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Dear CCA Members,
Warm and sunny greetings from the CCA Secretariat in Barbados!
We are pleased to bring you CCA Connect, a newsletter and update on
the happenings of the CCA, and most importantly one of many efforts
to reconnect with you, our members. We look forward to even closer
connections in the future.
Our Staff:
-
Acting Executive Director - Ms. Susan Mahon
- Project Officer for the Darwin Initiative Project - Laura Picard
DARWIN INITIATIVE:
Some highlights from the Darwin Initiative Coral Reef Education
project include the formulation of a Caribbean Development Team.
 This is composed of individuals from CCA's institutional members.
In November 1998 the team attended a course at the Field Studies
Council in the U.K. aimed at enhancing the team's knowledge base
and at adopting active educational approaches. In May 1999 the
team participated in a writing workshop in the BVI. Laura and the team
members have been busy readying the resource pack and materials.
Next Easter the team members will become trained as trainers and will
share their skills and knowledge with primary school teachers in their
respective countries. Congratulations to Laura and the Caribbean
Development Team for their work to date!
CARIBBEAN REGIONAL TOUR:
Acting Executive Director, Susan Mahon and Consultant and CCA Member, Janice
Cumberbatch have been touring the region over the last two months
revitalizing the linkages with CCA Members, including governments,
institutions and individuals. They have also investigated opportunities
for increasing corporate sponsorship. Ms. Mahon believes the tour "was a
excellent opportunity to meet some of the members in their own countries,
and provided vital insight into what is happening in the region."
Countries visited included Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Venezuela, Aruba,
BVI, Guadeloupe, Antigua, USVI and most recently, Jamaica. Ideally, it
would have been great to visit all member countries; however, the
geographic scope of membership is extremely wide. In the future, we hope
to be able to visit members in the other countries.
IDB Institutional Strengthening Project Officer - Mr. Derrick Cummins.
Institutional Strengthening Project:
The two year IDB funded CCA Institutional Strengthening Project is coming
 to a close. Over 50 reports were produced by consultants and a single
document was created that compiles all recommendations. When asked about
the ISP, Derrick replied: "In my opinion, the main objective of the ISP was
to formulate the direction, and to begin the journey of a new and
revitalized CCA. Over the past 19 months, a number of consultants have
played their role -- the rest is up to the members." Derrick is now off
to the U.K. to pursue a M.Sc. in Finance and Management at the University
of Exeter. We wish you all the best in your studies. Bon Voyage Derrick!
OCOD Interns - Julie Howe and Nadine Smith.
OCOD Volunteers:
The Canadian-based Organization for Co-operation in Overseas Development
has been supporting the CCA by sending volunteers over the past year to
assist in the areas of information systems, communications and library
management. Computer Analyst/Programmer, Julie Howe will be with the
Secretariat until February as an Information Systems Officer. She has
 the following message for members: "I am looking forward to hearing from
you, the members, about what you would like to see on the CCA web-site.
I would welcome 'edited, ready to post' submissions from members that can
be placed directly on the web-site (i.e. upcoming meetings, events, job
announcements, articles of interest etc.). Please send the e-mail with
the subject as "web-site ideas". It's important to have an updated web-site
that meets our members needs, and I will do my best to help provide this
for the members.". Bon voyage to OCOD volunteer, Nadine Smith, who was
attached to the CCA for one month to assist with the CCA AGM,
communications, and with the establishment of a new membership database.
Members at the AGM in Barbados -August 1999.
The CCA, as an organization, is only as strong as its members. Although
we have had to temporarily scale down on some of the services offered by
the Secretariat, we feel it is crucial that our members continue to be
involved and updated. We have recently compiled a new membership database
and e-mail list and are seeking your assistance in ensuring that your
information is accurate. We would also welcome any suggestions and ideas,
on ways you, the members, can help make the CCA a vibrant organization
ready for the challenges that await us in the new millennium. Your
assistance and support is key.
 On a final note, we are happy to announce that the Government of Barbados
and the CCA signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May 1999 defining the
rights of the CCA. This significant event illustrates the Barbadian
Government's interest in our organization. CCA President Penelope
Hynam-Roach prepares to sign with Hon Billie Miller. To the right of
Ms. Hynam-Roach sits Glenda Medina, past Executive Director of the Caribbean Conservation Association.
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