2010 – 2011 Board of Directors Staff - Jamaican Canadian Association

year, efforts were made to revitalize the program with the hiring of a new Program
Co‐ordinator, printing and distribution of a revised brochure and other promotional
activities.
During the period 30 students registered for the program and were supported by
eight dedicated volunteer tutors. Each week the students are provided with healthy
snacks and are given incentives for punctuality, work readiness and task
completion. The program emphasizes time management skills, and the enrichment
of expressive language through various writing workshops. Students are given the
opportunity to create their own workplans, outlining their expectations and the
assignments they plan to complete for each session and are assisted in composing
their personal journals on selected topics. Other writing projects included
participation in the Mathieu Da Costa Challenge, which is sponsored by the
Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Some of the students from the
program had the opportunity to build their vocabulary and improve their spelling
skills through participation in the Spelling Bee of Canada, North York West Chapter
competition. The students also participated in a field trip to the Ontario Science
Centre to learn about environmental awareness and emergency preparedness.
Building Committee Activities
There was a significant amount of achievement by the Building Committee in the
later part of the review period, some of which were already in progress earlier on.
Several small projects were completed while others are near completion. These
include the repainting of the Handicap Parking space, painting and minor repairs to
sections of the building, and prompt replacing of blown light bulbs. Committee
members were identified to take lead roles for Painting, Electrical work,
Plumbing, Equipment and Grounds in an effort to streamline the process and create
more efficiency and timely responses. A limited petty cash float, with strict approval
guidelines, was approved for specified committee members’ use in carrying out
minor emergency repairs. Work is in progress to build a barrier in the room with
the electrical panels, thus limiting access to them, while quotes are being sought to
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carry out well needed repairs to the driveway at the eastern side of the building. A
major workday is being planned to focus on repairs at the back of the northern
parking lot, between the JCA and the Public Storage facility. Efforts are also being
made to ensure regular and thorough cleaning of the kitchen including all the
equipment and polishing of the floor in the main hall. Attempts will also be made to
re‐introduce the scheduling of volunteers to assist the custodians at events when
required.
Other Activities
The VP, Volunteer Services, also represented the organization at various community
events including various retirement functions for former York Regional Police Chief
La Barge, Markham African Canadian Association Scholarship Awards, York
Regional Police International Day for the Elimination of Racism, Jamaica Day
Celebrations and the Malton Black Development Association Scholarship Awards.
Additionally, the VP was invited as one of the representatives of the African
Canadian community to participate in a Canadian Forces recruitment influencer trip
to Halifax.
All Committees Meeting
Various reasons including heavy workload and competing demands for meeting
dates resulted in the required All Committees Meeting not taking place during the
review period. A commitment is being given that this meeting will take place very
early in the new review period. Suggestions for a suitable date are welcomed.
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