Cooreville Garden 2017 AGM Report

President Assistant PRO Cooreville Gardens Citizens AssociationValdimir Wallace Orlando Christie 2016 –2017Vice-President SecretaryDerrick Rochester Lois Lawrence Annual ReportTreasurer Assistant Secretary (Abridged Version)Anthony Harbajan Audrey LoftersAssistant Treasurer Special Project Officer 1Semone Dennis O’Niel CharlesPublic Relations Officer Immediate Past PresidentJamie Brown Laurel BedwardThe Executive wishes to thank the persons whovolunteered their time and energy to makingour events a success. We could not have done it without you. 16

Message from Valdimir N. Wallace - PresidentIt is with great pleasure I greet you as the President. This past year has beena tremendous learning experience for the team. A realization that none of uswere prepared for was that the Association is significantly underfunded andthe workload is too much for those who are willing to help. Additionally, theAssociation is in need of institutional strengthening as we do not haveenough systems in place to ensure continuity. This coupled with the fact thatmajority of the executive members were newly elected affected how quicklywe could implement the plans that we had. Despite these challenges, mostof our projects were successful thanks to the hard work of the team. Coore-ville Gardens is a beautiful community with the ability to be the most attrac-tive place to live this side of Kingston and St. Andrew but it will take a lotmore effort for us to reach to this goal. Thanks for your support as it was ourpleasure serving you. Funding the Cooreville Gardens Citizens AssociationOne of the primary problems facing the Association is funding. We had triedvarious initiatives to increase our cash reserves but they were not fully sup-ported. Without access to cash, we are unable to execute a number of initia-tives. Whilst there is some amount of funding available through the DigicelTower Arrangement, the expenditure from this source can only be accessedthrough the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. In order to meetour day to day expenses, the Association will need to be creative in its driveto develop a consistent source of income. 2 15

Cooreville Gardens Citizens Association Gets A Home On May 28, 2017, the Cooreville Gardens Citizens’ Association opened the doors to their own home at the Community Centre. This came after much lobbying by the Association’s Executive at various levels. Special thanks should be given to our Member of Parliament, Ambassador Anthony Hylton, who delivered on his promise to ensure that there is a recreational building for the residents of Cooreville Gardens. The Centre was built by Carib Cement at a cost of approximately $22,000,000.00 with contributions from Cemex and Tank Weld Limited. The Centre boasts office space, a general assembly hall and changing area for sporting teams. The Association is currently devel- oping protocols to govern the use of the building. Cooreville Gardens Community Park The Cooreville Gardens Community Centre marked the completion of phase one of the development of the open space in the middle of the community. The CGCA Executive has embarked on an ambitious project to transform the open lot into a sports and recreational park. To advance this vision, the fol- lowing were done: 1) a committee was assembled to focus on this and other capital projects inside of Cooreville Gardens and 2), a professional surveyor was contracted to complete a topographical report on the targeted space. The Executive envisions that at the end of the project, the space should be home to a playground, a professional football field with seating areas and other field areas for persons to play non-professional football.14 3

Citizens Lobby NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 3. Cash @31/08/17During the course of the year, the Executive included an agenda item called CitizensLobby. Under this section of the agenda, residents are asked to state the issues that 13/08/17 US$2.00 was received as dues on 13/0817. Since it was notthey would like the Executive body to focus on. The most prolific areas of concerns are lodged to our bank account nor changed to JA$ at the time of reportinglisted below. In addition to this agenda item, residents are free to email their concerns it is recorded in US$ currency. For audit purposes, NCB Cashto the Association’s primary email address [email protected] Buy Rate @ 31/08/17 was JA$113.50 to US$1.00. US$2=JA$227 Streetlights 4. Payables :Over the past three years the Association has been consistently lobbying the JPS and Advertisement 2000.00 18,000.00the political representatives to fix the broken lights inside of the community. Thanks Debushing 16,000.00to the work done by the Councillor, Mr. Norman Perry, we were able to fix a number 5. Reconciliation:of streetlights in the community. This made way for upgrading all the street lights inthe community to LED. Almost all the streetlights in the community have been re- Cash b/f 01/01/17 1,745.79 48,212.54paired. The Association will now turn its attention to lobbying for the installation of Bank b/f 01/01/17 46,466.75new streetlights in various dark areas of the community. Damaged Road Next to the Cooreville Gardens Citizen Association Basic SchoolThe hazard that existed next to the basic school has been averted as the Councilor andMember of Parliament fixed the road. This road was a perennial problem as manyvehicles have been damaged by it and it posed a serious safety hazard for the mostvulnerable among us.Gully Along Bob Marley Boulevard and Ken Booth Close Add Total Income 301,142.82 47,440.95 Less Expenditure 253,701.87 $95,653.49Representation has been made to the political directorate about the state of the gully Balance @ 31/08/17that runs adjacent to the Bob Marley Blvd and Ken Booth Close. Site visits were con-ducted by the Councillor and other representatives. We have received many assuranc- Cash c/f 31/08/17 62,097.78+us$2es but to date no much has been done to fix the problem. The Executive body is ex-ploring using alterative measures to ensure that the matter is addressed swifty and Bank c/f 31/08/17 31,555.71 $93,653.49promptly.Roadway Flooding on Mystic Circle DIFFERENCE $2,000.00We are aware that whenever it rains, water settles on Mystic Circle and becomes im- Difference of $2,000.00 represents cash received, for one time Advertisement in our Newslettter from two Organisations, not applied to account as such opera-passable for pedestrians. In some respects, persons are marooned inside their homes tions in a residential area was later questioned and as such is being investigated. The cash may be return after the investigation is completed.until the water subsides. This matter has been brought to the attention of our localgovernment representatives and they have indicated that there are exploring ideas ofdealing with this situation. They have not indicated a target deadline however the Ex-ecutive will continue to lobby them to have this problem addressed. 4 13

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS1. Stocks @ 31/08/17 (to be verified) Christmas Tree Lighting1 Bullhorn $20,000.00? (c/o Val) In December, the Cooreville Gardens Community was treated with Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. This event was held adja-17/05/14 12 Gray&brown Metal chairs $19,500.00 (at Com Centre) cent to the Basketball Court and was well attended and featured musical items from various persons. It was hosted by a former16/04/16 1 HP 2545 Printer $12,332.50 (c/o Lois) member of the Executive Body.20/10/16 1 WhiteBoard, Eraser & Marker $4,052.45 (c/o Val)20/10/16 3 Plastic White Chairs $5,940.00 (at Com Centre)21/10/16 1 Mini Flashlight $580.64 (c/o Anthony) Movie Night21/10/16 20” Table Fan $4,629.12 (c/o Val) During the summer break in August, the Association held two movie nights in the Community Centre. This saw approximately 25 children31/01/17 3 Weedwhackers $59,729.51 (c/o Orlando) from across the community on each occasion enjoying a movie treat. There were free popcorn and juices distributed to the attendees01/03/17 1 Power Weedwhacker $93,974.00(reported stolen) courtesy of sponsors and the Association. Based on the success of this initiative, the decision was taken to host a movie night every third Friday of each27/05/17 1000 gal Tank + 6 length of pipes $48,987.02 (at Com Centre) month. The team is currently discussing the logistics of implementing this project as more volunteers will be needed to make it a reality.29/06/17 3 Locks & 3 Chains $5,400.00 (at Com Centre) Resume Writing Workshop17/07/17 3 Drums $3,000.00 (at Com Centre) In an affort to assist persons to obtain jobs in Cooreville, the Total Stock $188,125.24 Association hosted a Resume Writing Workshop in Septem- ber. This marked the third attempt to host such an event asNB ‘c/o’ (care of) means ‘the item is in the possession of ‘ no one turned up for the first two training sessions. Only two persons attended the second training despite it being adver-2. Debtors @ 31/08/17 tised for over a month. The two participants learnt a lot and were offered one-on-one attention to develop a winning re-24/04/17 Mercedes Ward (Donuts) $2,880.00 sume.24/04/17 Yvette Ramsay (Donuts) $880.00 Computer Classes28/06/17 Yvette Ramsay (Shirt) $2,200.00 The planned computer class had to be cancelled due to poor attendance. This will be rescheduled for sometime next year and hopefully there will be persons who are in-28/06/17 Lois Lawrence (Shirt) $2,200.00 terested in attending.13/08/17 Derrick Rochester (Shirt) $200.00 (repaid 301017)010717 Caledonia Outdoors (Billboard) $70,000.0002/07/17 Tasheta (Advertisement) $800.00 $79,160.00 Karaoke SessionsDiscussions are on to have most of these repaid by month end including Cheque The planned karaoke eveniing had to be cancelled due to lack of interest from thefrom Caledonia Outdoors. community. This will be rescheduled for sometime next year and hopefully there will 12 be persons who are interested in attending. 5

COOREVILLE GARDENS CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION Parties Inside Cooreville Gardens Income & Expenditure StatementA major source of contention was events being held in Cooreville Gardens. Since For period January 01, 2017-August 31, 2017 (Cont’d)December 2016, the Executive granted approval to less than 10 persons seekingto host events inside of the community. It was brought to our attention late in our Towncrier/Publicity (Notices for EGM) 5,000.00 5,000.00tenure that there are persons hosting unauthorized events inside of the commu-nity. We have been contacted by the KSAC and are currently putting in measures Utilities – JPS - 5,525.00to ensure that all unauthorized events are stopped once we are made aware of it. CGCA Shirts & Template - 34,640.00 Clean-Up Day Projects Children’s Movie Night - 1,250.00 Bank Charge 0.00 15.71 50,794.21 253,701.87 Surplus $30,275.79 $47,440.95The Association hosted two clean-up days (May and August). The areas of focuswere the entrance to the community, the basketball court area and the areas inand around the community centre. Though the participation was very low, thosewho came out gave of their best to lift the appearance of the community. Thereis consideration being given that this activity can be done quarterly but this isdependent on the number of persons who volunteer to assist.Estimated Costs to Clean Up Cooreville Gardens (Per Month)Park on Ken Boothe Close High Grass Low Grass 11Park at the entrance of Basic School $ 8,000.00 $ 8,000.00Basketball Court Area $ 8,000.00 $ 8,000.00Around the Community Centre $ 35,000.00 $ 30,000.00Right Entrance of Community $ 25,000.00 $ 15,000.00Left Side of Community $ 28,000.00 $ 20,000.00Total $ 25,000.00 $ 20,000.00 $ 129,000.00 $ 101,000.600

COOREVILLE GARDENS CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION Income & Expenditure Statement Cooreville Gardens By the Numbers For period January 01, 2017-August 31, 2017 Note 31/12/16 31/08/17 Total Dues CollectedRevenue $ 3 0, 00 0 .0 0 $ 2 5, 00 0 .0 0Members Dues 8.070.00 38,200.00+US2 $ 2 0, 00 0 .0 0 $ 1 5, 00 0 .0 0Advertising/Rental 43,000.00 70,000.00 $ 1 0, 00 0 .0 0Donations/Grants 30,000.00 50,000.00 $5 ,000.00 $0.00Bank Interest 0.00 62.82 2014 2015 2016 2017 T otal $3,100.00 $6,600.00 $5,650.00 $27,610.00CGCA Shirts 0.00 21,600.00FundRaising- Donuts Sale 0.00 121,280.00 81,070.00 301,142.82 2017 Meeting AttendanceExpenditure 50 40Bushing (Netball Court area, Behind Maytal Cres, et al) 30- Netball Court area 4500.00 20- Bob Marley Blvd (sidewalk) 800.00 5,300.00 13,200.00 10 Com Centre (1000galTank,6 pipes,3 mirrors,2 doorhandles,plaque,3 locks&chains) 0 Ja n Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug S ep Oct- - 81,299.13 T otal 10 17 40 29 21 35 21 19 10 18Removal of illegal ‘House” near the Tower 1500.00 -FundRaiser (Donuts et al) - 75,661.17 Attendance Over the YearsContribution- (Basic School Paint+ JPS) 2,100.00 23,496.86 250 3,000.00 200Christmas Tree - 150 100Stationery (Note Book, et al) 14,202.50 - 50Clean Up (3 Drums,W/ Head, whitewash tport) 5,245.71 9,474.00 0Post Cards (Condolences, Congr et al) - - Total 2014 2015 2016 2017 125 128 166 2 20Meetings (Provision of extra Lights 061116) - 1,000.00Copy (Constitution) - 140.00Furniture 16,446.00 - 10 7

Newsletters COOREVILLE GARDENS’ CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION BALANCE SHEETThe Association upgraded its communication system to include newsletters.This saw members of the community receiving a news pamphlet with infor- AS AT August 31, 2017mation about the decisions that were taken and also upcoming activities. Thisinitiave also served as a fundraising activity for the Association as persons CURRENT ASSETS Note 31/12/16 31/08/17were invited to place ads in the newsletter at a minimal cost. Membership Investment - - Extract from Newsletter Debtors - - Stock - 1- 79,160.00 Bank - N.C.B. 2 67,124.92 188,125.24 Cash 46,466.75 31,555.71 3 1,655.79 62,097.78+us2 115,247.46 360,938.73 CURRENT LIABILITIES Payables 4 - 18,000.00 - - Membership Paid in Advance -_ -___ NET ASSETS 115,247.46 342,938.73 FINANCED BY 115,247.46 342,938.73 ACCUMULATED FUND89