Turks and Caicos Information Officer gains from Cayman GIS attachment
Mr. Courtney Robinson (standing) took a lot home from his visit to the offices of the Cayman Government Information Service (GIS).
The Turks and Caicos' only information officer was in Cayman the week before Easter for some last-minute orientation on serving public needs during a general election. Information Officer Courtney Robinson was quickly preparing himself for a busy week since Turks and Caicos voters go to the polls on Thursday, 24 April.
GIS Cayman staff assisted Mr. Robinson with
reviewing procedures for release of information and liaison with
media. They also helped him prepare releases, a press kit, and
audio and video public service announcements for airing in the
TCI this week. "The government employees I've showed the
footage to loved it. I can't wait until others get a chance to
see and hear the PSAs," he reported from the TCI.
Mr. Robinson initiated the attachment, said Chief Information
Officer Patricia Ebanks: "We were delighted to have the opportunity
to share with and support our sister territory's efforts. We immediately
welcomed the overture and set to work to make it the best possible
experience for him." Ms. Ebanks added that she is eager to
continue this type of mutually beneficial relationship with the
TCI and other Caribbean British Dependent Territories.
Commenting on his attachment, Mr. Robinson said, "With the up-coming general elections, I felt it very important to make contact with the Cayman Islands GIS, particularly after I read an article on GIS Caribbean Newsline about elections training for their officers.
He also wanted the opportunity to work with colleagues. "As the only Information Officer of TCI GIS, I wanted to learn how a GIS develops, and to experience how a larger unit functions." Reflecting on his four days (14-17 April) with Cayman's team, Mr. Robinson said: "I was somewhat overwhelmed with the depth of service they provide to government, along with how their unit functions. Their team not only covers events for the government, but also produces audio, video and print paraphernalia for the different departments that they work with. I find this, combined with their technical and writing expertise, fascinating."
He said that he was particularly struck by the team approach: "The staff is incredibly friendly, and members do mesh well together."
Mr. Robinson met all 16 GIS staff members, and most were involved, however briefly, with his attachment. Several officers with elections experience found helping Mr. Robinson to be a warm-up for 2004, including Information Officer Angela Piercy who works with the Elections Office and Public Affairs Coordinator Joan Scott-Campbell. Information Officer Lennon Christian helped develop radio PSA's while Videographer Duncan Kilpatrick produced and edited the radio and TV PSA's. Chief Information Officer Pat Ebanks designed Mr. Robinson's programme and handled his orientation.
In addition to seeing how the diverse staff
melds into a team, Mr. Robinson said that he had gained insights
into how to get to the heart of the message that government needs
to send out, while ensuring accuracy.
Mr. Robinson, who joined the TCI Information Service in February
last year, describes being a sole Information Officer. "I
cover all government functions and many private sector events
throughout the Turks and Caicos," he said. "Being the
only person, I can showcase my skills, though the workload can
be challenging at times."
Mr. Robinson is a 1995 graduate of New York's Queensborough Community College, where he was a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society. He previously worked for the TCI Civil Aviation Department as an Assistant Air Traffic Controller and Aeronautical Information Service Officer. He was also employed in New York at Dream Group Inc. as a junior public relations officer and art director.
An artist and designer as well as a writer, Mr. Robinson has created numerous murals for businesses in TCI and designed logos and posters for various cultural festivities. As a hobby, he began designing costumes and has won competitions, including Miss Turks and Caicos Beauty Pageant, Klati Carnival Festival, Cactus Fest, South Caicos Regatta, and Miss Extravaganza.