The staff at the National Family Planning Board on Wednesday July 26

displayed their enthusiasm for the Olympics by organising and competing

in an inter-office decoration competition to decorate their workspace.

The competition which was conceptualised and coordinated by Dianne

Thomas, Director of Outreach Programmes, was fully supported by staff

members who participated by executing the activities which required

playful plotting and scheming.

The staff was divided into seven (7) teams and each member on an

opposing team was to be seen as “the competitor.” “This is the first time

we are doing this event and it met my expectations; it’s what I had hoped

for”, the event coordinator boasted.

The competition which was initiated to bring out the true sense of team

spirit and to inject more fun in the office in time for the Olympics was

enjoyed fully by the members of staff. Each team was required to

decorate a selected area within the office in time for a judging on décor,

the day before the Olympics began; July 26. The competition was

launched June 17, giving each team over a month to prepare, plan, plot

and scheme, all in good fun. And that they did.

For some teams, the plotting began the moment the NFPB’s director said,

“let the plotting and scheming begin! View everyone who is not on your

team as ‘the competitor”, a possible threat to your claiming victory, so use

code names, signals, binoculars, mores code, hold secret

meetings…whatever it takes! This is going to be great!” For others, the

momentum developed as the deadline drew to a close.

The day before the judging of the competition, was the day most, if not all

members of staff could be seen spinning their wheels, in excitement.

Some team members remained in the office until close to midnight,

putting up their decorations, after weeks of obvious plotting..

However, what stood out to most, were the surprise attack by the

inconspicuous team, who on the day had a grand display featuring an

archway and running track and another less assuming team, whose

display featured an historical and chronological account of the Olympics

since Jamaica's first participation in 1948 to this year.

This was when the competition really got in gear.

Nerves were raw, sentiments gushed and new ideas

sprung. The day brought out a lot of surprises, oohs

and aahs; including a lot of “aha moments”. There

was an exceptional cheer among the members of

staff.

In the end, it was an office celebration; even though scores were achieved.

Miss Thomas brightly emphasized, “the level of creativity, my goodness, it

was truly spectacular. The decorations will last throughout the Olympics

and beyond. They are perfect for the occasion, so they will be up for the

entire time. We were able to see the fun side of persons who are typically

quiet. It was truly, truly fantastic.”

The teams were presented with awards by guest judge Anya Gloudon

Nelson, graphic artist and set and costume designer, popularly known for

her work at Pantomime:

Awards for best overall poster and best depiction of overall theme went to

the museum theme executed by the team consisting of: Joseph Reynolds,

Jennifer Williams, Sandrene Dunkley, Deandra Williams, Devon Brown,

Sacha-Marie Hill, Ann-Marie Johnson, Nordia McIntosh-Vassell and Vivienne

Soares. They were rewarded with two (2) cakes from the event coordinator.

The most creative use of material and best depiction of Jamaica and the

Olympics went to the running track display executed by the team

consisting of: Executive Director, Dr. Olivia McDonald, Camille Santo,

Melrose Barrett, Marva McCarthy and Dianne Thomas. They received two

gift baskets sponsored by Cari-Med.

Special mentions were made of a straw chandelier constructed as part of

the museum theme, hand towel roll batons and the aquatic centre by the

“running track” team, condoms repurposed under the history theme

consisting of: Racquel Reece, Leo O'Reggio, Nadine Ellington, Nayol smith,

Claudette McLeish and Loy Watson; and the vibes and spirits displayed by

individual participants.

When asked if this will be repeated, the NFPB director enthusiastically

exclaimed, evidently with more tricks up her sleeve, “oh yeah! These wild

things will be coming back.”

Join us again next year!