1 NEWS AND VIEWS GAOG Newsletter Spring Edition March 2016 Vol. 1 th From the desk of the Guyana Celebrates its 50 Independence Anniversary President th th The Cooperative Republic The 50 /25 Jubilee Anniversaries of Guyana will celebrate a The Guyana Association of huge milestone this year as Georgia like most 50 years of Independence organizations in the from Great Britain diaspora, will join approaches. The air is Guyanese all over the heavy with anticipation of world in celebrating the the festivities and celebrations to come. 50th Anniversary of Independence of Guyana, Cont’d on page 8 with a number of activities. Although a contingent of Guyanese will leave the Guyana Association of Georgia Georgia area for Guyana, the GAOG and Guyanese in Georgia will be celebrating this important milestone in Inc. Celebrates 25 Years of true Guyanese fashion. The 50th Anniversary committee Community Service & met and identified a number of activities which also will coincide with the 25th Anniversary of the birth of the Excellence. GAOG. The week long activities will commence with an Anniversary church service, and will continue This year is an exciting year for the Guyana Association throughout the week with a Cocktail reception and exhibition of books by Guyanese authors, a business of Georgia Inc. as it celebrating its Silver Jubilee. expo, a mini health fair and live broadcast by President The organization has several Granger at 12.00 midnight and Cultural night just to activities planned including mention a few of the activities. More information will be the Memorial weekend made available later. Festivities, Scholarship Ball and Banquet and brunch and Tea Party. Cont’d on pg. 6 Judge Stephen Knights Jr Runs for Superior Court Judge in Clayton County. This past February, Guyanese born Inside This Issue Judge Stephen Knights of Clayton County, GA, addressed members INSIDE THE GAOG at the GAOG General Members 2. The 5th Annual Brunch Meeting in Lithonia. Judge Stephen 3 The Committee Report 5 Financial Series N. Knights Jr. is running for Superior 6 Memorial Weekend Events court Judge in Clayton County in the HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY May 2016 Elections. His experience is extensive in criminal 7 Caribbean American Heritage Month 7 Walmart donates Water to the GAOG law and practice. Judge Knights attended John Jay College of 8 Independence Day Celebrations Criminal Justice in New York City where he majored in ALL THINGS GUYANESE Criminology, with a minor in Psychology. He then worked 09 Restoring the Garden City- Durban Park and the Merriman Mall with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) in New Cook’s Corner 10 Snap Shot York. In 2006, he became an Assistant Solicitor General 10 Folklore Galore with the Clayton County Solicitor General’s Office in 10 Cook’s Corner 10 Restoring the Garden City- Durban Park and the Merriman Mall Jonesboro, Georgia. Cook’s Corner Cont’d on pg 5 2 INSIDE THE GAOG The GAOG 5th Annual Brunch Left: Guests Attending the Brunch. Right: President of the GAOG Dr. Thomas welcomes Guests to the 5th Annual Brunch. On March 19th the Guyana Association of Georgia held its 5th Annual Brunch at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church in DeKalb County GA. This event was well attended as guests came out to support this fund raiser. Emcee and past president Phillip Andrews effortlessly chaired the event and engaged guests. This year’s theme was rivers of Guyana which was reflected in the table décor. Many guests took the opportunity to mingle and reminisce. After brunch was served everyone was treated to an array of entertainment from local talent. Those present were treated to Guyanese cuisine and entertainment from Guyanese and American talent. All were entertained by Ncasey Freeman’s classical rendition. This was followed by JC and The Cool Crew completing several group dances. Finally Joel Cruickshank serenaded guests with his saxophone renditions. The Brunch Committee and the Board would like to take this opportunity to thank all guests and sponsors who made this event possible. Email GAOG your articles, poems, recipes, social events, anniversaries, graduations … Deadline for next newsletter is November 30th 2015 ([email protected]) Visit us on facebook or at www.gaog.org 3 The Committees Report Building Committee Communications/Publicity Committee Goal 2016: to work mainly through Goals 2016: To ensure the general maintenance and upkeep of the the media of the GAOG Website, building through refurbishing and Facebook page and the Newsletter holding cleanup activities. Work to continue promoting the on obtaining a special use permit association’s community outreach from DeKalb County for the programs, activities, events and property. efforts. Team: Dennis Belgrave (Chairperson), Neal Wray. Projects 2016: Team: Shena Applewhaite (Chairperson), Lyndelle Isaacs- Heyliger, Lawrence Prescott, 1. Schedule two fund raisers for the year: One in the spring Projects 2016: and another in the summer. 1 1 Collaborate with other committees to further connect members, 2. Schedule a spring property cleanup to include all promote the association’s special projects & events, and generate members and the board good will for the association. 2 2. Continue to update the Association’s website to accurately reflect 3. Coordinate with the Treasurer the budget for possible the organization’s mission, vision and current activities. long term expansion or further modification of the building 3 3 Promote the association’s accomplishments and provide a structure. Maintain a list of quotes for use of the GAOG medium to express Guyanese and Guyanese American culture, building. history and achievements through Facebook. 3. 4. Publish the quarterly newsletter (News and Views). How can you contribute? How can you contribute? Sign up for the building committee or assist us in the cleanup Sign up. Send us old Guyanese photos and proverbs or let us know and maintenance activities. what is happening in our community. We will get it out there! Dennis Belgrave - [email protected] Shena Applewhaite – [email protected] Dennis Belgrave- Chair Shena Applewhaite – Chair Education Committee Goal 2016: To plan for all phases of the Educational programs for GAOG and promote and provide programs and practices that will enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of students and young adults. Team: Carl C. Lashley (chairperson), Slater Jeffrey, Neville George, Dr. Hector Butts, Marilyn Browne, Dr. Kelly Thomas, Patricia Jeffrey and Marcus Gordon. Projects 2016: 1. Hosting several Educational “Topic of Interest” Presentations for the Youth and Adults e.g. Personal development, Finance and Investing. 2. Continue with our tutoring/mentoring program for CRCT, PSAT and SAT. 3. Provide student development and support through the Annual scholarship Program. 4. New this year we will provide support to Adult Career Advancement. 5. We will plan and organize the Annual Scholarship Awards Banquet and Anniversary Dance Please visit www.gaog.org for more information on our scholarship program criteria. th How can you contribute? Happy Mashramani & 47 Tutors are needed for our youth programs. Republic Anniversary to all our Contact: Carl Lashley; [email protected] members and Friends. From the GAOG Board Carl Lashley - Chair 4 Finance/Economics Committee Membership/Events Committee Goal 2016: Membership - To Goal 2016: Develop an annual increase overall membership by operation budget with staff, approve the budget within the finance 10% over the next three years and to committee. Monitor Adherence to reach out to current inactive the budget as well as setting long members and encourage them to range financial goals. become active members once again. Events - to assist with the Team: Dennis Fraser (Chairperson), Phillip Fraser, Andrea coordination of the events held Fraser, Marcus Gordon. throughout the year. Projects 2016: Team: Lyndelle Isaacs-Heyliger (Chairperson), Shena 1. Create, approve, and update as necessary, polices that Applewhaite, Verdine Benn, Claude London Clairmont Fraser and help ensure the assets of the Guyana Association of Cleveland Harlequin. Georgia are protected Projects 2016: 2. Ensure the policies and procedures for financial transactions are documented in a manual, and the manual 1. Create and manage a contact management database to easily communicate with members. is reviewed annually, and updated as necessary. 2. Contact inactive members and ask them to consider becoming 3. Ensure approved financial policies and procedures are active again. Conduct Membership Drives. being followed. 3. Re-create membership cards that allow members to receive How can you contribute? discounts at participating merchants and vendors. Volunteer today to be a part of this committee. How can you contribute? Contact: Dennis Fraser Members can help by providing current contact information and signing up via the email request to join our group sent to them. Email: [email protected] Contact: Lyndelle Isaacs Heyliger E-mail: [email protected] Dennis Fraser - Chair Lyndelle Isaacs- Heyliger (Chair) Humanitarian/Hospitality Committee Sponsorship Committee The goal and objective of this To build a network of Sponsors committee is to support and and Partners with other provide humanitarian and community organizations, hospitality services within our groups, businesses and community, to our Motherland individuals to assist in Guyana, as well as to other accomplishing the mission of the countries within the diaspora, who GAOG to promote and expand its may be experiencing