Corporate Area Chapter of Jamaica Government Pensioners’ Association Launched

The Kingston and St. Andrew Chapter of the Jamaica Government Pensioners’ Association, was launched on June 30, bringing the total number of branches islandwide to five.
There are four other chapters of the association in St. Catherine, Manchester, St. James and Clarendon.
President of the Kingston and St. Andrew Chapter, Leabert Grant, who spoke to JIS News following the launch held at the Medallion Hall Hotel in Kingston, said that branch has the potential of having the largest membership, as most of the Government pensioners reside in those parishes.
He said that the chief objectives of the chapter are to “consolidate and approve our constitution, then we are hoping to plan a programme for the activities we hope to have for the year. We will complete the slate of officers and then determine what funding we will need in order to keep the chapter vibrant.”
The President was elected along with three other officers, during the Chapter’s first general meeting, which followed the launch. Vice President is Lucy O’Sullivan; Secretary, Albertha Estick; and Treasurer, Leila Ackbersingh.
Mr. Grant told JIS News that the chapter’s constitution, which is modelled from the Jamaica Pensioners’ Association’s statute, is to be ratified at the second general meeting of the chapter, which is slated for July 21 at the National Council for Senior Citizens’ (NCSC) headquarters in Kingston.
According to the proposed constitution, the objectives of the chapter are to abide by and support the aims and objectives of the constitution of the Jamaica Government Pensioners’ Association (or Parent Association); to help in promoting the general welfare of Government pensioners; and to make recommendations and representations to the Parent Association on any matter affecting the conditions of pensioners.
The statute also stipulates that membership should be open to any retired Government officer or employee on pension from the Government Service of Jamaica, who is a member of the Parent Association and resides in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew. The immediate families of pensioners, and persons who are in receipt of a pension in the Pensions (Civil Service Family Benefits) Act, and who are members of the Parent Association and reside in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew are also eligible.
Managing Director of Medallion Hall Hotel, Glen Bloomfield, pledged a yearly contribution of $50,000 to the Association.
The Jamaica Government Pensioners’ Association, which was founded in 1966, aims to promote the general welfare of pensioners, and make appropriate representations to Government, in respect of matters affecting the conditions of pensioners.