MINUTES
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
MARCH 30, 2010
JAMPRO TRAINING ROOM
TRAFALGAR ROAD
Present
1. Analisa Downes
2. Beverley Josephs
3. Camille Taylor
4. Carrole Edwards
5. Cheryl Smith
6. Christine Bell
7. Christopher Benjamin
8. Delmares White
9. Gerrard McDaniel
10. Gillian Haughton
11. Blossom Laidlaw
12. Alison Christie Binger
13. Kamika Williams McKellop
14. Gwyneth Harold
15. Janneth Mornan-Green
16. Leo McEwan
17. Marie Berbick-Graham
18. Mark Thomas
19. Meris Haughton
20. Misha Lobban
21. Opal Davis
22. Shawnette Henry
23. Stephen Shaw
24. Maxine McDonnough
25. Ealane Livingston Smith
26. Claudette Myers
President Mark Thomas called meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.
Apologies for absence was tendered for: Elaine Commissiong, Kathleen Johnson, Patricia Tyrell, Tamara Scott Williams, Dayner Azzellino, Donna Marie Rowe, Errol Miller, Winsome Callum, Jean Lowrie Chin, Marcia Erskine, Keith Brown,
Induction of New Members
Past President Janneth Mornan Green performed the induction of new members who were present at the meeting they are: Full members: Analisa Downes, Cheryl Smith, Christopher Benjamin, Delmares White, Gillian Haughton, Marie Berbick-Graham, Meris Haughton, Opal Davis, Shawnette Henry, Stephen Shaw, Claudette Myers Maxine Francis; and Associate Members: Akilah Maxwell and Kamika Williams McKellop.
Guest Speaker
The Guest Speaker, country branding expert, Mr David Lightle, was introduced by Delmares White. Mr Lightle gave insights on his case studies in Taiwan, Thailand, New Zealand and most recently Colombia. He is currently a consultant with JTI/Jampro training local communicators and investment technocrats in the skills needed for successful nation branding. Cheryl Smith delivered the vote of thanks.
Adoption of Minutes
Gerry McDaniel read the minutes from the 2004 AGM. The motion to adopt the minutes was moved by Beverley Josephs and seconded by Mark Thomas.
President’s Report
Status of Accounts
Jamaica National Investment Account Nov 24, 2009 - J$99,444.67
NCB Current account Dec 27, 2009 - J$1,127.55
NCB Savings account as at March 30 2010, $24, 285.47.
New members
Since the start of 2010, the Society has inducted 14 Full Members and two Associate Members.
PRSJ/IABC Christmas Networking Event
Held on December 15 2009 which saw 51 practitioners attending. PRSJ presold 20 tickets IABC 23 tickets. A very small profit was cleared which IABC retains on mutual agreement. There is an active commitment to collaborate for the benefit of all practitioners with joint promotion of events.
Communications
The original website created by is still online. A free online Google Site has been created at_ Blogs are maintained on the practice of PR in Jamaica. Both Google site and blog are tracked using Google Analytics.
Work in progress
Catalogue of practitioners with 28 practitioners listed. When we have 50 listed we will publicise and use to promote local PR talent. Encourage persons to write in to the email address for more information on this.
Appointment of Auditors
The meeting accepted VBernard Chartered Accountants as the auditors. Misha Lobban was asked to convey her appreciation to the firm’s Partner,pn;’’/m, p;]’;
Vintoria Bernard.
Election of Officers
Outgoing Trustee, Camille Taylor, accepted nominations for election and the following persons were named and accepted by declaration.
New Executive
- President – Delmares White
- First Vice President – Christopher Benjamin
- Vice President Finance – Stephen Shaw
- Vice President Recruitment and Membership – Analisa Downes
- Vice President Special Events – Shawnette Henry
- General Secretary – Cheryl Smith
- Assistant General Secretary – Deborah Hickling
President’s Vision
President Delmares White outlined her vision for her presidency highlighting a need km’kl./.mkvlto:
Draft guidelines for calculating the efficiencies and effects of the local PR output with a view to improving those where necessary and/or possible.
2. Develop a plan for an articulated sense of common direction that will keep the cultural values of Jamaica in our Public Relations Activities.
3. Build up a programme for the conceptual, philosophical, or financial support for local PR professionals in need of such assistance. Possibilities could be the creation of a back up fund for practitioners or self insurance.
4. Develop strategies that may be mutually shared by members for reinforcing Brand Jamaica in our PR designs.
5. Forge partnerships with Public Sector and Private Sector Organizations, emphasis on Public Sector in an effort to collaborate more with each other so that important messages for public information are not overlooked by media outlets.
6. Outline guidelines for the membership to establish or achieve constructive standards, relationships, and responsibilities for social media where they relate to PR work.
7. Design or review a Crisis Communication and Control plans for times of disasters, which dovetails with ODPEM’s national/regional programme.
8. Review the criteria for the PRSJ Awards of Excellence to ensure that it adheres to International Standards and best practice.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. by Mark Thomas and seconded by Gwyneth Davidson.
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