Since our 2007 AGM, a new Board was installed, which includes a 2007 graduate, Brandon Allwood, who has not served as that link to the
school we thought he would
and Alimi Bonjoko, whose intellect, generosity and calming influence has proved to be a significant addition. The annual Summit was hosted at North Street, where we came face to face with the deficiencies of both campuses. Frequent interaction and joint ventures with our fellow fortis North American based associations became the norm.
Kitson Blissett, with an initial contribution of $5,000, launched a mid-term investment vehicle that with the good fortune and the support of other old boys, could meet some of the recurring expense that the school faces and depending on continued growth could be part of our contribution to the construction of the Douglas Forrest Building, second floor and the future Sports Complex. Incidentally, it has gained over 130% in less than one year.
The extent of board involvement and the board’s overall performance improved from the previous year. A couple new persons responded to requests as our circumstance demanded, including our summer football training program, and the requisite gears, replacing and repairing several cricket practice wickets at Clovelley and later at Melbourne. Note that the costs associated with these projects were shared by Florida, Toronto and cricket caring old boys. Also, when a request came for additional funding of the prize-giving, board members responded.
The board now absorbs the costs of all refreshments served at our meetings and reluctantly we still raise an offering at all board meetings. It appears that we have better embraced the responsibility of leadership. Routinely board members now write checks and volunteer to help where required. However, we still lack the benefit of full board participation. Tickets are routinely sold by a mere few. The annual souvenir journal still does not generate the type of revenue it could if we took the time to reach out to some of our contacts. Financial contributions are still not widespread within the board, and even fewer have recruited new members. Unfortunately, not only is the brunt of the responsibility being shared by a small number of individuals, but so is the weight of the criticism and frequent second-guessing.
The component that has historically propelled Kingston College to exceed all rational expectation is missing. That component is passion, passion for the College, that passion that those from the outside just cannot fathom. Until we are able to recapture that fervor, that Fortis passion, we will remain ordinary, gloating about yesterday’s accomplishments, but offering no prescription that will replicate and surpass past successes. I am often told that we are the envy of other associations. However, the KC that I attended did not determine success based on the critique of others, rather we engaged in intense self-evaluations and sought to elevate ourselves at all times far beyond the level of our counterparts.
When our friend Cornelius Bruce ran literally the race of his life to win the medley, Champs was not in jeopardy, our lead was insurmountable, but Bruce carried with him that fortis passion. Gentlemen, if we could bring that craving for greatness to this board even for a short period; we could transform the College and perhaps provide that catalyst that could elevate Jamaica. Our paid membership could stand at two thousand five hundred. We could have two hundred matching fund contributors. One in every four old boy who has a business would advertise in the journal. Basic needs of the College could be realized i.e. furnished classrooms, adequate cafeteria, library with books, playing field with grass and clean functional bathrooms throughout. This reads like an ordinary list for any normal high school, but for KC these accomplishments would represent major milestones.
The Jamaica Summit took place over a three-day period, August 2-4 2007.
The association funded my airfare and I absorbed the other costs associated with the trip. To the best of my knowledge most of the stakeholders attended, the Principal, Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Trust Fund, representatives from all chapters, and the PTA.
No shows at this conference included the Anglican Church and the Ministry of Education, perhaps the two most dominant entities. The Secretary for the Summit, Basil Waite, despite appearing to take copious notes, has not seen it fit to produce even a preliminary report.
My recollections are as follows:
The Jamaica Chapter Chairman, Victor Henry, and its President, Kenneth DaCosta were concerned that the overseas chapters frequently circumvent or ignore them and did not recognize their contribution. They believe that we should consult with and incorporate them in our efforts, utilize them as conduits, facilitators, and show them the respect one accords an older brother. They were outraged at the idea that the school could benefit from having a paid Alumni Affairs Officer. That person would manage the affairs of the chapters, provide us with regular written performance progress and be accountable to us. They spoke of the success and growth of the mentoring program run by the old boys on both campuses and advised us that Anthony Johnson’s book, “The History of Kingston College,” was compulsory reading for all incoming students. It was their desire to bring all contributions under the umbrella of the local chapter, because the way it is done now old boys are sought out by the administration for individual contributions, minimizing the role of the association, and then the association is labeled as not doing enough.
The Chairman of the Board of Management, Crafton Miller, said he was comfortable with the pace at which things were moving, said he recognized the KC passion and subsequent frustration, but there were procedures that the ministry maintained and as an officer of the court he had a duty follow that process. Unlike Jamaica College and R. Danny Williams its Chairman, or other frontline schools, where the champion of their development is the Board, at KC it is the old boys that champion school development, with the Board of Management often perceived as the retardant.
The Chairman of the Trust Fund, Woody Miller, said most old boys misunderstood the Fund, held high expectations for the fund, but did not recognize its real purpose and limitations. He ran off a litany of Fund based improvements. He outlined that there is a capital and a development component to the Trust, and under the latter, if associations had specific projects in mind, the Trust was prepared to distribute the funds and provide progress reports. He commended New York and the Pitman Foundation specifically, for their consistent sizable annual donation and hoped we could locate other entities or individuals who would perform similarly.
The Administration, represented by Principal Rupert Hemming, discussed funding a teachers’ incentive program, thought he had identified local old boys who had or were prepared to contribute, was rightfully proud of the overall rise in student performance, lamented the lack of a modern science lab and suggested that there may be another entity, other than the old boys who were prepared to fund the installation of a well at the school. Mr. Hemming expressed much gratitude to his hard-working staff for the success of the boys in their exams and wondered how much better these passes could be if the campuses were better suited for academic pursuit. He said the school needed another bus, identified other schools smaller than Kingston College who had three or four buses.
The Parent Teacher’s Association was represented by its President, old boy Anthony “Sticky” Allen who doubled as quasi Project Manager for the Social Services Building project at the Melbourne campus. He expressed concern about the physical plant, Melbourne and the poor first impression parents and students have, and of several of the school’s other deficiencies, including a library. He spelled out the reason for much of the delay completing the Social Service Building and brought us up to speed on quotes, pressure tests and permits required before an actual well could be drilled.
Audley Hewett, representing the Florida Chapter, spoke of the budget busting cost and frustration completing a simple construction project at the school. He felt the board was not dedicated to the project, pledges made by their executives were not sustained, and their involvement could be an impediment rather than an advantage. He though that there was enough culpability that could be shared by the management, administration, the ministry and the contractor for the extended delay. However, funding for the project had never been an issue. Audley spoke for the overseas chapters when he said that no new projects would be pursed until the Social Service Building is completed.
The Toronto Chapter, represented by Lance Seymour spoke about the lack of transparency at the school. He said associations should be privy to the school’s budget. We receive in an ad hoc manner various requests be it for computers, football or prize-giving. He felt that we needed to know how much if any thing is budgeted for these activities and are there established priorities for the year. Lance also outlined Toronto’s contribution to KC which included computers, the library, annual prize-giving and other commitments undertaken from the Toronto summit.
Representing the New York Chapter, I outlined the extent of our assistance to the various facets of the school. The Jamaican Chapter was unaware of our contributions and felt that the possibility for duplication strongly existed. Note that the Jamaica Chapter and the PTA also contribute to breakfast and lunch program. I expressed concern on our failure to move forward with the well for North Street, the funding of which all chapters were committed to from the Toronto Summit. I discussed our failure to compete at the Manning Cup level and suggested that the Jamaica Chapter expand its mentoring program to include members of our consistently successful Pepsi team. I spoke of my concern that much of our high passes occurred at the expense of the many boys weeded out during their five years at KC. Finally, I recommended that not only the New York Chapter, but Atlanta, Florida and Toronto should have a representative on the Trust Fund.
Glen Laman, the newly elected Atlanta Chapter President, spoke of the challenging fundraising environment in Atlanta—many organizations targeting the same customers—and the chapter’s spearheading of the KCOBA Newsletter that is achieving a global audience with not just KC old boys or Jamaicans as readers. He also spoke of the chapter’s goal of increasing paid up membership and desire to help with the teacher excellence program. When the need for a website the school was mentioned, Glen volunteered that Atlanta would undertake to complete the development of such a website.
ALUMNI INTERACTION
New York stepped up its contribution to the Melbourne Social Service, responding to appeals from Audley Hewett, and it is our hope that the building will be functional by the start of the new school year. Attached to this report is a breakdown of associations’ and individual contributions. Note that locally based old boys responded well to a November ’07 request soliciting additional contributions. We must take a more coordinated approach to any future construction that occurs on the campus. Deadlines must be firmly in place, realistic deadlines. Penalties must be attached to any breach. All funding must be in place before we break ground. Perhaps most important, we must garner consensus and enthusiastic support from leadership and faculty before pursuing any major undertaking.
In addition to sharing in the construction cost of this new building, Atlanta, Florida and Toronto contributed to the cost of gears and nutrition for our footballers, with colts and the senior teams making it through to the semi-finals of both of their tournaments
We continued our joint participation with Atlanta, Florida and Toronto on several fronts, including the scholarship program which now aids some sixty students from both campuses, the nutrition program at Melbourne that provides breakfast and lunch to over one hundred boys, the monthly stipend for Roy McLean, and the replacement of the fifty year old hoops that brought good luck to many of our championship basketball teams over these many years. This includes our 2008 teams, whose under 19 players won the national championship and whose under 16 players were runners-up in their competition.
The basketball hoops project was spearheaded by Atlanta, but the other chapters all participated. Note, that it took almost six months after the hoops arrived on campus before they could be installed and required intervention from Florida. Florida again assisted New York with funding a scholarship for young Mr. Harrison, son of Kingston College Head Boy of 1975, the late Oliver Harrison, attending Northeastern University. We continue to assist other students attending the University of the West Indies and in Havana, Cuba, with direct tuition payments or with laptops. We were major contributors to the school’s annual prize-giving, a distinction shared by the other associations. Kitson Blissett took on the responsibility of sponsoring one of the students we usually support.
There are several awards granted in the name of various old boys at our annual prize-giving, these old boys, to the best of my knowledge, have never funded these awards or have ceased doing so for several years.
In regards to the Penn Relays, Florida shares the hotel expense for the team with us. Team Bickle and Royal Caribbean Bakery make sure all Jamaican athletes are fed. This past year the team arrived in Delaware and departed a day later, but Audley Hewett funded the difference.
Finally, the associations provided assistance for the victorious basketball team to compete in the Caribbean high school basketball championship in the Cacaos. Oliver Smith, a former director, hosted the team while they were there. We were once again the recipient of generous donations from old boys contributing to the cadet corp. Between the uniforms our funding purchased and Florida’s contribution of berets, our largest cadet formation ever was fully outfitted and performed successfully.
Today the leadership of the North American chapters communicates with each other frequently. We exchange ideas, we discuss projects, we screen requests, and we establish a consensus. Frankly, we have not yet established a similar reciprocal relationship with the local chapter, but I feel confident in saying that the North American chapters now speak with one voice.
IMPACT OF NEW LEADERSHIP
The change in leadership at KC has not reduced the frustration shared by several old boys who interact regularly with the school, especially those old boys in Jamaica. Chapters are still not privy to an operating budget. Certain questions that would lead to informed decisions are not answered. We are still subject to impulsive solicitations. Beyond the crumbling infrastructure, the campuses are filthy. Most of us have lived or visited poor homes that were tidy. Well, KC reminds you of a poor and un-kept home. Sanitation receptacles are not emptied in a timely manner. The basic housekeeping required for the campuses is not occurring. Somehow leadership is unwilling or unable to address the basic problems that should be within their control.
Several months ago an initiative was presented to the school to establish a Math Club.
Seven computers and some of the funding necessary to launch the club were secured.
To date the school has not been responsive. The computers sit in New York and the donated money adds to the pool of restrictive funds making two and one half percent interest at HSBC. It must be noted however, that much of the issues leadership now face would be alien to previous principals. There is reputed to be gang activity on campus.
Teachers and staff face real threats of bodily harm and the more passive students face danger from their peers at KC and competing schools while on the road and going in and out of their neighborhoods. There are now even more single parent households or no parent at all, than in our eras. The challenge to come up with bus fares and lunch daily is a losing battle. Teachers often are required to have second jobs just to survive the harsh economic realities they face today. So while we must hold the administration to a high standard of performance, we must be cognizant of the difficulty and uniqueness of their work environment.
CONCLUSION
In addition to the severe challenges facing Kingston College and its valiant staff, the New York Chapter, indeed all of our chapters face serious crisis of their own and until we resolve our immediate situations we will not be able to adequately deal with College’s deficiencies. We must encourage participation, be open to new ways of doing business and new ideas. This is not a criticism of the past but an embrace of the future. We must be fully committed to expanding our roster. New membership not only will bring us more revenue, but it will assure us of fresh and new leadership. New leadership may relate better to and find solutions for the problems we have not be able to resolve at KC. New leadership will spearhead the construction of Hardie House or do away with it and the nostalgia. New leadership will build the Foggy Burrowes Sports Complex or identify heroes of theirs or corporate donors capable of sponsoring its construction. New leadership may bring with them the appropriate temperament that will better cajole, confound, or confront the Administration, the Anglican Church, Faculty, Management and Old and current Boys. It is hoped that new leadership will bring the passion that Kingston College needs and deserves if it is to perpetuate the vision Bishop Percival Gibson had when he founded Kingston College.
