October-December 2013
ICWI Group supports pink ribbon
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS ICWI DONATES TO RISE JAMAICA PAGE 7
10
3
9
an icwi CHRISTMAS PARTY
Meet Neville Warner
icwi Group supports pink ribbon
ICWI offices accross region celebrated Christmas season in style with fun, food fantastic friends.
Neville Warner, Information Systems Manager, selfproclaimed gadget geek and proud Wolmerian, should be a familiar face to everyone at ICWI.
In the spirit of giving, the ICWI Group strapped their sneakers on and took to the roads to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer.
the the true and
3
an icwi Christmas
C
hristmas is in the air and once again it’s time to party, Hawaiian style... time for ICWI guests to let their hair down and enjoy themselves.
Fun, food and fantastic friends were the hallmark of ICWI’s annual Christmas party, held on Friday, December 13, in The Gardens at 2 St. Lucia Avenue, ICWI’s Christmas Luau featured a Hawaiian theme, with guests decked out in an array of bright and beautifully coloured leis, while eating, drinking, dancing and having a great time. As employees and guests walked the beautifully decorated lawns, their photographs were taken. Some even opted to show-case their gorgeous faces and smiles in the face cut-out. The evening began with the melodious sound of the UWI Panoridim Steel Orchestra. They set the tone for the night with a wide variety of music. The night was filled with prizes and surprises. Men could be seen running up to the podium wearing women’s high heeled shoes, while women hunted for ties...laughter filled the atmosphere but was soon tempered by the much anticipated Broker Awards that paid tribute to the brokers who are integral to the success of the company. The award for the Broker with the Lowest Average Receivables went to Billy Craig Insurance Brokers. They walked away with a cash award of $100,000. Fraser
Fontaine and Kong Insurance Brokers (FFK) walked away with three awards; they received the award for Best Loss Ratio, Largest Motor Producer and Largest Property Producer of 2013. The coveted Broker of the Year Award was won by National Property and General Insurance Brokers (NPG). They also walked away with the prize for the Broker with the largest growth in Motor and Property. As the evening progressed, the vibrant and energetic Dynamic Hearts Entertainment Band, led by former employee Jahmal Hutchinson, took the stage...and took it they did! They were simply a burst of energy and talent, they danced, they played, they performed! Guests were treated to a wonderful array of succulent and delicious food that had everyone’s taste buds doing somersaults. The tables were spread with ham, chicken, curried goat, fish, potato salad, rice and peas and soup, to name a few. There were also delectable desserts and the bar supplied the needed fuel to keep guest going all night. The dance floor was never left empty, everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves, eating, drinking, dancing or just socializing. The night was indeed exciting and enjoyable.
4
vox popChristian Watt (Broker Service Executive) “Good food, good music, good vibes, good times. Great way to close out the year.”
Latoya Mitchell (Customer Service Representative) “The Christmas party lived up to my expectation. The theme was a good one and the leis complimented the outfits beautifully”.
5
Stanece Grant
Yejide Holness
Elaine Watson
(Customer Service Representative)
(Credit Control Representative)
(Customer Care Representative)
“The party was pretty good, people looked relaxed and were seen in their party element. Quite enjoyable”.
“ The party, the food and the entertainment were all good”.
“ The ambiance was fantastic. It allowed for timely interactions with guests and colleagues”.
icwi trinidad
6
icwi cayman islands
employee blog
tameka thompson’s send off
I
n December, we said good-bye to an awesome Branch Manager. She was feted with gifts, well wishes and a variety of tasty treats. She will be missed by Team Mobay and its Sub-branches for being the professional, fun and high-spirited individual she is.
All the best Tameka! Make us proud in the Bahamas.
7
icwi gives back ICWI
O
n December 20, members of various departments from ICWI went to the Rise Jamaica Christmas Treat to hand out presents to over three hundred children. Rise Jamaica is a non-profit organisation that treats addictive disorders, with a focus on inner-city communities. On arrival, staff were introduced to the children who were being served ice cream and entertained by music that could be heard throughout the entire complex. Mrs. Jan Lopez, Director of Rise Jamaica, took the ICWI staff on a tour to further educate them on the various aspects of Rise Jamaica. This included workshops for substance abuse, after-school GSAT preparations, continuing education programmes offered for adults and violence prevention programmes. They provide support for eight inner-city communities and offer school based programmes for five schools.
Donates to Rise Jamaica
ICWI Mandevil e
I
CWI Mandeville has demonstrated that private sector partnership can steer children in the right direction and lead to community improvement. Four children who would not have had the opportunity to attend school were granted scholarships by the ICWI Mandeville Branch to attend the D. Frank Early Childhood Institution. On December 12, branch representatives along with other members of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, joined the excited students and dedicated staff for an ‘end of year send-off’ and official presentation.
Emphasizes Education
T
Finance Department donates to Golden Age Home
he Golden Age Home (Cluster G) was presented with a new refrigerator on December 11. Both the management and occupants of the home expressed gratitude towards the well needed donation. The purchase of the refrigerator was made possible through the kind donations of the Finance Department, who spearheaded the venture, and ICWI Group Foundation. Special thanks to all who supported the cake sale held on Friday, October 25, the proceeds of which also went towards the purchase.
icwi mandeville theme Fridays
O
n November 15, the Mandeville Branch had their first theme Friday which caused quite a buzz in and around the office. The excitement was so contagious that after visiting the ICWI office and seeing staff members decked out in their creatively, comical hats and ties, a male client returned with his leprechaun hat. After work, staff members were able to unwind and bond over games and delicious food prepared by our chef and sous chef, Dawn Walker and Angelene Rhone.Their special touches kept diners coming back for more. El menu consisted of caballa (mackerel), bola de masa frita (fried dumpling), ñame (yam) and albóndigas hervidas (boiled dumplings).
“O
le time sumting come back again.” Long uniforms, socks, knapsacks, ribbons, khakis and lunch pans were just a hint of the exciting dress code for December 20 in the Mandeville office. With the Head Girl, Valrie Tomlinson (Branch Manager), managing the team effectively, they were able to end the year with a BANG! Extra curricular activities included games such as chinese skip and jacks. ‘Students’ (staff) rocked away to old school reggae music while sipping on their bag juices and eating their cheese trix.
A‘Hat and Tie’ Affair
“Ting-a-ling-a-ling School Bell a Ring”
8
9
meet neville warner
N
eville Warner, Information Systems Manager, selfproclaimed gadget geek and proud Wolmerian, should be a familiar face to everyone at ICWI. If for some strange reason you’ve never met Neville, you should at least know his voice very well. As Information Systems Manager, Neville is responsible for ensuring a high level of customer service and support to all ICWI Group users in IT related issues, as well as analysing the types of problems and inquiries of these users in order to determine how better the MIS Department can be of service to the entire ICWI community.
Neville joined the ICWI family in February 2009 after three years at Lasco as a System Administrator. He also worked in a similar capacity at AJAS and lectured part-time at the University College of the Caribbean. His first job, however, was as a driver for his father’s car business which saw him getting his driver’s licence at age fifteen! For anyone who saw Neville parallel park at the last ICWI Olympics, this fun fact might help to put his skills behind the wheel into perspective! Despite being an aviation enthusiast, he decided to pursue a career in Information Technology and enrolled at the University of the West Indies where he completed
his BSc. in Computer and Electronics and his Management Information He is also a certified Management Professional.
Science MSc. in Systems. Project
Neville believes that the key to life is balance, so when he is not working, he can usually be found spending time with his family and friends, or in front of the television cheering on Arsenal on the pitch or Roger Federer on the courts.
10
icwi group supports pink ribbon
ICWI Jamaica participates in the Reach to Recovery Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Run
11
ICWI St. Maarten participates in the fit and fabulous Breast Cancer Walk–A-Thon
ICWI Cayman participates in the Brenda Tibbetts Lund Memorial 5K Walk/Run for Breast Cancer
12
25 things You Need to Stop Wasting Time On
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Distractions that keep you from special moments with special people. – Pay attention to the little things, because when you really miss someone you miss the little things the most. Compulsive busyness. – Schedule time every day to not be busy.
Negative thinking about your current situation. – Life is like a mirror; we get the best results when we smile. So talk about your blessings more than you talk about your problems. The needless drama around you. – Be wise enough to walk away from the nonsense around you. Focus on the positives, and soon the negatives will be harder to see. The desire for everything you don’t have. – No, you won’t always get exactly what you want, but remember this: There are lots of people who will never have what you have right now. Comparing yourself to everyone else. – Social comparison is the thief of happiness. You could spend a lifetime worrying about what others have, but it wouldn’t get you anything.
7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Thinking about who you were or what you had in the past. – You’re not the same person you were a year ago, a month ago, or a week ago. Worrying about the mistakes you’ve made. – It’s OK if you mess up; that’s how you get wiser. Give yourself a break.
Worrying about what everyone thinks and says about you. – Don’t take things too personally, even if it seems personal.
Self-deception. – Your life will improve only when you take small chances. And the first and most difficult chance you can take is to be honest with yourself.
A life path that doesn’t feel right. – Life is to be enjoyed, not endured. When you truly believe in what you’re doing, it shows, and it pays.
Everyone else’s definition of success and happiness. – You simply can’t base your idea of success and happiness on other people’s opinions and expectations.
13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
Those who insist on using and manipulating you. – What you allow is what will continue. Give as much as you can, but don’t allow yourself to be used. Trying to impress everyone. – One of the most freeing things we learn in life is that we don’t have to like everyone, everyone doesn’t have to like us.
All the fears holding you back. – Fear is a feeling, not a fact. The best way to gain strength and self-confidence is to do what you’re afraid to do.
Doubting and second-guessing yourself. – When in doubt just take the next small step.
People who continuously dump on your dreams. – It’s better to be lonely than allow negative people and their opinions derail you from your destiny.
19. 20.
Thinking the perfect time will come. – You can’t always wait for the perfect moment. Sometimes you must dare to do it because life is too short to wonder what could have been.
Band-Aids and temporary fixes. – Deal with problems directly before they deal with your happiness.
Close-minded judgments. – Open your mind before you open your mouth. Don’t hate what you don’t know.
21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Other people’s mistakes and oversights. – Today, be tolerant of people’s mistakes and oversights. Sometimes good people make bad choices.
13
Resentment. – Kindness is not to be mistaken for weakness, nor forgiveness for acceptance. It’s about knowing that resentment is not on the path to happiness. Any hateful thoughts at all. – Set an example. Make kindness a daily ritual; it’s what makes life happier and more fulfilling in the long run. Regrets of any kind. – You don’t have to be defined by the things you once did or didn’t do. Don’t let yourself be controlled by regret. Every point in time other than right now. – Don’t cry over the past, it’s gone. Don’t stress too much about the future, it hasn’t arrived. Do your best to live NOW and make this moment worth living.
What else do you need to stop wasting time on?
“D
ost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of. - Benjamin Franklin
”
14
STAFF MOVEMENTS New Staff
A
warm welcome is extended to the following employees who joined the ICWI family during the period October to December 2013.
Gabrielle Bernard Customer Service Dept.
Nashae Francis Mandeville Branch
Sunil Jiandani St. Maarten Branch
Departures
I
t is with regret that we bid goodbye to the following persons during the last quarter of 2013 and wish them all the best in their future undertakings.
Simone Walker Alicia Watson Jahmal Hutchinson Dana Edwards Tashna Grant Nyannini James
15
Hatches
C
ongratulations to the following members of staff who welcomed new born babies to their family.
Keira, daughter of Michelle Shand Forbes - Legal Department
Matches
C
ongratulations to our Marketing Agent Denese Davis who got married on 12 October 2013.
Condolences
O
ur deepest sympathies to the following members of staff on the passing of their loved ones:
Latoya Mitchell on the passing of her Grandfather
Abigail, daughter of Robin Pratt Davis – Bahamas
16
10 Key Principles (ILO)
T
he International Labour Organization (ILO) has developed a code of practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of work which provides guidelines for the development and implementation of an HIV/AIDS Policy.
6. No screening for exclusion
1. Recognition of HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue • • •
It affects the workplace by cutting the workforce, increasing labour costs and reducing productivity It should be treated like any other life threatening illness The workplace has a role to play to limit the spread and effect of the epidemic
2. Nondiscrimination • •
There should be no discrimination against workers on the basis of real or perceived HIV status Discrimination and stigmatization inhibit efforts of prevention
3. Gender Equality • • •
Women are more likely to become infected as a result of biological and socioeconomic reasons Men are usually the sexual decision makers Both need to understand how these issues impact the spread of the epidemic
4. Healthy Work Environment • • •
Health and safety for all concerned parties Provision of information, education and appropriate first aid Adaption of work to capabilities of workers
5. Social Dialogue
Successful implementation requires appropriate dialogue between: - Employers - Workers - Unions - Government
HIV/AIDS screening should not be required of job applicants or persons in employment REMEMBER: An HIV test result is a ‘snapshot’ of the status today only!
7. Confidentiality • • •
No disclosure required by employees Co-workers not obligated to reveal status of fellow workers Willful disclosure of confidential information will attract sanctions
8. Continuation of Employment • • •
HIV infection is not a cause for termination of employment HIV+ persons should be encouraged to work as long as deemed medically fit Where possible reasonable accommodation should be made to facilitate HIV+ workers
Note: Reasonable accommodation may include:
- - - - -
Reassignment of duties Opportunity for rest breaks Time off for medical appointments Flexible working hours Special sick leave arrangements
9. Prevention Prevention can be achieved through: • Access to Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV • Provision of Education and Information on HIV/AIDS • Promotion of condom use • Access to medical care of STIs
10. Care and Support • • •
Solidarity, care and support should guide the organization’s response to HIV/AIDS All workers are entitled to affordable health services There should be no discrimination in access to and receipt of benefits
2 St. Lucia Avenue Kingston 5 Jamaica W.I. Tel: (876) 926-9040-7 Fax: (876) 960-6918 direct@icwi.com www.icwi.com www.facebook.com/icwigroup twitter.com/ICWI_Jamaica
Suites 11-13 Technology Innovation Centre University of Technology 237 Old Hope Road Kingston 6 (876) 970 5657 kendra@joinemedia.com