December 2017 Newsletter

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W YO R K, US

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GUYANA CONSULATE N E W S L E TJULYT2017E R

ISSUE 2

WHAT’S INSIDE 1. Role of the Guyana Consulate, New York 2. Consular Matters 3. Meet the Consulate Staff 4. Consular Fees 5. 2018 Schedules 6. Diaspora Relations 7. Other Activities 8. Recognizing Our Seniors 9. The Arts 10. Protocol Tips

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WELCOME TO THE SECOND EDITION OF OUR BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER!

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his edition will give you coverage on future events along with updates on Consular matters, and a new feature on Guyanese who celebrated their Centenary milestones in 2017.

In the New Year 2018 we will continue to transform the Consulate.

Our newsletter is specifically designed to provide members of our Diaspora with relevant information on the roles and functions of the Consulate as well as information on its activities in the community.

The Consulate endeavors to continue serving the Guyanese Diaspora in a professional manner through the implementation of new systems. The institution of specific days for walkin applicants, mail-in system for birth

certificate and passport applications as well as opening to the public on specified Saturdays. The Diaspora, adjusting to these developments will experience the benefits of the services that will be provided.

Beyond the office, the Consulate has been active in areas relating to the Guyanese community and the Caribbean at large through attendance at cultural events and meetings.

We appreciate your feedback and comments to aid improvement.

As we begin the New Year, we wish you a Prosperous 2018 and thank all those who contributed their time and talents to support the quality and integrity of the services of the Guyana Consulate. ď Ž

2 the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR) 1963 which outlines specific functions of Consulates General and Honorary Consulates. Having ratified these international conventions, Guyana is accorded rights but is also required to comply with the various obligations.

The Guyana Embassy in Washington by virtue of its accreditation as the diplomatic representative of GOG to the USA, has oversight responsibility to the Consulate and Honorary Consulates.

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NOTE: The Guyana Embassy in Washington by virtue of its accreditation as the diplomatic representative of GOG to the USA, has oversight responsibility to the Consulate and Honorary Consulates. .

As an Extension of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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he Guyana Consulate in New York, an extension of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, serves as one of the official overseas arms of the Government of Guyana (GOG). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the only Ministry in the Guyana Public Service that has an overseas arm, is clearly a unique agency. Special features are identified by the following:

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ROLE OF THE CONSULATE NEW YORK -

The Guyana Consulate in New York provides services on behalf of specific Government agencies in Guyana. As an official overseas arm of the GOG in New York area, only the Consulate can provide services on behalf of those agencies.

These agencies include: •

Passport Office – Passports, Emergency Certificates

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Commissioner of Police – Fingerprinting services

•

General Registrar Office – Birth/Marriage/Death Certificates and Registration of Overseas Births

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Ministry of Citizenship – Initial processing of applications for Renunciation /Registration of Citizenship and Visas

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Deeds Registry – Notarizing legal documents

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National Insurance Scheme – Notarizing Life Certificates, applications by first time applicants, other services

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High Commissions — headed by High Commissioners (in Commonwealth countries);

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Embassies — headed by Ambassadors (in nonCommonwealth countries);

Treasury Department and other entities – Notarizing Life Certificates, Standing Orders

•

•

Consulates General — headed by Consuls General

Commercial Banks etc – Verification of documents processed by clients at the Consulate.

•

Honorary Consulates — headed by Honorary Consuls

The operations of these entities are governed by International Conventions such as the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR) which outlines specific functions and responsibilities of Embassies and High Commissions, and

The Consulate will continue to share its observations and/or recommendations with each of these entities with a view to enhancing its service delivery 

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A. CONSULAR MATTERS  Update on Mail-in Applications (Passports and Birth Certificates) For persons who opt to use the mail-in system Arrangements have been made with FedEx to deliver new passports and Birth Certificates under the following conditions: 1. The package will be delivered to the address provided.

2. An adult must sign for the package.

3. FedEx will make three (3) attempts at delivery. If undelivered after the third attempt, the package will be returned to the Consulate. 

appear in person with relevant documents – Birth Certificate, Deed Poll or any other supporting documents.

Check website for details www.guyanaconsulatenewyork.org.

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NOTE: The Mail-in system does not apply to holders of “outdated” green passports. These persons must

 Unclaimed Passports The deadline for uplifting passports that have been lying at the consulate over the period from 2010-2016 has been extended to March 2018. These will no longer be available for collection at the Consulate after this date. 

 Updated Information For Passport Applicants The Passport Office in Georgetown has submitted the following information for passport applicants: 1. An applicant must be ten (10) years old and over to sign the application form.

2. Guyanese children who previously travelled on their parents’ passports must apply for their own.

3. An applicant who is an adopted child must produce the Certificate of Adoption and documents indicating any name change.

4. Section 7 on the passport application form must be completed by the following applicants a. Holders of outdated green passports b. First time applicants for Machine Readable Passports (MRP) 5. For applicants who have lost their passports and are unable to obtain an Affidavit in the absence of an ID, immediate relatives (mother, father, brother, sister or spouse) can vouch for the applicant. Evidence of such a relationship must be produced. 

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B. MEET THE CONSULATE STAFF

The mission of the Guyana Consulate General in New York is to contribute to the economic and social development of Guyana by promoting its trade and investment potential and servicing the needs of the Diaspora through the provision of courteous and efficient service.

C. CONSULAR FEES Fees

Our Services

PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR NEW PASSPORTS PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR LOST OR MUTILATED PASSPORTS FINGERPRINTS PROCESSING OF EMERGENCY TRAVEL DOCUMENTS* PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR BIRTH / MARRIAGE / DEATH CERTIFICATES REGISTRATION OF OVERSEAS BIRTHS NOTARIZATION OF POWERS OF ATTORNEY* NOTARIZATION OF OTHER DOCUMENTS (Bank Documents/Authorization/Passport Bio Data Page) NOTARIZATION OF LIFE CERTIFICATES PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR RENUNCIATION OF CITIZENSHIP PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF CITIZENSHIP AUTHENTICATION OF CERTIFICATES (APOSTILES)

$100 $175 $20 $20*

Passport Photo Fees PASSPORT PHOTO AVAILABLE: 2 PHOTOS = $10 4 PHOTOS: $15

$10 $20 $10* $10 FREE $60 $100 $20

* Denotes express services, additional $10

Payment of Fees FOR THOSE SERVICES THAT REQUIRE A FEE: DEBIT / CREDIT CARDS, MONEY ORDERS & CASH ARE ACCEPTED.

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D. 2018 SCHEDULES  Consulate Saturdays

 Outreach*

Saturday, March 17 Saturday, June 16, Saturday, September 15 Saturday, December 15

SCHENECTADY

Saturday, April 21

NEW JERSEY

Saturday, May 19

QUEENS

Saturday, July 14

BROOKLYN

Saturday, August 18

*Please visit our website, www.guyanaconsulatenewyork.org for exact location and times.

 Holidays Observed NEW YEAR’S DAY (GUYANA/USA)

Monday, January 1

BIRTHDAY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. (USA)

Monday, January 15

REPUBLIC DAY MASHRAMANI (GUYANA)

Thursday, February 23

PHAGWAH (GUYANA)

Friday, March 2

GOOD FRIDAY (GUYANA)

Friday, March 30

EASTER MONDAY (GUYANA)

Monday, April 2

INDEPENDENCE DAY (GUYANA)

Saturday, May 26

MEMORIAL DAY (USA)

Monday, May 28

INDEPENDENCE DAY (USA)

Wednesday, July 4

EMANCIPATION DAY (GUYANA)

Wednesday, August 1

LABOUR DAY (USA)

Monday, September 3

THANKSGIVING DAY (USA)

Thursday, November 22

DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING DAY (USA)

Friday, November 23

CHRISTMAS DAY (GUYANA/USA)

Tuesday, December 25

BOXING DAY (GUYANA)

Wednesday, December 26

Please note our new website is:

www.guyanaconsulatenewyork

.org PLEASE VISIT OUR

NEW

WEBSITE

www.guyanaconsulatenewyork. com

www.guyanaconsulatenewyork. org

Our modern user-friendly website is designed to showcase the services and activities of the Consulate and to keep you abreast of developments taking place in our community and in Guyana.

The Consulate therefore wishes to extend an invitation to all individuals and groups to take the time to browse our site and share with us any areas which you would like to see included.

The Consulate also wishes to invite you register on the website and, in so doing, indicate whether you would wish to receive our newsletters.

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E. DIASPORA RELATIONS  The Consulate and the Guyanese Community in New York

Even the most casual observer must concede that the independent nation of Guyana approached the question of external representation with purpose, energy and efficiency.

In short order, the colony that had no external representation, had Embassies and Consulates in all of the main capitals of the world. The Consulate in New York was always going to be one of the most important institutions of the Diplomatic Service of Guyana for the simple reason that it is located in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and one to which Guyanese had been immigrating since the twenties and thirties. By the end of the eighties, Guyana had seen the arrival and departure of some outstanding Consuls-General. Though invidious, I will name some of them: Sydney Saul, Yvonne Benn, Fitz Dorway, and Brentnold Evans. Ms Barbara Atherly is the current Consul General. Today Guyana is recorded as the fifth most populous immigrant community in New York.

The Vienna Convention of 1963 sets out the role and functions of a Consulate in Article 3. Among its functions, the Consulate must protect the interests of the sending State, promote friendly relations and issue and passports and other documents to its citizens in the receiving State.

This is all fine and good. But I know from own experience and from speaking to many previous holders of this post that their function is often conditioned by the politics of their country.

The Guyanese Community in New York is a peculiar animal. It contains at all times former politicians, teachers, sportsmen, religious type intellectuals and highly qualified Medical practitioners and businessmen. Now add to this the fact this mirrors the racial and ethnic diversity of the homeland and you will get a reasonably good idea of what confronts the Consul General and her staff on any working day. I must not forget that even though many of my compatriots in Queens, Brooklyn and New Jersey might have left the shores of Guyana for decades, they still display the traits of their counterparts at home. They are very critical of the smallest infraction or mistake and woe betide the Consulate if the promised passport or document is not ready on a given date.

Just read the blogs and you will see what I am talking about.

But it is not all negative as the Guyanese Community would

often have members of the Consulate at their homes or other places where the best of Guyanese cuisine and the finest rum, I might add, are often consumed.

Now for my last important point. The Guyanese Community in the US is a bell weather for the divisive politics of the homeland.

The quarrels, misunderstandings and vigorous exchanges of the local political scene find also immediate reflection in places like Queens, especially now that social media have dramatized the urgency and immediacy of everything. I

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The Consulate in New York was always going to be one of the most important institutions of the Diplomatic Service of Guyana for the simple reason that it is located in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and one to which Guyanese had been immigrating since the twenties and thirties.

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As a colony, British Guiana had no control over its external relations. This was the responsibility of its Imperial power, Great Britain. As a consequence, there were no institutions created to conduct foreign or external policy once Guyana no longer remained a Colony. However, as independence approached, in the early part of the sixties, the British Government created the Department of External Affairs to assist its South American Colony to cope with the vast external realm of international affairs as an independent nation.

mention these things because they do not make the work of the Consul General and her staff any easier. Indeed, the Consul General and her staff must navigate on a daily basis the politics of the Guyanese Community of New York and ensure that they serve the interests of all of the people of Guyana and not one group or any section of the society. If you think this is easy just consider that there are many well organized groups representing almost every political and social interest in the Guyanese Community which are prepared to pour withering scorn and criticism on the staff of the Consulate if they perceive in any matter, bias or discrimination.

The current Consul General is someone with considerable international public service experience and she is supported by a staff complement that endeavors to rise to the challenges they confront on a daily basis. They have done well in the past in representing all the people of Guyana and will do even better in the future as they master the dynamics which inform the attitude, habits, and mores of their counterparts in New York.  R.M. Austin Head, Foreign Service Institute and Former Ambassador Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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 Consultative Meeting on Guyana’s Draft Diaspora Engagement Strategy The Government of Guyana, like several other governments of developing nations, has increasingly placed greater value on the importance of Diaspora Engagement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has seriously targeted this issue since it has a profound interest in optimal Diaspora engagement in recognition of the available skills, knowledge, resources, philanthropic activities, investment and international advocacy that can The Ministry benefit from such a pursuit.

of in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is currently working to finalize Guyana’s Diaspora Engagement Strategy.

Consequently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is currently working to finalize Guyana’s Diaspora Engagement Strategy, which is aimed primarily at developing a sustainable and enhanced relationship between the Government of Guyana and the Diaspora. The Draft Strategy is therefore receiving the attention of a Cabinet Sub-Committee, chaired by the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs. The mandate of the sub-committee is to further study and make recommendations for the finalization of the strategy document.

The resource persons at the Consultative Meeting included Mr. Robert Natiello, Regional Coordination Officer for the Caribbean and Chief of Mission in Guyana; Mr. Michael Brotherson, Head of the Diaspora Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Arnon Mantver, IOM Consultant on the Draft Strategy. The inputs and recommendations emanating from these sessions are being incorporated into the framework of the Diaspora Engagement Strategy to boost Guyana’s economic and social development.

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As a follow up to the first Consultation meeting held in January 2016, the second Meeting which was held in New York at York College, Queens on Saturday 23 September 2017 was well attended by over one hundred participants. Honorable Carl Greenidge, Second Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs was on hand to present an overview of the efforts being undertaken to finalize the Strategy.

Foreign Affairs,

 Meet & Greet Reception In conjunction with the recently concluded 72nd Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Guyana Consulate, in collaboration with the Guyana Permanent Mission to the United Nations, successfully hosted a Meet and Greet Reception that took advantage of the presence of the President and his delegation in New York.

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His Excellency President David Granger urged the Diaspora to invest in Guyana’s development.

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This included a Meet and Greet reception held at the Princeton Club, Manhattan on September 22nd. In attendance were Guyanese from the Diplomatic community; UN Staff members; UN Under-Secretary General, Mrs. Catherine Pollard; Senator Roxanne Persaud and a broad spectrum of the Guyanese Diaspora – representative of Associations, Organizations and entrepreneurs.

In his address, His Excellency President David Granger urged the Diaspora to invest in Guyana’s development and updated the gathering on several hot topics including the emerging oil-industry and the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy. 

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F. OTHER ACTIVITIES  The Consulate collaborated with the Tri-State Alliance to celebrate the 4th Annual International Day of Friendship Parade and Global Village.

The Consulate distributed its Newsletter, magnets and

The newly-introduced “Global Village” was an exhibition

 WIADCA’s 50th Anniversary Parade —

designed to showcase various motifs of the participating countries.

Mrs. Jordon-Langford and team laid out an

attractive spread of Guyanese craft items and paintings, Mashramani head wear and pictures and displays of ethnic wear. Visitors enjoyed a sample of rice cakes, a by-product of rice, an export product of Guyana.

“Explore Guyana” magazines. We were also able to interact with persons from a variety of countries and inform them about our multi-ethnicity and tourist attractions, e.g. our lush Rainforest and Kaieteur Falls. 

History was made on September 4th, 2017, as for the first time a group headed by Guyanese-born elected officials participated in the West Indian American Day Carnival Association’s parade. WIADCA, in 2016, celebrated Guyana’s 50th Anniversary of Independence by inviting Guyana’s Consul General to New York, Barbara Atherly to join its festivities as a Grand Marshall to honor Guyana’s achievement.

A major highlight was Guyana’s participation in the parade of flags with costumed revelers, including a “Mad Cow”. Apart from the Global Village, the Consul General delivered brief remarks at the Brooklyn Borough Hall at the the “Unity Parade of Flags”. She thanked the organizers for recognizing the rich cultural diversity within the Brooklyn community and urged those present to demonstrate the true meaning of friendship.

She noted that there were immigrants from more than one hundred and fifty countries residing in Brooklyn so it was important to listen to each other, be tolerant and respectful of each other’s culture. She signaled that the International Day of Friendship provided an opportunity to showcase our various cultures but that this practice should not end with Friendship Day. It should be practiced in our daily lives.

Cultural performances were performed by a number of countries including our South American neighbor Brazil with a display of Capoeira techniques.

Scores of Guyanese, in tee shirts affixed with the Guyana Coat-of-Arms emblem and the words “Guyanese Celebrate WIADCA@50”, marched along the parade route singing patriotic songs.

Honorable Simona Broomes, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, was guest of honour of the Guyanese contingent which marched under the banner “Guyana Celebrates WIADCA@50”. The contingent was also led by Senator Roxanne Persaud, Justice Ingrid Joseph, Consul General Barbara Atherly, and President of the Guyana Unity Movement, Sherif Fraser. 

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Consul General Barbara Atherly represented the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to ring the bell of World Peace and Love on Wednesday, September 20. Consul General Atherly, on behalf of the

Government

of

Guyana, reinforced the values of

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on the solid foundation of love

Federation of World Peace and Love Bell Ringing Ceremony – Consul General Barbara Atherly represented the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to ring the bell of World Peace and Love on Wednesday, September 20.

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 Federation of World Peace and Love Bell Ringing Ceremony —

the Federation of World Peace and Love stating that the overarching purpose for sustainable development for the world is enshrined in “conscience”. In her address she quoted the great Mahatma Gandhi and stated that “Peace between countries must rest

between people”. She joined with President Dr. Hong, TaoTze in echoing this sentiment by identifying conscience as the core value of world citizenship.

The Federation of World Peace and

Love

(FOWPAL)

was

established in the United States in 2000 by Dr. Hong Tao-Tze and has spread the idea of love and peace. FOWPAL seeks to unite more people sharing the

same vision by promoting world peace through the ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love. 

 CARICOM Consular Corps Hurricane Relief Drive – September 17th, 2017

Guyana assumes Chairmanship for the CARICOM Consular Corps In keeping with the alphabetical rotational schedule practiced by the CARICOM Consular Corps, the Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana assumed Chairmanship for the CCC during the months of September, 2017 – March, 2018. In the circumstance, the Consulate is required to host the annual monthly meetings and circulate information or invitations to members of the Corps.

On October 4th, 2017, the Hon. Barbara Atherly commenced Chairmanship with the hosting of an emergency meeting to discuss the ongoing Hurricane Relief Efforts and the way forward. The following summarizes the result of the Corps’ collaborative efforts.

The combined efforts of the CARICOM Consular Corps (CCC) of New York to mobilize emergency supplies for Caribbean countries affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria have

produced commendable and encouraging results to date.

During September and October, volunteers from several Caribbean nations gathered at Friends of Crown Heights in Brooklyn to receive, sort and pack donations. So far our community has received the following donations which are all going to be used in relief efforts: • • •

23 commercial bins; (equivalent to 69 barrels) 22 jumbo barrels; and 205 cases of water.

It was an efficacious outpouring of love and support of New York and the tri-state area and the CARICOM Consular Corps continues to stand in unity with our brothers and sisters of the region and we express our deepest gratitude to all who made donations, as well as to those who volunteered. 

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G. RECOGNIZING OUR SENIORS  Celebrating Centenarians In 2017, the Consulate of Guyana recognized those Guyanese who attained the momentous milestone of 100 years old! This initiative began in the latter part of the year and we have since been honored to recognize two (2) centenarians.

MRS. VIVIENNE DALY

MRS. INEZ BRISTOL

4TH NOVEMBER, 2017

10TH OCTOBER, 2017

Mrs. Bristol was born on the East Coast Demerara, Guyana and married at a young age. She give birth to bore eleven children, four of who predeceased her.

She was a dedicated housewife who took care of her mom, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her selfless devotion continued even after migrating to the United States of America at the age of 64 years. She served as a volunteer with the Salvation Army sharing her knowledge of cooking and sewing. 

Mrs. Daly was born on October 31st, 1917 in the village of De Willem, West Bank Demerara. She was married to the renowned Guyanese historian, the Late Vere Daly. The marriage produced five children but she was also stepmother to 4 additional children.

Mrs. Daly was a dedicated mother; wife and sincere churchgoer who served in the Mother’s Union Organization of St. Jamesthe-Less. She maintained an efficient household and remained a solid community leader throughout her lifetime.

The Consulate presented Citations as a tribute to the Centenarians. The Consul General wishes to take the opportunity to urge the public to inform our office of any Guyanese Centenarians they may be aware of so that they can be appropriately acknowledged. Submissions should include a brief biography and photograph of the individual. For further information email: cgny@guyanaconsulatenewyork.org

 National Insurance Scheme (INS)

4. Increase in the Insurable Earnings Ceiling- Weekly

The National Insurance Scheme is pleased to announce the following increases with effect from January 01, 2018.

The weekly Insurable Earnings Ceiling will be increased from $50,769 per week to $55,385 per week.

1. Increase in minimum pension: The minimum rate for Old Age and Invalidity Pensions will be increased from $27,500 to $30,000 per month.

2. All pensions that are above the minimum pension will be increased by 2%.

3. Increase in the Insurable Earnings Ceiling-Monthly The monthly Insurable Earning Ceiling will be increased from $220,000 to $240,000 per month.

5.

Increase in funeral benefit:

The amount of Funeral Grant will be increased from $40,398 to $44,438.

Note: The Insurable Earnings Ceiling is the upper limit on earnings that attract NIS contributions.

Please feel free to contact the Public Relations Unit on Telephone number 227-6851 or email: (i) nispublicrelations@yahoo.com (ii) public_relations@nis.org.gy or visit the local office in your area for additional information or clarity.

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OLA RO — A long way from her hometown

Soesdyke, Guyana, Nola sat on a bench at Lincoln Terrace Park in Brooklyn, where she expressed her future goal of owning a nightclub. Her friends listened, all nodding in agreement because they believed she would grow up to position herself as a businesswoman, due to her leadership spirit.

Today, Nola is a chef, entrepreneur and restaurant manager in Brooklyn, NY and wants to live in a world where everyone morphs their passions into profits!

As the owner of Sumptuous Bites Catering, she’s had clients such as Miss New York Plus America Pageant Association, Jet Blue Airlines, Mrs. Georgia America 2016, and she also had the honor of catering for the visit of His Excellency President David Granger during his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly, September 2017.

T H E

When Nola isn’t being a boss, she’s busy being a mom to her six-year-old son who she affectionately refers to as her “Little King”. She designates quality time to be able to take him on adventures around New York City, across the county, and the world.

Currently, Nola is rebranding and expanding local Guyanese hot spot, The Hills Restaurant & Bar into an even bigger staple that feeds and employs the people of her community. 

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OHAMED A. AMIN also known as International

Dancer Zaman is a native of Montrose/ Canal #2 Guyana, who migrated to New York with his family twenty-one years ago. Zaman studied dance with the Ghungroos Dance Academy for five years . He furthered his passion for the arts by taking numerous forms of dance and theater workshops with the Raj Kumari Cultural Center, Jaya Devi Art, Hemant & Vaishali Panwar from Canada and Rachna Nivas from California.

Zaman has been performing for over sixteen years and is a trained Kathak, Orissi, Bollywood, Bhangra and Chutney dancer.

He is the only openly Gay Indo-Caribbean professionally trained dancer in Queens NY, and a proud member of the LGBTQ community who uses his performing arts to represent the Caribbean culture throughout New York and the tri-state areas.

Over the years Zaman has performed at multiple humanitarian causes within New York. These included: Guyana Independence Day celebration in Brooklyn (2016), Queens (2017) and several temple fundraisers. Recently he performed for The Shri Devi Mandir Global Humanitarian Foundation’s 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon for the seniors in Queens.

A R T S

H. PROTOCOL TIPS These tips are intended to serve as a guide to individuals and organizations.

A. INVITATIONS TO EVENTS HOSTED BY THE GUYANA CONSULATE An invitation comes with important obligations.

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An invitation is extended to the person(s) the host is desirous of entertaining.

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The organization must identify a liaison officer to the official prior to arrival

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If the invitee wishes to be accompanied by an uninvited guest to the event, this must be communicated to the host/hostess who shall determine if the request can be accommodated.

If the request is denied, it would be discourteous to attend the event accompanied by the uninvited guest.

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The liaison officer is the point of contact between the Official and the host organization. Duties include –

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It is important to adhere to the time stated on an invitation with regard to the arrival and departure times.

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The host positions him/herself at the door, close to the time of arrival to welcome guests and at the time of departure, to express thanks to those who attended the function.

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It is considered courteous to depart a function at least 10 minutes before the time indicated on the invitation especially if the host is standing at the door.

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An official invitation must be extended to the Government official.

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ZZ Accompanying the guest on scheduled visits that form part of the program; ZZ Ensuring that transportation is available and punctual;

Once the invitation requests RSVP, it is considered courteous to respond indicating the ability to attend.

B. INVITATIONS BY ORGANIZATIONS TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OF GUYANA

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Once the official accepts the invitation, detailed planning relating to accommodation, transportation, meals (including dietary requirements) etc must be considered.

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•

W YO R K, US

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ZZ Handling any problems of accommodation and ZZ Being able to provide general information on the organization, places of interest etc.

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The invited Official must be met on arrival by a representative of the organization/group. [The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will advise the Consulate of the need for a Consulate representative to meet the guest on arrival and/or at departure].

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A copy of the program of activities should be handed to the invited official promptly on arrival.

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If for any reason the Official must participate in outdoor activities, arrangements must be made with an appropriate venue to accommodate the Official for meals/snacks.

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If the official is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on US government officials, discourses should be held in private.

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It is recommended that standards must befit the office of the Official.

CONSULATE ADDRESS

PHONE NUMBERS

308 West 38th Street New York, NY 10018

Receptionist

(212) 947-5110 Option 1

General Info

(212) 947-5110 Option 3

Phone: (212) 947-5110 Fax: (646) 915-0237

Registry & Passports

(212) 947-5110 Option 1

Accounts Department

(212) 947-5110 Option 4

Tourism & Investments

(212) 947-5110 Option 5

Website: www.guyanaconsulatenewyork.org E-Mail: cgny@guyanaconsulatenewyork.org