Circular No 659 Extra

Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Caracas, 25 of June 2014 No. 659 Extra

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Dear Friends,

News on the polo shirts and continuing with the details that have been taken to organize the accommodations and luncheons facilities.

This resume of the activities is interesting as no matter where when and how the Reunion is accomplished, it needs to go through all these phases.

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From: Don Mitchell

Sent: Saturday, May 17, 2014 2:55 PM

Hello, Ron,

I think both of your polo shirt and the Radisson offers are wonderful. Shira, please take these up. Remember, we are relying on you to co-ordinate these initiatives, and get back to us with estimates and costs, etc. Please don’t forget the offer from Chandra Teelucksing to help arrange a favourable rate for us at the Regency Star. We have not taken him up on it so far as I know, mainly, I assume, because we were all expecting that the available accommodation would be plentiful and inexpensive.

I cannot help but express being a little discouraged. First, Justine’s news that the week we chose for the reunion is a high-cost week in Trinidad!! After weeks of discussion in mid to late 2013, we chose this week because it was low-tourist season in Trinidad, and airfares and hotels would be cheap, we all assured each other. The only dissenter was Tony Vieira who said it would be an expensive week in Trinidad. But, I erroneously ignored him, since I was aware that October was in the middle of the low season in the West Indies. The hotels and airfares in the West Indies go up in December, and fall in April. There was no indication that the Pope was visiting, or the President had changed the date for Carnival, or any other reason why this particular week in the middle of the low-tourist season should suddenly become too expensive. I wrongfully assumed that he was imagining things. I still don’t understand what went wrong with our calculations.

Then, of course, there is the fiasco with the unwelcoming Abbot and the dismissive shop assistants.

I have not circulated our alumni since I still do not know if the week we chose is going to work, or if we have to change it to some other week. I need some sort of explanation. Some guidance would be welcome.

Don

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From: bradford@tstt.net.tt [mailto:bradford@tstt.net.tt]
Sent: Saturday, 17 May 2014 12:48 PM

Subject: Re: Abbey School Reunion 2014

I can assist with the polos inclusive of an embroidered logo at a discounted price should the organising committee so desire.

Ron Hadeed (1961/1966)

Bradford Trading ltd

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Father Harold Imamshah

May 17

So, Shira and Justine, whenever you make out your registration Form, please include a fill in section for the size of Polo (S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL) and the House Colour:

St Lawrence, green,

St Anthony’s, red,

St Francis, golden yellow. 

Meanwhile, Ron, please go ahead and give a quote. Dennis, please email a copy to Ron of the logo you had designed previously. Members of the Organizing Committee, please go ahead and indicate any suggestions you have for the Polo. Both Don and I have emailed previously that we agree, so let's hear from you, Joe, Jimmy, Winston and Michael (Specks), and anyone else who's on the Organizing Committee.

Let's get a move on. We await ideas from Justine and Shira on a date when the prices of hotels will be cheaper.

Thanks,

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Shira Mohammed

May 19

Dear all,

The reason for escalated hotel and transportation costs during October is because Trinidad is hosting the VIII Americas Competitiveness Forum. For more details you may log on to http://competitivenessforum.org.

Shira Mohammed

868-320-7045

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Father Harold Imamshah

May 19

Thank you Don and Justine and Shira for the draft event plan.

I feel that we need to come up with a plan for the Lunch after the Hike to White Stones, if the Benet Hall ground floor Dining Room is not adequate. How about outside tents and chairs to accommodate the overflow? How about serving boxed rotis with a napkin and a box juice drink/or bottled water/bottled coconut water? Rotis can be chicken, beef, goat, potato or vegetarian? Garbage disposal bins/bags provided?

Justine, have you been informed about what the Benet Hall has, in terms of tables, chairs?

Yesterday, I went to a function at the Centre of Excellence (not sure of its total capacity), but I noticed a head table and several tables and a bar and serving area. This may well be an excellent venue for the Sunday Luncheon, with its Banquet Room and Parking Facilities? This venue is just minutes away from the Mount (after the Sunday Mass). 

If a later Mass is preferable so as to be just before the Lunch, please let me know (so I can search for another venue). I foresee that if we did attend the 8:30 am Mass at the Abbey, which is really very good for Abbey Alumni, there might be 2 problems, (1) this Sunday Mass is well attended and I wonder if we did have 500 alumni as Don has envisaged, will we all fit in the Abbey Church? And (2) we will have at least 2 hours between the end of the Mass and the Luncheon at the Centre of Excellence.  

Please my brothers, we need to hear from you, especially those of you who live here in Trinidad who are familiar with the information I am referring to.

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Don Mitchell

May 20

Hello, Joe,

Where we stay is not personally important to me, as I will stay with my brother Gordon an Old Boy himself while I am in Trinidad for the Reunion.

Perhaps Tony would be good enough to express his concerns about the Abbey facilities with the Organising Committee. He mentioned them to me some time earlier. The impression I got from him was that, in his view, while some of the Old Boys might want to stay somewhere on the Abbey premises for sentimental reasons, most of the foreigners would prefer to stay in a modern hotel, especially if a good rate is obtained. If they thought they would be made to feel unwelcome by the Abbot, probably none would want to.

Don

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vcl28@aol.com

May 20

I have decided not to participate in this matter further since its too time consuming, frustrating and unrewarding and as the matter now stands I will probably not be attending my letter on the accommodation visualizes them being accommodated in one place and looking at the map it was my opinion that the Regency Star Hotel, close to the Airport would solve many problems. it was I who at first sought to place the mount boys close to the site of the old school but as the information on the accommodation at the mount came in, I became more and more convinced that it cannot form any part of our plans i.e. of the 35 rooms at the seminary only 4 are fitted with en suites and Air conditioning!! Also to transport the OBs to and from the airport would be problematic, the Regency Star provides a shuttle for this [very convenient for both the old boys and the organizers].

As I am reluctantly communicating with you even though I promised not to participate further, be informed that it was I who on Sunday researched what was going on in Trinidad which was accounting for the high prices and unavailability for hotels in POS during the week 8-10th October 2014 it took 10 minutes and I alerted Mrs. Mohamed about the VIII Americas Competitiveness Forum conference at the Hyatt 8-9-10 October 2014. I have been telling Don Mitchell since early March that this week 7-13th seems problematical when to get an idea of cost I tried to book a room at the Hilton just to see what their rates were I found that it was double what it was the week before and the week after.

This essence of the email below in blue was sent to Don Mitchell since 8th March. Nigel Boos and a few other overseas OB [some of who cannot conceive standing to pee in a line at 3 AM in a common bathroom facility] considered my concepts outlined therein very attractive and a full settlement of the matter.

At this time we have to think of something close to the Mount which is reasonably priced and big enough to accommodate us all if possible, in addition the location must allow us to travel economically between the mount and the hotel twice, once on the first day and then for the mass on Sunday and to my mind the best choice now is the Regent Star Hotel located 0.43 miles from the airport. If perchance they are more than this amount attending then we can settle the rest at the Trincity Holiday Inn. around 1/4 of a mile away. 

It will keep us all together since they have 158 rooms and if we double up it will accommodate more, I don't mind sharing a room with one of the OBs, once there are two double beds. Since there is no way that I am sleeping in the same bed with a man. But those who are travelling with their spouses can take those kind of one bed rooms, we need to know how many rooms they have with two beds. Those who don't mind doubling up should say so up front. Since I am not there I can only recommend what I see as a possibility, your event organizer should fill in the blanks. Package price for 100 rooms, banquet by the same group etc. meals etc.

Let’s look at the criteria this accommodation will meet for our purposes:

1. it will allow us to be close to the Mount,

2. it will have the conference centre and the banquet hall for 300+ so the lunch/dinner will be here.

3. it will have two pools and a bar for those who would like a lime or a bar to get a drink from time to time and share experiences etc.

4. We only have to leave it four times.

a. first day visit to the school and the abbey at the mount and

b. the Sunday visit for the mass [because of the closeness the total transportation cost will be less costly than if we stayed in POS]

c. the visit to and from POS on Friday.  

d. the visit to and from Maracas on Saturday.

d. the banquet or the lunch will be there at the Hotel since they have a banquet hall for 300+ people.

e. they provide shuttle service to and from the airport so arriving overseas OBs will be catered for and there will be no costs to transport them to or from their accommodation.

The cost per day would be around $147 for one double room 73.5 for those who don't mind doubling up.

But if we book more rooms, we could get a much better deal. The accommodation at the Mount is too primitive and confining, no bars, no internet? No pool etc.

The only other concern I have is this Europcar transport business [I have to report that I don't know what a Europcar is] but to transport 150 OBs can't be cheap to hire these cars for TT180-240 each that you are reporting!! What we need are tour buses for the 4 times we have to leave the hotel two to the Mount and one to POS and once to Maracas. The event organizer should find us the right company with the best price.

Tony Vieira

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Justine Low

May 20

Hi Joe,

Thank you for your comments. I did a site visit to the Garden at the Centre of Excellence where the luncheon would take place should we so choose. I did not find the location I be tacky as it is simple an empty space for to do with as we please. And of course because it is outdoors, it is well ventilated. 

Also, as Fr. Harold commented earlier, it does have a bar and plenty space for tables and chairs for the targeted size of the event. I would be more than happy to send pictures if you would like to see. 

As for having a boxed lunch at the Seminary on Thursday, that is always an option, but I would need to speak with the Seminary because their grounds would not be able to accommodate 250 people with tables and chairs. Not do I know if they will even facilitate such an event. However I will follow up today. 

Justine

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Joe

May 20

Don,

I was responding particularly to the view that we should go there for lunch on Sunday. Staying in the accommodation might be different but I wouldn't hazard a try.

There is no question that individuals should be facilitated to obtain the standard of accommodation that they are most comfortable with. What I was suggesting is that the intensity of the experience would be heightened if we could all possibly stay at a single location on the mount. 

As indicated, I am willing to set the example myself by sleeping at the seminary.

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From: "Joe" <bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com>

Date: Tue, 20 May 2014 10:46:01 +0000

Brothers,

I find the Center of Excellence a tacky place with bad ventilation, food smells and low grade domestic finishes (more appropriate to a dwelling place than otherwise) and a layout and design of a cheap afterthought. I believe that the Seminary will be both host an event and cater. I think that it would be much more pleasant.
Joe

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Don Mitchell

May 20

Dear all,

I think that Joe’s strictures on the Center of Excellence for a Dinner should put paid to that venue as an option.

Personally, I am still interested in the Luncheon somewhere nice. Of course, that would mean we would have organised two lunches (the first being the picnic) on the grounds of St Benet’s Hall on our way up to White Stones.

But, with Justine writing us that the St Benet’s Hall car park is not big enough for the main Sunday Reunion Luncheon, we need an alternative site.

I am putting the change of date to the alumni in a few minutes. I only hope airplane tickets have not already been purchased!

Don

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Father Harold Imamshah

May 20

Let me reiterate that I attended a banquet for Bishop Sydney Charles (60th anniversary of priesthood with 2 Bishops, the Papal Nuncio, several priests, religious sisters and a crowd of his friends and relatives from all over the worked and the Caribbean and the banquet room we used was quite adequate.

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Don Mitchell

May 23

Hi, Winston,

While I was in Trinidad, you mentioned to me that some of the Trinidad Group were thinking of sponsoring up to ten Venezuelans to attend the Reunion. You mentioned that it might involve some sort of ferry that goes between a particular port in Venezuela and a port in Trinidad. The Old Boys might even be able to put them up at their homes, and provide some per diem for miscellaneous minor expenses.

I may have got this all wrong. So, I would be glad if you could speak to the others and get back to me, before I make too many promises that we cannot keep :-)

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Don Mitchell

May 23

Hi, Ladislao,

Can I ask you to circulate the Venezuelan Abbey School Old Boys Group and try to get a list of those who have foreign exchange problems but who would like to attend the Reunion if their transport and accommodation costs and some living expenses are met?

The Trinidadian Group have offered to sponsor up to ten, but everyone needs to start planning early.

Keep well,

Don

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From: Peter Sammy

Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 7:48 PM

Don,

The money that I handle is alumni funds. I really don't want to mix the alumni funds and the funds for this event. Also who is going to authorize disbursements? Also, who is authorized to contract services for the event? I can tell you from now that I do not disburse funds on a whim. I do not want to be in a position of having persons coming to me for reimbursement of expenses I know nothing of. I am having some difficulty because I am not seeing an organization structure. What I do see is old boys having dreams about spending more money than put in and expecting me to give an open cheque book, allowing dipping into the little money that we have to cover unplanned and unauthorized expenses.

Peter Sammy

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On Wed, Jun 11, 2014 at 8:47 PM, Don Mitchell <idmitch@anguillanet.com> wrote:

Hello, Peter,

I see the problem. But, we will know from the records kept by Mrs Mohammed that there are, eg, 100 Trinidadians that paid their TT$600 registration fee to you. The same Board members to whom you normally account will ask you to pay the 100 x $600 to Mrs Mohammed, for example, for her to pay the various bills she has to pay. You ask for the instructions in writing. You get the instructions. You make the disbursement. Will that be a problem?

Don

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On Jun 11, 2014 8:42 AM,

"Don Mitchell" <idmitch@anguillanet.com> wrote:

Hello, Peter,

Good to hear from you. Sensible questions you ask.

We want the alumni who will attend the Reunion to register their intention so we can have an idea of numbers to cater for. To cover various administrative anticipated costs, we have agreed that each person registering with Mrs Mohammed to attend any Reunion event will make a non-refundable deposit of US$100 to an account in Trinidad. 

As I understand it, Mrs Mohammed, our Event Organiser, cannot handle receipt of overseas US$ deposits to her firm’s account because of anti-money laundering rules.  So, we are looking around for another way. 

Gabe Faria has offered his account for the foreign currency deposits, as he has a suitable bank account to handle overseas wire transfers by wire, Amazon, Google, PayPal, etc.  We understand you have a TT dollar account for the Association, and were hoping that you would agree to handle the deposits from the Trinidad alumni, and account to us from time to time.

I hope that covers the essentials, but please ask if you have any question or problem.

Sincerely,

Don

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From: Peter Sammy

Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 5:54 AM

Joe,

This is the first time that I am seeing details of the financial arrangements for the proposed reunion. I need to clearly understand what will be required of be before I make any commitment. As you are aware, the account which I keep for the ASAA is in my name and the funds are accounted for as may be required by the executive committee for their meetings. I want to be able to account for all funds lodged with me so I need to be clear on the service which you require and the process for authorized access to those funds through me. I would prefer if the executive committee decides on the process for deposits, receipts and disbursements. So far there seems to have been a lot of talk but little in the way of details with respect to the money issues.

Peter R Sammy

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Photos:

08MP0029BADGE,   Taken from a sports jacket

08UN0010REUNIONTICKET,  a ticket that we need this year

08DM5237EDIMSB, Bath facilities at the school

08UN0011REUNIONFLYER,   the old flyer