JCI Dominica
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Foundation and Early Years:
The Dominica JCI, initially known as The Dominica Junior Chamber, was established on December 12, 1959. The organization was launched during a meeting at the Dominica Grammar School, attended by over 100 members and presided over by JCI young J Bernard Yankey (deceased). Dr. Yankey, before his passing in 2010, had an illustrious career, including roles as the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) High Commissioner to Canada and Director of the Economic Affairs Unit at the OECS Secretariat in St. Lucia. He also served as the Director of Policy at the Caribbean Development Bank in Barbados and held significant local positions, such as Chairman of the Agricultural Industrial Development Bank and the Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation. He was the first president of the Dominica State College and a board member of the Dominica Social Security. Dr. Yankey received the Sisserou Award of Honour in 1983 during Dominica's independence celebrations. Leadership and Legacy: JCI Senator Stanley Fadelle (deceased) was elected as the first President and became a JCI Senator in 1967. He is revered as the Father of JCI Dominica, having returned to Dominica with the idea of forming the Junior Chamber Dominica, which he passionately pursued. Ralph Stanley Fadelle, born on January 24, 1924, in Bagatelle, attended the Dominica Grammar School and later obtained a diploma in Agriculture from the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture, Trinidad, in 1946. He was the owner and manager of Stowe Estate, Managing Director of Stowe Poultry Farms Ltd, and owner of Stowe Seaside Resort. He held several significant positions, including acting Agricultural Assistant in the Southern District (1955-1960), President of the Dominica Agricultural Society (1963), and member of the Dominica Banana Growers' Association Board. He also served in the House of Assembly, representing various constituencies from 1970 to 1990, and was actively involved in multiple parliamentary committees. Women in JCI Dominica: The J-Cets, the women's arm of the chapter, was founded in 1967 by the wives of the founding members. They later merged into one body. In 1983, Ms. Alix Baptiste Joseph was elected the first female President of JCI Dominica. Miss Meritta Hyacinth was elected first JCI Dominica member to become West Indies National President. West Indies Officers JCI Senator Alvin Knight became the first Dominican elected to the JCI West Indies Board in 1983, followed by JCI Senators Alvin Thomas, Frances-Ann Satney, Daniel Reid, and Meritta Hyacinth. The following officers have held appointed positions on the board. 1) James Rodney 2) Jeannel David Carbon 3) Lyndelle Felix 4) Mickeal Desbonnes 5) Netisha Durand Contributions and Activities: JCI Dominica is renowned for its contributions to various sectors in Dominica: - Education: Scholarships and adult education programs in the 1980s, political debates in the 1990s, and recent initiatives like school feeding programs, charity gifts, and beautification projects. - Entertainment and Recreation: Organized the JCI Inter-Company Sports Meet in the 1990s and participated in local carnival organizing committees from the late '80s to 1995. JCI Dominica also managed the Potterville Savannah Coney Island and JCI Miss Teen West Indies. -Health and Environment: Partnered with NGOs and other groups to promote campaigns like the Lupus Walk, cleanup drives, and park creation. JCI received the Reunion Award of 1988 and created the Reunion Park near the Woodbridge Bay Deep Water Harbour National Conventions: JCI Dominica hosted the 39th JCI West Indies National Convention from August 11-15, 1999, and the 62nd National Convention from October 16-23, 2022. JCI Dominica continues to play a vital role in the community, fostering growth, development, and leadership. |
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Projects
Kiddies Carnival - This is an annual event held on the eve of the Real Mas, it is an opportunity for the children and young people to have their fun for the annual carnival, participating in various activities planned by JCI Dominica.
Kiddies Carnival will include a parade of children dressed in Carnival or come as you like costumes along the streets of Roseau to end at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium where a wide variety of fun activities will await the children.
Kiddies Carnival will include a parade of children dressed in Carnival or come as you like costumes along the streets of Roseau to end at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium where a wide variety of fun activities will await the children.
Read-With-Me - This is a program to encourage the love for books and reading. This project started where JCI Dominica members would go to different schools on the island to read to the students and entertain them in creative assignments. This program moved virtually where stories are now being published on the chapter’s Facebook page.
It is JCI Dominica’s aim to develop creative reading books for selective age range in the near future.
It is JCI Dominica’s aim to develop creative reading books for selective age range in the near future.
Beautification Project - JCI Dominica has adopted the Layou Village as one of its beautification project areas. We assist in the planting of flowers, painting of tires and cleaning from the entrance of the village leading to the beach area which will serve as a recreational zone for the villagers.
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Trivia:
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