Leadership Training Improved and Extended to Three Days

In February 1997, the National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) launched a series of monthly seminars on Leadership and Community Development designed to help Haitian community activists reach their potential.  Through advice from seminar participants, it has since been improved and extended to three days to add to workshops on the new immigration laws with information of activists in both English and Kreyol.

"With the confusing information and constant changes in the new Immigration and Welfare Laws, we have decided it was important to provide clear and accurate information in both English and Kreyol to help navigate people through the changes of the new laws," asserted Jocelyn McCalla Executive Director of NCHR.

At the onset, the seminar begins with a look at historical campaign on behalf of Haitian and American community activists that brought us some of our victories as well as the hard lessons that were learned along the way from the 1960's until today.   Following are series of presentations and exercises on how to effectively plan and strengthen groups, how to develop leaders and keep them accountable, and how to effectively fundraise and build coalitions.  The discussion will continue with one of the biggest challenges to out community: the new Immigration and Welfare laws and their insuing restrictions and hardships to our community.

"We have seen too many community organizations, even some of the most promising, fail after just a few years of operation, "adds Jocelyn McCalla, Executive Director of NCHR, "its time that we help turn things around by communicating our knowledge and expertise to the new generation of Haitian-Americans who are now getting involved in community affairs."

"We realize that this seminar also provides Haitians or people of Haitian descent an excellent opportunity to get to know each other and to learn of the many initiatives that exist within the community,"say Netlyn Bernard Samedy, coordinator of the program.  "We plan to allow plenty of time for discussions and networking."

Listen to comments of past attendees to the seminar:                              

"The strong point of the seminar was the fact that the group was small and everyone had the opportunity to participate and not fell intimidated." Rubain Dorency, Haitian Community Health Center

"Three points were essential to the success of the seminar: open communication, honest debate and discussion of ideas to move forward with strength and unity." Florence Elie, Community Service Society

"It made me think more critically about what it takes to be a good leader, the ways our community limits itself, and its positive aspects." Dominique Duval, Columbia University Student

Only the first fifteen applications will be registered for the seminar.  To register, please call Netlyn Bernard Samedy at (212) 337-0005 ext. 18 or via e-mail at Netlyn Bernard Samedy  Please be sure you address it as it is written.