2nd CTCT Conference
Montego Bay, Jamaica, May 2004

The 2nd Conference of the Caribbean Territorial Council of Toastmasters was held in Montego Bay Jamaica, May 28th to 30th.

The highlights of the weekend’s program were:

The Opening Ceremony, The table topics and Caribbean Speech contests, Business meeting, Six Educational Workshops, The Awards Dinner, and Training for club officers, area governors, division governors and council executives. The program details are attached to the report.

 Who came?

The over one hundred Toastmasters who attended the conference came from Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Netherlands Antilles, Trinidad & Tobago and host country Jamaica.  Also attending the conference as presenters were Robert Cockburn, DTM, ID for Overseas Clubs (Luxemberg), Ned Walace DTM, PID, Ann Wallace, ATM,  Marcia Sydor, DTM PID, Rick Sydor, (USA), DTM PID, Eileen Wolfe, (Jamaica),  DTM PID, D’arcy Lopes, DTM and Erich Rene, DTM (Netherlands Antilles).

 The opening

The main feature of the opening ceremony was the parade of flags for all the member territories and a brief address by the Mayor of Montego Bay.

 

 Important Business

The treasurer’s report and the President’s reports were submitted at the Business Meeting.

The highlights of the Treasurer’s report as of May 28th, 2004, read by treasurer Sonia Alexis, were:

The council has a US saving account the Republic Bank of Trinidad & Tobago with a balance of $2,873.01.

Some US $3,100.23 in dues were collected from 20 of the 38 member clubs

The major expense to date was US $16,840 for the inaugural conference in Barbados. The revenues for this event amounted to the same.

The Treasurers requested that all payments to the council be made by US draft for avoid any banking and or foreign exchange charges.

 In his report, Council Chair, Paul Sharp, ATM, CL, implored toastmasters to support the work of the council whose main goal is to achieve provisional district status by June 2004 and district status by December 2004. In the first year the membership in council has grown form 22 clubs in February 2003 to 38 in March 2004.  The members is expected to grow to 45 by June 30 with the inclusion of more existing clubs and the chartering of five new clubs in Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica and Netherlands Antilles and Trinidad & Tobago. The three main tasks to achieve district status were now:

  • To define the geographical area for the council

  • For clubs to sign up with Toastmasters International as a members for the Council and approve the dues increase.

  • Demonstrate that the region could grow to, and sustain 60-100 clubs

The Council Chair also thanked his fellow outgoing officers for their support and contribution for the formation and running of the council in its infancy.  These were:

  • Shirley Daley, ATM, CL – Vice Chair Education & Training
  • Lorna Barrow, ATM, CL – Vice Chair Marketing
  • Ted Webster, CTM – Public Relations Officer
  • Sherry-ann Batson, CTM – Secretary
  • Sonia Alexis, ATM – Treasurer
  • Donna Knight CTM – Bulletin Editor

 

The Contests

The four participants in the table topics all masters the topic “The fear within me”.  Christal Austin of Barbados won best table topics speaker, from 1st runner-up Garth Thomas of Trinidad & Tobago, and the other two participants, Rolando Alberto of Netherlands Antilles, Dawn Gregory of Jamaica.

 The audience at the Caribbean speech contest was treated to four model speeches demonstration all aspects effective public speaking with excellence.  Hixwell Douglas of Jamaica was the champion speaker for Spring 2004. He won over Perry Bowen of Trinidad & Tobago, the 1st runner-up, and the other participants Mary Thompson of Barbados and Rolando Alberto of Netherlands Antilles.

Hixwell Douglas, Speech Contest Winner

Cyrstal Austin, Table Topic Contest Winner

Speech Contest Participants

Table Topics Partcipants

Toastmasters Tackle Dunns River Falls

.

 

International Director’s Support

Robert Cockburn, DTM and current International Director for overseas clubs offered words or support for and encouragement to the council in is presentation “Making your dreams a reality”. 

He reminded the audience that success depended on having healthy clubs and that the council’s role was to facilitate the clubs achieving distinguish clubs status through effective training and leadership.  Distinguished clubs meant more CTM’s, ATM’s, membership growth, trained club officer’s which is the basis for extending the network of clubs.  He advised the council to focus on its mission of growth and do those things that bring the greatest benefits.

The council should aim to submit their application for district status for inclusion at the International Director’s Board meeting in February 2005 and to attend district officers training in July 2005 at the Toronto International conference.
New Council Elected

The following persons were elected to serve on the council for the year 2004-2005:

  • Council Chair - D'Arcy Lopes DTM, Neth. Antilles

  • VC Education & Training - Sherry Ann Batson, CTM, Barbados

  • VC Membership - Erich Rene, DTM, Neth. Antilles

  • PR Officer - Marlene Hall, CTM/CL, Barbados

  • Treasurer - Sonia Alexis, ATM-B/CL, Trinidad & Tob.

  • No Secretary was elect at the meeting.