Social Development Commission Honours Retirees for 167 Years of Service
By: , April 10, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Rudranath Fraser
Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left), presents retiree of the Social Development Commission (SDC), Viviene Nelson, with a gift and a framed copy of her citation, which was read during the SDC’s retirement and staff recognition dinner at the Golf View Hotel in Manchester on Thursday, April 7. Ms. Nelson, who was a Senior Administrative Assistant at the time of her retirement, served the agency for 46 years.The Facts
- Several current employees were also presented with awards in recognition of their sterling service given.
- The SDC, which falls under the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, is the Government’s principal community mobilisation and organisation agency.
The Full Story
Six retirees of the Social Development Commission (SDC), who gave a total of 167 years of service, were honoured during a retirement and staff recognition dinner at the Golf View Hotel in Manchester, on Thursday, April 7.
The honourees are: Viviene Nelson, who served for 46 years; Yvonne Holliett -17 years; Nenetia Garcia -39 years; John Williamson – 15 years; Hebron Barrett – 43 years; and Lindel Lindsay – seven years.
Among those lauding them was Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, who said their contributions transformed the lives of persons with whom they interacted.
“The young (men) or young (women, who) you have enabled to become better (persons, and) the many projects you have (developed) that have enabled communities to achieve success,…(those beneficiaries) are singing your praises and expressing appreciation for a job well done,” he stated.
Executive Director of the SDC, Dr. Dwayne Vernon, also commended the retirees’ exemplary contributions, noting that the agency will “forever be indebted to you for the years of service.”
“You can be assured that the contributions you have made will be appreciated and treasured. Thank you for sharing yourselves, sharing what you know, your commitment (and) your passion with us, and for inspiring those who you would have touched,” he said.
Several current employees were also presented with awards in recognition of their sterling service given.
Among the other officials and guests attending the function were: Finance and Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw; Central Manchester Member of Parliament, Peter Bunting; and Mayor of Mandeville, Councillor Brenda Ramsay.
The SDC’s rewards and recognition programme, which was implemented in 2012, honours staff for outstanding performance based on specific criteria. The retirement dinner was incorporated in 2014.
The SDC, which falls under the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, is the Government’s principal community mobilisation and organisation agency.
It operates in 783 urban and rural communities islandwide, engaging residents in sport, social, cultural and economic activities, aimed at facilitating their empowerment and development.
