark of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jamaica</place></country-region> during the London 2012 Olympics. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Mark Thomas noted that the mark was launched in <country-region w:st="on">Jamaica</country-region> on October 13 2010 and in March in the cities of <city w:st="on">Birmingham</city> and also <city w:st="on">London</city> in the <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">UK</place></country-region>. Thomas noted that business interests in Trinidad were very interested in funding and being a part of the Visit Jamaica initiative to possibly make it a regional force. This invitation has not been adopted by the leading partners of Visit Jamaica (GOJ/ Private Sector of Jamaica). The cost of the marketing programme has been estimated at J$10 million.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The mark is being used at the Taste of London food fair that will run from June 16-19. Jamaican bammies will be the major product presented at that show. The government hopes to secure reliable markets for local products by participating in that show.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There was a discussion on the need to secure the paid participation of athletes as spokespersons for brand <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jamaica</place></country-region>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Meet <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jamaica</place></country-region> gives a special marketing initiative to promote food from a haute cuisine and production standpoint.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mtvwkGO_d08/TffEkBc0HdI/AAAAAAAABwk/sFEHf9pREIw/s1600/karelle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mtvwkGO_d08/TffEkBc0HdI/AAAAAAAABwk/sFEHf9pREIw/s400/karelle.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karelle McCormack, Leo McEwan, Carole James</td></tr>
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Jampro has produced 2000 copies of the booklet, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Story of Jamaican Food</i> for that event. A Canary Wharf restaurateur and chef, Collin Brown, originally from Albert Town in Trelawny; and UK chef, Anthony Matthews of the Spanish Court Hotel, New Kingston will anchor presentations at the Jamaica booth.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was noted that <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jamaica</place></country-region> had great success in tourism marketing, and at this stage food was the major focus. It was also noted that music had not generated the potential industry rewards as anticipated from many earlier initiatives.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Mark Thomas noted that there was a need for more writers delivering content that will project brand <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jamaica</place></country-region>. As he said, “A way needs to be developed to deliver a narrative to develop a body of information about the brand values of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jamaica</place></country-region>.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There were six questions posed. The discussions and earlier feedback sent revealed the following views of practitioners.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The questions were structured by Akilah Maxwell and Mark Thomas for feedback from the PRSJ. They noted that the Meet <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jamaica</place></country-region> initiative will not only have a policy but will be part of a presentation for international funding and other support. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Questions</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">If <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jamaica</place></country-region> were a motor car, what model would it be?</div><div class="MsoNormal">The responses in the meeting fell in two categories the car representing:</div><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">The potential of the Jamaican people as a very top of the line car</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">The reality of being a solid, popular Japanese car like a mid range Honda or <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Toyota</place></city></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal">If <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">Jamaica</country-region></place> were a colour, what would it be and why?</div><div class="MsoNormal">Responses chose red for vibrancy; green for the natural environment or Gold for the value that it represents</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a2m43YynlRk/TffHsO97xWI/AAAAAAAABws/O7tWq1P-P64/s1600/Cecil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a2m43YynlRk/TffHsO97xWI/AAAAAAAABws/O7tWq1P-P64/s400/Cecil.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine Ann Bell (rear) and Cecil Thoms</td></tr>
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Where would <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jamaica</place></country-region> live, uptown, downtown or rural?</div><div class="MsoNormal">Most persons thought of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jamaica</place></country-region> as rural. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you had a good thought abut <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jamaica</place></country-region>, what would that thought be?</div><div class="MsoNormal">Friendly, creativity and the natural environment.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There were many positive accolades associated with the logo.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you were a European citizen, list four words you think would describe your perception of the meet <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">Jamaica</country-region></place> logo?</div><div class="MsoNormal">Responses included: Pride, athleticism, vibrant, progressive, creative, colourful, energetic, environmentally friendly</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you were to see this logo associated with a Jamaican product service brand, would you feel impelled to buy this product or service?</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was considered that this would make an impression on persons living outside of the country, rather than Jamaicans living here. The logo would be more known.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qtvEIAZUk4Y/TffGta6oWeI/AAAAAAAABwo/QUDTVdIaq9A/s1600/Delmares.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qtvEIAZUk4Y/TffGta6oWeI/AAAAAAAABwo/QUDTVdIaq9A/s640/Delmares.JPG" width="480px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delmares White (front) and Maxine McDonnough (second row)</td></tr>
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The visitors suggested putting the logo in the hands of children and sports enthusiasts.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Get the schools involved as a jingle and little flags. Engage Seek to print Seek exercise books and perhaps also JIS for flags.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jampro intends to franchise the logo and any manufacturer and artisan for the Olympic games. This can be used throughout the games.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The point was raised that the logo needs to be three dimensional so that the maximum benefit can be utilized.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The logo is being registered throughout the world.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Persons and businesses interested in using the logo should contact Mark Thomas </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The logo will be introduced at the Jamaica Diaspora conference through a booth.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.</div></div>PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-22161379949467310052011-04-01T16:48:00.001-05:002011-06-06T17:12:12.999-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Minutes of the Annual General Meeting</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>of the</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Public Relations Society of Jamaica</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>March 28, 2011</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Jampro Training Room,</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>18 Trafalgar Road, Kingston</strong></div><br />
<strong>Present</strong><br />
<u>Past Presidents</u><br />
Christine Ann Bell, Innovative IDEAS<br />
Mark Thomas, Jampro<br />
Patricia Gillings, <br />
<br />
<u>Trustees</u><br />
Camille Taylor, LIME<br />
<br />
<u>Members</u><br />
Akilah Maxwell , PIOJ<br />
Carroll EdwardsUWI, Mona<br />
Cheryl Smith, Min Finance and the Public Service<br />
Christopher Benjamin, Communications Consultant<br />
Claudette Myers, PIOJ<br />
Delmares White, ODPEM<br />
Gwyneth Davidson, OPM<br />
Meris Haughton TAXARP<br />
Opal Davis, NSWMA<br />
Khorie Ann Beckford, Breakthrough Communications<br />
<br />
<u>Visitors</u><br />
Sean Beckford, First Global Bank<br />
N Joseph Tai, Bess100 FM<br />
Pearl Smith, NSWMA<br />
Teena Marie Tucker, PR student<br />
Kim Colquhoun, Transport Authority <br />
<br />
<u>Apologies:</u><br />
Janneth Mornan Green<br />
Past Presidents Alison Christie Binger,<br />
<br />
The meeting was called to order at 5:50 p.m. and Past President, Mark Thomas, the head of Jampro corporate communications gave an extensive presentation on the Private Sector of Jamaica/ Jampro commercial initiative to promote Jamaican products and services during the London 2012 activities.<br />
<br />
The budget for the exercise has been outlined as $50 million and aims to:<br />
Set the record straight on doing business in Jamaica<br />
Partner with diaspora and other businesses interests.<br />
<br />
The initiative was launched in Birmingham in March and featured the participation of 13 small businesspeople who were mentored by Jampro and sponsored by the Jamaica Public Service.<br />
<br />
Jamaican spices are being heavily marketed and this is done with the groundwork already being laid of 450 thousand hectares of land already reserved for agriculture.<br />
<br />
The meeting welcomed the initiative and declared that Jamaica had already lost out on marketing efforts for the Beijing Olympics and Berlin World Championships and looked forward to a major thrust for London 2011.<br />
<br />
<strong>President’s Report</strong><br />
Membership<br />
During the administrative year, membership was accepted for seven persons.<br />
<br />
<strong>Associate Membership</strong><br />
• Nicole Morrison, Public Relations Manager, The Broadcasting Commission <br />
<br />
<strong>Full Membership</strong><br />
• Cindy Allman, Marketing Coordinator, Microsoft Jamaica <br />
• Khorie Ann Beckford, Public Relations Manager, Headline Entertainment.<br />
• Kimberly Weller, PR Officer, ODPEM<br />
• Cecil Thoms, Communications Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries<br />
• Stephanie Shaw Smith, PR Manager, Ministry of Health<br />
• Fern White, PR and Media Laison, Visual Diplomacy, US Embassy<br />
<br />
<strong>Events</strong><br />
The Society held five general meetings which featured guest speakers on topical issues:<br />
Social violence expert and anthropologist Online marketer and broadcaster Karlette Deleon (May); Dr Herbert Gayle (June); political scientist and director of the National Integrity Action Forum, Professor Trevor Munroe (August); Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Mr Ronald Jackson (November); and Dr Lyndon Brown, head of the Earthquake Unit (January 2011).<br />
<br />
The fund raising University Singers concert that was held in June was not financially successful due to the low turnout. It was noted that this was shortly after the Tivoli incursion and during the State of Emergency. Members with outstanding cash from tickets that are being held are asked to send in the cash if at all possible.<br />
<br />
The society participated in the Lunch and Learn event of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Caribbean Chapter’s The event was held at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel on July 28, 2010. A special discount was offered to paid up members of the Association.<br />
<br />
In December 2009 and 2010, the Society also participated in joint Christmas networking events with the IABC.<br />
<br />
<strong>Activities</strong><br />
The society continued to maintain its blogs and websites. A monthly newsletter PR Brief was launched in January to promote peer recognition and promotion of the best values of the practice of public relations.<br />
<br />
<strong>Finances</strong><br />
.<br />
Opening Balances<br />
<br />
Closing Balances<br />
<br />
<strong>Election of Officers</strong><br />
Trustee Camille Taylor conducted the elections where the following members were declared officers by acclaim for 2011.<br />
<br />
President, Delmares White<br />
First Vice President, Christopher Benjamin<br />
General Secretary, Cecil Thoms<br />
Vice President Finance, Christine Ann Bell<br />
Vice President Recruitment and Membership, Opal Davis<br />
Vice President Special Events, Akilah Maxwell<br />
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:45p.m.<br />
<br />
Past President Dayner Clarke was accepted as a Trustee of the Society.<br />
<br />
The meeting acknowledged the valuable contribution of Jampro through head of corporate communications, Mark Thomas for allowing the Society to host meetings in the Training Room throughout the year. Adjournment was done at approximately 8:00p.m.<br />
/gd<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div></div>PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-48819293591234101062011-03-31T10:59:00.008-05:002013-10-28T22:29:19.825-05:00Paid Up Members 2011-2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #660000;"><strong>PAID UP MEMBERS 2011-2012</strong></span></blockquote>
Members are encouraged to pay annual subscriptions at General Meetings. All queries can be directed to <br />
The President at prsj2009@gmail.com<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Meris Haughton </li>
<li>Claudette Myers </li>
<li>Christine Bell </li>
<li>Dayner Azzelino </li>
<li>Ellis James Laing</li>
<li>Opal Davis </li>
<li>Gwyneth Davidson </li>
<li>Camille Taylor </li>
<li>Khorie Ann Beckford</li>
<li>Chris Benjamin </li>
<li>Carol Edwards </li>
<li>Pat Gillings</li>
<li closure_uid_2jfdvo="161">Tamara Scott Williams</li>
<li closure_uid_2jfdvo="161">Lois Grant</li>
<li closure_uid_2jfdvo="161">Sonia Davidson</li>
<li closure_uid_2jfdvo="161">Beverley Josephs</li>
<li closure_uid_2jfdvo="161">Carlene Edwards</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><strong>Associate Member</strong></span></div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Akilah Maxwell</li>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://agm2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/life-members.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><b>Life Members</b></span></a></div>
</div>
PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-11090874277725895822011-03-30T10:25:00.001-05:002011-04-02T18:01:56.564-05:00PRSJ 2011 Executive Elected<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><strong>PRSJ 2011 EXECUTIVE ELECTED</strong></span></div><br />
<br />
<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-voeOSVO3ZBQ/TZNF0BclI4I/AAAAAAAABvY/iMHmxccENc4/s1600/PRSJ-2011-Executive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-voeOSVO3ZBQ/TZNF0BclI4I/AAAAAAAABvY/iMHmxccENc4/s320/PRSJ-2011-Executive.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>PR Manager of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Delmares White, was returned as President of the Public Relations Society of Jamaica (PRSJ) at the Annual General Meeting held on March 28 at Jampro. First Vice President, PR Consultant, Christopher Benjamin was also returned to that post. Joining the executive as Vice President of Finance is Past President of the Society and Founder of Innovative IDEAS, Christine Ann Bell. The new Vice President Membership and Recruitment is the PR Officer at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) Opal Davis; Vice President Special Events is the Administrative Assistant (External Corporation Management) at the Planning Instutute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Akilah Maxwell. The PRSJ also welcomes Communications Director at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Cecil Thoms as the General Secretary.<br />
<br />
Past President, Dayner Azzellino has been added as a Trustee of the society. <br />
<br />
PRSJ Trustee, the Corporate Communications Manager at LIME, Camille Taylor was Director of Elections. <br />
<div></div>From left: <br />
Vice President Recruitment and Membership, Opal Davis, NSWMA<br />
Vice President Finance, Christine Ann Bell; Innovative Ideas<br />
Vice President Special Events, Akilah Maxwell, PIOJ<br />
President, Delmares White, ODPEM<br />
First Vice President, Christopher Benjamin, Communications consultant; radio/tv producer<br />
<br />
<div></div>The Society extends its heartfelt appreciation to the outgoing executive members who helped to bring the Society back into currency and who served for the year: <br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>General Secretary, Cheryl Smith, PR Manager, Min of Finance and the Public Service </li>
<li>VP Finance, Stephen Shaw, PR and Customer Service Mgr, NWA </li>
<li>VP Membership and Recruitment, Analisa Downes, PR Manager, SLB </li>
<li>Assistant Gen Sec, Deborah Hickling, Communications consultant</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"> VP Special Events, Shawnette Henry, PR Manager, MIND served for a portion of the last administrative year. </div></li>
</ul>Special appreciation also to head of Jampro corporate communications, Mark Thomas, who facilitated the past two AGMs and most of the General meetings of the Society over the past year.</div>PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-30955799216948728992011-03-24T10:06:00.002-05:002011-03-25T12:51:12.273-05:00Candidates for Election 2011-2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Dear PRSJ Member,<br />
You are invited to put yourself forward to serve on the PRSJ 2011-2012 Executive.<br />
<br />
Elections will be held during the Annual General Meeting on March 29, 2010. <br />
<br />
The following persons have indicated their willingness to serve <br />
in the posts listed below. <br />
<br />
Interested members can write to <a href="mailto:prsj2009@gmail.com">prsj2009@gmail.com</a> beforehand to indicate their interest <br />
or be nominated from the floor during the meeting. <br />
<br />
Information on the responsibilities of each post are at the link below. <br />
Scroll down to appropriate section. <br />
<a href="http://agm2010.blogspot.com/2010/01/constitution-of-prsj.html">http://agm2010.blogspot.com/2010/01/constitution-of-prsj.html</a><br />
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;"><li>President - President Delmares White</li>
<li>First Vice President Christopher Benjamin</li>
<li>General Secretary - awaiting nominee</li>
<li>Assistant General Secretary - Cecil Thoms</li>
<li>Vice President Finance - - awaiting nominee</li>
<li>Vice President Recruitment and Membership - Opal Davis</li>
<li>Vice President Special Events - awaiting nominee</li>
<li>Immediate Past President, Mark Thomas</li>
<li>Past President Christine Bell - Ethics matters</li>
</ol>Members can also volunteer to serve as a Trustee.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>Current Trustee: Member, Camille Taylor<br />
<br />
Past President Dayner Clarke has indicated an interest to serve as a Trustee.</div>PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-46859773047672839792011-02-26T10:35:00.003-05:002011-02-26T10:52:54.641-05:00Notice of Annual General Meeting - Tuesday March 29, Jampro<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><blockquote style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://agm2010.blogspot.com/2010/07/minutes-of-2010-annual-general-meeting.html">Minutes of 2010 AGM</a></blockquote><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">February 26, 2011</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Public Relations Society of Jamaica will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 in the Training Room at Jampro, 18 Trafalgar Road, Kingston 10.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. The Meeting will end at 8:00p.m.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The membership fees are outlined below:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Full Member…………………………………………… $1,000.00</div></div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Associate Member………………………………………$ 750.00</div></div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Visiting Member…………………………………………$ 750.00</div></div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Student Member………………………………………...$ 500.00</div></div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">During this meeting, there will be an election to choose seven (7) Officers of the Society. Only paid-up Full, Associate and Overseas members are eligible to vote or can be elected to the Executive Committee.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Payments will be accepted in cash or by cheque. Cheques should be endorsed to The Public Relations Society of Jamaica.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Please direct queries to The Moderator (<a href="mailto:prsj2009@gmail.com">prsj2009@gmail.com</a>).</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Signed,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Delmares White</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>President, PRSJ</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div></div></div>PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-80257554387703259612011-02-15T18:25:00.004-05:002011-02-15T18:47:55.574-05:00New Members Admitted to the PRSJ - January 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">New Members Admitted to the PRSJ</span></h3><div class="post-header" style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="post-header-line-1" style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The PRSJ is pleased to accept three practitioners as members:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The applications were considered at a meeting of the Executive on January 8.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The new members will be inducted into the Society at the AGM on March 15. Venue for the meeting will be announced shortly.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The new members are:</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.3em;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Associate Membership</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Nicole Morrison, Public Relations Manager, The Broadcasting Commission</span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Full Membership</b></span></span><br />
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Cindy Allman, Marketing Coordinator, Microsoft Jamaica</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Khorie Ann Beckford, Public Relations Manager, Headline Entertainment.</span></li>
</ul><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</div></div></div></div>PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-60081317995981511492011-02-15T15:54:00.005-05:002011-02-15T16:07:12.026-05:00Minutes, General Meeting, January 18, 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">MINUTES </div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">GENERAL MEETING</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">JANUARY 18, 2011</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Jamaica Trade and Invest / JAMPRO</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_GB&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2FPRSJ2009%2Falbumid%2F5563956333990096481%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_GB" height="192" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="288"></embed><br />
<br />
<b>Present </b><br />
<div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div>Vice President Christopher Benjamin, Consultant</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Vice President Finance Stephen Shaw, NWA</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">General Secretary Cheryl Smith, Min of Finance and the Public Service</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Past President Mark Thomas, JAMPRO</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Past President Blossom Laidlaw, UWI CARIMAC</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Past President Beverley Josephs, UTECH</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Member Gwyneth Davidson, OPM</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Member Gerry Mc Daniel, Local representative, Elsevier Publishing</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Member Opal Davis, NSWMA </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Member Claudette Myers, PIOJ</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<b>Guests</b></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Dr Lyndon Brown, Head Earthquake Unit, UWI</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Shelly Ann Harris, Women's Resource Outreach Centre</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Farah Lovley, UWI Arts and Humanities Faculty</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Apologies</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Delmares White, President</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Marie Stewart</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Michael Bryce</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Lorna Clarke</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Dayner Azzellino Clarke</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Jean Lowrie Chin </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Keith Brown</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Collin Campbell</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The meeting was called to order by DW at 6:00 by Christopher Benjamin. Apologies were said for President Delmares White who was on assignment.</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dv-8K1P52cQ/TTcmivvA6gI/AAAAAAAABsY/lmrDvfLbJio/s1600/Jan+18+2011+009.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dv-8K1P52cQ/TTcmivvA6gI/AAAAAAAABsY/lmrDvfLbJio/s320/Jan+18+2011+009.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Head of the Earthquake Unit, UWI, Dr Lyndon Brown says that buildings in Jamaica are, by large, constructed with the expectation that there will be earthquakes. Dr Brown said that journalists and other writers use the old term, "Richter Scale" in reference to earthquakes. The internationally accepted term now used by siesmologists is "magnitude". Practitioners urged Dr Brown to write directly to newsrooms to advise them of the change.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Presentation by research Fellow and Head, The Earthquake Unit, UWI</b></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption Apple-style-span">Head of the Earthquake Unit, UWI, Mr Lyndon Brown made a detailed presentations on earthquakes and the island of Jamaica. He updated practitioners on current working terms used in the discipline including the fact that earthquakes are measured by magnitude and no longer use Richter Scale, which is considered to be outdated. Practitioners suggested that the Unit write to individual heads of news departments asking that news stories use the correct modern term.</span></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption Apple-style-span"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption Apple-style-span">Dr Brown noted that earthquakes are an unavoidable part of life in Jamaica and showed maps that detailed the major faults right across the island. He said that on average, Jamaica experienced 200 earthquakes each year.</span></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
He urged practitioners to promote safe placement of furniture and other objects in rooms and the adoption of the safest manoeuvre "duck, cover, hold" in case of significant earth movements.</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">He assured practitioners that the local construction industry already factored earth movements in design and construction, which some persons might consider to be "overbuilding".<br />
<br />
</div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Dr Brown was presented with a copy of the the coffee table picture book Jamaica Absolutely. Presentation was made by C Smith and C Benjamin.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><u><br />
</u></b><br />
<b><u>PR Takeout</u></b></div><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Correct use of technical terms</div></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Promotion of correct earthquake safety precautions and action during and after an earthquake in home and workplace</div></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Jamaica's building practices anticipate ongoing earth movement</div></li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Membership</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Members were reminded that dues would be due in February. A date is to be set for the AGM.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Launch of Newsletter</b></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Gwyneth Davidson made a short presentation on the Society's monthly online newsletter, PR Brief, that was launched a few days before.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Its goal is to:</div><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Encourage, in various ways, professional development</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Facilitate peer recognition. </li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">PR Brief will be distributed by email and will be available on the Society's website.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Feedback and content is welcome to <a href="mailto:prsj2009@gmail.com">prsj2009@gmail.com</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The motion to adjourn the meeting was moved at 8:00p.m. by C Smith and and seconded by M Thomas.</div><div><br />
</div></div><div class="Normal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div></div></div>PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-70975731793814425102010-12-31T15:40:00.000-05:002010-12-31T15:40:38.611-05:00Let's Make 2011 The Most Successful Year For The Society<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pYJlbw2cs5g/S6i78Bn4NsI/AAAAAAAABFo/br1rUimBzMU/s1600/DelmaresWhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pYJlbw2cs5g/S6i78Bn4NsI/AAAAAAAABFo/br1rUimBzMU/s320/DelmaresWhite.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delmares White<br />
President</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Dear Colleagues, <br />
<br />
<br />
Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year. <br />
<br />
On behalf of the PRSJ Executives, I would also like to pass on thanks and appreciation to Mark Thomas, Past President and Gwyneth Davidson, Moderator for their continued support and generosity in helping to facilitate all our meetings and help guide the strategic focus of the PRSJ. <br />
<br />
Despite the challenges of 2010, we have had many positive impacts on the public relations profession through our monthly meetings and our communications blogs. The focus now is, on strategic planning and repositioning of the PRSJ and its flag ship Awards Ceremony scheduled to be reintroduced in 2011. <br />
<br />
The challenge of course is that the strategic planning process and the planning of the PRSJ Annual Awards Ceremony are easy to present, but they are sometimes difficult to realize, particularly when there are considerable economic, financial and human resource considerations that act as a restraint. We recognize that the challenges are not for one person to deliver but through the help of members, colleagues and volunteers, we can create the conditions for success. <br />
<br />
We are in the process of drafting a strategic plan, the details of which we will share with at our next meeting in January 2011. At the meeting we will look at what we do and how we do it? How do we best advance the interests of our members? How can we build a dynamic community of practitioners and experts, online and offline? Do we have a voice on the most important issues affecting our members and the profession? <br />
<br />
Your input, ideas and feedback are of great value and we will make every effort to ensure that the PRSJ members and the profession find new ways to engage and collaborate in 2011. <br />
<br />
Let’s make 2011 the most successful year for the Society.<br />
<br />
Regards,<br />
<br />
Delmares White<br />
President<br />
PRSJPRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-8577741028986385182010-11-17T14:04:00.000-05:002010-11-18T09:36:40.510-05:00*PAY ATTENTION TO WEATHER MESSAGES - ODPEM DIRECTOR GENERAL<div style="text-align: center;"> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>*PAY ATTENTION TO WEATHER MESSAGES - ODPEM DIRECTOR GENERAL*</strong></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Kingston, November 15, 2010</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div> <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Ronald Jackson, has urged news writers to be careful not to confuse meterological conditions. He was referring to the fact that it was extreme rainfall and not Tropical Storm Nicole that brought severe weather conditions to Jamaica at the end of September.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Addressing the Public Relations Society of Jamaica at his office on Monday, November 15, Mr Jackson said that it was important to make these distinctions as climate change would be bringing more severe weather to the Caribbean as it was elsewhere in the world and that the public needs to be aware of what weather bulletins advise.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mr Jackson also said that it has observed that Jamaicans are better prepared for severe weather than ever before. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Public Relations Society of Jamaica is the local professional body that serves the interests of PR counsellors, and officers and that encourages continuing education and ethical standards in the field.</div><div align="center"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">-30-</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZL7e0aFkA-uxpNDrT0wShA?feat=embedwebsite" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="300" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_pYJlbw2cs5g/TOLBZhYTQzI/AAAAAAAABXU/-wlNAaSMq98/s400/IMG_0910.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div align="left">JAMAICANS MORE PREPARED FOR SEVERE WEATHER DISASTERS </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Ronald Jackson, said that Jamaicans were more prepared for severe weather now than a decade ago. Addressing the Public Relations Society of Jamaica at his office on Monday, November 15.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Rwa3mkJhiXdQqWeLR5ggxg?feat=embedwebsite" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-4147481405901574302010-11-16T23:05:00.000-05:002010-11-22T05:55:40.219-05:00Minutes General Meeting, November 15, 2010<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; text-align: center;"><b>November 15, 2010</b></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; text-align: left;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; text-align: center;"><b>OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (ODPEM), </b><br />
<b>Operations Centre, 2-4 Haining Road</b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; text-align: justify;"><strong>Members Present</strong></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><strong><u>Past Presidents</u></strong></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Miss Christine Ann Bell, Innovative Ideas</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Mrs Janneth Mornan Green, Media Central</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><u><strong><br />
</strong></u></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><u><strong>Members</strong></u><br />
Mrs Gwyneth Davidson, OPM</div></div><div align="left" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Mr Leo Mc Ewan, Ministry of Transport and Works</div></div><div align="left" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Ms Delmares White, ODPEM</div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Mrs Pat Tyrell Chong, National Irrigation Commission<br />
<div style="line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"></div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Ms Opal Davis, NSWMA</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Mrs Blossom Laidlaw, CARIMAC</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Mr Christopher Benjamin, Consultant</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><strong>Guests Present</strong></div></div><div align="left" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Mrs Andrea Mc Lean, ODPEM</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Ms Keisha Johnson, IICA</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Ms Karelle Mc Cormack, 4H</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Ms Carolyn Johnson, Maritime Authority of Jamaica</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><br />
</div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><div style="line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"></div></div><div align="left" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><strong>Apologies</strong></div></div><div align="left" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Ms Analisa Downes, SLB</div></div><div align="left" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Ms Deborah Hickling, Consultant</div></div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Ms Cheryl Smith, Ministry of Finance and the Public Service<br />
<div style="line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"></div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Mrs Dayner Azzellino, Marcastuta</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Ms Alison Christie Binger, Illuminarte</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">The meeting was called to order by President Delmares White at 6:06 p.m. who invited Opal White to offer a prayer. President White acknowledged the presence of Past Presidents and welcomed visitors.<br />
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<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_GB&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2FPRSJ2009%2Falbumid%2F5540199337042074961%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_GB" height="400" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="600"></embed><br />
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<b>Address by Guest Speaker</b></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B8nqxeL9Gjp2NTllMTY5MzMtYjRmMy00NjQ4LWFjYTQtYTdlNDk2MDViYTlh&sort=name&layout=list&num=50">Audio presentation by Director General of ODPEM, Ronald Jackson</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.odpem.org.jm/Portals/0/ODPEM%20Pdf/ODPEM_National%20Media%20Plan.pdf">ODPEM National Disaster Management Media Plan</a><br />
<br />
Christopher Benjamin introduced the Guest Speaker, the Director General of ODPEM, Ronald Jackson. Mr Jackson has been the DG for two years and has been employed to ODPEM for ten years. He delivered a presentation on Disaster Communication Preparedness using the recent experience of the preparations for Hurricane Tomas which passed west of Jamaica in late October.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Wording of Bulletins Important</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Noting that Tropical Storm Nicole did not affect Jamaica, but that the heavy rains of September 26-October 1 were normal seasonal heavy rains, Mr Jackson said that it was important for persons writing for media to understand the Meteorological bulletins. The bulletins trigger levels of preparedness and is also referred-to by Insurance companies when reviewing claims.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Pre-Tomas Preparations and Decisions</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Mr Jackson underscored that the ODPEM does not start its hurricane communications programme at the start of the season, but it involved engaging communities and particular the youth all through the year. There is a Safe Houses Campaign currently on with 56 communities.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em;">ODPEM has a National Disaster Management Media Plan which guides all communications actions when the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Meteorological </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em;">Service issues a severe weather bulletin.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">They have implemented a press briefing mechanism as this is more effective than granting interviews throughout the preparation period for severe weather. The actions on the checklist are guided by information already gathered by storm gauges as well as satellites from space.</div></div><div align="left" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Public behavior on hurricane preparedness has been measured by proxy using sales from grocery stores and also hardware stores. Items noted includes roof straps.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">The agency has also been moving more resources to key areas ahead of the storm and also in moving persons at risk out. During Ivan in 2004 a few people moved into shelters whereas 2,000 persons moved into shelters ahead of Gustav in 2008.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Mr Jackson said that the involvement of the Head of State ahead of the expected effects of Tropical Storm Tomas in October helped to get the public ready. He noted that online discussions, radio and print commentary after the storm passed nearby still indicated that Jamaicans overwhelmingly thought of the agency as credible. He noted the need for continuous engagement with the publics and encourage responsible behaviour.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Mr Jackson called the decision to close schools in the East of the island "gutsy" when it was expected that rains from Tomas might affect those areas. The decision was made with the sole purpose of preventing loss of lives. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Hazard Information Now A Part Of National Development</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Mr Jackson said that ODPEM had been successful in making the integration of hazard information a part into the development approval process, but the agency is currently not adequately resourced to handle all of the applications that come to it. He noted that developers were expected to inform prospective buyers of known risks so that they can make educated decisions.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Karelle Mc Cormack delivered the Vote of Thanks to Mr Jackson for allowing the PRSJ to hold its meeting at ODPEM and for his address ahead of a business trip the following day. It was suggested that the PRSJ be allowed to meet at ODPM again.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><b>Feedback on Awards of Excellence - General Matters</b></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">Christopher Benjamin reviewed the list of ideas that emerged from the October General Meeting. They were:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><br />
<ul><li>Use 2011 to strengthen the society and 2012 for the first Awards of Excellence</li>
<li>Engage in activities that will raise the profile of the society and attract more professionals. One idea was to have a weekly radio slot. Others were to identify spokespersons and seek opportunities for them to speak.</li>
<li>More Membership activities</li>
<li>Roving meetings</li>
<li>Revive the cocktail reception for final year PR students at CARIMAC</li>
<li>Continue building the relationship with IABC</li>
<li>Restart the Presidents (and Consultants) Forum</li>
<li>Have a presence at events wherever possible (booth or banner)</li>
<li>Offer short courses, especially to business leaders</li>
<li>Establish strategic linkages with the PAJ and the MAJ</li>
</ul></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 by Leo McEwan and seconded by Christopher Benjamin.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">The gathering repaired for light refreshments following the meeting.<br />
/gd</div></div>PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-64217398104262086572010-08-18T12:27:00.000-05:002010-08-20T04:19:35.230-05:00Minutes, General Meeting, August 17, 2010<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pYJlbw2cs5g/TGxXt1m4nLI/AAAAAAAABUE/gA0odWNr02Q/s1600/RtExcellentMarcusMosiahGarvey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pYJlbw2cs5g/TGxXt1m4nLI/AAAAAAAABUE/gA0odWNr02Q/s200/RtExcellentMarcusMosiahGarvey.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recalling the 123rd anniversary of the birth of <br />
<strong>Rt Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey</strong><br />
National Hero</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><strong>Minutes for the General Meeting of the </strong><strong></strong></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Public Relations Society of Jamaica</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">August 17, 2010</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Jampro Training Room, Trafalgar Road</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><strong>Members Present</strong><br />
<div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u>Past Presidents</u></strong></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Miss Christine Ann Bell, Innovative Ideas</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mr Mark Thomas, Jampro</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mrs Beverley Josephs, UTech</div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><u><strong>Members</strong></u><br />
Mrs Gwyneth Davidson, OPM</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mr Neville Graham, Credit Union League</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mrs Yvonne Grinam Nicholson, ROC Communications, IABC President</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ms Carrole James, PIOJ</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mr Leo Mc Ewan, Ministry of Transport and Works</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mr Stephen Shaw, NWA</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ms Cheryl Smith, Ministry of Finance and the Public Service</div></div><div align="left">Mr Cecil Thoms, Ministry of Agriculture</div><div align="left">Ms Kimberley Weller, ODPEM</div><div align="left">Ms Delmares White, ODPEM</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div></div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Guests Present</strong></div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mr Glen Brown, Papine Development Area Committee</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ms Nikesha Burchell, Jampro Communications</div></div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ms Melecia Brown, Ministry of National Security, National Security Strategy Co-ordinating Unit</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mr Daniel Dunkley, Ministry of Labour and Social Security PR</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ms Colette Gooden, Office of Utilities Regulation, PR</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ms Carolyn Graham, Maritime Authority of Jamaica PR</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ms Anthea Mc Gibbon, Blogger</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ms Enith Williams, past PIOJ, PR</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mr Christopher Wolfe, Ministry of Labour and Social Security PR</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dr Trevor Munroe, Professor of Government and Politics, UWI</div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div></div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Apologies</strong></div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mr Christopher Benjamin, Consultant</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ms Analisa Downes, SLB</div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ms Deborah Hickling, Consultant</div></div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div></div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The meeting was called to order by President Delmares White at 6:20 p.m. who invited Past President, Christine Bell to offer a prayer. </div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">President White acknowledged the presence of Past Presidents Christine Ann Bell, Mark Thomas and Beverley Johnson and President of the IABC, Yvonne Grinam Nicholson. She welcomed visitors and members of the media, Erica Virtue and Mr Wellington of the Jamaica Observer and Peter from Newstalk 93FM. It was noted that the meeting was being held on the 123 anniversary of the birth of the Rt Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, National Hero.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/PRSJ2009/PRSJGeneralMeetingAugust172010SpeakerDrTrevorMunroe?feat=embedwebsite" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="160" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_pYJlbw2cs5g/TG2AwQJLKoE/AAAAAAAABU8/0hMNI_jjml8/s160-c/PRSJGeneralMeetingAugust172010SpeakerDrTrevorMunroe.jpg" style="margin: 1px 0px 0px 4px;" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slide Show of Meeting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The meeting was advised that Mrs Shawnette Henry had resigned from the post of Vice President of Special Events as she was no longer able to carry out the duties of that post. Her resignation has been accepted and the Society looked forward to her continued participation as a Full Member.</div></div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div></div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Guest Speaker <a href="https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B8nqxeL9Gjp2OTNhMTEyOWUtYTY1YS00YmFlLWIxNDQtMDUyMmNjMGZjMTg5&hl=en">Audio: Progress in Combatting Corruption - Dr Trevor Munroe 32.22 mins</a> </strong></div></div><div align="left"><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pYJlbw2cs5g/TGxRos9GZqI/AAAAAAAABT8/P3IUCYUBDW0/s1600/PRSJ-GuestSpeakerDrTrevorMunroe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pYJlbw2cs5g/TGxRos9GZqI/AAAAAAAABT8/P3IUCYUBDW0/s400/PRSJ-GuestSpeakerDrTrevorMunroe.jpg" width="157" /></a>Member Cecil Thoms introduced the Guest Speaker, Professor of Government and Politics at UWI, and Director of the National Integrity Action Forum (NIAF). The NIAF is a project of the the Centre for Leadership and Governance which is a collaboration of the Department of Government, UWI and the Mona School of Business. It is comprised of government officials whose work impact on integrity. Dr Munroe gave an address that led to a discussion on the topic: "Progress Being Made in Surmounting Challenges in Combatting Corruption". </div></div></div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div></div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dr Munroe said that the country has pulled back from a tipping point on the matter of corruption. He noted that in a 1999 study, half of persons surveyed said that corruption was the greatest threat to democracy. Another study, which was conducted in 2008 by the Centre for Leadership and Government found that of 22 regional states, Jamaica was ranked highest in terms of perceptions of corruption. He noted the following as small but important steps of progress:</div></div></div><ul><li><br />
<br />
<div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Compliance on reporting award of contracts to the Contractor General had moved from 13% to 100%;</div></div></li>
<li><br />
<br />
<div align="left">Serious efforts are being made by the police force to eliminate corrupt staff. Between January and July 2010, the JCF has not re-enlisted 170 policemen and women for reason of suspicion of corruption. Of this number, 21 have been charged;</div></li>
<li><br />
<br />
<div align="left">A senior police officer has been convicted of corruption;</div></li>
<li><br />
<br />
<div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There is one Member of Parliament before the court on charges of corruption and another recommended for charge;</div></div></li>
<li><br />
<br />
<div align="left">There have been investigations into corruption in several state agencies and as a result, 30 persons are before the DPP; </div></li>
<li><br />
<br />
<div align="left">Law enforcement officials are prepared to deal with the most powerful political and business interests;</div></li>
<li><br />
<br />
<div align="left">The Chief Justice has established a Corruption Court.</div></li>
</ul><div align="left">He outlined several hurdles that need to be overcome in combatting corruption:</div><ul><li><br />
<br />
<div align="left">Slow rate of prosecutions. He supports the anti-corruption agency as promoted by the Contractor General;</div></li>
<li><br />
<br />
<div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Insufficient systems in the upcoming regulations to monitor political parties need to plug more loopholes. He urged PRSJ members to be alert on this topical issue;</div></div></li>
<li><br />
<br />
<div align="left">Lack of robust public demand for anti corruption efforts;</div></li>
</ul><div align="left">Dr Munroe then announced that by the end of the year, a Jamaica chapter of Transparency International, a global watchdog on corruption, will be established in Jamaica. He said that this can develop a systematic approach to outreach and public education on the necessity of combatting corruption more effectively. </div><div align="left"><br />
<div></div></div><div align="left">He noted that Jamaica was consistently in the top ten counties where there was a strong perception of freedom of the press and that this should be protected.</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div></div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In the discussion that followed there was general agreement that there was a need for continuous public education on how corruption affects the man in the street, contributes to murder, siphons off scarce funds to the pockets of those who are corrupt and damages services to which the public is entitled. There was agreement that a narrative needs to be developed on the benefits of fighting corruption and the promotion of fairness and equity. There was also general sentiment that the criminal justice system needs to inspire more confidence in the people it is there to serve. One way suggested is to ensure that legal defences are not financed by ill-gotten gains.</div></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div></div><div align="left">Gwyneth Davidson delivered the Vote of Thanks to the guest speaker.</div><div align="left"><br />
<div></div></div><div align="left"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As there was no other business, the motion for the adjournment of the meeting was moved at 8:15 p.m. by Kimberley Weller and seconded by Cecil Thoms. Refreshments were offered for a contribution of $300. </div></div><div align="left">/gd</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>PRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081198360151320909.post-37567286118474940052010-08-15T06:07:00.000-05:002010-08-18T17:21:01.849-05:00Minutes, General Meeting June 15, 2010<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Minutes</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">PRSJ General Meeting</div><div style="text-align: center;">June 15, 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jampro Training Room</div><div style="text-align: center;">Trafalgar Road</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><b>Present:</b></div></div>Delmares White, ODPEM <br />
Mark Thomasm, Jampro <br />
Shawnette Henry, MIND <br />
Camille Taylor, LIME<br />
Analisa Downes, SLB <br />
Christopher Benjamin, Consultant <br />
Cheryl Smith, Ministry of Finance and the Public Service <br />
Opal Davis, NSWMA <br />
Keith Brown, Keith Brown and Assoc<br />
Stephen Shaw, NWA <br />
Gerry Mc Daniel, JFLL <br />
Carroll Edwards, UWI Mona PR <br />
Claudette Myers, PIOJ PR<br />
Leo McEwan, Ministry of Transport and Works<br />
Gwyneth Davidson, OPM<br />
Christine Ann Bell, Innovative Solutions<br />
<br />
The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:15 by President Delmares White. She welcomed student guests from CARIMAC (Keith Brown) and students guests from the International University of the Caribbean (Gerry McDaniel).<br />
<br />
<b>Announcement of New Members</b><br />
VP Membership announced that the following persons were accepted as full members of the PRSJ.<br />
<blockquote><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Journalist, radio producer and Communications Manager, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Mr Cecil Thoms</strong>;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Public Education and Community Relations Manager at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) <strong style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Mr Jamal Tugman</strong>;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Information Officer at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Ms Kimberley Weller</strong>;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Journalist and Media Coordinator Embassy of the United States of America - Public Affairs Section, <strong style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Ms Fern White.</strong></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The Society extends a warm welcome and congratulations to the new members and look forward to their active involvement in the Society. </span>Members in arrears were reminded to pay their 2010 dues.<br />
<br />
<b>Guest Speaker</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pYJlbw2cs5g/TBzBwo1lAsI/AAAAAAAABOM/ZKgzwf4PZMA/s1600/PRSJ-HerbertGayle-1-June15-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pYJlbw2cs5g/TBzBwo1lAsI/AAAAAAAABOM/ZKgzwf4PZMA/s320/PRSJ-HerbertGayle-1-June15-2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Past President Mark Thomas introduced guest speaker, Social Violence expert and Lecturer in the department of Social Sciences, UWI, Anthropologist Dr Herbert Gayle. Dr Gayle made a call for more investment in boys and young men as an essential component to overcome violence in the society. Dr Gayle was presented with a token of appreciation by Gwyneth Davidson.<br />
<br />
<b>Other Business</b><br />
First VP Christopher Benjamin reminded the group about the benefit performance of the UWI Singers on Saturday June 19, tickets $1,200 each. Tickets are on sale from Executive members. Members were asked to support the Society by purchasing the tickets to this fund-raising event.<br />
<br />
Juice was served and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:00p.m.<br />
/gdPRSJ 2009http://www.blogger.com/profile/07289545751884410614noreply@blogger.com0