Programme Highlights - Quarter 2: April - June 2013

7/30/2019 Programme Highlights - Quarter 2: April - June 2013

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Quarter 2: April - June 2013

1. Participation in the 50th International Conference onFundraising of the Association of FundraisingProfessionals (AFP) - April 7th 9th, 2013:

Venue: San Diego Convention Centre, San Diego,California, USA.

[Pre-Conference Activities April 5th and 6th, 2013] Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP):

The Association of Fundraising Professionals is theprofessional association of individuals and organisationsthat generate philanthropic support for a wide variety ofcharitable institutions. Founded in 1960, the AFP advancesphilanthropy through advocacy, research, education andcertification programs. The Association fosters growth anddevelopment of fundraising professionals and promoteshigh ethical standards in the fundraising profession. AFPhas a membership of 30,000 in 233 Chapters world-wide.

Annual International Conference on Fundraising:The AFP International Conference on Fundraising heldannually, attracts more that 4,000 persons from around theworld and provides educational and networkingopportunities through participatory workshops, leadershipforums, round tables, plenary sessions and social events.The 2013 Annual International Conference on Fundraisingmarked the 50th Annual International Conference on

Fundraising of the Association and was held in San Diego,California, USA in the sprawling San Diego Convention

Centre. The Conference was held under the theme Doingthe right things.right.

AFP Conference Schedule: Friday April 5th: Pre-Conference Workshops Saturday April 6th: Pre-Conference Workshops Sunday April 7th: Opening General Session;

Affinity Networking Sessions; Opening ofMarketplace; Book Fair; Social Event.

Monday April 8th: General Session; EducationSessions; Marketplace Open; Book Fair; SocialEvent.

Tuesday April 9th: General Session; EducationSessions; Book Fair; Closing Session.

AFP 2013 Conference Attendance/Participation:Pre-Conference Workshop: Friday April 5th and SaturdayApril 6th, 2013: Fundamentals of Fundraising Course:

The Fundamentals of Fundraising Course, held on Fridayand Saturday April 5th and 6th, comprised one of the Pre-Conference Workshops. The sessions had full attendancewith participants drawn from its membership throughoutthe USA, principally, and overseas.Among the areas covered in the Course were:

Overview of Fundraising Developing an Integrated Fundraising Program Marketing on Ongoing Success Building and Sustaining Relationships Securing the Gift Volunteers Partners in Fundraising Management and Accountability

Programme Highlights


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The Course was delivered by a Faculty, which included: Sean D. Hammerle, Alice L Ferris, Amy Wolfe and Marcy Heim. The

number of subject areas covered during the Course led to it being very intensive. At the conclusion, Certificates wereawarded to all participants.

Conference Sessions: Sunday April 7th Tuesday April 9th, 2013

Opening (Sunday) General Session which featured John Legend;

Mondays General Session which featured four (4) young philanthropists Bilaal Rajan, Emmanuel Jal, Barbara

Pierce Bush, and Hugh Evans;

Tuesdays General Session which featured Bert Jacobs, Co-founder and Chief Executive Optimist of Life is Good;

Distinguished Speaker Session with Marcus Buckingham

Education Sessions (concurrent)

Affinity Networking Sessions

Marketplace on Fundraising featuring a variety of fundraising resources

Social Event - Reception

Comments/Observations:In addition to my participation in the Fundamentals of Fundraising Course, General Sessions, and several EducationSessions, I viewed some of the exhibits and resources in the Fundraising Marketplace and the Book Fair. I also attended a

Reception for International Leaders and met international participants from: The Bahamas, Ghana, Nigeria, Hong Kong, andBrazil.During the event, a brief conversation was held with the Chief Executive of AFP, Andrew Watt.Among the Education Sessions attended, were:

Diversity and Inclusion

Top 10 Major Donor Trends for 2013

Does Social Media make Cents?

Accountability and Ethics

What Major Donors want from Non-Profits today?

Ethical Fundraising in Hard Times: Eight Critical Steps Conclusion:It must be borne in mind that since the Education Sessions were concurrent, it was necessary to select the sessions before-hand and get to the designated Room; some sessions attracted more participants than others. The sessions, which lasted forabout one hour and fifteen minutes, were very informative and educational; and provided insights largely based on strategiesthat were applicable to the USA, and driven by individual giving and grant solicitation.

Recommendations: Where possible, Agencies should seek membership in AFP, since apart from the learning and networking

opportunities afforded thorough participation in the International Conference on Fundraising, there are several

useful and valuable members services and benefits.

Opportunities for training, whether through On-line Courses or Webinars should be utilised by both CCB andMember Agencies, in an effort to develop a cadre of trained fundraisers.

Useful and insightful articles and research findings available from AFP should be posted on CCBs Website andshared with members and partners.

In the long term, CCB should work towards the establishment of a Chapter to serve the English-speaking Countriesof the Caribbean, since the only Chapter in the Region is in Puerto Rico.


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In keeping with its mandate to provide technical support to

Member Agencies, the Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB)

received assistance for the development of its National

Strategic Framework for Blindness Services, from the

Secretariat.

The draft of the Framework was formally presented to the

members of the Society during its Annual General Meeting

on Saturday April 20th, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica by CCBs

Project Development and Advocacy Services Manager.

Prior to the AGM, the document was circulated to the

membership for review and comments. Following the

presentation and discussions, the Framework was

approved by the membership, with the undertaking that

the strategies would be implemented, over time.

Implementation of Capacity Assessment Tool

(CAT) to Jamaica Society for the Blind:

In an effort to assessorganisational capacity

and identify priorities forthe organisationaldevelopment of MemberAgencies, the CapacityAssessment Tool (CAT)was administered to theJamaica Society for the

Blind during June 3rd, 4th and 6th, 2013.

Among the officers and staff who participated in the exercisewere: the Executive Director, the Director of Programmes, theChairman, the Treasurer and the Adjustment to Blindness

Instructor.

The CAT was facilitated by Philip Hand (SightsaversProgramme Manager Caribbean) and CCBs ProjectDevelopment and Advocacy Services Manager.

The Facilitators have since compiled and forwarded theirreport to CCBs CEO for review; following which the reportand recommendations will be submitted to JSB.

It is anticipated that plans will be made to undertakeorganisational development activities, in keeping with the

findings outlined in the report.

It is anticipated that later this year CCBs Accounts and ITOfficer will implement the Financial Assessment Tool (FAT),

which complements the CAT.

Development of Comprehensive Eye Care

Services in Antigua and Barbuda:

The initiative to facilitatecomprehensive Eye Care

Services, in collaborationwith the Government ofAntigua and Barbuda,continued with thefollowing actions:

- Refurbishment of facilities at Health Centres inJohnsons Point, Grayss Farm and Clare Hall, for thelocation of Vision Centres, has moved to the final stagesof completion. The installation of furnishings anddiagnostic equipment are expected to be completed

soon, and it is anticipated that commissioning of thefacilities will take place in the third quarter.

- The Entrance Examination for the selection of candidatesto be trained as Dispensing Clerks was held on May 2ndand the results have since been forwarded to thePermanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health. It isexpected that the suitable candidates will be identifiedfor training, to facilitate operations at the Centres,following their commissioning.

- The Refractionists, who will be assigned to the Vision

Centres, have been advised that their lettersof

appointment will be issued soon. In the interim, inaddition to conducting Clinics at the Fiennes Instituteand Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, they have been co-

opted to assist in the Programme in Guyana.

- This has not only allowed them to hone their skills, butalso to reduce the level of frustration which has resultedfrom the delay in taking up their positions in the VisionCentres.

Presentation of National Framework on Blindness Services in Jamaica to the Annual

General Meeting (AGM) of the Jamaica Society for the Blind:


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Mandeville Regional Hospital Development Programme

Work on the facility for the establishment of Operating Theatres and a

Vision Centre at the Mandeville Regional Hospital is nearing completion.

The installation of equipment has commenced, and it is anticipated that all

of the remaining tasks should be concluded shortly, to allow for the

commissioning of the facility during the third Quarter.

In the meantime, arrangements are being finalised for a Nurse (fromMandeville) to attend a Training Course in Ophthalmic Theatre

Procedures in Dominica, in preparation for the management of the new

Theatre.

Implementation of Situational Analysis for Diabetic Retinopathy in Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica

and Belize

Dr. Michael Eckstein, who was contracted to undertake a situational analysis of the available services and referral systems forscreening and treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy and awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy among Medical Officers andDiabetic Patients in Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica and Belize, commenced his trip to the region.

He visited Antigua and Barbuda, during June 13th to 14th and held discussions with the CEO of CCB-Eye Care Caribbean,Sightsavers Programme Manager for the Caribbean, the Chief Medical Officer, Permanent Secretary and other SeniorOfficials of the Ministry of Health and Mt. St. Johns Medical Centre. He also met with several Medical Officers attached toDistricts and Health Centres in an effort to gather information and obtain clarifications in relation to the completion of theSituational Analysis.Additionally, Dr. Eckstein made conducted visits to the Health Centres identified for the establishment of Vision Centres toview the work in progress.He subsequently, travelled to Jamaica and Belize, to undertake similar activities.

Implementation of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Studies

Two meetings were held during the quarter to finalise plans for the

implementation of the Regional Glaucoma KAP Study. The Study aims to

determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of persons living with

Glaucoma in: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and St. Lucia. During the

previous quarter, proposal documents were submitted for approval to the

UWI Cave Hill Campus IRB and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH)

Ethics Committee, by the Principal Investigator, Dr. Dawn Grosvenor. She

indicated that while approval was given in principle, the formal approval

was being awaited.

Meanwhile, the Partners in Guyana, Jamaica and St. Lucia have initiated the process, with the relevant authorities

in their respective countries, for securing approval for the research. Once the formal approval is received from

Barbados, it will be presented with the application package to the Ethics Committees in those countries.

In the interim, nine Samsung Galaxy 10.1 Tablets have been purchased for use by the Data Collectors to administer

and capture the information while administering the Questionnaire. Each Agency will be assigned three tablets and

the three Data Collectors will be responsible for collecting the information from glaucoma patients on Clinic Days.

Three additional tablets will be purchased for use by the Data Collectors in Jamaica.


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(l-r) Dr. Genalin Ang and final year OptometryStudents


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Guyana National Strategic Framework on Eye

Health

Although workcommenced on thepreparation of thisdocument sometime ago,

the process of editing andfinalisation has beenongoing.On June 13th, the Teamcharged with this task met

with the Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, to secure

his approval for incorporation of the document in theNational Health Plan.The Team was requested to organise a wider StakeholdersWorkshop comprising representatives from all of the HealthRegions to elicit their comments and recommendations.

Subsequent to a follow-up meeting, the Team was advisedto submit an abridged version of the document for inclusionin the National Health Plan.

From all appearances, the Guyana National StrategicFramework on Eye Health will now become an integral partof the Guyana National Health Plan.

In keeping with the requirements of the EC Project,Delivering V2020 in the Caribbean, a technical visit was

made to Haiti during the period April 6th 13th, 2013. Theteam comprised, the CEO of CCB-Eye Care Caribbean,Arvel Grant; V2020 Project Manager of CCB-Eye CareCaribbean, Keva Richards; and Philip Hand, SightsaversCaribbean Programme Manager.

While in Haiti, the team met with officials of theHaitian Society for the Help of the Blind (SHAA),an Organisational Member of CCB and also aProject Partner of the EC Project; OphthalmologyResidents being sponsored at the HUEH, andcandidates being considered for the Certificate inRefraction Techniques Training Course tenable atthe University of Guyana.

In an effort to find a suitable under-supportedHealth Facility in Haiti for the provision ofophthalmic and optometric equipment, the teamalso met with Dr. Darline Carre-Theodore, Directorof Health Services, in the Ministry of Health. Shewas provided with an update of CCBs activities inHaiti and requested to assist in identifying EyeHealth Personnel for training as Bio-medical

Technicians and suitable locations for theestablishment of an Operating Theatre and VisionCentre.

A meeting was also held with Dr. Cadet-Day at theEliazar Germain Hospital to provide updates inrelation to the importation of items to replace thoseoriginally purchased in 2010 for the OperatingTheatre and Vision Centre earmarked for the

Hospital. During the visit, a revised template for thecollection of eye health data - Key Performance

Indicators (KPI) - was introduced.

The team later met with Committee Members of theNational Committee for the Prevention of Blindness (CNPC)in Haiti and an NGO Partner, Christoffel-Blinden Mission(CBM), to discuss areas of collaboration in relation to eyehealth services in Haiti


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A team comprising the CEO,Arvel Grant and Lab Servicesand Operations Manager,Carolyn Gopaul, visited St.

Lucia during the period June19th 23rd, 2013.

The visit was undertaken toview the designated site for the establishment of a VisionCentre and Operating Theatre at the Victoria Hospital.

The team also reviewed arrangements for the ClinicalAttachment of the B.Sc. Degree in Optometry Students fromthat island.

The students, who are now back home on vacation, willspend time gaining hands-on experience at Eye Clinics,under the supervision of the Eye Care Professional(Optometrist), attached to SLBWA.

Development of CCB-Eye Care Caribbean Website

The development of the main website as a tool for advocacy continues to advance, and efforts are ongoing to ensure that itscontent is regularly refreshed with new materials. The Website Development Team holds regular (weekly) planning meetingsby Tele-conference or on the Ventrilo Platform and during the period under review met in approximately (10) sessions.

Content

The content includes articles, stories, photos, videos, reports and other features of our work around the region. Every effort isbeing made to ensure that materials from all of the countries in which we work are featured.

During the period under review, the Quarterly Electronic Newsletter, Eye on Sight, was published, as scheduled.

Additionally, Bulletins were posted to mark significant International Observances, such as Glaucoma Awareness Day, World

Book and Copyright Day, World Health Day and World Environment Day.

Additionally, several Press Releases were issued to announce or highlight important national or international issues and

events. Further, it is intended that publications (bulletins, articles, press releases, etc) to mark other significant events

including: International Womens Day, World Population Day, International Day of Older Persons, International Day of

Persons with Disabilities, World Diabetes Day, and Regional Blindness Awareness Month/Day, will be undertaken.

The website also includes some information, together with statistical data on several countries Antigua and Barbuda,

Barbados, Jamaica and Haiti; and academic articles for two of the Consultant Ophthalmologists from the region, and

Programme Highlights. View Publications at:www.eyecarecaribbean.com/publications
http://www.eyecarecaribbean.com/publicationshttp://www.eyecarecaribbean.com/publicationshttp://www.eyecarecaribbean.com/publicationshttp://www.eyecarecaribbean.com/publications


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Photo Gallery:

Photos relating to Councils Programs, Events and fromMember Agencies (around the region) have beenuploaded to the Photo Gallery on the Website, to Facebook and YouTube. There are currently 64 albums in theGallery.These may be viewed at:www.eyecarecaribbean.com/photo-gallery

Human Interest Stories:Several human interest stories from Antigua and Barbuda,Barbados, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Trinidadand Tobago, are currently available. Materials from other

Members and Partners will be added over time.

Research Findings (Evidence):Finding from various researches and studies have beenadded to the website, and others will be posted as theybecome available. Additionally, the findings of otherstudies pertinent to eye health, prevention of blindness,social inclusion and disability will also be included (withthe permission of the authors).See reports at:www.eyecarecaribbean.com/research-and-evidence

Governance:Relevant extracts for CCB Constitution are now availableon the site and efforts will continue to ensure that Membersand Partners have access to information on governance.See extracts at:www.eyecarecaribbean.com/governance

Videos/Documentaries:A variety of programme activities in several countries arenow available in video. Currently, there are 59 videos/documentaries on the website and these may be viewed at:www.eyecarecaribbean.com

Configuration for Donation:The configuration for donation has undergone as series oftests and is working satisfactorily. It is anticipated thatmembers and supporters will be invited to make smalldonations in an effort to further assess the effectiveness ofthis feature.View website at:www.eyecarecaribbean.com orwww.ccb1967.com

Social Media:

The use of Social Media Twitter, Face book and YouTube in an effort to advance advocacy is ongoing and while thecurrent following on Twitter (35), Face book (149) may beviewed as insignificant, they are expected to grow overtime.
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Caribbean Council for the Blind Biennial General Meeting 2013

CCBs Biennial General Meeting 2013 and Related Activities are scheduled to be

held in Barbados during the period July 24th to 28th, 2013. The Meetings will be co-

hosted by the National Member Agencies - the Barbados Association for the Blind

and Deaf (BABD) and the National United Society of the Blind (NUSB) - in

collaboration with the CCB Secretariat.

The Secretariat, in collaboration with Member Agencies, is engaged in finalising the logistics for the main activities, whichinclude:

Meeting of the CCB Executive Committee Plenary Sessions

Opening Ceremony and Presentation of the James Alves Awards Meeting of Zones of CCB and election of Zone Officers Meeting of the Caribbean Alliance of Women who are Blind or Visually Impaired Business Session of the BGM Elections of Officers of CCB Social Event/Closing Session.

It is anticipated the each Member Agency will be represented by at least two Delegates, including one female.

Delegates at CCBs Biennial General

Meeting 2011, in Trinidad and Tobago

Sneak Peek - Biennial General Meeting 2013

Documents

Programme Highlights - Quarter 2: April - June 2013