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+-http://jamaicanottawaassn.org
959 Wellington Street West Ottawa Ontario K1Y-2X5
Corporation Number: 0766577: 613 526-9085.
Membership to date
300 registered Members
PAID-UP MEMBERS
Horary
2
Members
No of
2
Associate
Members
General
21
Members
Life
6
Family
5
Student
1
Seniors
38
TOTAL
78
Executive Members:
President:
Elisha Luke Campbell
st
1 . Vice President:
Mrs. Judith Headley
2nd. Vice President:
Vacant
rd
3 . Vice President
Ms. Lurlene Wright
Treasurer:
Ms. Thelma Gravelle
Secretary:
Ms Jennifer Denis
Assistant Secretary:
Ms. Yanique Brown
Immediate Past President:
Mr. Christopher Harris
Appointed Officers:
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Membership: Vacant
Education
Vacant
Junior Liaison: Vacant
Calling Committee Chair Ms Pearl Parks
Award Chair: Immediate past President Mr. Chris Harris
Summery of the Associations’ activities for 2011
In August 2010 a Website the successfully established under
the leadership of Mrs. Judith Headley. The address is:
http://jamaicanottawaassn.org. Mrs.
Headley kept the site updated during her terms as 1st Vice
president for 2011 and second Vice President 2010.
In January of 2011 Ms Joanne Robinson convening the
monthly report on the health life style activities under the
offices of the association Ms. Joanne Robinson continued to
facilitate the group with various activities Bowling in
conjunction with The OC Transportation Club Jaku-konbit.
Centre and the Diaspora members.
With the support of Ms. Barbara Wilson, Mrs. Joyce Smith
and a group of dedicated volunteers, Ms Robinson continued
to facilitate activities in conjunction with Jaku-konbit Centre
the CFA program affiliated with the city of Ottawa public
Health. Our quest is to promote harmonious collaboration with
other organizations.
In March under the offices of the association Ms Joanne
Robinson also chaired the annual Jamaica night at the race
our most profitable event each year. The President negotiated
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a partnership with Mr. Ewart Walters President of National
Institute of Jamaican Canadians. NIJC Representatives were
Mrs. Paulette Barker and Mr. Alec Edgar. , Ms Joyce and Ms.
Barbara Wilson represented J (O) CA.
Subsequently, other presentations were held in
conjunction with the our monthly meetings promoting
awareness in order to further nurture our camaraderie and
friendship with our colleagues therein
In April the President with Mrs. Donette Grant Anderson as
Co- Chair, Ms Lurlene Wright, Ms Myra Flash and all the
gracious Volunteers organized the annual Variety Gospel
Concert in partner ship with the Big Soul Project Community
Choir this was a great success. They are booked for 2014
Concert.
In June 2011 Ms Jennifer Denis, Ms Barbara Wilson, Ms
Lurlene Wright & Mrs. Edith Allen and the dedicated
members and volunteers took on the task of our Annual
Brunch and was successful in their pursuit. Thank to all those
who gave not just their time but contribute product for the
occasion.
In July
The Association headed by the President Mr. Campbell, Ms.
Lurlene Wright & Ms Jennifer Denis in Collaboration with
the Children’s’ Aid Society of Ottawa hosted a round table
cession to express Cultural differences faced among the youths
of Caribbean decent in their Care. The topics were health &
Nutrition, School work, home and general up brining of
Children in Jamaican / Caribbean home.
Moderated by the President Mr. E Campbell
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The presenters were members of the association
And the Jamaican Community at Large.
They Are
Approaches to child rearing
Ms Joycelyn Loeffelholz-Rea
Author /Writer
______________________________
Approaches to child discipline
June Girvan Retired School Teacher/
Principal
Roles of Fathers in our society
Mr. Rueben Brown & Mr. Leslie Ennis
Both Members of J (O) CA
___________________________________
Food and nutrition
Mrs. Edith Allen & Ms Hyacinth Mason
Community Food Advisor City of Ottawa Public
Health
57 people attend the event it was well organized
professionally delivered we were very proud of the
attendance 53 % non-Jamaican attended the event .
There will be a follow up cession in 2012.
Annual Jam-Day Three days Event
Mrs. Donette Grant Anderson Chair and Co Chair Mr. E
Campbell
Commanded the three day Jam-Day Event.
Friday August 5th Flag Raising Saturday August 6th Jam-Day
Fete’
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Sunday August
Commander
Job well Done
The committee
Children Village
Lottery
7th
Logistics / Ground Layout
Set-up/Take-down
Security Coordinators
Maypole
Entertainment
Decorations
Gate/Finance (tickets)
Office Coordinator
Information Booth
Healthy Lifestyles Booth
Volunteer Coodinators
Domino
FA & Merchants
Lunch Coordinator
Church
Service
Mrs.
Anderson
Edith Allen
Oswald Butler and Moses
Robinson
Elisha Campbell &
Donette Grant-Anderson
Mr. Reuben Brown
Jennifer Dennis & Chris
Harris
Des Doran /
Ms.J.Robinson
Donette Grant-Anderson
& George Roxborough
Thelma Gravelle
Thelma Gravelle
Elisha Campbell
Adeline Hardie
Joanne Robinson &
Godwin Ifedi
Charmaine JohnsonMentlak & Joanne
Robinson
Nerval Mitchell
Joyce Smith
Lurline Wright
We sincerely thank the 50 + volunteers who gave their time to
make the event a successful one for the second year we thank
them.
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In October the annual Heroes’ Awards Gala was chaired by
Mr. Chris Harris, and Mrs. Joyce Smith Co, Chair, and all
the volunteers organized a successful event.
In December Ms. Lurlene Wright Chair the annual Christmas
Party. The continued overwhelming support from the same
group of dedicated members we couldn’t have ended the year
on a better note. It was a great party. Special Thanks to Mr.
Trevor Hendricks for his generous contribution with music for
the second year at no charge. Mr. Hendricks was able to
accommodate all our Music needs for the year’s events. We
thank him.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Being the president of the Jamaica (Ottawa) Community
Association for the past 2 years has been challenging,
interesting, and frustrating at times my second term was
a challenging start, but with the help and guidance of
the faithful and dedicated members I must say we
balance things well. Thanks to Ms Jennifer Denis, Mrs.
Judith Headley and Ms Yanique Brown who did not
follow the discourse but came on board. Of course it
could have been a lot better, but hopefully as the years
go by we will continue with the drive to do more for the
association and the community at large...
On behalf of the executive members please accept our
profound gratitude for your continued support. But
always be cognizant of the fact that there are many
Jamaicans in Ottawa who are not a part of the team.
This is therefore an excellent opportunity to reach out to
these persons to achieve the maxim “strength in
numbers.”
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While operating with much reduced human and financial
resources
The High Commissioners’ office stands ready to support
our efforts; to engage members of the community and to
be a source of guidance where possible. We thank Her
Excellency Mrs. Sheila Sealy Monteith and staff.
We are quite please to have a representative on the
Jamaica 50th committee as they engage in the ongoing
preparation and hosting several events in the one year
celebration of Jamaica 50th Anniversary in Ottawa.
Although there are several J (O) CA members are on
subcommittees of the event, Ms Barbara Wilson was J
(O) CA Representative for 2011.
The Jamaican (Ottawa) Community Association Inc
needs the support of all Jamaicans in Ottawa. We all
know that a unified people can achieve so much more
than a disparate group.
The Jamaican(Ottawa) Community Association Inc has
a very important role to play in ensuring that Jamaica
and Jamaicans are viewed as worthy of emulation and
respect. The contribution Jamaicans have made to
Canada surpasses all other Caribbean Islands.
It is no longer an option to be constrained by either
distance or time. All Jamaicans, and especially those of
us in the Diaspora, have a responsibility to protect and
promote a positive image of our country. Over the years
Canadians have enjoyed our Jamaican hospitality as
Jamaica remains a favored Canadian tourist destination.
The close ties Between Jamaica and Canada can be
seen as a step into many doors of the private and the
public sector for our association. I ask everyone to be
more proactive. The Jamaican (Ottawa) Community
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Association Inc can use these close ties to our
advantage.
During the year we have had several events social and
non social. Our goal was to increase the membership,
and to widen our image in the larger community. We
have taken our charge seriously and over the past two
years we have been actively pursuing these goals at the
political, cultural and community levels. Building on the
excellent relations that exist Between the Jamaican
(Ottawa) Community Association Inc and other
Jamaican and non –Jamaican, Afro-Caribbean
Associations and sports clubs in Ottawa, we have
sought to enhance the ties and can recall with deep
sense of appreciation the successes we have garnered
to date.
On the cultural plane, and with much gratitude for the
support of the community, we have been able to share
the many facets of our culture and in the process gained
deeper respect for” things Jamaican.”
Once again the Association’s principal objective is to
better acquaint other nationalities with our culture and
heritage. So far we managed to fulfill a great portion of
this mandate. We are reaching out to the community
through the established by collaborating with others
. Our Calling committee headed by our Third -Vice
president Ms. Lurlene Wright she has also done an
excellent job in keeping in touch with members of the
community who are unable to attend events and
meeting. She report on activities such as hospital visits
bringing us up to date on their conditions at our monthly
meetings. She keeps in touch with the community in
times of illness or bereavement good team work.
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Ms Jennifer Denis is our Secretary and J (O) CA contact
to the High Commissioner and Ociso Bookings With the
help of the assistant Secretary Ms. Yanique Brown.
We thank them
We must also note with pride and thanks the
enhancement and management of of our website by our
First Vice President Mrs. Judith Headley for the 4th year
that has done a magnificent job keeping all our events
up to date as they unfold. She is pretty sharp.
Ms Thelma Gravelle, our Treasurer came aboard at a
very late stage but nevertheless
With a dedicated group of Professional members we
managed to bring the books up to date, so she has also
done a great job. Thanks to Mr. Robert Kirlew , Ms.
Andrea Green and Mrs. Donette Grant Anderson for
their contribution as they work many hours getting the
end of year statement ready . Great team work we thank
them.
Mr. Christopher Harris our immediate past president has
also participated in the many facets of the years
activities including the being part of the security team
for Jam Day and chaired the annual Hero’s awards gala
To our members, we the executive members were most
pleased to see so many of you so willing and ready to
serve as volunteers when called upon. The success of
all our events was based on the hard work and
commitment of our members and non-members who
donate your time and expertise or provide their various
talents as performers and volunteers and so it is with
heartfelt gratitude that we thank you all. I must mention
too Mr. Oswald Butler and Mr. Moses Robinson who
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again took on the lottery for the second year your
unmeasured act of contribution.
There are many others who contributed but of course, it
is not possible to name each person individually for the
role you play.
The association continues to donate a portion of
proceeds from our events to the Sickle Cell Society,
the Diabetes Association, the Adopt-a-Gran program
in Jamaica, CKCU and CHUO Radio fund-raising
campaigns and, new this year, Jamaica self help
committee. We have been supporting other
Associations’ by sending representative to their events.
The president and other Members & nonmembers of the
association volunteered to man the telephones for the
CKCU fund-raising telethon drive for the second Year.
For the second year we also participate in the
Christmas tree exhibition at the Museum of Civilization
in Gatineau (Hull) Quebec headed by Mr. Desmond
Doran with the support of Mrs. Adeline Hardie Ms
Thelma Gravelle and Mr. Reuben Brown we thank them.
The president’s interview with CBC Radio before Jam
Day and many other media appearances on T. V. and in
the print medium were organized by Mrs. Donette Grant
Anderson the Jam Day Chair and we thank her for her
Great team work. The president also organized CBC
radio interview with Mr. Walters before he was honored
By J (O) CA with a special tribute to him at the October
15th Hero’s awards gala at the travel lodge Hotel.
Also coming off very well was the friendly corners’
basket, which was presented by Ms. Joanne Robinson.
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Our annual Christmas fruit basket to our shut-in seniors
was all delivered by the President this year...
The above mentioned are some of what we set out do
when we took office in an effort to extend the
association into the community at large.
The job is by no means finished, one could say not
started. J (O) C A is the oldest and largest Caribbean
association in Ottawa, and in spite of our ups and
downs we have survived for over 40 years.
It is often said we do not have a place for ourselves and
where do the funds go. Here is one example: our 2011
income from membership fees totals $1,690.00. But our
insurance for the said year was $810.00 over the last ten
years we spent over TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
FOR INSURANCE. We should be working toward our
building but the fact that we have to use the funds
raised from events to operate the association each year
is our set back. Until our membership income is able to
fund the administration and operational cost this will be
a hard obstacle to overcome. This is something we will
have to give serious consideration
It was the true effort of all the members of the
executives and member of the association in
conjunction with the chairs of all committees that
enabled us to work together as a team to accomplish
what we have. If I am reelected as your president I do
hope the good Lord will continue to bless us all with
good health and a peaceful mind as we continue to work
toward our ultimate goal of acquiring a place to call the
Jamaican (Ottawa) Community Association Centre.
Miss Lurlene Wright, get ready for the first set of fried
dumplings, Ms Adeline Hardie dancing up a storm on
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the dance floor and our dedicated member Mr. Renford
Thomas expressing his joy to live to see his plaque
hung with the names of past presidents - which he had
donated years ago. We all with great anticipation wait
this joyous moment.
Some may say I am dreaming; many an American
dream was to own a British sports car, smoking a
Havana Cigar, and drinking Russian Vodka on the
French Riviera.
Our Dream is to one day o eating Jerk chicken and
drinking Red stripe in our own building/ Centre.
I could not have done this alone. I want you all join me
to thank the executive members who worked diligently
over the past 2years. I want to also thank my wife and
family for their support to me as I took on the task as
President of J (O) C a 2010 -2011
It was a very busy year; I sincerely thank all the
members of the executive for the input and their
continued support in all areas. In every organization
there will be times when we
Disagree on some issues pertaining to the operation of
the association. However, we should not allow
dissention to take root among us but we must strive for
a better understanding as we are working for the same
objectives. The executive has worked very hard this
year. Every one of us has served on more than one
committee as Chair or Co-Chair -- too many times to
mention.
Our quest to capture the interest of our youth and make
them a integral part of the association was not
accomplished in 2010 and 2011 Let us hope that this
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can be accomplished in years to come. The walk-a-thon
did not take place this year due to time constraints.
There is always a good crop of food for thought. What
we need is enough enthusiasm to harvest it. Let’s not
worry about the few things we missed. If we are not
happy with what we have, how can we be happier with
more?
Many will doubts let’s feed our faith and our doubts will
starve to death.
Let us laugh some more and together each day.
As we face 2012 we ask for you continued support and sharing
your Different talent, knowledge and laughter God never
impose a duty with out given time and strength to perform it
Thanks to you all may God bless us all God Bless Jamaica and
God Bless Canada
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Elisha Luke Campbell
Past and Current
Professional, Personal, Business
Married to Clerene Campbell
for 43 Years 4 Children
After 42 years in Canada still hold a Jamaican Pastport
Retired Certified Master Chef De-Cuisine, International Cuisine.
Restaurateur in Ottawa for over 30 years
with several news Paper write up
Radio and T. V Appearances
Chef and Food and beverage Manager Beacon Arms Hotel
88 Albert Street Ontario
Chef and Food and beverage Manager Vacation Inn Hotel
Arm-prior Ontario
Co Owner 19 Hole Golf Club Buckingham Quebec
President & CEO Ackee Hill Properties Inc
Community Involvement Volunteering and otherwise
While been President of J (O) CA (The Jamaican (Ottawa) Community
Association Inc)
I am also affiliated with these groups doing great for their cause.
Community Food Advisor City of Ottawa Public Health,
Social Director Canadian Culinary Institute Ottawa Branch
Visiting Chef Instructor Algonquin Ottawa
Liaison at the Ottawa Mission for the Canadian Federation of Chefs &
Cook Ottawa Hull