Anniversary Of First Progressive Group Meeting
People gathered today to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the first meeting of the Progressive Group.
A spokesperson said, “More than 60 people gathered at the top floor of the BIU’s Ottiwell Simmons Building today – Feb 8th – for an Interactive Gathering, marking the 65th anniversary of the first meeting of the Progressive Group. The Gathering’s theme was “Always Learning” and was ceremoniously started with honouring the three Progressive Group members in attendance; Izola Harvey, Florence Maxwell and Erskine Simmons.
“The goal of the Interactive Gathering was to leverage this significant milestone which demonstrated creating a ‘Learning Community’, to draw lessons that could facilitate move toward a better Bermuda.
“The Gathering included a diverse group of local residents, from across the Island; Elena Strong – executive director of the National Museum of Bermuda- located at Bermuda’s western tip, down towards the East, with Dr Ian Walker – Director of BAMZ. Also attending were executive members of the major unions; the BIU, BPSU & BPSA, along with a few Directors of various Government Departments. Also included were representatives from the non-profit sectors, the Faith Community, the Arts Sector and others from across the generations. Key to those in attendance were six students from the Berkeley Institute whose contributions during the break-out period, proved to be ‘priceless’.
“The break-out was facilitated by the team: [beginning with the youngest] of Staphen Dill – 2nd Vice President of the BIU/ Captain of Warwick Workman’s 20/20 Cricket Team; Nekesha Holdipp – Department of Education’s Acting Social Studies Coordinator, Gavin Smith – co-founder of Chewstick, Toby Butterfield – facilitator for Social Justice Bermuda, Cordell Riley – CURB, Sharon Swan – retired psychiatric Nurse/Coordinator of Westgate’s Transitional Living Centre and Glenn Fubler.
“The details of the outcomes/proposals from the Gathering will be the subject of a subsequent release. The theme “Always Learning” will be carried into the weekend, with the Walk/Drive Family Adventure.”
