Contributed
New chairman of the board of governors of the United Way of Jamaica (UWJ), Noel DaCosta (right), is congratulated by immediate past chair, Alvaro Casserly, and UWJ CEO, Winsome Wilkins (centre).

The increasing coarsening of the society, disregard for our fellowman and deteriorating human relationships are a major threat to the Jamaican society and must be combated as a matter of urgency.

This is the word from Noel DaCosta, new chairman of the board of governors of United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) who has vowed to use the UWJ as "an antidote" to these issues.

DaCosta, who is also corporate relations director at Red Stripe Jamaica, was formally presented as new chairman of the UWJ at their board meeting recently. He said that it was up to voluntary and philanthropic organisations like the UWJ to help stem the social decay taking place in Jamaica.

The UWJ board meeting followed the organisation's annual general meeting which confirmed the election of the following chairmen of committees and members of the executive committee for 2008: Noel DaCosta, chairman; Alvaro Casserly, immediate past chair and workplace philanthropy committee; Earle Samuels, finance and administration committee; Neville Blythe, campaign cabinet; Marcia Erskine, communications committee; Jevene Bent, allocations committee; Carlton Stephen, project evaluation committee; John Beman, programme and technical assistance committee; Donna Parchment, government and international relations committee; Maureen Allgrove, planning research committee; Patricia Ramsay, Women's Leadership Initiative. Also serving on the executive are Elon Beckford, Barbara Alexander, Ian Forbes and Patricia Taylor company secretary.