The NCVO's main fundraising effort is the Annual Radio/Telethon. Last year's event was held on 7th November at the Prospect Playhouse, and raised a record amount of just over CI $130,000!

                Telephonists await your calls                                        John Foster & Barrie Quappe take a well  earned    

                                                                                                   break from hosting the event to watch the bands.

Proceeds from this fundraiser help us to donate funds to all NCVO projects and address other needs in the community.

Throughout the year other family orientated fundraising efforts take place such as garage and furniture sales. Donations of clothing, equipment, books, household goods, etc., are received at the NCVO "New to You" Bargain Shop and are sold to generate funds or are donated back to needy cases throughout the community. Other support comes from financial donations and voluntary assistance from service and youth organisations, churches, sports clubs, cultural and other organisations, and private citizens.

Chairman's Report - NCVO Annual Report - 2008/09

Good afternoon and welcome to the National Council of Voluntary Organisations' Annual General

Meeting. This year the Meeting has again been delayed in order to see the 2007/08 Accounts

even though these are unaudited. Despite the somewhat gloomy picture that I reported

last year, we have managed to match income and expenditure during the 12 months to date

thanks to a wonderful response from the general public to our Radio/Telethon appeal.

In November 2008 we raised CI$ 120,000 ( $ 100,000 - 2007 and $ 84,000 - 2006 ). To this we continue to receive support from the Financial Services Industry, despite the global financial meltdown.

What have we achieved during the year?  In the Pre-school there have been a number of projects

completed, including the rebuilding and refurbishing of the outdoors recreational areas where we

have installed a new cycling track, re-built and refreshed the sand box and added new playground equipment. On the inside the air-conditioning has been partially renovated, additional computer hardware added and a considerable volume of books, toys and other learning materials received.

The staff, under the guidance of the Principal, Heather Lopez, continues to set very high standards for the school.

In the Foster Home, which is currently at full capacity with 10 children, we have installed a new

staircase into the roof area and converted this section to a games room. Donations of a wide

range of games, furniture and other equipment continue to pour in.

We have also installed a new back-up computer system. On the outside the recreation area has been fully landscaped.

The Foster Home has seen a considerable turnover in both children and staff this year. It is very

pleasing to note that many of the children have been reunited with family members and that most of the present group have been with us for a relatively short time. On the staffing side we have lost the services of Mr. & Mrs. Blake who have been replaced by Mr. Hanson and Ms. Liburd. The new house-parents have settled in very well. The Home is now run by 5 staff. In addition to the house parents we have John Alban as Care Manager, Jasset Francis as Residential Care Worker and Delores Basco as Domestic Care Giver. They have all been doing an excellent job.

We continue to assist the less fortunate citizens with donations from our Caring Cousins

Scheme; small amounts individually but totalling some $ 15,000 during the year. The John Gray

Fund provided US$ 20,000 to 10 students to cover supplementary expenses related to tertiary

educational scholarships.

Earlier this year we received an invitation from the Law Reform Commission to comment on the

proposed new Charities Bill for Cayman. We have made comments on the document where we

felt that current sections might adversely affect our ability to raise funds or provide services and

these have been acknowledged by the Commission. Further progress advice is awaited.

We are now signed up with Cayman Airways to benefit from their Miles Ahead Programme,

whereby NCVO can receive mileage donations from CAL's clients towards travel expenses for

the Foster Children to go on summer vacations to CAL destinations.

Altogether it has been an interesting and challenging, but very rewarding year. In concluding

my report I feel somewhat overwhelmed at the sheer numbers of people that I have to thank

for the support that has been extended to the NCVO during these uncertain times. To the

Financial Services sector, Banks, Lawyers, Accountants, Fund Managers, Insurance

Companies and their staff, to the Electro-mechanical, Computer Service, Food Distribution

and providers of furniture and equipment, repairs and maintenance personnel...a huge thank

you! To the general public who so selflessly supported our Radio/Telethon and other fund-

raising activities throughout the year, the Pink Ladies, the Churches and the Schools that have

supported us from our inception....another huge thank you.

Lastly to the staff of the Nursery, Pre-school and Foster Home and to my colleagues on the

Executive Committee I would like record my personal gratitude and thanks for your dedication

and hard work and in the tremendous accomplishments achieved during the 2008/09 year.

Thank you to everyone.

Current Projects

The Pre-School, Nursery and Foster Home have several annual projects which require funding, including the purchase of Chritsmas presents for the children. In 2010-11 we are hoping to replace the old and damaged furniture that is currently in the children's bedrooms at the Foster Home. We also hope to replace and update the kitchen in the home. For more information about the requirements, please contact Janice Wilson on 949-2124 or ncvo@candw.ky

Donations

The NCVO welcomes donations through individuals who are preparing their wills, estate planning, and charitable trusts.

To make a donation to the NCVO:

please send to NCVO, P.O. Box 1140, Grand Cayman KY1-1102,

or email Janice Wilson, NCVO Chief Executive Officer at ncvo@candw.ky to discuss donations, cheques to be made payable to NCVO.