The Tribune

After successful readings in the House of Assembly and the Senate, Governor General CA Smith saw the Governor-General’s Volunteer Society Act 2023 codified into law on August 11.

A secretariat will now be established to administer and coordinate the functioning of the “Governor-General’s Volunteer Bahamas,” and to work alongside an appointed and volunteer persons committee.

Lindsey Cancino, the current Volunteer Bahamas Committee chairman, said: “The realisation of His Excellency Sir Cornelius A Smith’s dream to promote more organised and expanded volunteerism nationally birthed the Governor General’s Volunteer Bahamas initiative in the aftermath of the 2019 Hurricane Dorian.

“We are indebted to his vision and tenacity in this regard.”

In a recent Government House celebratory farewell luncheon for past and present “Volunteer Bahamas” committee members and personnel from his office, the Governor General expressed his gratitude for their work.

He said: “It is my pleasure to welcome each of you to Mount Fitzwilliam for the first non-social event to be held at Government House since its renovations. I am particularly pleased that some of the charter members have joined us on this historic occasion as we celebrate the enactment into law of “The Governor General’s Volunteer Society Bill 2023”.

“Today’s landmark legislation, which I signed into law on Friday, 11th August, seeks to further promote public awareness and appreciation of volunteerism and enables more citizens to take part in volunteer service.”

The Governor General’s belief and promotion of volunteerism steered the formation in 2019 of the NGO, spurred by the outpouring of support for victims following the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian. He hoped the Act would achieve its desired objective, to inculcate a spirit of volunteerism throughout our archipelago.

He expected that the new law would serve as a vehicle to bring about positive change in the attitudes of the Bahamas toward volunteerism.

He thanked the attending current committee and also mentioned some of the early members: first committee chairman Barry Rassin, Anita Bernard, Algernon Allen who was the moving spirit behind the successful legislative initiative, Alicia ‘Puppy’ Robinson who represented the country’s youth, Anthony “Ace” Newbold, and Diane Philips.

He added: “It would be remiss of me to advance my remarks without acknowledging the hard work of The Honorable Anita Allen (Retired Justice) and head of the Law Reform Commission and Mrs Tina Roye for drafting the Bill, and their exceptional guidance. I am also grateful to Ms Antoinette Bonamy, director of legal affairs, and her deputy Mrs Dana Parker Wallace, of the Attorney-General’s Office for their exemplary work in assisting the committee with the drafting of the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association.

“Finally, I wish to thank the Honorable Philip Davis, Prime Minister, and members of the Cabinet for their support and full endorsement of our work.”