CRNF Board Meeting

Some of CRNF board members meeting to strategize on 2013/2014 projects.




(left to right) Curtis McNish, Thomson Fontaine, Charmaine Robinson, Arlene Graham, and Sherwyn Williams

CRNF Member Spotlight

CRNF Member Spotlight: 

SHEDISHA ABENA MATTHIAS, BS, MA: Students for Students International Coordinator

Shedisha Abena Matthias hails from Jamaica but was raised in New York City. Her formative years were spent in a high school that cultivated her love of international finance and economics. She attended Carnegie Mellon University and majored in economics before joining IBM Public Sector Consulting Practice. She took a two year hiatus from consulting to serve as foreign expert for the Shenzhen Education Bureau; where she taught English at Shenzhen Normal University Middle School in China. After several years abroad, Shedisha returned to the states and earned her Master’s in International Policy at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, while honing her skills in trade, entrepreneurship and management. She would later go on to work briefly as a knowledge management consultant at a San Francisco-based international organization focused on social entrepreneurship in emerging markets. Shedisha can now be found working in the nation’s capital at well-respected consulting firm bringing innovative technology solutions to government agencies.

CRNF CEO met with President Hugh Howard, American Chamber of Commerce in Trinidad & Tobago

CRNF CEO met with President Hugh Howard, American Chamber of Commerce in Trinidad & Tobago (AmChamTT). Details of the meeting are forthcoming…

CRNF was selected by the University of Florida, Caribbean Students Association to be their philanthropy recipient

CRNF was selected by the University of Florida, Caribbean Students Association (UF CaribSA) to be the philanthropy recipient of their 2014 Fashion Talent Show on January 11, 2014 in Gainesville, Florida. FTS is an annual show that displays the Caribbean culture through music, fashion, and dance. It is a tradition for FTS to choose an organization/cause in which they raise money for. This year Caribbean Returning Nationals® Foundation, Inc. was chosen because UF CaribSA believes that our organization gives back to our homeland in a number of ways and they would love to support such a great cause. UF CaribSA has a number of fundraisers planned where they will raise money for both the show and the Caribbean Returning Nationals® Foundation.

The 11th Annual Fashion Talent Show will be on January 11, 2014, doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show will start at 7 p.m. Approximately, 1000 students throughout the Florida area support this event each year. Click the link below for additional information.

http://ufcaribsa.webs.com/fashion-talent-showcase

We are thankful to be chosen! Thank You University of Florida, Caribbean Students Association

CRNF In Action: CEO speaks with Fitzroy John, Comptroller, Customs & Excise Division about issues returning nationals experience

While attending the Mastering Export Logistics Workshops at the exporTT conference, Ms. Arlene Graham spoke with Fitzroy John, Comptroller, Customs & Excise Division.  Ms. Graham introduced CRNF to Mr. John (who was unaware of the organization’s existence) and informed him about the issues Returning Nationals face when trying to transition back to Trinidad & Tobago.  Mr. John was very receptive to these concerns and said that the Customs & Excise Division has revamped their website in order to better assist individuals with the transitioning process.  He also encouraged Ms. Graham and the CRNF network to go to the Customs & Excise Division website and provide feedback to him directly if there are any items CRNF or its members would like to see added to the site. CRNF thanks Mr. John for taking the time to listen to the people’s concerns and for diligently working towards a solution.

Feedback can be sent to: info@caribbeanreturningnationals.org

CRNF Launches Students for Students Initiative

CRNF is launching the first ever, “Students for Students” Initiative (SFSI). The purpose of SFSI is to connect students and young professionals in the global Caribbean community to create a network of support by enhancing cultural awareness, providing a sense of community, and offering career development resources to foster a commitment to Caribbean development and investment. This initiative will serve as a hub for students and young professionals seeking educational and professional development information by leveraging the network of Caribbean Returning Nationals® Foundation members and partners. SFSI members will have the opportunity to gain experience through internships, virtual assistant jobs, and performing interviews.

Here are a few opportunities for students and young professionals.

(1) Virtual Assistants (VAs): Students will work or intern with companies and individuals that are members of the CRNF network remotely. Special considerations are made for new graduates and existing studentss

(2) My Story Interviews: Students will interview individuals in the diaspora and beyond who are making a positive difference in the global community. This is a great opportunity for students to showcase their interviewing, writing and editing skills internationally.

(3) Internships: Students interested in developing their skills and talents by interning with individuals and companies.

Students MUST BE MEMBERS OF CRNF. The annual membership fee is $35.00 USD. In the interest of inclusiveness, the annual membership fee may be waived or deferred. Students must provide proof of enrollment. To join send an email to: students@caribbeanreturningnationals.org

Please view our PSA video for SFSI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2rcqzlMS4A

CRNF CEO speaks at exporTT conference

CRNF CEO and Founder, Arlene Graham, spoke on harnessing the diaspora at exporTT conference in Trinidad and Tobago on October 29-30, 2013. “The Caribbean global Diaspora is a powerful, untapped resource for governments and businesses of the Caribbean region”, said Ms. Graham. She further went on to discuss how tapping into the resources of the Diaspora has proven to be elusive.

Trinidad and Tobago, as well as other CARICOM nations, have been somewhat successful in promoting trade abroad, as well as cultural, athletic, and exchange programs with the global community. However, tapping the resources of its extended population community has proven to be elusive. The challenge of integration, dialogue, and ongoing communication with the Diaspora however defined is persistent. A few CARICOM nations if any, have found the solution to assist cultivating human capital and other resources that sit waiting at our doors for discovery. Ms. Graham further went on discuss the goals and ways to engage the Diaspora.

exporTT Export Development Conference