Governor-General His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, who is also Chief Scout of Jamaica, says that he remains convinced that scouting will help to prepare the nation’s youth to become disciplined and responsible adults.
The Governor-General was speaking at the Public Meeting of the Scout Association of Jamaica at King’s House on Thursday, February 20, 2014. The meeting was one of several activities to mark Founder’s Week, which is being observed from February 16 to 23.
Sir Patrick Allen said that he was pleased to be associated with an association that still has relevance and value after more than one hundred years since its inception.
He challenged the scouts to take full advantage of their membership in the SAJ by learning as much as they can and by fully participating in all activities.
” It is helping you to build character, to acquire important skills, to love your country and to be your brother’s keeper. It provides you with many opportunities for fun while you learn, grow and develop “, said Sir Patrick Allen.
The Governor-General said that scouts are sending a strong message to those observing them.
“That message is about discipline, deportment, respect for authority and is a visible indication that our youth can be trained, can be cooperative as well as respectful. Let us imagine how much more advanced our country would be if all our youth, all across this nation, were as disciplined as you are! What a great nation we would have”, said the Governor-General.
The Governor-General congratulated former Chief Commissioner Rev. Barrington Soares for his contribution to the movement and encouraged the new Chief Commissioner Mr. Maurice Brown in his new role. “Thank you for accepting the mantle, thereby committing yourself to the development of our youth through scouting,” Sir Patrick Allen said, before installing Commissioner Brown.
Warrants and awards to were presented to divisional leaders for their outstanding contribution to the association during the past year. His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen was assisted with the presentation of awards by the Hon. Steadman Fuller, Custos Rotulorum for the parish of Kingston and the Hon. Lincoln Thaxter, Custos Rotulorum for the parish of Portland.