Regular people for change meeting #1

Hi there, so that people who were not at the meeting can kinda have a look at meeting minutes (which were very hard to put here from a new word doc using tables) , I put them here. You can send this link of this thread to people. If you want to comment you can easily register and make comments.

Meeting of “Regular People for Change in Antigua”
Meeting Minutes

Tuesday 10th February, 2009
St. Anthony’s School, 7.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.


I. Introductions

Eli Fuller welcomed the participants explaining that the meeting was convened as a result of online discussions voicing concern for the rise in crime and deteriorating social climate in Antigua. The purpose of the meeting was to bring together concerned people to effect change through support of new and existing youth programs. Graeme Davis and Eli Fuller moderated the meeting, compiling a list of existing programs and new ideas. A follow up meeting is planned that will allow representatives from existing groups to share more about their programs and persons with new ideas to move these forward.

II. Discussion

New / Potential Solutions & Existing Solutions (mixed together on this page but properly formatted in word. Email me for the proper version: elifuller @ yahoo . com)

EDUCATION

1. Set up Education Lobby group - Women’s International Club Scholarships (Diane Camacho)
- alternative / innovative approaches
- official school counseling
- vocational and sport opportunities


YOUTH OUTREACH / RESOURCE NETWORKS

- Web page and internet forums re existing and future resources e.g. Victory over Violence website (US)
- Utilize church networks
- Important to identify and target high risk youth / gangs
- Transportation needs to be considered - Anglican Diocese
- Methodist Church

POLICE INTERVENTIONS
- Gun buy-back program
- Denial of under aged kids in nightclubs needs to be enforced
- New Police Youth Intervention Unit

- Rehabilitation - Restorative justice (working out a crime with mediator instead of pressing charges)
- Truancy control Corporal Morgan 562 5730

- Gang intervention
YOUTH COUNSELING
- Question and answer House
- Hotlines
- Peer counseling
- Street Pastors (Christian Council)
- Anglican Church Hotline

MENTORING AND TRAINING

- Big Brothers / Big Sisters - Girl Guides / Brownies / Scouts (Sue Sharp, Ms. Gouveia)
- COPE ?
- Career Fair
- School guest speakers e.g. cricket stars
- unwanted Pregnancy prevention

ADULT EDUCATION AND SUPPORT

- Young mothers continuing education
- School completion for drop outs - Youth Skills Training Program
- Gilbert’s Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD)
- Training Mentors
- Fatherhood training
- Young mothers training
- Parenting training
- Providing childcare / crèche facilities

YOUTH COMMUNITY SERVICE
- Animal Care
- Farming / Community Garden
- Mandatory community service - Environmental Cadets (Environment Division)


ART AND MUSIC PROGRAMS
- Pan
- Drumming
- Celebrity Artist involvement - Cushion Club Reading Program (Joanne Hillhouse)
- COPPY art program for underprivileged kids
- Anglican Diocese youth drama group
SPORTS AND RECREATION
- Volunteer Lifeguards
- Reward scheme placing high achievers in youth programs - Halcyon Tennis Club
- 5 Ps Sports Club
- Swalings
- Youth Sailing – Jolly Harbour Yacht Club, Antigua Yacht Club
- Others ?
- Christian Council ?
- Optimist, Kiwanis, Rotaract Clubs ?


III. Next Steps

It was suggested that more young people should be present at the next meeting as well as teachers from the public school system. A larger space would also be necessary. In the interim, further research would be done on existing community initiatives, and these groups would be invited to promote their activities at the next meeting. Participants were encouraged to continue discussions on the internet until the meeting date is posted.

I am a sports coach for the Ministry of Sport, myself and my colleagues would like to come to your next meeting and become involved in some way. When will your next meeting be held and where?

we will organize anothe meeting shortly after the election, so sometime next week.