December 2003

Overview

It was that time of the year again when staff gathered for its fourth Annual Staff Retreat and General Assembly.  The dates were December 12 and 13, 2003 and the venue was Bird's Eye View lodge in the beautiful village of Crooked Tree.

This year's theme was "Good Attitude, Good Work Habit.  We focus on the positive". Each member of staff prepared a one-minute presentation complete, with visual aids.

The objectives of the Retreat and General Assembly were to:

• Build capacity by bringing all staff together, for open exchange
• Encourage self evaluation
• Create consensus regarding future development activities of the Department

A short opening ceremony commenced at 9:15 a.m. with a prayer by a village elder.  Mrs. Sharole Saldivar, Acting Assistant Chief Elections Officer (Ag. ACEO) warmly welcomed all to the opening ceremony and the day's deliberations.  The Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Mrs. Myrtle Palacio set the tone for working by explaining the objectives and the theme.  Mr. Hart Tillett, a former member of the village, gave a brief history of the village, which was very educational.  To end the opening ceremony, each staff member presented a "good attitude" and the resultant "good work habit".  The visual aids were creative and colourful and as a result were displayed on the walls and Xmas tree for the duration of the Retreat.

Mr. Karl H. Menzies, Justice of the Peace and Commissioner of the Superme Court, Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission presented awards to deserving staff members, as well as, certificates of appreciation to seven individuals who have consistently assisted the Department.  The recipients of the staff awards were:

v     Brendalyn Staine                             Staff of the Year
v     Gustavo Pech                                 Most Productive
v     Soledad Alonzo                              Most Initiative
v     Eneida Vargas                                Best Community Outreach
v     Maria Vellos                                   On-the-Job Trainer
v     Francisco Zuniga                            On-the-Job Trainer
v     Corozal Office                                Most Enhanced

The following persons were recognized for their continued assistance to the Department through the years.

Mrs. Myrtle Palacio, Chief Elections Officer was presented with an award from her staff.  This was presented by Mr. Adrian Cowo, Registering Officer, Corozal District, who has been with the Department since 1978.  Mr. Cowo complimented Mrs. Palacio on her overwhelming and exemplary work since coming on board in 1999. He stated that she has done "more since 1999 than had been done over the previous years".  On behalf of the staff, Mr. Cowo tributed the Poem "I Rise" by Maya Angelou, to Mrs. Palacio.

The Workshop topics and Presenters for the two days were:

Ø      Media As An Education Tool In Our Democracy

·        Ms. Ann Marie Williams, Journalist, Reporter Press

·        Mr. Stewart Krohn, General Manager, Channel 5 Television

Ø      Setting Of Addresses in the New Areas of Belize City

·        Mr. Troy Smith, Head, Valuation and Trade Department, Belize City Council

Ø      Registration And Revision Processes

·        Mr. Eric Fairweather, Magistrate

Ø      The Belize Constitution

·        Senator Godwin Hulse

Ø      Aids In The Workplace

·        Mr. Rodel Betran Perrera, Director, Alliance Against Aids

Most Initiative Mrs. Soledad Alonzo Ag. Registering Officer	Staff of the Year Mrs. Brendalyn Staine Assistant Registering Officer	Best Community Outreach Mrs. Eneida Vargas Registering Officer
Most Productive Officer Mr. Gustavo Pech Registering Officer	Facilitation and Training Mrs. Maria Vellos & Mr. Francisco Zuniga Registering Officer

<<HOME