“I am delighted to be able to contribute my time and services to the UWI SVG Open Campus Guild of Students for yet another year,” stated Mrs Renitta Peters-Morris in an interview, following the induction and recognition ceremony of the Open Campus University of the West Indies St. Vincent and the Grenadines Guild Chapter on Thursday November 22nd, 2018.
She added: “I am simultaneously leading two important Guild Chapters this Academic year, and I am an executive member on the regional executive therefore, I am always at a maximum.”
Plaques of recognition were given to the members of the 2017/18 Chapter in Chapter Chair – Renitta Peters-Morris, Deputy Chair Drusilla Windsor, Secretary Karla Gellizeau, Treasurer Tacklan Fergus, Public Relations Officer Rochelle Baptiste, Academic Student Rep Vanessa Herbert, Committee Liaison Tamisha Samuel-King, and Post Graduate Rep Latoya Creese.
During the ceremony, a number of persons were inducted into the 2018 / 19 Chapter namely Chapter Chair – Renitta Peters-Morris, Secretary Odelinda Barbour, Treasurer Kimron Shallow, Public Relations Officer Gianna Miller-Alexander, Academic Student Rep Vanessa Herbert, Committee Liaison Tamisha Samuel-King, and Post Graduate Rep Latoya Creese.
Delivering the keynote address at the Induction and Recognition Ceremony of the Open Campus University of the West Indies St. Vincent and the Grenadines Guild Chapter attorney-at-law Ms Rene Baptiste said, “I want you to be asked to give speeches and addresses all over St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I have noticed that some young persons are like that today, while others are not touched nor concerned by the fire to do other things in their own community.”
The veteran attorney-at-law called for the graduates to support each other for “friends must encourage friends.”
She pleaded with them to “Be hopeful even when you are not treated the way you expect. When ethics are preached to you and are not practised; when right is said, but not believed; still do right.”
Ms Baptise who is also Speaker of the OECS Assembly “I know the prevailing atmosphere. I live here. I know some of you have expressed to me the negative things you meet ever so often, but you are the hope of a new St. Vincent and the Grenadines. You represent the new harvest of intellectual power, and you are charged now to rebuild those precious stones that have been damaged or misplaced.
“From my experience, GOD does not make mistakes. He makes things plain. He gives, He forgives. People will try to trample you to throw you off track, be little you, and embarrass you. Swerve to the side where there is light and joy, and darkness and pure envy and hatred. Don’t get bitter or harbour the list of wrongs. Move into the pathway.”
Ms Baptise noted: “Our country is in need of all these virtues. Many are in the race to be rich. I have a little fear for them. Know your strengths and build on them. Acknowledge your weaknesses and work on them. The race not for the swift, the terrain is threatening but someone has the wheel and he will make it right.”
She advised all present to have patience, not to compromise their standards, not to lower dreams and ambitions and plans, but change them; learn to manoeuvre them.
“It can be very daunting prospect to mind this store call The Guild, to increase participation and involvement in your programmes and activities, events, but persist to when the harvest will come. It is beautiful to reap in joy which no money can buy,” concluded Ms Baptise.
The daunting task of managing and guiding the Open Campus University of the West Indies St. Vincent and the Grenadines Guild Chapter did not go unrecognised by Chapter Chair Mrs. Renitta Peters-Morris.
In the afore-mentioned interview, Mrs. Peters-Morris did point out: “I must say that it is quite a challenge and commitment, but I am persevering amidst my hectic doctoral schedule. I take this opportunity to encourage young people to join organisations that will enable them to acquire leadership and time management skills that will be useful in the job market.”
