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A group of Guyanese
families and friends wanted a place to meet, exchange views, reminisce,
maintain the Guyanese culture, keep in touch with the happenings back in Guyana,
and help each other to integrate into the American society and way of
life. Having a "family picnic" cookout fulfilled this need. Out
of this small beginning, was born the Guyana Association of Georgia,
which was officially inaugurated on September 29, 1991 with Dr. Conrad
Wilson as the first President. The Association's purpose was to promote,
develop, coordinate and implement responsible programs designed to
achieve a ten-fold objective, namely:
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- Establish the identity
and enhance the advancement of Guyanese-Americans as responsible and
productive residents and citizens;
- Establish a common bond
and goodwill between Guyanese-Americans and other native Americans;
- Help improve the
quality of human life and communities with particular emphasis given
to the need to help alleviate suffering;
- Act as a representative
body and clearing house for all Guyanese-Americans in matters of
National, Regional and local interest;
- Encourage and educate
all Guyanese-Americans to become involved in matters of National,
State and Local interest, including social, governmental and
economic;
- Assist in effecting a
liaison between Guyanese-Americans and other people with whom they
share a common heritage;
- Establish a better link
and improve communication among all Guyanese-Americans;
- Act as a coordinating
agency in and for the interest of all Guyanese-Americans;
- Establish an
educational link with all people everywhere who share the Guyanese
heritage;
- Help promote the unity
of Guyanese-Americans while assisting them to make a relatively
smooth transition into the mainstream of American life.
The purpose of the
Association has not changed, and over the years, we have evolved not only
in membership but also in our commitment. This growth has been engineered
under the leadership of the Presidents, ably assisted by the Executive
Boards, Chairpersons and their committees.
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Date
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President
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1991 - 1993
1994 - 1995
1996
1997 - 1998
1999
2000
2001
2002 - 2003
2004 - 2005
2006 - 8/2007
9/2007-12/2007
2008
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Dr. Conrad Wilson
Philip Andrews
Orrin Marshall
Lawrence Griffith
Dr. Gloria Fredericks
Slater Jeffery
Marilyn Farley-Thompson
Dawn Simmons
Dr.
Conrad Wilson
Orrin Sargeant
Dr. Ivor Mitchell
Philip Andrews
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The Association has
gained recognition and prominence not only within the community and among
other associations, but also by several governmental dignitaries. On May
22nd 1998, the Association received a proclamation from Liane Levetan,
CEO DeKalb County and another one on September 30th 1999 from Chuck
Burris, Mayor, City of Stone
Mountain.
 
- Hosted the 1996 Guyana
Olympic Team
- Annually awards
scholarships to three high school graduates entering College
- Hosted an international
symposium in collaboration with another Caribbean
organization
- Provided free
educational seminars to members on Public Safety, Taxes, Health and
Wellness, Investment and Finance Planning
- Provide ongoing
charitable contributions to Guyana
- Organized visits to Guyana
on work detail and provided supplies (including medical)
- Introduced SAT and PSAT
classes
- Offered scholarships to
"A" students and most improved "C" students
- Engaged a guest speaker
- topic: "Crimes in DeKalb
County"
- Succeeded in obtaining
501 status with the IRS thereby making contributions and donations
tax-deductible
- Made available the
opportunity for the youths to receive "extra" coaching in
soccer
- Held Christmas parties
for both young children and seniors
- Introduced a "Feed
the Hungry" program
- Visited a
"seniors" home - served a snack and distributed gifts
- Participated in Peach
Carnival events
- Participated in ACA
(Atlanta Caribbean Association) cultural events
- Particpated in the
inaugural meeting of the Caribbean United Association
- Acquired 2 corporate
sponsors
- Acquired a web site,
telephone service, and email facilities
- Formed a youth
"arm" of the Association
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