BASSETERRE ST. KITTS March 2, 2021: At a Special General Meeting of the St. Christopher National Trust held on Thursday 18th February 2021, a new Board was elected to serve for one year. Members present and voting supported the nominations put forward for a new Executive Board, confirming the following members as the Trust’s Executive Directors: Alfonso O’Garro, President; Laverne Caines, Vice President; Albert Edwards, Treasurer; Acklyn Blaize, Secretary; and Mr. Larry Armony, Nominated Member.
Executive Director of the St Christopher National Trust – Ryllis Godeth congratulated the Directors and thanked them for accepting the responsibility for the governance of The Trust. “On behalf of the team and the general membership, I wish to thank each of you for volunteering your time, expertise and knowledge to ensure that the Trust continues to develop and grow while it remains focus on its core objectives. The journey ahead would not be easy but, I am very optimistic that together we will be able to achieve the desired goals. I look forward to working with each of you for the success of the St. Christopher National Trust,” she said in an official communique.
Members present also approved the Financial Statement for the Year Ended December 31st, 2018 as well as the Resolution put forward. Mr. Joel Morton, Chartered Accountant was reappointed as the Trust’s Auditor for the Financial Years 2019 and 2020.
The National Trust extends sincerest appreciation to outgoing President Schneidman Warner. He served on the board of directors since the transition of the St. Christopher Heritage Society to the St. Christopher National Trust – first as Vice President then as the President from 2013-2021. Appreciation was also extended to Deniece Alleyne who served as Secretary for two terms and Mr. Livingston Huggins, nominated member who also served for two terms.
About the Trust The St Christopher National Trust is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that was established in 2009 by an Act of Parliament. The Trust transitioned from the St. Christopher Heritage Society which was founded in 1989. The primary objective of the Trust is to administer and preserve sites, buildings and objects that are of historical, archeological, architectural, environmental and artistic importance to St. Kitts.
The Trust’s Vision is ‘To foster a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for our island, St. Kitts while remaining current, relevant and influential in all aspects of our history and heritage”. Our Mission is “To preserve and promote the natural, cultural and historic landscape of St Kitts and to build interest and stimulate minds through the development and preservation of our heritage while educating our people to transform communities”.
The Trust focuses on five core values which drives the operations of the organisation. They are, Education, Communication, Innovation, Governance and Partnership. The organisation manages several historic sites such as, the National Museum (Old Treasury) Building, Petroglyphs Site at Stone Fort, Spooner’s Cotton Ginnery yard and buildings, Mansion Estate yard and buildings, Belmont Estate yard and buildings and Charles Fort in Sandy Point.
In addition to the sites, the Trust manages the National Museum, a Documentation and Research Center and a heritage-focused gift shop.
Management Systems The Trust main decision-making body is a thirteen (13) member board of directors lead by a four (4) member executive committee. The executive meets at least once per month while the board meets quarterly. The Executive introduces, approves and monitors activities at the Trust. Programs are also introduced by the Executive Director and are implemented upon the approval of Executive Committee. The Board is elected annually during the Annual General Meeting. The responsibility for implementing policies and programs lies with the Executive Director. The Executive Director manages a full-time staff of 6 persons: 3 supervisors and 3 line staff along with 1 auxiliary staff.