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Sheraton Mall Sargeant’s Village Christ Church T (246) 436-8754 F (246) 436-1630 deiabarbados@gmail.com October 2016
www.theawardbarbados.com
CASC 2016—The AGM Experience Barbados was well represented at this year’s Caribbean Award Sub-regional Council (CASC ) camp and Annual Genral Meeting (AGM) by 24 persons. For first time Chairman, Stephen Smith CASC was an extra special experience as he had to chair the meeting. With a packed agenda, the team comprising Chairpersons and National Directors pressed ahead to chart a revised course for the regional body. Committees were formed to draft a strategic plan and fundraising strategy for CASC as an organisation. These are all steps to ensuring that the Award continues to make an impact on young people in the Caribbean. To build the next generation of leadership of the Award in Barbados, two trainee leaders: Akeem James and Jamar Odwin were asked to attend the CASC Annual General Meeting. Here is a bit from Jamar. “One of the biggest takeaways is that financial aid, adequate space for a national headquarters and a continuous chain of trained persons moving from volunteers/participants to trainee leaders to group leaders are some of the necessities for a successful thriving programme in any country. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is essential to the growth and development of young people worldwide. If it is to continue to thrive in the Caribbean, everyone regardless of stage needs to be aware of their importance to the success of the organisation and commit to its continued growth.” (Check out our website www.theawardbarbados.com for Akeem’s thoughts.)
Captions: (above) Barbados staff at CASC 2016 Carla Alleyne, Charles Sealy, Jamila Bayne, Stephen smith, Troy Roach and Garfield Callender (below) David Clarke presents to Jamar
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Americas Region discuss the way forward For the first time in many years the Americas regional conference was held in conjunction with the annual CASC camp. The conference was held at the Hilton Hotel in Trinidad and Tobago from 25-27 July. Secretary General of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation Mr. John May was one of the main presenters at the conference. As he and Americas Regional Director, David Clarke engaged with the attendees the main focus was on collecting their views on charting the way forward for the Award both in the region and globally. A new and exciting project that will form part of the efforts to document just what the Award means to the world. The project will attempt to gather data on the wider societal impact of the Award and how that can be described and measured. Representatives from Canada, The Bahamas, Barbados, the United States, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda, Guyana, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and Costa Rica were all there. . Discussion topics were quite varied; of particular interest were the presentations on special projects funding options and the use of the Award in juvenile correction programmes. The Caribbean is well positioned to apply for special projects for extending the impact of the Award on the region’s youth. During the conference delegates got a Skype call from the London office with Mike Heath, Head of Information Technology. He gave a live demonstration of the new version of the Online Record Book which is to be introduced next year. Immediately following the showing Mike was hit with a barrage of questions, the main one being ‘When will it be ready?’ Stay tuned in 2017 for the new ORB. Captions: (Top) Attendees at the 2016 Regional Conference (right) Secretary General John May discussing the Award’s future plans.
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Unusual finds at Clean Up Barbados Once again, dukers were on board with the Future Centre Trust’s annual Clean Up Barbados event. The national effort collected in excess of six thousands pounds of waste. For the small group of young participants who came out to the beach, it was a learning experience. As they gathered the discarded materials they saw just what kinds of things are simply left on the beach or not placed in the correct bins. From broken umbrellas to unwanted clothes irons the participants were rather shocked at what they collected. Again the Award group this year was tasked the stretch of beach along Bay Street in Bridgetown. Great job by all, let’s keep Barbados Clean.
Captions: (top & left) Participants at the Clean Up Barbados Event and (below) new leaders at the training session in September.
New Groups Coming with leaders Trained This year’s annual training session for New leaders focused on introducing the Online Record Book. Attending the session were potential leaders from both private and public secondary schools. Some of those who joined the training were part of the contingent to Trinidad and will be assisting with the management of a number of groups on the island. We look forward to more participants and young leaders emerging from the new groups.
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Conquering the Northern Range Trinidad’s northern range though different to home was not an insurmountable task for the silver and gold Bajan participants at CASC 2016. Each faced individual challenges as they joined with dozens more from the region on the five day expedition. The journey to Matelot from basecamp at UWI St. Augustine Campus lasted 4 hours; that was very different for those from a country that’s 14 x 21 miles. Over the next five days the fun (read challenge after challenge) ensued and took the groups along the coast into Maracas and back to the Award’s headquarters at Curepe. Making the trek the groups encountered bees, wasps, turtle hatchlings and a nesting leatherback. Spectacular views such as Turtlerock helped to motivate tired soles to make just a few more steps.
Taking a dip off Tobago
Especially for the participants, the CASC 2016 experience was unforgettable. Many commented that they came away with a better view of life and are more self-confident.
Ready for another day. Community service at the Centre of Persons with Disabilities
Tackling the Northern Range
Always time for a game
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THE EXPEDITIONER Just a few snapshots of CASC 2016. Checkout our Facebook page for more at www.facebook.com/ deabarbadosaward.
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Leaders recognised at Award Ceremony Thirteen bronze and nine silver awards were presented at the National Award ceremony Mrs Belgrave from Combermere was specially recognized. in July. The awardees represented quite a number of groups; the list included Queen’s College, Springer Memorial Secondary, Combermere, Graydon Sealy Secondary, Harrison College, The Lodge School and the University of the West Indies. Group leaders were specially recognised at this year’s award presentation. A short slideshow that featured short messages from participants to their leaders was shown. All group leaders are volunteers and they make large personal sacrifice in order to give young people the chance to earn the awards. One participant stated of his leader, “My group leader has helped me tremendously. He has made me push my limits and I looked up to him.” Another’s message to the group’s leader was, “You always said I was a determined person and I have proven you right.”
Some of the awardees
National Award Council Chairman, Stephen Smith congratulated all the awardees but also encouraged them to continue on to the next level of the programme. Himself a gold award holder, he fully understands what it means to persevere until the end. Again this year, gold award holders were on hand to assist with the presentation of the Awards. Most recent recipient of the gold award, Dario Harewood shared the duties of master of ceremonies with Carla Alleyne the Operations Manager. Others acted as ushers and formed the audio visual team.
Jaaziel Parris collects her bronze award
Alex Greenidge collects his silver award
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ORB Checkin—Submit a section When each award section is completed the participant will have to present a form to the assessor/coach to receive a report of performance. To produce this form the participant has to click on the SUBMIT button and follow the steps to download the form, which must be uploaded after it is signed by the assessor or coach. When the form is completed, scan and uploaded; after it is uploaded, then click Submit in Step 3. Next, you will be returned to your home page where you will see that the section will now show ‘Award Leader Signoff’. Complete this process for all your sections so that you will be able to earn your awards. Remember that User Guides can be found on the Online Record Book (www.intawardorb.com) . Check these out to help you when using the Online Record Book.
1. Click Submit when section is 100%
2. Follow Steps 1-3 to Complete the Submission process
NB—When the submission is completed your Award leader will have to review your records before approving your award.