Kiwanis celebrate in style at District Convention 2018
IT WAS a proud moment for Kiwanians in Jamaica who were hosts for the 101th Eastern Canada & Caribbean (EC&C) District Convention at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on May 17-19.
Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International is a global organisation of clubs and members dedicated to serving the children of the world. Kiwanis members and its family of clubs, including the Service Leadership Programmes, which are leadership and character-building initiatives hosted in a school or community and sponsored by a Kiwanis Club, dedicate annually more than 18 million service hours to strengthen communities and serve children. Here in Jamaica, the Kiwanis movement has flourished for 54 years and currently there are more than 63 clubs across the island. Every day, members dedicate their time, talent and treasure to plan and execute projects to help children and the less fortunate.
The Eastern Canada and Caribbean District is one of the largest and most diverse of the 50 districts that comprise the Kiwanis family. Stretching from Ontario to Newfoundland in the north, and extending down through the Caribbean, from The Bahamas to Suriname (northern South America), including Jamaica, our EC&C District embodies the best of Kiwanis.
ANNUAL MEETINGS
District Conventions are held annually to elect new leaders and to educate, engage and empower members to be better Kiwanians in the Kiwanis mission of ‘Serving the Children of the World’. This is in keeping with one of the six objects of Kiwanis International “To provide, through Kiwanis clubs, a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service and to build better communities”. The convention included forums to help to educate the Kiwanians in the district on how to become better leaders so that we can indeed render altruistic service and to build better communities. There are also events where we could have fellowship with other Kiwanians and form enduring friendships, including a host party, Jamaica Night event. Kiwanians were also recognised at the convention for their hard work and service to the less fortunate over the previous year.
More than 500 Kiwanians from the 18 countries in the district participated this year in the convention and attended informative forums. Topics included ‘Community impact – perform meaningful service, with service to children as our priority’, ‘Working with today’s youth’, and ‘Membership and engagement – build, retain, and support a growing Kiwanis membership network’, to name a few. The convention also had dynamic and inspirational speakers, and great entertainment showcasing the diversity of Jamaica’s rich culture. When not on the convention floor, our visitors from the other countries in the district were also able to enjoy our beautiful beaches, warm and friendly people and iconic attractions through the various programmes arranged.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
The keynote speaker at our opening ceremony was the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, prime minister of Jamaica, who, in his address, said that the Government is committed to working with the volunteer sector in shaping the future of the country. He noted that strong partnerships involving governments, private sector and the volunteer sector are the things that are needed right across the region. He added that the Kiwanis Club has mastered the art of volunteerism, leaving an indelible mark on societies across the world. He said the organisation’s commitment to service is being felt throughout the length and breadth of Jamaica, especially in social and community-related programmes.
The execution of the convention was made possible because of the kind support of both private-and public-sector organisations, whose donations served to further confirm the importance of the service Kiwanians do for our communities. We thank all our sponsors, which included Tourism Enhancement Fund, Rosehall Great House, Tropical Tours, Toyota Jamaica, Hope Markes Villas, Sipacupa, FX Trader, Chancellor Insurance Agency, Allied Protection, Grace-Kennedy Money Services, Sixt Rent A Car, Telicon, Jablum Coffee, CPJ, Montego Bay Conference Centre, Power 106 FM, Kool 97 FM, News-Talk 93 FM, Appleton Estates, Pure Country, CVM at Sunrise, and JN Fund Managers.