Inside this issue:

Beautiful St. Kitts 2

CASMET Secretariat 3

CASMET Website 3

Branch Information 4

Awards & Nominations 5

In Other News 5

AMT news 6

Guyana Branch 6

BGM 2009 7

Quiz 8

Photos from RCM 9

Volume 6

Basseterre Basseterre Basseterre St. Kitts St. Kitts St. Kitts

It ’ s official the website is It ’ s official the website is It ’ s official the website is up and running.up and running.up and running.. . .

Check it out at: Check it out at: Check it out at:

www.casmet.org

See page 3 for more de-See page 3 for more de-See page 3 for more de-tails. tails. tails.

LOVELY ST. KITTS: VIEW OF FRIGATE BAY

January 20, 2009

The second Regional Council meeting was held in the beautiful Is-land of St. Kitts, at the Marriott Beach Resort and Casino, Frigate Bay. Delegates were warmly welcomed and hosted by Jasmin Han-ley and her team throughout the visit and a wonderful time was had by all those present.

Beautiful St. Kitts

Thank you team St. Kitts! You did an exceptional job.

We really enjoyed every moment of it!

Page 2

YEAH !!!

The meeting was well attended with representation from around the Region. Three first time CASMET members were present and included Ms. Delphia Theophane (St. Lucia) ,Mr. Clester Roberts (Nevis) and Ms. Kameka Pow-ell ( Montserrat): see below)

Dr. Gerard Boe, our AMT Representa-tive was also in attendance.

Views of the Marriott

“Perseverance never fails,

But a fool never perseveres,

So: they fail”

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The guns at Brimstone Hill : A

The Secretariat is temporarily closed, as the secretary Ms. Shonetta Schwartz, officially tendered her resignation. Ms. Schwartz is seeking to pur-sue personal interests. A committee consisting of se-lected members of the Regional Council was formed. Their combined role will be the determination of the future of the Secretariat.

These persons are: Mrs. Shirematee Baboolal (Vice President) Mrs. Bonaventia Culmer (Council Member) Mrs. Juann Ward (Immediate Past president) Mrs. Janice Wissart ( President Elect) Miss Coleen Sinclair (President) Miss Kameaka Duncan (Secretary) Mrs. Baboolal will chair the committee.

Are being given to Ms. Kameaka Duncan & Mr. Marcel Pamphile on the work done to transform the website with a new and decidedly refreshing look.

All Branches and territories are asked to submit information on the activities of their Branch. Select a representative to do this and let us all know what is going on with you.

The following Branches have articles for insertion in this issue:

i. Guyana Branch

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CASMET WEBSITE : www.casmet.org

CASMET SECRETARIAT: GUYANA

Graphic:

Branches should submit the following in-formation on their members, to complete the CASMET membership database . The information needed is as follows:

i. First and last name ii Mailing address iii. Phone numbers & fax numbers iv. Membership status v. Professional status vi. Institution / Employer vii. CASMET ID number viii. Date of birth

Please check out the opportunities to earn CE credits online, with the continuing edu-cation articles on the website. However you must submit the above information in order to fully access this feature.

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AILING BRANCHES A buddy system has been established to help those Branches that are becoming sluggish and or need strength-ening. Persons who have been assigned to these Branches are:

Bonaventia Culmer: Suriname Shirematee Baboolal: Guyana

Earther Went & Juann Ward: Barbados

DISSOLUTION OF A BRANCH Suggestions were put forward by and subsequently accepted by the Regional Council Members (see below)

A Branch may be dissolved if all of the following occur in two (2) consecutive biennium:

i. No Branch representation at Regional Council Meeting

ii. No written Branch Report

iii. No Branch Council Meetings

iv. Violation of Article eighteen (18) of the Constitution on Branches

BRANCH FORMATION Hey, guess who is forming a branch !!!!

THE LEEWARD ISLANDS, YEAH !!!!

This Branch is in the making and is applying to the Regional Council for its Char-ter. The Islands included are:

St. Kitts & Nevis Antigua & Barbuda Anguilla Montserrat

AMNESTY December 31, 2008 has passed. Members, who did not renew their, membership for the year 2008, will have to pay a re-instatement fee of $50.00 plus the annual fees.

CASMET DUES Dues are to be submitted to Regional Council at each Regional Council Meeting. All funds are to be submitted with a format provided by the Regional Treasurer, indicating the list of members and what the funds are for.

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BRANCH INFORMATION

“It is said that a stitch in time saves nine, but in stitch in

two would save

……... What ?? You !!!

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Award nominations are to be submitted for the next Regional Council Meeting scheduled for May 2009.

The award categories are:

Technologist of the Region

Technician of the Region

Continuing Education

Outstanding Academic

Recognition of service

Distinguished Service

Appreciation (Non-executive)

CYTOLOGY

The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTECH) is considering a post graduate Cytology Diploma. The Minimum qualifications are: CASMET Diploma in Medical Technology or a B.Sc. degree in Medical Technology. The duration of the program is eighteen (18) months.

CASMET PINS All CASMET Members are encouraged to wear their pins on their clothing or laboratory coats in support of the Association. This will increase the visibility of CASMET to all your colleagues.

FINANCE A Single Regional account has been established in Trinidad & Tobago. Harry Narine, Regional Treas-urer will be the administrator of the account.

NEW TYPES OF MEMBESHIP Lifetime Membership

A CASMET Member through any of the previous categories, who is age 55 yrs or over. A onetime lump sum of $250.00 is to be paid as a lifetime fee. Corporate Member A company, individual or institution that provides corporate assistance to the

Single Regional Account

Decision taken by the Regional Council for the au-diting of the Regional Accounts by external auditor, deferred to the next BGM. This was due to the re-solving of the queries surrounding the various Branch accounts and the establishment of a Single Regional Account'

IN OTHER NEWS

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AWARDS & NOMINATIONS

Page 5

Phlebotomist of the Region

Most Outstanding Branch

Most Improved Branch

Appreciation (Executive)

For nominations to CASMET Regional Offices are to be submitted in writing at least sixty (60) days before the Biennial General Meeting (BGM). Careful considera-tion must be exercised in choosing nominees to become members of Regional Council.

Nominations will be accepted from the floor for those positions without previously submitted names.

AMT has proposed a joint meeting with CASMET in 2011 (venue to be decided at a later date).

Dr. Boe has requested CE articles to be posted in the AMT Journal of Continuing Education.

CEU’S are now logged in clock hours.

A certificate of appreciation or award is to be given to Geri Mulcahy and Dianne Powell for their exceptional service to CASMET.

Newsletter from Guyana

The year thus far has had minimal activities and participation by Members; however the Guyana Branch now has 71 registered Members. Again in April, we collaborated with the Ministry of Health in the celebration of National Laboratory week, where we all enjoyed a day filled with excitement and fun. The Association is presently in transition, and elections will be conducted soon. In August of this year we had a magnificent time celebrating the Carifesta event which had returned to Guyana after 36 years. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ms S. Baboolal, and Mr. Harry Narine for conducting a very informative presentation on Tuberculosis and its relation to HIV.

Page 6

AMT NEWS

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GUYANA BRANCH

Answer to quiz on page. 8 1.The American Mainland 2. Anguilla 3. 1833 4.Captain Bligh 5. Montserrat 6. Antigua 7. Haiti 8. Jose Marti

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BGM 2009

Page 7

The Biennial General meeting will be held in Trinidad & Tobago October 27-30th, 2009.

The tentative schedule is as follows:

Saturday Oct. 24th, 2009: Arrival of Council Members

Sunday Oct. 25th , 2009: Arrival of Delegates & Regional Council Meeting

Monday Oct. 26th, 2009: Arrival of Delegates & Regional Council Meeting

Tuesday Oct. 27th, 2009: Opening Ceremony/ General Session/Scientific Sessions

Wednesday Oct. 28th, 2009: General Session/Scientific Sessions

Exhibit hall opened

Trinidad & Tobago Night

Thursday Oct. 29th 2009: Exhibit Hall opened/Scientific Sessions

General Session

Election of officers (1:00pm to 4:00pm)

Free Time 3.00pm to 7.00 pm

Awards Banquet

Friday Oct. 30th, 2009: Biennial General Meeting Saturday Oct. 31st, 2009: Departure of Delegates

A CARIBBEAN QUIZ : SEE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW 1. When the Spanish arrived in the Caribbean at the end of the fifteenth century, a number of islands were already inhabited by people from the following:

(a) the United Kingdom

(b) the American mainland

(c) the Netherlands

2. Amerindian people called this Island Malliouhana, ‘the sea serpent’, because of it’s long, thin shape. What is the name of this island?

3. Many African people were brought to the Caribbean to work as slaves on plantations. Britain passed the Emancipation Act which abolished slavery throughout the British empire. In which year was the Act passed?

4. Breadfruit was introduced to the Caribbean in 1793.Which captain was forced off HMS Bounty by mutineers on his first voyage to collect breadfruit in the South Pacific?

5. Which island is known as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean (referring to Irish settlers)?

6. Where did Admiral Horatio Nelson established an important British Naval base in 1784?

7. Which country became a Republic in 1804 following a slave uprising in 1790’s? 8. Who formed the Cuban Revolutionary Party in1892 and rode to his death in the first battle with the Spanish in 1895?

Page 8

Testing your Brain cells !!!

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Answers on page 6

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Photos from the RCM: St. Kitts

Page 9

A A

TimeTime

To To

Work Work !

A A

Time Time

To To

Relax ! Relax !