Page 1 Volume 8, Issue 4
Page 2 G reetings from CARICAD. I am again pleased to have this opportunity through this communication channel to extend Christmas and New Year greetings to all our religious, political, social, and administrative leaders, other stakeholders, strategic partners, well-wishers, former Board members, former employees, and the general public. We continue to live in challenging times. These remain times of uncertainty and threat of widerspread global conflicts. Continued rapid technological advancement, everincreasing political complexity and risin violent crime in our region, are matters grave concern for all. Yet, most of us are people of faith who live in hope even if our religious zeal has dimmed with the passing of the years. arge you to embrace leadership — as a title, but as a responsibility. eadership is not about being in charge; it’s about making a difference. It’s about making decisions that matter, even when those decisions are difficult...... The next phase of Jamaica’s development will depend on your ability to reshape the workforce and lead transformative change.” - Mr. Chris Zacca We are in full agreement with Mr. Zacca’s national and, by extension, regional vision on the mportance of leadership for nsformation of our region. CARICAD is Devon Rowe Executive Director CARICAD The year 2024 was a good year for CARICAD. We implemented many of our planned Organisational Development projects and programmes to the satisfaction of our stakeholders. We provided high quality, relevant training for hundreds of persons through our Leadership Development Programme and related Webinars. CARICAD reengaged with those member states that had been administratively distant. We increased our output on all communication channels. Indeed, we demonstrated that the CARICAD approach to Public Sector Transformation is not only beneficial, but also necessary. It is…. a continuous process of leading and managing change in the public service for innovative adaptation; to enable delivery of services and results in a resilient and sustainable manner. We look forward to doing even more with the limited human and financial resources we are able to command in 2025. Mr. Chris Zacca, President, and CEO of SAGICOR Group Jamaica was recently inducted by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica in their Hall of Fame. Note is taken of recent comments by Mr. Zacca delivering an address to Mona School of Business’ top performers in the 2024 postgraduate cohort: continuing its mission to support leadership development for the transformation of our region. As we close 20024, I wish to express my deepest appreciation to the Chairman, Board of Directors, Staff and Associates of CARICAD for their unwavering support and loyalty. In my capacity as Executive Director, I might be the one at the organisational apex but it is this CARICAD team that enables me to be very proud of our CARICOM organisation of Caribbean professionals. This team delivers “world-class” work as a routine Deliverable on a daily basis. Thank you all, from the youngest and least experienced to the seniors on the team. I extend sincere Christmas and New Year greetings to all. I pray that the Yuletide season will be filled with safety, joy and good health for all of us and greater peace in our world. The CARICAD team is looking forward to continuing to work with you in the New Year, as we plan enthusiastically to celebrate our 45th anniversary of service to our region and the world. Who knows we may ask Mr. Zacca to share views during the Anniversary celebrations. Peace and Love to all. Devon Rowe, Executive Director, CARICAD
Page 3 St. Kitts and Nevis' Clarence Bryant Fitzroy College Embarks on Strategic Planning with CARICAD Partnership FROM LEFT ARE: Frankie Michael, Associate Consultant, CARICAD; Mrs. Lisa-Romayne Archibald-Pistana, Permanent Secretary, The Ministry of Education; the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Ian Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth Empowerment, Housing & Human Settlement, Ecclesiastical & Faith-Based Affairs, Social Development, Gender Affairs, Aging and Disabilities. Devon Rowe, Executive Director, CARICAD, and Maria Mason Roberts, CARICAD Consultant (GWMR Consultants). E xciting developments are underway with the Anguilla Social Security Board and the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College in St. Kitts and Nevis! The Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College is embarking on a strategic planning process with CARICAD’s support. This three-year plan will guide the College’s growth from 2025 to 2027, ensuring alignment with national and regional standards. The CARICAD team of Franklyn Michael and Maria Mason-Roberts, CARICAD’ s Consultant from GWMR in Trinidad will help CFBC align its vision and mission with strategic goals. CARICAD’s Rosemund Warrington provides conceptual and planning guidance. Board of Directors Inception Meeting for the Organisational Structure Review of the Anguilla Social Security Board of Directors FROM LEFT ARE: Jacqueline Bryan-Niles, Chair and Government Representative; Denise Escayg, CARICAD Associate Consultant; CARICAD HR & ODE Specialist, Rosemund Warrington, and Director and Employer Representative, Clemvio Hodge. Meanwhile, for the Anguilla Social Security Board, the organisational structure review project aims to enhance efficiency and productivity. The project involves extensive consultations and job analyses, led by a team from CARICAD, including Rosemund Warrington and Denise Escayg (CARICAD consultant). These initiatives are poised to bring significant improvements and strategic direction to both institutions.
Page 4 By Rosemund R. Warrington, HR/ODE Specialist at CARICAD T he holiday season is upon us. It is a time for joy, celebration, connection, and appreciation. However, in the workplace, it can also be a season of distractions related to Christmas shopping, vacations, holiday planning for Christmas dinners, and yes, low energy. With end-of-year deadlines to meet and festive excitement in the air, keeping employees engaged might feel like Christmas lights are stringing up when half the bulbs are not working. Despite this, the holidays are also a great opportunity to unwrap the gift of employee engagement and keep spirits bright and high. Why does it matter? It matters because engaged employees are more productive, creative, and connected to their work. They are the engine that drives organisational success, even during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. So, how can we keep that engagement high and the mood joyful and positive? Let’s explore some practical tips: 1. The holidays are the perfect time to unite teams in fun and meaningful ways. Whether it is a Christmas potluck, or a virtual singing contest, creating opportunities for collaboration outside of work fosters togetherness. When it comes to team bonding, nothing beats the vibrant, fun-loving spirit of the Caribbean. Incorporating local traditions and flavours into your activities can create meaningful connections while celebrating the unique culture of our region. Here are some team bonding activities that you can consider this holiday season: The classic Caribbean Friday Night “lime” is all about good vibes, good food, sweet music and pleasant company. Organise a Friday evening get-together with local eats such as fish broth, jerk chicken, roti, doubles, conch fritters, and drinks like sorrel and ginger beer, or whatever is well-known in your area. Organise games such as dominoes, Trivia with Caribbean-themed questions, or even karaoke with island Christmas classics. Nothing is better than our legendary Caribbean food, so you can make it the star of your team bonding activity. Host a cook-off where teams prepare traditional dishes from different communities or different islands. Alternatively, organise a food-tasting festival where employees can bring family recipes or local favourites. Prizes for the best dish add extra excitement. An office Christmas party is another classic way to bond and celebrate the season together. Add the usual Caribbean twist by including traditional holiday dishes like callaloo, pastelles, jerk ham, rice and peas, black cake and your choice of holiday beverages. Few things beat a day on the water in the Caribbean. Rent a boat or catamaran for your team and enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or simply soaking up the sun. Bring local snacks and refreshments for a perfect island adventure paired with steelpan parang, calypso, reggae, soca, or bouyon beats. Organise a friendly cricket match or small goal football game. You can even add a twist by mixing up teams to include employees from different departments. Bring the spirit of giving to life by organising a team visit to a children’s ward or a care home for seniors.
Page 5 Employees can spend time chatting with children or residents, singing Christmas carols, or sharing small holiday treats and gifts. This activity not only strengthens team bonds through shared acts of kindness but also leaves a positive impact on the community. For remote teams, consider a Zoom happy hour where team members can play games and chat about non-work-related topics or a virtual talent show where team members showcase their unique skills and hobbies. Pair these activities with festive tunes such as “Christmas Feeling” by The Merrymen of Barbados, “Chanté Noel” by Lord Tokyo of Dominica, “Natty Christmas” by Jacob Miller of Jamaica, or “Parang Parang” by Singing Francine of Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, among others. These holiday classics perfectly capture the island spirit and will help set the festive mood. Rosemund Warrington, HR and ODE Specialist, CARICAD Celebrate the season with these Caribbean-inspired bonding experiences that will help your team forge stronger connections while embracing the warmth and vibrancy of the islands! 2. Nothing says “we value you” like genuine recognition. The holidays are an excellent time to celebrate individual and team achievements. Host an awards ceremony, give personalised thank-you notes, or create a “Wall of Fame” highlighting contributions throughout the year. If your budget allows, offer thoughtful gifts or bonuses. Recognition boosts morale and encourages others to shine. 3. Holiday downtime can spark creativity. Use this period to light up new ideas by encouraging brainstorming sessions or “innovation hours” where employees can pitch ideas for new projects or improvements. These activities not only keep minds engaged but also show that you value their input. 4. The season of giving is not just about material gifts - it is also an opportunity to invest in your team’s growth. Offer workshops or learning sessions that encourage employees to set personal and professional goals for the new year. This could be a short seminar on mindfulness, leadership skills, or even a vision board or goal-setting session to inspire employees to visualise and plan their aspirations for the coming year. Additionally, employees could be invited to make work-related New Year’s resolutions and keep them to themselves. Supporting personal growth now, plants the seeds for long-term engagement. A final thought is that employee engagement during the holidays is not just about keeping people busy – it’s about creating an environment where they feel valued, connected, and motivated. By focusing on team bonding, recognition, innovation, and personal growth, you can turn the season of giving into a season of thriving. So, this holiday season, don’t just unwrap gifts - unwrap the true potential of your team. A little effort to engage your employees now will leave everyone feeling more connected, inspired, and ready to tackle the new year together. This holiday season, don’t just unwrap gifts — unwrap the true potential of your team!
Page 6 THE TEAM PREVIOUS EDITIONS CAN BE VIEWED AT: The CARICAD Horizon is a regular publication of the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD). The Horizon has superseded the “Chronicle”. The Editor-in-Chief is CARICAD’s Executive Director, Devon Rowe. The Production Team comprises: Franklyn Michael, Rosemund Warrington, Dr. Lois Parkes, Trudy Waterman and Angela Eversley. September 2024 Special Hurricane Edition July 2024 November-December 2023 Special Hurricane Edition July 2023 February 2023 Special Hurricane Edition July 2022 March 2022 December 2021 October 2021 Special Hurricane Edition June 2021 March 2021 October 2020 July-August 2020 Special Hurricane Edition June 2020 Special COVID-19 Edition May 2020 March 2020 December 2019 October 2019 Board Meeting 2019 Special Edition April 2019 December 2018 August 2018 December 2017 July 2017 1st Floor Weymouth Corporate Centre, Roebuck Street, Bridgetown, Barbados Tel: 246-427-8535 Email: caricad@caricad.net Website: www.caricad.net
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