Jamaican Canadian Association Centre
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The Future of JCA project

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Future of JCA Working Group (from left to right) Herman Stewart, Miah Bailey, Paulette Crooks-Drummond, Adaoma Patterson (chair), Kamala-Jean Gopie, Sylvanus Thompson, Audrey Campbell, Roy Williams.

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Join our Teams – Volunteers Wanted for Open House and Change Champions Campaign
On October 19, JCA will be hosting an open house for members and the community to learn about the transition taking place and provide feedback. We are looking for 3 – 4 individuals to join Nicole Harriott and Lisa Crowell in organizing this event. If you would like to participate on the committee, please email me by September 14. There will be approximately 4 planning meetings.

We are ready to launch the change champions initiative. JCA Change Champions are members interested in helping to spread the word about the changes taking place, provide information and be the face of the new JCA. We are looking for energetic new and older members comfortable with social media and having your face on various promotional materials. The total time commitment is approximately one hour per month. An orientation will take place early October at JCA. This is your chance to ensure the continued success of the JCA! Confirm your participation by September 25.

Contact Adaoma at execsec@jcaontario.org for more Information.

JCA to Become Three Organizations

At a special Membership Meeting held on June 27th the Members of the JCA unanimously voted on the new direction of the organization by accepting the recommendations of the Working Group. The recommendations presented were based on the information and feedback from you the members via on-line surveys, community and membership workshops and forums.

The new JCA will be split into three entities: JCA Social Services, Membership and a Foundation. The changes will make the JCA Social Services more competitive with an independent Board of 7 with the expertise required to ensure the success of the agency. The Membership component will continue to provide cultural programs which will include events that appeal to a younger demographic. The Foundation will raise funds for the other two entities. JCA’s Executive Secretary, Adaoma Patterson, Chair of the Working Group, will head up the new Transition Team. In the next 12 to 18 months the Transition Team consisting of Members of the Working Group which include five former JCA presidents, one staff and three current board members in addition to members of JCA and the wider community that have shown interest in participating in the process will be responsible for implementing the new structure.

The Transition team has created a work plan and structure to advance the recommendations. The transition team will become a steering committee accountable for ensuring the three organizations are created and the membership organization restructured. Task forces will be created to implement various actions such as implementing a communications strategy and organizing the upcoming open house on October 19 to share the changes with the members and wider community. If you are interested in joining a task force please contact the Chair, Adaoma Patterson.

The Committee

A committee formed late 2011 in response to a request by the membership to convene a meeting of the membership to discuss separation of social services and membership. Because recommendations from this working group will have significant implications on the future of JCA, the scope has expanded to ensure the four key areas of governance, membership, social services and volunteers are being reviewed and that any future model meets the membership & community’s needs.

May 2013 – Update from Adaoma
Hello Everyone,

It has been some time since you heard from me about this work. The working group has met and continued to discuss the options and we are ready to share an update with you and get your feedback. The next sessions on the future of JCA will take place on Wednesday May 22 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm AND Saturday May 25 from 9:30 – 11:30 am. The sessions will be a repeat so you need only attend one.

We encourage you to attend and invite others especially those that currently sit on JCA committees. Also, for those who indicated an interest in becoming a JCA change champion, we will provide additional details at the end of the meeting and take your photograph which will be posted on the web-site (you will be required to complete a waiver).

Refreshments will be provided. Please confirm your attendance to execsec@jcaontario.org. Looking forward to seeing you.

On behalf of Audrey Campbell, Herman Stewart, Roy Williams, Miah Bailey, Erma Collins, Paulette Crooks-Drummond, Sylvanus Thompson, Kamala-Jean Gopie.

 

Transition information

Transition Team Update_November 24, 2013 Quarterly Meeting

Update of Transition of JCA_February 23, 2014

 

Coming soon – Change Champions – the new face of JCA!

June 2013
Final Report
The JCA Looks Toward the Future

May 2013
Forum Summary
Workshop Notes

February 2013
Forum Summary

January 2013
Forum Summary
Workshop Notes

November 2012
Update on Activities
Forum Summary

June 2012
Forum Summary