by Orita | May 19th, 2009
The St. Christopher Heritage Society becomes the Saint. Christopher National Trust
On Thursday April 22 the second and third readings of the National Trust Bill took place in the National Assembly. The Act sees the evolution of the St. Christopher Heritage Society (SCHS) into a National Trust. The process began in 2000 was followed by the submission by the SCHS of a proposal to the Government in 2002. The first reading of the Bill in the National Assembly presented by the Honourable Richard, Minister of State responsible for Tourism, Sport & Culture, took place in 2005. The ensuing years saw a process of widened consultation among the members and the general public. The deed is now done and we await the gazetting of the Act. Skerritt
The emergence of the SCHS into a National Trust will give the work of the Organisation a greater degree of visibility and authority. There will be a transfer of all the assets of the Society to the Trust so the process of inventorying has begun in earnest. But it’s not only a matter of physical assets involved, the intangible but significant human and institutional capacity that has been built up over the years will also now become a part of the Trust. The SCHS led the way in the restoration of the historic Treasury Building and the establishment of the National Museum in it, a process that provided invaluable knowledge and experience. The management of the operations within the building and exposure and training received by members and staff has been fundamental in developing this capacity. The Organisation has demonstrated its effectiveness in fundraising, compiling collections of objects and documents, establishing a documentary resource centre and National Museum among other things. It seems only logical then that the SCHS emerge into the St. Christopher National Trust, a body corporate, enacted by law.
In its upcoming Newsletter, the copy of Act will be inserted. The spirit of the original Bill that appeared in a past edition of the SCHS Newsletter is basically the same although important details have been added. It must be noted that the members of the SCHS will automatically become members of the Trust. The Council will become the Trust’s Board during the transition period of up to one (1) year until the more expanded Board as described in the Act, that includes representatives of the Ministries of Culture, Environment, Education and Tourism, The Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, comes into effect. Of the thirteen members of the Trust’s Board, seven will be elected from the membership of the Trust.
The National Trust Act provides for a subvention from the Government to manage Trust property, exemption from land and other taxes including Duty, and tax deductions on gifts from individuals and companies made to the Trust.
One important change that has occurred is that the Act now comes under the Ministry of Sustainable Development instead of the Ministry of Culture which has over the past twelve years provided a subvention to the SCHS and National Museum. This change has come about because of several pieces of legislation coming from the Ministry of Sustainable Development making reference to the (anticipated) National Trust and its operation and its own.
A meeting of Council and other members of the SCHS who were involved in the process took place at the SCHS Office on Thursday 7th May to discuss the ramifications of the changed status of the Society and the actions that must be taken during the transition stage. Organisational structural adjustments will have to be made as
the management of heritage sites, other than the National Museum building, is a significant part of the Trust’s mandate. The role the SCNT would be expected to play in the broader community is also important and the Council and membership must plan carefully to fulfil these expanded responsibilities.
The search for funds to effect the advance of the Trust of course will be a major challenge and the management of the Trust will have a huge task of tapping into whatever available financial and technical assistance it can get locally, regionally and internationally.
The St. Christopher Heritage Society turns 20 this year, its challenges and achievements have been many. The graduation of the Society to the St. Christopher National Trust seems a natural progression, a logical route envisioned by most of its membership. Our continued reliance on our members, friends, and well wishers will be as important as in the past. The SCHS could not have developed without them and it is certain the St. Christopher National Trust will need every ounce of energy, imagination and commitment as was given to the building of the St. Christopher Heritage Society. We look forward as always to the entire community’s support. Our national heritage assets remain significant to our future social and economic development. They must be preserved for future generations. Our motto remains OUR HERITAGE BELONGS TO ALL OF US!
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