Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
Governor-elect of the Kiwanis International Eastern Canada and the Caribbean district, Sheron Cameron-Dunn (right), and husband, Distinguished Kiwanis Governor Trevor, with best friend Elaine Gordon-Kelly at the organisation's Governor's Banquet at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, Kingston, recently. - Contributed
WESTERN BUREAU:
SHE IS the fourth among a group of distinguished men, the first Jamaican woman and youngest to be elected to the coveted position Governor-elect of the Eastern Canada and the Caribbean (EC&C) District for Kiwanis International.
Passionate, dedicated and extremely committed, Sheron Cameron-Dunn eats, sleeps and dreams the Kiwanis motto 'serving the children of the world', and so it comes as no surprise that she would be the catalyst to the formation of this historical milestone.
On Monday, October 1, she commenced preparatory work in her new role and, by late 2008, she is to be officially handed the baton of Governor of the District by Canadian Chuck McIlravey.
The only other Jamaicans to have taken these giant steps in the 90-year-old world-renowned organisation are hotelier Godfrey Dyer, businessman Carlton Levy and engineer Trevor Dunn, Cameron-Dunn's husband.
excited about paradigm shift
A telephone call with the Kiwanian stalwart drew this response, "I am so excited and looking forward to rejuvenating the passion of our members."
As she repeats each word, your ears are piqued to the sound of pride, joy and satisfaction that becomes apparent in her voice as she notes the paradigm shift and the changing face of the service club she has served for the last 17 years.
Her mandate, she says, is to find the right ingredients to keep the interest of especially the younger members of the organisation. In fact, those in the know will tell you her role is a critical one and this year will be pivotal and must be used well for the district.
"Over the last few years, the world has become so dynamic that volunteerism is not the primary area of concern for many. The time allotted for that is not a priority as people become busy with family and work."
Hence, her challenge and focus will entail finding creative and innovative ways to entice prospective and current Kiwanians to an organisation attractive enough to get them to allocate more time to a movement.
It was Mrs. Cameron-Dunn's weakness for children and care of her fellowmen that attracted her to the organisation in 1990.
"I can't stand to see people suffering and Kiwanis allows you to act on that," she states emphatically.
Of the 220,000 Kiwanians worldwide, Jamaica boasts some 2,500 members and 57 clubs. Mrs. Cameron-Dunn will have responsibility for the Lieutenant Governors who represent the 30 divisions in the EC&C District which includes: Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada and 18 Caribbean countries.
a family hobby
Indisputably a full-time position, when Cameron-Dunn is handed the Governor's
baton, she will be required to visit all 30 divisions, and she has permission to do so from her husband Trevor, who is aptly aware of the gamut of responsibilities that come with the job, having served in that position himself.
"Kiwanis is a hobby for the family, we will support her knowing what it entails," Dunn told Outlook. Cameron-Dunn small intimate family unit includes her daughter Nicole Nugent, who lives overseas.
In the same breath he described his wife as an extremely dedicated hard worker, who brings to the plate a lot of serious planning. "Her habit of getting information before going to meetings and into elections is commendable."
Reminiscing on the strategy she used to win the Governor-elect elections which were held at the recent EC&C District Convention in Kingston, he lauded her for always equipping herself, "Before going into the elections, she did her homework, had a balanced and planned approach and was aware of the by-laws and level of activity in each division."
He said he was confident she would have won, because of her proven track record of excellence. "As district chair three years ago, she enjoyed a net growth of 500 to 600 members, right across the district.
She was responsible for stimulating growth in the movement in the Ontario Canada area, which like North America, had been stagnant for a number of years.
"Last year she was appointed district chair for strategic planning and a lot of that planning and visioning exercise has been taking place at the international level and that too has prepared her to lead the district into the future," noted the proud husband.
Kiwanis in many of its outreach programme speaks of team work, and this is where Cameron-Dunn seems to have exemplified. Her dream she said is to see Kiwanis grow to reflect an enthusiasm, passion and commitment never seen before, "so that we will be the envy of every other service organisation".
In this regard she is inviting all team players in the movement to partake in the decision-making process, promote change, highlight the positive nature of the organisation, embrace challenges and turn them into opportunities and apply strategic thinking in all activities.
An outstanding Kiwanian career
Sheron Cameron-Dunn, who is employed to Mi-Phone as an account executive, recognition and awards read like this:
Kiwanian of the Year 1994, four years after joining the Kiwanis Club of South St. Catherine, Distinguished President, 1996, EC&C District Spirit and Service Award 2001, Godfrey Dyer Medallion for Outstanding Service, Kiwanis International Life Member, Distinguished Lt. Governor of Excellence, Glen Bagnel Award for Highest Growth and the Mel Osbourne Fellow Award for Membership Growth.
