October
2020
GIVE HOPE. SAVE LIVES.
E D ITO R S ’ MESSAGE
Clover & Dayton
It’s been a busy month as we continue to adapt to the new normal. This issue, we observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a few tips on how to safely support the warrior in your life during the pandemic. You can take a look at our first ever virtual VM Scholarship Awards ceremony and online Home Expo. See highlights of upcoming Member events and learn about the recently held Employee Engagement seminar. There might be a pandemic going on, but we’re up and buzzing! As usual, if you have any feedback, questions or concerns, let us know at: VMCorporateAffairs@myvmgroup.com
CONTENTS
Pages 4 Give Hope. Save Lives.
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
Page 6 VM Upcoming Team Member Events
MEMBERS’ MONTH Dear VM Team, November is Members' Month and on November 14, 2020, VM marks 142 years of Mutuality and Member Focused service to Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora. This year’s celebration theme is 'WE ARE HERE FOR YOU'. Most of our external Members’ Month activities will be concentrated during the week of November 8, 2020 to November 14, 2020 through a series of hybrid events due to COVID-19 constraints.
Here are highlights of what's to come:
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER
Page 7-8 VM Tidbits
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GIVE HOPE. SAVE LIVES.
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When the year of the pandemic meets breast cancer month, it’s a good time to think about the vulnerable among us. COVID-19 can be particularly dangerous for anyone with preexisting conditions, and when it comes to breast cancer that’s not only true, but it gets compounded if you are, or have been, undergoing treatment. So if you have a loved who is a breast cancer warrior, all the safety rules apply and should be followed stringently. With many carriers of the coronavirus being asymptomatic, we all need to act as though we have the virus when dealing with breast cancer warriors. That being said, if you’re wondering how to provide support, here are a few ideas.
challenging at a time when emotional
SOCIAL DISTANCING — Keeping our distance from someone we care about is difficult under normal circumstances, but can be even more
the toenail clippers they need and you
support is really needed. Instead of the usual six feet apart, 12 feet of spacing is probably a good idea, especially in closed spaces. Thankfully, there are a number of video calling apps, like WhatsApp and Google Meet, that allow us to connect with loved ones. Virtual hugs will have to do for now. HOME DELIVERIES — While there are several local companies offering delivery of groceries, fast food and packages, any delivery is better when brought by a caring courier. Check in to see if there’s anything big or small they need. It’s a great chance to add a little sunshine to their day while filling a real need for them. They get each get to spend some masked face time with your favorite person. It’s a win-win.
SURPRISES — Imagine opening your window to see a car strung up with streamers and balloons, surrounded by your friends dancing to your favorite tunes blaring from the speakers. In the midst of the warrioring and the isolation, surprises can feel like a refreshing oasis. A small tub of their favorite ice cream might also do the trick. Surprises provide a healthy dose of feel-good and can be very budget-friendly.
If this year has taught us anything, it is that we are all united in our humanity. A phone call at the start of their day, or the end of a tough one, can give your loved one a boost that could carry them through to inspire someone else. Isolation can lead to vitamin deficiencies and psychological slumps that can hamper the healing process. Supporting our loved ones in their time of need is good for them, it’s good for us and it’s exactly what the world needs right now.
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WE WEARE AREHERE HEREFOR FORYOU YOU
Here are highlights of what's to come:
MEMBERS’ MONTH 08 VM UPCOMING TEAM NOVEMBER
Dear VM Team,
November is Members' Month and on November 14, 2020, VM marks 142 142ndtoAnniversary/ years of Mutuality and Member Focused service Jamaicans at home and Members’ Month Church in the Diaspora.
MEMBERS’ MEMBERS’ MONTH MONTH MEMBER EVENTS
Service | 10:00 a.m.
This year’s celebration theme is 'WE ARE HERE FOR YOU'. This year we will have only one churchwill service. The service during will Most of our external Members’ Month activities be concentrated be held the 3b Escarpment the week of November 8, 2020 to November 14,at2020 through a series of Road New Testament Church hybrid events due to COVID-19 constraints. Dear DearVM VMTeam, Team, at 10 a.m. Escarpment Road has a robust online service platform. The service will November NovemberisisMembers' Members'Month Monthand andon onNovember November14, 14,2020, 2020,VM VMmarks marks142 142 Here are highlights of what's to be come: streamed on our digital years yearsofofMutuality Mutualityand andMember MemberFocused Focusedservice servicetotoJamaicans Jamaicansatathome homeand and channels, i.e., – YouTube ininthe theDiaspora. Diaspora. and Facebook.
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Members’ Month Church Service | 10:00 a.m.
Cover, past General equipment for the Intensive Manager Care Unit. Victoria Mutual 8:00 a.m.
church service. The service will be held at the 3b Escarpment Road New Testament Church at 10 a.m. Escarpment Road has a robust online service platform. The service will be streamed on our digital channels, i.e., – YouTube and Facebook.
VM will be expressing our appreciation and celebrating former General Manager Mr. Douglas Cover on his 90th NOVEMBER birthday on November 12, 2020 by renaming our Chief Office (the Duke Street location) - The Douglas Cover Building.
Here are highlights of what’s to come Here Hereare are highlights highlights of ofwhat's what's to tocome: come: This year we will have only one NOVEMBER NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER NOVEMBER
142nd 142ndAnniversary/ Anniversary/ Members’ Members’Month MonthChurch Church Service Service| |10:00 10:00a.m. a.m.
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NOVEMBER NOVEMBER
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Cover, Cover,past pastGeneral General VM Victoria will be presenting a Manager Manager Victoria Mutual Mutual donation to the University 8:00 8:00a.m. a.m.
former formerGeneral GeneralManager ManagerMr. Mr. Douglas DouglasCover Coveron onhis his90th 90th birthday birthdayon onNovember November12, 12, 2020 2020by byrenaming renamingour ourChief Chief Office Office(the (theDuke Duke Street Streetlocation) location) NOVEMBER - -The TheDouglas DouglasCover CoverBuilding. Building.
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Members' Members'Month Month Rollout of the VM Group Newsletter Newsletter
Strategy for 2021 – 2023
‘The ‘TheIndependent’ Independent’isisVM’s VM’s We will be presenting and annual annualnewsletter newsletter which which isis that rallying around the Strategy dispatched dispatched ininthe thethrough week weekof ofour our 3 will take us the next years.This anniversary. anniversary. Thisyear’s year’sedition edition will willbe befull fullofofexciting excitingcontent. content.
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Rollout of the VM Group Members'for Month Strategy 2021 – 2023 Newsletter We will be presenting and ‘The Independent’ is VM’sthat rallying around the Strategy annual is 3 will takenewsletter us throughwhich the next dispatched in the week of our years. anniversary. This year’s edition will be full of exciting content.
Thank you
Honouring Do Cover, past G Manager Victo 8:00 a.m.
VM will be expres appreciation and former General M Douglas Cover on birthday on Nove 2020 by renaming Office (the Duke S - The Douglas Co
Members' Mon Newsletter
‘The Independe annual newslette dispatched in the anniversary. This will be full of exci
NOVEM
Conversations Retired Team (throughout N
We will be invitin Leaders to discu growth of the org their memories a success with the series will be live via Teams.
We look forward to your usual vibrant contribution as our Members and clients, and emphasize our commi ality and improving lives.
Conversations with
Retired Thank you Team Members
(throughout November) We will be inviting past VM Leaders to discuss the | vmbs. com growth of the organisation, their memories and stories of success with the Team. The series will be live streamed via Teams.
We look forward to your usual vibrant contribution as we celebrate our Members and clients, and emphasize our commitment to Mutuality and improving lives.
Conversations Conversationswith with
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Team, we have an exciting month ahead. More details will NOVEMBER ahead of each event.
Team, we have an exciting month ahead. More details will be shared ahead of each event.
NOVEMBER NOVEMBER
NOVEM
VM TIDBITS
Our VM Foundation and Customer & Brand Teams, in collaboration with our VMBS Overseas Rep Offices, have been busy reimagining the VM Scholarship Programme and VM Mortgage Expo Series. Check out these shareable moments below:
VM Foundation PEP Bursary Awardees are elated at receiving tablets in addition to their bursaries at the Middlesex edition of the handover event held at the VMBS Mandeville Branch. The special moment is shared by (from left) VM Foundation Chairman and President & CEO of the VM Group, Courtney Campbell; Sasha-Lee Williams; Tawanda Froyze; VM Foundation Team Member Volunteer, Natasha Reid; and Samoya Robinson.
From left: Ria Bertram; Nicole Adamson, Manager, Research, VM Wealth; Dondre Genus; Alayna Elliot; Clover Moore, Assistant Vice President, Group Corporate Affairs and Communications; and Daneil Peart.
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VM’S DIASPORA WEB EXPO
(From right to left), Christopher ‘Johnny’ Daley, VMBS’ Chief Happiness Officer & Host, shares a moment with Dwayne Berbick, Corporate & Public Affairs Manager, National Housing Trust; and Shalise Porteous, Senior Director, National Land Agency, along with Jermaine Williamson, Senior Valuer & Realtor, VM Property Services.
Jermaine Williamson, Senior Valuer & Realtor, VM Property Services; and Dwayne Berbick, Corporate and Public Affairs Manager, National Housing Trust (NHT); seen here during a panel discussion.
BEHIND THE CAMERA LENS Our VM Customer and Brand Team: Latoya Grindley, Assistant Manager; Keisha Mascoll, Manager; and Elicia Roberts, Digital Media Executive.
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EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES FOR GROWTH
VM’s Employer Branding took centre stage in a powerful way in October. The Observer featured the efforts undertaken to support and empower the Team, particularly during the pandemic. Also, Dr Dayton Robinson, AVP Group Human Resources was guest speaker at the recently held Jamaica Business Development Corporation’s Employee Engagement Conference. Dr Robinson presented on October 22, on the topic ‘Future-proofing your Organisaton’. The presentation received rave reviews. Clover Moore, AVP, Group Corporate Affairs and Communications helped kick things off on October 10, 2020 at the official opening ceremony. VM was a Bronze Sponsor of the Conference.
Overview of participants for the JBDC’s Employee Engagement Conference •
Number of attendees: Approximately 200
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Sectors: Corporate groups including private & public sector agencies and entrepreneurs.
•
Demographic: HR Practitioners, CEOs, Managers and Supervisors
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