(BASSETERRE, 14-SEPT-2010) Sunday 12th September was a historical occasion in JCI - St.Kitts organization (formerly the St.Kitts Jaycees) which saw the long awaited reactivation of the JCI-St.Kitts Chapter. Past Presidents, Past VPs JCI Senators and JCI West Indies President, friends and family were all there to witness the induction of eleven (11) new members, which signaled the reactivation of JCI St.Kitts.
This induction ceremony was the culmination of a three-day JCI Training Academy held from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th at Oojj’s Convention Center. The weekend training was facilitated by JCI Training Administrator Gunther Meyer from JCI headquarters. Some twenty seven (27) young active citizens participated in the training and received JCI certificates for courses in JCI Networking; JCI Admin and JCI CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility).
The weekend activities came to a close on Sunday evening with an induction ceremony under the auspices of JCI West Indies President David C. Knight. This event was special and significant for the President since it was less than 12 months ago that he made a commitment to the Prime Minister, the Honourable Denzil Douglas and sixty (60) JCI delegates of the 49th JCI National Convention held in St.Kitts in October 2009 to revive and reactivate the St.Kitts Chapter.
It was at this very convention that Mr. Knight was inducted to office as JCI West Indies 50th President, that a local committee was formed comprising of JCI Senator, Past Presidents, Past Vice Presidents and Past NOM Vice President chaired by Past President Mrs. Clare Greenaway. The committee was charged with the responsibility of reactivating the JCI St.Kitts Chapter by recruiting and training young active citizens in St.Kitts. During the year the committee held recruitment drives, hosted a public forum on Value Added Tax (VAT), was a guest on WinnFm’s popular radio show “The Chat Room” with Azilla Clarke and the recently concluded JCI training academy.
Immediately following the induction of new members, a Board comprising of new members was appointed to the positions of:
Chairman-Curtis Francis
Vice Chair-Erania Nicole Tobin
Secretary-Candice Caines
Treasurer-Tasanna Kelly
These persons are now charged with the responsibility of charting the way forward for the JCI St.Kitts organisation. The other new JCI members inducted were Javon Liburd, Colander Caines, Amanda Pemberton, Charlene Thomas, Zalika Isaac, Juvaughn Powell and Jason Benjamin.
In his acceptance speech, newly appointed Chairman Curtis Francis encouraged his colleagues by emphasizing “as we begin this journey to provide development opportunities that will empower young people to create positive change, let us not forget that in doing so, we ourselves would be changed”. He further reminded everyone present that "this world was loan to us for our children, our grandchildren and so it is our obligation and responsibility to protect and preserve it for future generations”.
JCI West Indies President in his feature address emphasized that becoming a JCI member is a Triple investment: an investment in oneself, an investment in the community and an investment in people. He further encouraged the new members and the new Board to meet the needs of the community and the needs of young people and by doing so win the hearts of the community and become a household name in St.Kitts. JCI West Indies President David Knight further challenged everyone present to look at the problems around them and identify where they can make a difference and where they can make a change. We cannot ignore the problems around us. He reminded everyone of the JCI creed that embodies principles to live by:
We believe
That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life;
That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations;
That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise;
That government should be of laws rather than of men;
That earth’s great treasure lies in human personality;
And that service to humanity is the best work of life.
