Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/6043/-1/140/
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Ursil Webster Brooks Retires From The Anguilla Public Service
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Mrs Ursil Webster Brooks was employed with the Government of Anguilla for the past thirty-six (36) years. Mrs Webster Brooks served in various clerical positions and senior positions which included Liaison Officer at the First Interpol Conference in Anguilla in the 1980’s, Finance Officer, Acting Development Officer and Secretary to the Tenders’ Board in the Ministry of Finance between 1987 and 1991, Acting Deputy Director Community Development and Welfare in 1994, and Acting Labour Commissioner (1996-1999).
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Ursil Webster Brooks
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She was the first Education Welfare Officer in the Department of Education which span over the period 1995 - 2008. In June 2006 she was an applicant for the position of local Deputy Governor in the Anguilla Public Service but was unsuccessful.
Mrs Webster Brooks is a 1973-1975 graduate of the Morne Fortune Technical College/Sir Arthur Lewis College in St Lucia. Between 1983 – 1987 she attended Refresher Courses, Supervisory and Financial Management at the Barbados Community College and BIMAP. In 1986 represented the National Youth Committee at the OECS Political Unity Meeting in St Kitts. Lobbied for the Distance Education Challenge Programme in Anguilla with Mona Jamaica and in 1992 enrolled in the first batch of students and continues to support the University programmes.
Mrs Webster Brooks was one of the Founders of the Anguilla National Secretaries’ Association in 1988. In 1997 the Anguilla Chapter initiated the change of nomenclature from National Secretaries’ Association to Association of Office Professionals to maintain a broad range of professionals after being promoted from the rank of Secretaries in some organizations. The Caribbean Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals (CASAP) is the umbrella organization.
Mrs Webster Brooks served as Chairperson of the Steering Committee, President and other Executive positions. Currently, she is the Anguilla Liaison Officer to CASAP and continues to attend annual conferences. Under her leadership in 1992 she led a delegation of five (5) to a Retreat in St Kitts hosted by the St Kitts Chapter under the Presidency of Ms Lois Harris and Ms Imelda Wilkins our mentors. Another Retreat was held in 1993 in St Martin/St Maarten to which a delegation of thirteen (13) attended under the Presidency of Ms Olga Williams assisted by Ms Cynthia Rey.
Between 1994 and 1997 - initiated the Administrative Professional Secretary’s Certificate Programme (APS) and managed by the Training Division of the Government of Anguilla. In 1996 she introduced the Secretary of the Year Competition. Later that year she led a delegation of four (4) to CASAP in St Lucia when Ms Susan Hodge won the Caribbean Secretary of the Year (CARIBSOTY) Trophy. A recipient of the Founders’ Plaque in 2000 by the Anguilla Chapter.
First Woman President of the Anguilla Civil Service Association (ACSA) 1987-1991. Under her Presidency, the Primary School Spelling B Competitions was revived in May 1988. She is the longest serving member of the Executive 1980 – 1996. In 1992 initiated and organized the First Retirement Ceremony for the Anguilla Public Service with seven (7) retirees. In 2002 recognized by the Caribbean Public Services Association (CPSA) for her role as Secretary to the Women’s Advisory Committee since 1989. Awarded the Community Service Plaque in 2003 in observance of the 50th Anniversary of Secondary Education in Anguilla.
Mrs Webster Brooks served as Technical Adviser to Anguilla’s first ever First Lady in 1994 during her visit to St Lucia.
Her untiring efforts in assisting in micro-financing projects enabled her to participate in the establishment of the Cable & Wireless Anguilla Telecommunications Credit Union (TECCU) in 1996. Presently, assistance is being offered to the Churches to develop a similar Credit Union.
Mrs Webster Brooks is an active member in the life of the Anglican Church and Ecumenism-Sunday School Teacher/Co-ordinator, Mothers’ Union, Anglican Church Women Association, Secretary to Anguilla Christian Council. Invests a significant amount of time working with public service unions, Hotel and Allied Workers Union, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) and training Executive members of youth groups – Diabetes Association, Red Cross, Girl Guides, Government Liaison Officer to the National Council of Women 1991-1995. Project Officer assigned to the Expansion of the Soroptimist Day Care Centre 1993. Actively participates in Constitutional Reform consultations and advocacy. Loves helping people. She is married, has two grown daughters and a proud grandmother of two.
Having been a product of a Technical College her dream was to see a Community College come on stream in Anguilla. Therefore, in her quest for life-long education she continues to make herself marketable by attending courses in Human Relations. This training offered by the Community College would enable her to continue assisting the public and private sectors, with her multi-disciplinary skills in the development of the limited human resources by preparing workers for retirement, coaching, mentoring, counseling employees, vulnerable groups and individuals.
A rewarding and fulfilling public service career with many challenges. Those challenges were used as opportunities and not as threats as she was reminded that a good name is to be cherished rather than great riches. A reminder from her friends at College - Stand Tall, Walk Tall, stand up with dignity and integrity.
Quotation ‘Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country’!