Vice President for the Caribbean and Americas Girls Brigade Hazel-Ann Hannaway-Boreland. Photo: Javon Liburd/ VINO

Ava Thomas, member of the BVI Girls Guide invites females in the public to join the local Girls brigade. Photo: Javon Liburd/VINO

Being a country enlisted under the jurisdiction of the Girls Brigade (GB) Caribbean & Americas Fellowship, the conference will be held in the Virgin Islands, at the Treasure Isle Hotel, from July 14-16, 2012.

The conference under the theme “Equipping God’s Elect” taken from Ephesians chapter 4 verse 12, will host 50 delegates from around the region along with members of the international presidential team from the ‘five corners of the world”.

According to Hazel-Ann Hannaway-Boreland, Vice President and Chairman of the Caribbean Americas Girls Brigade, she stated “in all we would have a representation of persons from about 14 countries. We will have representations from the continental United States, the Northern Caribbean in Bahamas and Cayman Islands, Jamaica, St. Martin, Anguilla, Antigua, Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, BVI, New Zealand, England & Wales and two African nations: Zambia and Zimbabwe.”

Also attending the conference will be the Vice Presidents from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, the International treasurer of the Girls Brigade and the International President Ruth Chikasa.

This information was released by Hannaway-Boreland at a press conference held on June 26, 2012 at the Road Town Methodist Church.

She disclosed that during the conference, a number of workshops will be conducted in efforts to provide practical tools to brigade leaders from around the region, mixed with cultural workshops in ‘treasured BVI’ art forms like quadrille and basketry.

The workshops will be facilitated by local and regional facilitators, including the Virgin Islands GB President Adorothy Turnbull, the Caribbean & Americas Fellowship Chairman Hazel-Ann Hannaway-Boreland, GB Director of England and Wales Ruth Gilson, GB International Treasurer Joyce Evans of England and Wales, GB International President Ms. Ruth Chikasa of Zambia and scheduled as presenters for the Cultural Workshops are Varisse Hodge, Avelinda Freeman and Claudia Lettsome.

Youth delegate of the BVI Girls Brigade, Ava Thomas, being involved in previous conferences, stated that this year’s conference under their guidance will provide the necessary tools that a young leader will need to continue their work in Girls Brigade.

In relation to the theme of this year’s conference, Ms. Thomas said that it was specifically designed for young people between the ages of 17-30 who wish to be leaders, not only in the Girls Brigade but in the communities and other areas of their lives.

“As part of the training at this conference, there will be sessions on speech presentation to enhance public speaking skills and other courses that would help a young leader to become more equipped to help another young person or the girls they interact with.”

Ms. Thomas added that the Girls Brigade is available for females young and old.

She invited “any young lady, girl or woman who is looking for a life changing group with many opportunities to enhance your life spiritually, physically, educationally and in community service to join the Girls Brigade.”

Persons interested in joining the conference are asked to pay a registration fee of $250, which covers the full week of the workshop and activities.