Friday, November 2 - Monday, November 5, 2012 the staff of the Philipsburg Jubilee Library (PJL) took part in their second annual Staff Retreat at Divi Little Bay Resort. The central theme of this year’s staff retreat was “Work Uncomplicated: Un-complicating the Complicated”.
PJL’s staff retreat was declared open by the President of the Board, Chantal Schaminee-Ringeling. The first work session started early Friday morning with a presentation by the keynote speaker, Counseling Psychologist and Certified Crisis Management Specialist, Aisheline Maduro of JCI Services. She spoke about discovering how to harness the power of personality, work successfully with anyone paying attention to basic personality differences, and combine different personalities to maintain a vital and harmonious workplace. Saskia Kliphuis, Representative of Cooperating Foundations, lectured on “Project Proposals” and how to formulate logical, successful projects. The evening session ended with a social gathering at “Toucan’s Restaurant” of Divi Little Bay Resort with poems by PJL’s Activity Manager, Morenika Arrindell and a skit by Circulation Clerk Morena Ignacio called “Mamselle” about a fictitious character, who is unruly, unapologetic and a hilariously funny worker at PJL. The staff were also given a sneak peak of the coming uniforms, modeled by staff members, which will go into effect in the coming month.
Local banker, Jimmy Challenger continued Saturdays morning’s session with a lecture on “Budget Proposals” and elaborated on how to plan and manage a realistic budget and attain personal or business financial goals. Psychologist, Maduro continued the day’s sessions with team building activities on the beach, which reinforced and gave a hands-on practical approach to her previous lecture on Friday. Zumba Instructor, Patricia “Patty” Pantophlet ended the day with vigorous dancing exercises to the delight of the staff members.
The final day began with a morning boat ride to Anguilla for a session at Paradise Cove Resort with Director of PJL, Monique Alberts, who spoke on “PJL in a Changing Society” and gave an overview of the achievements and activities for the past year and set projected goals for the New Year. Alberts also expressed gratitude to the staff members and trainers by awarding certificates for completing a successful staff retreat 2012. Special thanks was extended to PJL staffer, Lucille Kolf and Shirley Richardson and their executing team, who were responsible for organizing another successful staff retreat. The day’s activities continued with a guided tour of the Anguilla Public Library at the “Edison L Hughes Education & Library Complex”, an island tour, visits to museums and Arts and Craft Shops.
The annual staff retreat is an initiative of the PJL management and board in efforts to promote staff development and morale so that the institution can properly serve the community of St. Maarten.
