Welcome to the Annual General Meeting of KCOBA USA Inc. for 2009. As we pause to reflect on what has been a challenging year for our association – a year of economic hardship for some of us and a lack of stability at the helm of Kingston College – we also look forward to the future with new hope and the resolve to continue the work of the association serving our great alma mater and exemplifying its creed. While we are here to report on the events of the past year, we will also use this forum to elect a new board, with the expectation that the new the board will be mindful of the College’s founding principle; capable of addressing 21st century challenges; implementing the programs necessary to achieve our goals; and confident enough to submerge egos so as to form significant partnerships with our brothers in North America and Jamaica.
The 2008-2009 year saw changes in the composition of the board, with three new directors – two 1988 graduates and a 1987 alumnus – elected for the two-year period 2008-2010. In addition, a fourth director, also a graduate of 1988, was added during the course of the year. The immersion of new board members in the operations of KCOBA injected new life, contacts and strategy into the association. For years we had discussed the potential for growing our paid membership base. Our new directors brought with them the expertise to make that happen. Frankly, we are now well on our way to paid membership becoming the primary source of funding our association. Our new membership initiative, with its colorful brochure, which may be viewed at www.kcobany.org., makes full use of today’s technology. From blasts emails, and a presence on social networks from Facebook to MySpace, and other forums and methods that I am not familiar with, the revamped association’s website will allow us to touch old boys long considered out of reach. Though this is a work in progress, the early signs indicate that there is increased awareness of the association and its many programs and thus making the fund-raising process easier and much more convenient. While we believe that the bulk of our new paid members will come from the ‘80s and ‘90s, so far this medium is also being utilized by the guys from earlier eras. It is my belief that if the association is to remain a viable entity then it is critical that we must embrace new technologies and also work diligently on recruiting new members with fresh ideas and a willingness to fully participate in the activities of the association.
As in previous years, we still face major challenges with the School’s administration.
While the Chairman of Jamaica College’s Board of Governors was confident enough to publish much of his operating budget in the local newspaper, there is no such openness on the part of KC directors. Rather, such requests have often been met with admonishments of meddling or interfering or trying to run the school. Of additional concern is the lack of a frank and an open line of communication between us and some members of the senior staff. What is shocking is the tardiness of some members of staff in responding to requests for information that are critical to the implementation of programs at the school. The association deems this information vital for the boys’ development but our concern and urgency is not shared by some senior staff. However, despite this dysfunction, we continue to press forward and it is our hope that the new principal will bring with him the integrity, focus and leadership that has been desperately missing from KC for far too long.
SUPPORT TO THE COLLEGE
This association has maintained its support to the school, its students and our alumni.
We provided gears for the benefit of the basketball, cricket, rugby and track teams, through assistance from Lorne Donaldson, Northfield Mount Hermon School and American International College. Spearheaded by the Atlanta Chapter, we also assisted the School’s Challenge team. Thanks to old boys, we were also able to support the Cadet Corps. With assistance from the Miami and Toronto chapters, we continued our stipends to needy older old boys, assisted the families of deceased old boys and provided the funding of the Melbourne Nutrition Program for the 11th year in a row. The nutrition program is one of the most vital services this association provides. We hope to expand the number of beneficiaries this year. Were it not for the consistent generosity of a handful of old boys it would not be possible. Old boys again stepped up when the appeal went out for assistance in the completion of the Melbourne Multi-Purpose Building. St. Augustine’s Chapel was renovated last year, thanks in no small part to old boys’ donations and Errol Lecky’s effort in soliciting funds from former choristers.
The College continues to benefit from the generosity of the Pickman Foundation and their US$5,000 annual contribution to the Trust Fund. We provided scholarships, as we have done for years, to students at KC and to students studying at UWI, UTECH, in Cuba and the US. The seeds of our university assistance have only now begun to bear fruit. Over the past year, we received some $3,000 from students we assisted years ago. We contributed to the school’s prize-giving ceremony and teacher’s fete. And we stand prepared to fund a Baxter Math Club, a project underwritten by students from the ‘80s who came under the influence of Ms. Joyce Baxter during her illustrious carrier at KC. The club is geared to make the study of mathematics exciting and identify promising students while assisting those who are excited by math but have difficulty mastering it. We are prepared to move forward – as we have for almost two years – as soon as the school is able to provide us with the necessary blueprint.
THE GEORGE THOMPSON MEMORIAL
The association arranged a memorial service for longtime football coach and sports master George Thompson, who passed away on July 8th 2008. The service was held on Saturday, September 26th 2008, at St. Luke’s Episcopalian Church in the Bronx, New York. The Rev. Don Taylor officiated and was involved in the planning and scheduling of the service. He recalled Mr. Thompson’s time as Senior Prefect at KC and the role he played in mentoring other students. The Bishop raised $1,000 at the service which was donated to Kingston College’s sports program. Our first contribution was made this summer and we are committed to annually supporting the George Thompson Scholarship which was established by the Atlanta chapter.
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP DANCE
The Annual Scholarship Dance was held at The Freeport Yacht Club, in Long Island, NY, on October 11th 2008. The event was a moderate success, with just under 200 people showing up at the venue. The timing of the dance, a week after Florida’s Big Purple Session may have affected turnout, but a good time was had by the guests and it is hoped that this year’s event will have even greater support and attendance. The event has been moved to the third week in October, the 17th and we have changed the venue to Chef Orchard at JFK in Queens. The ticket price of $30, which included buffet, is a reduction from last year. In the coming year, our planning and execution will be more precise and a $2 per ticket scholarship raffle has been introduced. Our strategy is for greater participation and success for this year’s dance. Note that old boys continue to donate all the food and liquor provided at the dance.
COMMON LAW
Our off-Broadway fundraiser in December was not successful. Actually, but for Director Alimi Banjoko, who sponsored all the advertising associated with the event and who purchased much of the tickets, our losses would have been more severe. Factors contributing to our lack of success included the saturation caused by the play running in the New York area, hosting the play on the coldest day of the year, inadequate support by some board members and our inexperience in this arena. The promotion of a play is something we are not yet fully weaned off, though, so do not be surprised if after closer analysis we retool and take another stab at it.
PENN RELAYS
The New York Chapter gave significant support to the Track and Field team at the annual Penn Relays in Philadelphia. Accommodation for the athletes, coaches and management officials was underwritten by ourselves and the Florida Chapter. Noel Spencer must be commended for stepping in at the last minute when our finances were shaky. Director Rainford Bloomfield was instrumental in generating shirts for Penns which we have successfully marketed. For the first time this year, the contingent was treated to a cookout hosted by Association Director Merrick Foster. Of course, being the ungracious host, Merrick saddled his Auntie and I with the cooking. We have now formed a Penn Relay Committee led by Vice President Robert Rodney and our three Philly-based board members. The Committee’s role is limited for now, to entertaining the team, taking them shopping and feeding them on the Sunday after Penn Relays.
ANNUAL REUNION AWARDS DINNER
The annual dance was held at its perennial home, Antun’s in Queens Village, New York. The event was well supported and the list of awardees was most impressive, including three former basketball coaches who contributed to the growth of the sport at Kingston College and in Jamaica. Errol Lecky, long-serving board member of the association, was recognized and the Presidential Award went to a surprised Clinton Clarke, one of the founding members of this association who remains a major contributor. The Rev. Don Taylor, now retired Episcopalian Vicar Bishop of New York City, was recognized for his contribution to KCOBA USA Inc., the Church and the New York community. Jamaican Ambassador to the US, old boy Anthony Johnson, made the presentation. Perhaps for the first time in our history the function was dominated by graduates of the ‘70s and ‘80s. We are grateful to several directors for the success of this year’s journal and reunion: Merrick Foster for providing us with a most capable designer and publisher, and for securing several ads at the last minute, Leighton Hollar for soliciting ads, Earl Gordon for his proofreading, Clive Davidson for bolstering my limited computer skills, Devon Hussett for his role in ticket sales and in any area where needed, and Alton Brown for his fine photos and rapid publication.
CONCLUSION
I am aware that your presence here is a reflection of your love for the College, your dedication to the students currently attending there and your commitment to our fraternity. Folks outside the family are puzzled by our everlasting passion for KC many years after we have graduated. It is this passion that has held KC together. This passion distinguishes us from all other Jamaican high schools. This passion is also misunderstood and is often perceived as a threat by the various non-Kingston College elements that have been strategically placed in leadership positions. Bishop Gibson founded KC out of passion. Douglas Forrest spent the majority of his life at KC because of his passion. Now shockingly, the Anglican Church seems afraid of this passion, and has consistently, for much of the last 30 years, gone out of its way to quench that passion. They need to understand that nothing and no one can or will douse the deep reservoir of passion we possess.
Gentlemen, the challenge we face as old boys, is no longer limited to raising the resources needed to support the Fortis family or to improve the school’s infrastructure, but how to regain ownership of KC. While we passively sat, dutifully responding to all the needs raised by the various stakeholders, no single old boy more guilty of that than me, we collaborated in the systematic reduction of our role as guardians of the College, the protectors and enhancers of the legacy of Bishop Gibson and Douglas Forrest.
Clearly I do not have the solution. However, the starting point in addressing this gross inequity may lie in a dedicated and selfless effort to unify our associations, coupled with strategic planning by our executives. The leader of each association must communicate frequently with each other. We must garner a consensus that has as its core, the best interest of Kingston College and the perpetuation of its founding principles. We must unite to confront the challenges our beloved alma mater face. Can we elevate our game to that level? Only time will tell.
