Establishment of IRS tax exempt, non-profit status in US and Dominica - 2003/2004
From May 13, 2002 DAAS will be treated as a publicly supported organisation and is now in a position to solicit grants, solicit contributions in kind or cash, write-offs, "bequests, legacies, devices, transfers or gifts" in the US. DAAS was also registered as non profit organisation with the Ministry of Legal Affairs on December 3, 2004. We are moving to establish non-profit status in the UK and Canada if that is feasible
Promoting Dominican Literary Artists - 2004/Ongoing
This initiative targets Dominican literary artists specifically novelists, poets, short story and non-fiction writers. It aims to provide an avenue for advertising and promoting their work, making them known through their profiles, selling their works to a wider audience, and meeting and exchanging ideas among themselves for the improvement of their art. View Profiles & Books.
Draft Diaspora-Dominica Policy Paper - 2004/Ongoing
Following suggestions from the Ministry of Finance and Planning for a Clear Policy on the Dominica Diaspora, the PM endorsed a request to DAAS to prepare a draft policy document for Government's consideration. On Oct. 18/2004 DAAS submitted the Draft Dominica-Diaspora Policy Paper to the Government. It covers a wide range of subjects including, among others, guidelines for returnees, representation abroad/consular services, dual citizenship issues, absentee balloting, repatriation process, economic development, police and judiciary, education, health, culture.
Gates Foundation Grant Application - 2005
This application could not have been done without the 2003 submission which was put together by A. J. Lewis the then Chief Librarian and the library staff. The current Chief Librarian, Mrs Magdalene Robin supplied the updated information from the Library side. DAAS thanks Peter Bannis and William James for their input and vision. Special thanks to Dr. Clayton Shillingford for the encouragement and editing, and to all the others who we had discussions with at various times throughout the document preparation. The project was coordinated by DAAS IT Director, Frazer Jones.
Launched the Dominica Botanic Gardens Website, April 2005
In response to the Diaspora Paper recommendations for the improvement of the Botanic Gardens, DAAS developed and launched the Dominica Botanic Gardens Website, the first of its kind in the Caribbean. This will showcase the Gardens and bring its beauty and serenity to Dominicans at home and abroad, and share it with Garden enthusiasts throughout the world. In addition, it is hoped that the site will help carry the torch for the enhancement of the Gardens and its services.
International Youth Soccer Tournament and Educational Camp, July 2005
In collaboration with the Newtown Juvenile Football Academy, the Dominica United Kingdom Association(DUKA), the Acclaim Youth Development Group of Canada, and the Andover Shooting Stars Academy of the US, DAAS sponsored the International Youth Soccer Tournament and Educational Camp in Dominica. The soccer competition was between under 18 teams from the UK, US, Canada vs the local Dominican team. The Dominican team emerged as victors. The tournament was a huge success and attracted large crowds. In addition the participants were exposed to Dominican culture and music and were taken on tours to the most attractive ecotourism sites in the island.
DAAS Donates Dinghy to Portsmouth Police, August 10th 2005
The Research and Development Committee of the Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences (DAAS) and Burgcom.com donated a 14-foot inflatable dinghy to the Dominica Government for the Portsmouth Division of the Dominica Police Force. The dinghy, valued at US$5,000, will help the Portsmouth Police service the waters of the Portsmouth area.
Caribbean-Anerican Heritage Award, June 29th 2006
The Permanent Mission of Dominica to the United Nations and the Consulate General of Dominica in New York that nominated DAAS, and Mrs. Lorna Phillip of DARDA for the above awards from the New York City Council in recognition of Caribbean-American Heritage Month. Dr LeRoy Mitchell, Board Treasurer, received the Award on behalf of DAAS.