JPS Foundation Connection May 2014

THE JPS FOUNDATION

A PUBLICATION OF THE JPS FOUNDATION

NO. 5

MAY 2014

WWW.MYJPSFOUNDATION.ORG

Omar Thomas, JPS Region East Community Relations Officer, speaks to students about energy conservation during the Wolmer’s Prep School Science Fair.

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Contact us: 935-3514/935-3513. foundation@jpsco.com. facebook.com/myjpsfoundationja. twitter.com/myjpsfoundation

2. ENERGY ACADEMY

THE HAMPTON School’s renewable energy project received an added boost through a contribution of US$1,000 from the JPS Foundation.

JPS President and CEO, Kelly Tomblin, made the presentation during her visit to the Malvern, St. Elizabeth school on Monday April 7.

Ms. Tomblin, accompanied by Consultant Kathleen Sullivan and JPS Region Central Director and Board Director of the JPS Foundation, Keith Garvey, toured the school’s hybrid renewable project which includes a solar and small wind systems that have a total combined capacity of 3.65 KW. This allows the school to remove the sixth form complex from the JPS grid and to realise a reduction in electricity consumption of the old block of the science laboratories. The savings from this system has been J$50,000.00 per month.

Acting Head of the Science Department, Mrs. Sandra Bryan-Lord, expressed great pleasure at the Foundation’s donation.

“We are very appreciative of the JPS Foundation’s assistance which will go towards funding another phase of our project – replacing existing Florescent tubes to LEDs. We want to make ourselves more energy efficient so that we can cut down our usage. The lighting fixtures we presently have use 80 watts. Our target is to reduce that to eight watts with the installation of LEDS, which will help us to realise a projected 90% in savings.”

Beyond that, she adds that the school plans to expand on the programme by separating the 6th form and other blocks of classrooms from the JPS grid in a further attempt to realise savings.

TOP LEFT: JPS President & CEO, Kelly Tomblin (second left) poses with Principal of the school, Mrs. Heather Murray, and sixth form students Shayonnie Campbell (left) and Abigail Findley.

TOP RIGHT: JPS Region Central Director, Keith Garvey (right), listens to Acting Head of the Science Department, Mrs. Sandra Bryan-Lord and Physics teacher, Jerrod Thomas.

BELOW: JPS President & CEO, Kelly Tomblin, puts the spotlight on the students as she playfully snaps their photo during a visit to their lab.

3. ENERGY ACADEMY

A JPS’ ST. THOMAS Parish Manager, Oswald Smiley, is a great leader who is loved by a loyal team. He goes above and beyond at all times to ensure customer satisfaction and makes sure his team is also well taken care of.

Most recently however, the JPS Foundation was happy to discover something else about the man whom many in the company simply and affectionately call ‘Smiley’ - he is also a willing volunteer who is excellent at C teaching!

These merits were in excellent form when he presented on the topic of ‘Carrying Out Measurements: Disconnections/Reconnections and Repairs’ to the Electrical Installation class at the St. Margaret’s Human Resource Centre on April 8.

D The centre, which falls under the St. Patrick’s Foundation, prepares students in a multitude of disciplines, including HEART Level 1 examinations in Electrical Installation.

Done through the Foundation’s Energy E Academy, Smiley led an interactive

F

two-hour session that began with an inspiring talk about his own academic and professional journeys. Once he had sufficiently energised the group with a ‘Can Do Attitude’, he delved into the technicalities of the topic by sharing real life examples and demonstrations that had the students thoroughly engaged.

Smiley was the perfect JPS representative to address the students.

Having a similar background to many of the students in attendance, he shared his wealth of experience in a relatable way that allowed them to better grasp what is a challenging subject matter.

At the end, the more than 20 students were visibly ’wired’ to become top notch experts in their chosen field.

Oswald Smiley interacts with and engages St. Margaret’s Human Resource Centre students on the topic of ‘Carrying out Measurements’ .

4. ENERGY ACADEMY 7. YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

AT JPS, we positively change lives with our energy and the JPS Foundation is helping to bring that to life through our Energy Academy.

The Energy Academy enables students access the worlds of science and of all things energy through a range of exciting channels.

One such opportunity was the Wolmer’s Preparatory School’s Annual Science Fair held on Friday April 30 at the school, and as expected the JPS booth was a hit with the youngsters.

It is never too young to learn about energy and the students were eager to understand about energy consumption, conservation and careers in the sector. Our distribution of yellow and white e-Store balloons was an added incentive for the students to learn about these areas. However, the students came armed with relevant queries, such as “Why is electricity so expensive?”; “Why does the light go?” and “How does someone read a meter?”

As proof that students took away important lessons, JPS’ Human A. Omar Thomas, Region East Community Relations Officer, speaks to students about energy conservation B. Amanda Rochester, HR Trainee, Head Office, listens to this young student’s questions about electricity C. These grade 1 students are eager to answer questions about different types of bulbs as DeOmar Manning, KSAS Customer Service Agent, listens for the correct answers.

Resource Officer, Silina Patterson, says her son came home invigorated about energy conservation and enthusiastically advised her on the many tools and techniques she can employ to conserve on energy.

POWER TEAM EFFORT Omar Thomas (Region East Community Relations Officer); DeOmar Manning (KSAS Customer Service Agent); Amanda Rochester (HR Trainee, Head Office); Daniel Tomlinson (Engineer) and the Foundation staff of Sophia lambert and Nathelie Taylor was the power team of volunteers representing for JPS during the six-hour event.

But our participation in the event started weeks before when three Engineers volunteered to be Energy Mentors to students who would be competing in the Fair’s ’Young Innovators and Inventors Competition’.

Daniel Tomlinson, Courtney Brown and Renaldo Chambers bravely guided students in creating projects to be judged under the ’Most Energy-Related’ category.

Daniel worked with the grade six duo of Jordan Douglas and Jaheim Brown on their Zinc Power Car while Courtney and Renaldo assisted grade five student Darielle Edwards on her hydro electric power supply project for three weeks leading up to the fair.

The JPS Foundation also thanks all volunteers who gave their support, as well as the behind-the-scenes team of Carl Daugherty and the Transport department for their usual sterling support.

5. EMPLOYEE GIVING

HIGH VOLTage:

ENERGY MENTORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE COURTNEY BROWN, Region Central ENGINEER COURTNEY Brown believes that volunteerism is “a way for individuals and groups to address social needs in their society.”

He was therefore more than willing to accept the challenge of being a JPS Foundation Energy Mentor and further admits that he was spurred to “promote the company's mission and objectives and also to enhance my own personal development while impacting the lives of others.”

It’s a decision he does not regret, explaining that “the best part of the experience was the mentorship encounter with the student from Wolmer’s Prep. She was very intelligent and enthused about her idea. It was great working with her.”

RENALDO CHAMBERS, Field Services Manager, believes it’s “150% or nothing” when it comes to volunteering. According to him, “for me, giving comes naturally, it is satisfying to know that I have helped and made a difference in somebody’s life.”

He was therefore inspired to become a JPS Foundation Energy Mentor, further adding that “studying in the Engineering field was extremely challenging and having a mentor contributed to my success. Hence, I wanted to give others the same opportunity.”

He thoroughly enjoyed that experience and notes that the best part was “the enthusiasm and passion of the students towards the science. The level of appreciation shown to the help that was offered was quite humbling.”

Outside of JPS and the Foundation, Renaldo has also volunteered at the Maxfield Park Children Home, mentoring young boys.

Having had such fulfilling opportunities to give back, he readily encourages others to do the same.

“Definitely, there are many persons out there who need help. We should consider it our civic responsibility to volunteer and it gives us the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.”

Employed to JPS for 13 years, he shares that the Foundation is “long overdue. Corporate responsibility is vital in any organisation. Based on the company’s present image, it’s a good move forward as it puts back humanity behind the “yellow and blue”.

RENALDO CHAMBERS, Region East

6. EMPLOYEE GIVING

HIGH VOLTage:

ENERGY MENTORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE (cont’d) DANIEL THOMPSON’S attitude towards volunteerism is based on the scriptures. He particularly highlights Acts 20:35, which states “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”

According to the Engineer, “it is a principle that has been instilled in me from birth and has been true throughout my life.”

It was therefore not a hard sell for JPS Foundation Manager, Nathelie Taylor, to recruit Thompson as one of the company’s first three official Energy Mentors.

“Sharing my knowledge with the younger generation and seeing how it can make even just a little difference in their life really pushed me to help. I know how it felt at that age and still now to try and innovate something that would revolutionise the energy sector.”

He adds that, “I was excited to try and help someone’s ambitions come to fruition and also to encourage more youths to pursue energy related careers as a viable alternative.”

The experience for him was simply amazing. He notes that listening to the children explain their inventions and the impact it can have on the energy market in Jamaica was refreshing and mind blowing.

“Some of the projects I thought at first were farfetched but after listening to the passion they had with really trying to revolutionise the energy sector and not just doing it to please their parents or their teachers really had a positive effect on me.”

Having been so touched, he encourages his fellow employees to give back too.

“I would definitely recommend others to volunteer. It brings a measure of fulfilment and joy to see the benefits and impact you

can have in another person’s life just by doing simple things that may seem insignificant to you.”

As for the JPS Foundation, Daniel feels it’s just what the company needs at this time.

“I think the JPS Foundation is doing outstanding work in touching the lives of the Jamaican people. Many persons do not

believe that JPS cares but by the sheer effort that this Foundation has put into helping others, it is evident that we are committed to uplift and empower Jamaica. I think more JPS employees should get involved in the Foundation. I was hesitant at first but it has been enjoyable and I look forward to helping out again.”

ROCQUE IMPRESSES KOREA! THE EWP/JPS Foundation postgraduate scholarship recipient, Rocque Ferguson, has been accepted into the Seoul National University’s 2014 Global Masters in Public Administration Programme!

Following her selection as the scholarship winner in March, Rocque aced a Skype interview with officials from the school as well as wrote a winning essay discussing the pros and cons of bureaucracy of Jamaica and

prescriptive solutions on pathologies of bureaucracy.

According to the Programme Manager in Korea, Yongmi Lee, Rocque is “an excellent applicant” for the programme.

We are so proud of our girl!

6. YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

ARE YOU THE CHANGE? APPLY FOR THE GOVERNOR GENERAL’S ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS TODAY! NOMINATIONS FOR the esteemed Governor-General’s Achievement Awards (GGAA), under the umbrella of the Governor-General’s Programme For Excellence (GGPE), are now open.

As leaders of change within your communities, we invite you to apply for the Awards, which are being presented under the theme “There is nothing wrong with Jamaica that cannot be fixed by what is right about Jamaica.”

Forty-two persons across three (3) age group categories will be selected and The Selection Criteria focus on ‘Family’, honoured for leadership excellence.

‘Youth’, ‘Education’ and their impact on ‘Community’. They also emphasise To be eligible, a candidate must be: ‘Creativity’, ‘Originality’, ‘Initiative’, and  A Jamaican Citizen ‘Sustained Accomplishment’.  Between the ages 18 – 24 years, or 25 Two (2) Letters of Recommendation – 35 years, or over 35 years attesting to the personal character and  The holder of a first Degree or at least commitment of the nominee are required be enrolled in a programme at the from either a Clergy, School Administrator, time of applying. Students must also Justice of the Peace or Police Officer be in good standing academically. ranked Inspector and above.

AWARD CATEGORY: Age Group 18 – 24 Years

The Awards will be given to recipients who demonstrate exceptional merit without regard to financial need. The emphasis for award selection includes:  Active and significant service towards the betterment of community  Leadership and the ability to motivate others  Strong family values  An interest in innovation  Solid academic performance

AWARD CATEGORY: Age Group 25 – 35 Years 

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Candidates for Young Adult Awards of Excellence must have completed or be enrolled in a course of study.

Demonstrated positive and verifiable service to the community; academic achievement; Demonstrated capacity for leadership and ability to motivate others; and demonstrated interest in innovation.

The Awards will be given to persons who demonstrate exceptional merit without regard to financial need. The emphasis for the selection process includes:  Active and significant service towards the betterment of community  Leadership and the ability to motivate others  Strong family values  An interest in innovation  Solid academic performance

A candidate’s application MUST include the following:  Personal and Contact Information  Confirmation of eligibility  Education history  Community service that has been given  A description of extra-curricular involvement Additional requirements include:  An essay  Character References  Resume  Transcripts or Original Certificates Persons who have been the recipient of a National Award are not eligible. Application deadline is Friday May 30, 2014.

Please contact the JPS Foundation for more info. The respective application forms are available via the King’s House website at www.kingshouse.gov.jm and the Office of the Custos or on the JPS staff Intranet.

AWARD CATEGORY: Age Group Over 35 Years

The Awards will be given to recipients who demonstrate exceptional merit without regard to financial need. The emphasis for award selection includes:  Active and significant service towards the betterment of community  Leadership and the ability to motivate others  Strong family values More specifically, the Candidate must have:  Demonstrated capacity for leadership and ability to motivate others.  Demonstrated positive and verifiable service to the community; academic achievement; and strong family values.  Contributed to the community outside of normal work assignment.

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