It was a historic night for Evaluation in Jamaica and the Caribbean. The Jamaicans turned out to set up their VOPE despite torrential rains. Torrential rains and the rousing Violin rendition of Jamaica’s National Anthem by young Tyler Beckford was the setting of promise in which history was made at a historic institution; the motto of which is Oriens Ex Occidente Lux: A light rising from the west.

Curline Beckford, VP Membership and Recruitment led the parliamentary process for establishing the VOPE. Country-lead, Dr. Paulette Griffiths, facilitated the session for designing a VOPE relevant to the context of Jamaica. Una McPherson, Executive Director, presented “About CEI – Highlights of our Results and Outputs“. Chez Thomas, VP Fundraising and Finance delivered the VOTE of Thanks.

In his message Dr. Waller reinforced the commitment of the CLG to the CEI as well as to the strengthening of the evaluation capacity of Jamaica and the Region. Dr. Waller shared information relating to work being undertaken by the CLG and the Department of Government including the upcoming launch of a Master of Science in Evaluation.

Evaluators in attendance were quick to seize other opportunities presented following Dr. Waller’s presentation of some of the projects in progress at the CLG. Evaluators also shared their own project opportunities. The CEI will share more about those Evaluators and their projects during the coming weeks.

Meegan Scott, Founding Chair of the Board of Directors, addressed the gathering of Evaluators and the CLG on behalf of the Regional VOPE. Working in the background to support the establishment of the VOPE were Shandell Lowe, CEI member and our second volunteer; Shinique Walters, PhD student in the Department of Government and CEI member Albert Beckford.

Evaluators in the gathering all played their role to make the event a success; curious to know who they were? Stay tuned to the CEI Facebook Page to learn more about the individual movers and shakers who gave of their time, IT skills and talent!

The CLG will sponsor the venue for the Inaugural Meeting of the new VOPE, which is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 4:00 PM.