Photo: Straw businesspersons and woodcarvers of the Downtown Straw Market made a presentation to the Red Cross, March 17, for hurricane relief. Pictured at centre is Diana Cox, making official presentation to the Bahamas Red Cross, represented by Director General Caroline Turnquest. Also pictured at centre is Chairman of the Straw Market Authority Kevin Simmons. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

The straw businesspersons and woodcarvers of the Downtown Straw Market on Thursday morning made a presentation of 50 portable gas stoves to the Bahamas Red Cross Society for hurricane relief.

Speaking on behalf of the straw businesspersons and woodcarvers of the Downtown Straw Market, Bay Street, Diana Cox said: “Last year our beautiful country was devastated by a very destructive hurricane and many of our people were left without the basic necessities needed to survive.

“The straw businesspersons and woodcarvers of the Downtown Straw Market are here to provide some much-needed relief to our neighbours and friends who lost so much. We are grateful to our Chairman and the Straw Market Authority for facilitating this forum today.

“The Leaders Committee spearheaded a drive to purchase some 50 portable gas stoves and fuel for distribution by the Bahamas Red Cross.”

Ms. Cox made the presentation to Bahamas Red Cross Society Director General Caroline Turnquest. Also present were Chairman of the Straw Market Authority Kevin Simmons, and Deputy Chairman Paul Bevans.

To the Red Cross Director General, Ms. Cox said: “Madame Director, on behalf of the Entrepreneurs of the Downtown Straw Market, we present to you these small tokens of our love and appreciation. We trust that these items would bring hope and joy into the lives of our disadvantaged fellow Bahamians. May the life we live, speak for us. God bless you.”

This Easter Monday March 28th, 2016, all roads will lead to Pelican Point, East Grand Bahama, for the 18th Annual Coconut Festival. Shown from left during the press conference are: Jeffrey Pinder, Sr. Executive, Ministry of Tourism; Elaine Smith, Ministry of Tourism; and Paulette Thomas, Coconut Festival Committee Member. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)

The 18th Annual Pelican Point Coconut Festival will showcase authentic Bahamian craft, entertainment, food, drinks and everything coconut on Monday, March 28, or Easter Monday.

Elaine Smith of the Ministry of Tourism announced during a press conference on Wednesday at Banana Bay that "Coconut Festival is held annually on Easter Monday, when family, friends, and guests descend upon the small seaside village to a feast of coconut dishes such as coconut jimmy, coconut shrimp, barbecue ribs with coconut sauce, coconut rice, coconut tart, and more, as well as a variety of coconut beverages including our famous ‘Gully Wash’-- a uniquely Bahamian drink made with coconut water.

"Participants will have the opportunity to compete in the coconut eating and coconut barking contests; coconut leaf plaiting and tart eating contests, as well as enjoy shopping for indigenous coconut jewellery,” said Ms. Smith.

One of the highlights of the event will be performance by the Royal Bahamas Police Pop Band, along with a performance by D-Mac.

Paulette Thomas, Coconut Festival Committee member said: “We have made efforts to further beautify the site, address the parking congestion by designating a parking area, intensify the activities for our guests and have top notch entertainers, great prizes for give-a-ways, and when it comes to food -- everything coconut.”

Lewis Astwood

Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. V. Alfred Gray addresses the closing ceremonies of the 2016 Bahamas Agriculture, Marine Resources and Agri-Business Expo at the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre, Sunday, March 13. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)

Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister, the Hon. V. Alfred Gray celebrated the work of farmers at the closing of the Bahamas Agriculture, Marine Resources and Agri-Business Expo 2016 at the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre on Sunday. The expo attracted thousands of Bahamians, March 10-13, and carried the theme: Progress through Food Security: Our Food, Our Future, Our Bahamas.

Minister Gray conveyed thanks to Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie for allocating $300,000 to fund planning, infrastructure, and management for 200 vendor stalls, a culinary competition, and a livestock petting zoo at the popular National Expo, held every two years.

Government's efforts, he said, were in celebration of farmers, who are working towards attaining the very important goal of food security for the nation.

Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources awards commercial farmers for excellence in raising poultry and livestock at the 2016 Bahamas Agriculture, Marine Resources and Agri-Business Expo, March 13. Standing with the farmers are Prime Minister Christie (fifth right), Minister Gray (fourth right), and BAMSI President Godfrey Eneas (front row, third left). (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)

Bahamian farmer shakes Prime Minister Christie's hand to thank him for supporting local farming industry. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)

Bahamians patronize local food vendor at the 2016 Agriculture Expo, Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)

By Gena Gibbs

Director of Volunteers, Tarahan Mackey explains to the group of volunteers what is expected of them during the Annual General Meeting of the Boards of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC), April 7-10, 2016 at the Baha Mar Convention Centre and Melia Ballroom. The Volunteers will provide necessary support services for the delegates. (PHOTO/BIS)

Volunteers will play a vital role in The Bahamas’ successful hosting of this year’s Annual General Meeting of the Boards of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC). Some 150 individuals from various sectors of the Bahamian society have been chosen to serve as Volunteers and will be required to perform various functions during the four-day event.

There are certain specific qualities and skills that contributed to the selection of the volunteers. They are required to be hospitable, bilingual, have strong inter-personal and communication skills, and understand how to perform their duties with a level of professionalism that ensures the delivery of superior service. Director of Volunteers, Tarahan Mackey led a series of special training sessions to ensure that the individuals are equipped to effectively assist delegates attending this major international meeting.

During the training sessions, Mackey clearly articulated the rules of engagement and the performance expectations. He noted that, “we worked earnestly for several months conducting a thorough, detailed recruitment process to ensure that the individuals selected possess the requisite skills to effectively perform the assigned functions”. The group comprises public and private sector professionals, College of The Bahamas and high school students and expatriates, particularly citizens from IDB member countries resident in The Bahamas. The highly skilled individuals embraced the training as vital to their preparation as Bahamian ambassadors for this major event.

Mackey explained that the Local Organizing Committee received overwhelming response to a mass email requesting volunteers. More than 400 people signed up, but there was room for only 150. Out of the enlisted volunteers, 13 are team leaders to assist in supervising the various divisions required to work the event.

Tourism is the major business of The Bahamas and the People-To-People approach underscores the country’s commitment to quality service. That’s why Mackey’s mantra for his team of volunteers is “Hospitality Is Our Signature”.

“When you think about a signature, when you think about a brand that is exclusively yours; The Bahamas will not have skyscrapers like New York; The Bahamas does not have the technology like Tokyo; it probably will never have the Swiss Alps, but what it does have is hospitality.”

Mr. Mackey stressed to volunteers that they must have a commitment to work and the need to excel.

The 57th AGM of the IDB and the 31st AGM of the IIC is scheduled for April 7-10, 2016 at the Baha Mar Convention Centre. An estimated 5,000 public and private sector delegates representing the 48-IDB member countries, and various Business, Finance and Economic institutions and agencies are expected in Nassau for these meetings. Ministers of Finance from the various member countries serve as Governors on the Board of the IDB and will lead the delegations from their respective countries.