Last year on the night of the anniversary of our acceptance of Republicanism, President Arthur N.R. Robinson graciously gave his permission to The Multi Cultural Club of Trinidad and Tobago to hold a Charity Ball at President's House.
A Club, which was formed after Their Excellencies, President and Mrs Robinson had attended the Caricom Governor Generals and Presidents' meeting in Barbados, in 1999. Her Excellency was invited, along with the other First Ladies, to tea with Lady Clifford Husbands. There the First Ladies were introduced to The Multi-National Women's Group, formed along the lines of similar groups in the Commonwealth, to organise one major fundraiser annually on the premises of the 'first house'. The Barbadian Group had long since 1984 started an annual International Bazaar and tea, with all proceeds going to the building fund for the Children's Development Centre. A suggestion was made that the other First Ladies encourage the formation of similar groups in their respective countries so as to develop a function for charities of their own.
On their return home, Mrs Robinson, already extensively involved in charitable activity in this country, and His Excellency in his commitment to the eradiction of poverty, mandated that a similar umbrella organisation be formed here. And The Multi Cultural Club was formed. It is made up of prominent members of the society which include two former private secretaries to the President and one executive secretary with expert experience in organising events at the President's House thus ensuring the proper protocols are maintained.
Although last year's Ball sought to raise funds to help the many organisations under Their Excellencies patronage, the very successful function was organised in strict accordance with the dictates of De Britts, the leading authority on protocol for first houses. Admission Cards were issued to persons responding favourably to the Club's requests for financial assistance to offset expenses incurred during the ball, and to those who had given donations to the charitable fund. The black tie affair will once again take place on Republic Day, Tuesday September 24, 2002.
Since it is a priority that the handling of money by the Club is deemed to be transparent, accounts must be audited on an annual basis and receipts and expenditure from the Ball must be published for the benefit of all the volunteers, supporters and beneficiaries. Funds are only distributed to the charities in very rare and apecial cases and only to well-established organisations. The Club would therefore normally purchase goods and/or services on the awardees behalf. It is also a requirement that the Club receives a report from the recipients after use has been made of the funds or donated items. Most of the contributions from the Ball are distributed with a sum of money being held in reserve to offset expenses, and for emergencies.
In keeping with standards of transparency, the media, members of the club and a few special guests, were invited to witness the Club's presentations to beneficiaries of the 2001 Republic Ball at The President's House last week Thursday.
Those who benefitted were The Centre of Criminology and Criminal Justice, The University of the West Indies St Augustine Campus for project "Youth Deviance and Civic Attitudes in Secondary Schools, Trinidad and Tobago Strategies for Guidance, Rehabilitation and Training". The Mental Health Association. And the National Centre for Persons With Disabilities.