Forty (40) Public Officers within the Government of the Virgin Islands were led through the basics of Budgeting, Entrepreneurship, Investment and Retirement Planning after participating in a financial management workshop. Photo: GIS

The workshop held on October 17, 2019 was organised by the Virgin Islands Civil Service Association (VICSA) and addressed real-life concerns and provided tools needed to make informed decisions regarding the financial future of each attendee. It was also designed to assist in developing healthy approaches to personal finances and retirement planning.

Local financial management experts, including Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), Mr Clarence Faulkner and Mr Meade Malone, were the event’s facilitators.

VICSA President Ms Sasha D. A. Flax said “With the knowledge that was gained, each participant will become more confident in making financial decisions to pursue their overall financial goals and to improve their financial future.”

Ms Flax added, “They received dynamic instructions about investment principles and retirement planning and the presenters used straightforward language and informative graphics to illustrate important financial concepts that can help to improve their personal financial plans.”

Attendee and current member of the VICSA Mrs Pamela Penn said, “The presenters were fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. It was a great refresher with additional eye-opening topics and I feel much more confident within myself with the knowledge I’ve gained".

The newly appointed Executive body of the VICSA has pledged to ensure that the objectives of the of the association’s constitution are met. Following a Mix and Mingle event held on Tortola in July, the Association has held several meetings and has scheduled a second General Meeting for October 23, 2019. Another Mix and Mingle has also been scheduled for October 26, 2019 on Virgin Gorda.

The main objectives of the VICSA is to promote for fair terms and conditions of employment and protect the interest of public servants. A part of its mandate is to promote training opportunities within the membership of the Association for general improvement of the national human resource inventory.