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Members
of “Think Tank” team work on solving
issues |
New York - While CASYM (Caribbean American Sports &
Cultural Youth Movement, Inc.) is better known
internationally for the accomplishments of its
world class steel orchestra, there is no doubt
the group has always been much more than just a
stellar music organization. CASYM is now
celebrating its 25th year of existence
and is at a serious crossroad. With
mounting issues and obstacles to their
continued existence and future, CASYM decided to
become proactive in meeting these challenges and
surmounting hurdles.
On Saturday September 27th CASYM held
a special closed session at the Brooklyn
Marriott Hotel. The purpose of the meeting
was to bring together the untapped notable minds
of a small group of friends,
associates, and past members of CASYM with a
host of skills, information and working
connections, as part of a “think tank” to set up
the path to problem-solving a host of issues
that currently threaten the organization’s
growth and future. The meeting was chaired
by Glenda Cadogan and moderated by Nandi
Ogunlade.
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CASYM
Fast Facts
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CASYM is
the acronym for the Caribbean
American Sports and Cultural Youth
Movement. Since its inception
in 1983 as a non-profit
organization, CASYM has provided
academic, recreational, social and
cultural activities for young
people...
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Offers
free youth and community programming
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Has
taught steelpan lessons to over
5,000 youths
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Enrolls
between 100-200 students annually
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Over 90%
of CASYM participants have graduated
from high school, some
are college-bound, and many others -
college grads
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Implemented the Steelband program in
over 25 New York City public schools
in Brooklyn and in other boroughs in
New York City
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CASYM’s
President William Jones and Think Tank
participants |
Labeled “Visionaries Now and Beyond”
CASYM put these talented
people with a wide variety of skills, know-how and
expertise, into problem-solving task forces at
the think tank.
Financial planning,
community relations, housing, administration, funding,
programs and
curricula were among some of the key areas the forum
concentrated on.
Earl Alleyne, one of CASYM’s founding members, gave a brief
history of the organization from its initial inception to
the present; it is clear that CASYM has
impacted positively on the lives of many young
people on their journey.
Progressive, visionary, unconventional, leaders and
‘in
forward motion’ are some of the words that
readily come to mind as one listens to the
testimonies of some of the past associates and
student graduates of CASYM programs.
One of the best sources of potential wealth for
CASYM, is the abundance of talent
and knowledge embodied in the people who come
through and are associated with, their programs and
organization.
With that understanding, CASYM is poised to
implement new strategies: fresh perspectives
and different tactics, with novel
approaches to old and new problems, to insure its
growth and continued success. The “think
tank” put forth many concrete ideas on how to
take advantage of CASYM’s standing in the
political, cultural, educational and
entertainment domains of the USA as a
whole, and New York
City locally.
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Members
of CASYM’s “Think Tank” team |
Mr. Jones, CASYM’s president said to one of the groups
“it
is good that we know what didn’t work... take that
and move forward with new ideas.” Mr. Jones
is acutely aware that CASYM’s success and
continued existence in the future, is directly
connected to the investment the organization has
already made in the thousands of people who have attended
and benefited from, their program.
In addition, Mr. Jones’ vision and call
for assistance in moving forward through the
ideas generated in the think tank, is a recipe
for many other similar organizations in similar
circumstances.
The participants in this exercise appeared
enthusiastic, equal to the tasks and committed. There were many promising ideas and concepts
presented which included, among others,
the inclusion of new and developing technologies to
modernize and make more dynamic - traditional
approaches to everything from fund raising to
community relations.
CASYM has already moved on what all cultural and
educational organizations must realize - change
with the times to remain relevant and successful
- or cease to exist.
Anyone interested in joining or contributing to
CASYM’s support team are urged to do so by
contacting CASYM directly. Corporate
entities interested in forming associations or
partnering with CASYM can contact Mr. Jones directly
at the following:
Contact CASYM at 1 (718) 735-6708 | Email -
casyminfo@aol.com | web
www.casym.com
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