The awards banquet of the Trelawny Association of Volunteer Organisations (TAVO) was held on December 5, 2005 at the Starfish Resort in Trelawny. The theme for the function was 'Volunteer and Secure Jamaica's Future'.
Dr. Hopeton Dunn, director of the University of the West Indies Programme in Telecommunications Policy and Management, in his keynote address, affirmed that it was the work of such organisations that had helped to "build the foundations for Jamaica, one parish and one village at a time".
In that regard, he said that it was heartening that the latest Gleaner Honour Awards were made to a group of voluntary organisations in the service of their communities. "It is an entirely deserving recognition at the national level and I congratulate those agencies that have been so honoured by the Gleaner Company", he said. "Volunteering for service to one's community and to humanity is a gift from the heart", he asserted.
Regarding the Trelawny awards, Dr. Dunn said that it was good that the work of the awardees was being recognised while they were still active.
He also congratulated the leadership of the Trelawny group for establishing TAVO and keeping the volunteer association active. "I am aware that the parish of Trelawny is regarded as having one of the strongest and most vibrant volunteer bases in the island. Your work is very well represented in the database on volunteers being maintained by the Council of Voluntary Social Services".
Importance of Voluntarism
Dr. Dunn pointed to the work of the United Nations agency UN Volunteers "which highlights the act of offering yourself, your service and your time as an expression of the power of free will, of personal commitment, engagement and solidarity". It was a positive reflection, he said, "of the person who is willing to do this, the kind of person who is not prepared to ignore perceived needs, but to respond in an appropriate manner to those needs, especially when asked".
Turning to ongoing developments in Trelawny, such as the new hotels and a new stadium, Dr. Dunn said these were likely to provide not only opportunities for new businesses, and increased employment, but also for volunteering.
Thousands of visitors, he said, will be in Trelawny for activities related to ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, at the new stadium at Florence Hall.
"One of the troubling questions as we approach the event is whether we are experiencing significant falling away of that volunteer spirit and the level of public service that will be needed", he noted.
Culture of Voluntarism
Concluding he said," We have to use every opportunity to help to build a Culture of Voluntarism among our young people. One cannot be too young to be taught the values of helping others. One cannot be too lowly to make a difference."
J.C.
