South Florida based community organization, Jamaica United Relief Association Inc. (JURA) elects new President

HOLLYWOOD – Jamaica United Relief Association JURA has elected as their new President for the fiscal year of 2009, Dr. Vonnie McGowan Arscott. She replaces Hugh Osborne who served two consecutive terms; his predecessor was Joan Seaga Gonzalez founder of the organization. Both are now distinguished past Presidents who now serves on the Executive Board of the Organization.

Dr. Vonnie McGowan Arscott has served in various capacities of JURA for the past 15 years most recently as an executive Board member of this 25 year old charitable organization. She is credited with fostering and bringing the merger of Members Only Social Club of Miami and JURA for events and the ultimate permanent unification of both organizations.

Dr. Vonnie McGowan Arscott
She brings to the leadership of this 25 year old organization her many years of experience as a highly motivated, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, creative and productive individual who prides herself as being an excellent communicator, who manages her time well, skillful in marketing, advertising and event planning.

She attended Vere Technical High in Jamaica and Erasmus Hall High schools in Brooklyn, The Center of Media Arts (Media Relations, Broadcast /Journalism), New York City Institute of Business (Marketing & Advertising). New York University (Travel & Tourism, Marketing, Advertising & Law)

McGowan holds a PhD in Counseling, and was also conferred additionally with an Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree D.Hum. from CUNC.

She has made invaluable contributions to The Caribbean Diaspora in the USA, some notables include:

– Her 27 years of Caribbean Radio/TV as an on air personality, production and presentations in various states of the USA

– Toys for Western Jamaica-conducting toy & back to school supply drives annually, since 1978

– Immigration and Citizenship Drives & Seminars, in NY for Jamaican, Antiguan, and Grenadian nationals from 1980/90 and in Florida since 1991

– Premier Jamaica Independence Ball (Florida ) Marketing and Public Relations, since 1996 to 2006 for JURA

– Coordinator of the Caribbean Business Town Hall Meetings – since 1995

– Founder & benefactor of the Benevolent Association of Jamaica Vintage Artiste 1990

-Organized and Coordinated fundraising efforts for Jamaicans TaVaughan Smith & Betty Ann Gallimore Medical Fund 2003/04 ( for life saving surgery in Florida)

– Project Director and host of the Prime Minister of Grenada’s visit to Florida, 2003

– Jamaica Evening of Elegance-Dinner Reception – Building Bridges, Set Design & Project Director, in 2004

– Designer/Co-coordinator project Jamaica National BS/JNO. Customer Appreciation Day of South Florida, since 2005

– Conducting Voter Registration Drives, nationwide as well as U.S. and Jamaica Passport renewal drives, in the states of Fl, NY ,NJ, CT, MD and Washington DC. since 1979.

– Positively using her radio programs nationwide to promote Jamaica as the tourist destination of choice since 1979.

Vonnie can also be credited with the exclusive sponsorship and giving of the first international exposure and promotion to the largest number of Jamaican singers and musicians since 1979. and also with astute representation of some of the premier names in the Jamaican Music industry. She has since then, pioneered the promotion of Jamaican artiste and their music in various places throughout the world, highlighting and breaking new ground for Jamaica its culture and music in world renowned venues.

She has served as an international student recruiter representing various Universities in the United States for many years and has successfully placed innumerable Caribbean students in Universities across the USA and England.

Dr. McGowan Arscott is currently involved in several community projects including: Pioneering Programs of legalization of undocumented left behind farm workers in Belle Glades, Clewiston various agricultural belts of Florida and other states.

She coordinated and spearheaded the recent Welcome Celebrations to Florida for the members of the Caribbean Olympic Teams of 2008 headed by World triple record holder Jamaican Usain Bolt and his parents, JAAA President Howard Aris, Medalists Melaine Walker, Rose Marie White, Sherone Simpson and other Olympians, and launched a collection drive to raise funds for the 2012 Olympic thru JURA.

In December of 2008 she and other JURA members delivered one million dollars, the proceeds from the event, to the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) in Jamaica.

She has been repeatedly awarded for her altruistic efforts from various organizations.
She was included in The Jamaica Gleaner Company’s International Women’s Day selection of Phenomenal Women of 2007.

Awarded by the Jamaica Federation of Musicians in 2003 for her outstanding contributions to the international development and acceptance of Jamaican music internationally.

She has also received several community awards that year including: The Unite-A-Fest award from the City of Lauderdale Lakes & the Caribbean Chamber of Commerce for stellar contributions to the International development of Jamaica Music & Culture Internationally.

• Jamaica United Relief Association/Member Only Social Club of Miami – For invaluable contribution to communities at home and abroad – 2005

• Jamaica Consulate General Miami- Consulate General’s Award – Outstanding contribution to the communities overseas and Jamaica- 1999

• Award of Excellence for Broadcast Journalism- Caribbean America Media.

Other awards include; Keys to the City of Miami Dade County: Pioneer & Founder of the Caribbean Women of Excellence Awards.

Caribbean American Media Association Presidential Award from the City of Opa Locka Florida – 1991

• Caribbean Heart Members Association- Pediatric Heart Surgery Program- founding member 1995

• International Reggae Music Awards IRMA – Outstanding Service to Reggae Development – 1993.

• Caribbean American Business Network CABNET – International Media Relations- 1996

• CAMA Excellence award Pioneering of Caribbean Radio in the USA– 1996

• Models Unique Inc for exemplary community service -1998.

Vonnie has also additionally received numerous accolades from various church families including:

Mt Herman Baptist Church Ft Lauderdale – Community Service Award- 1998

The Unity Light of the World Church Miami – Community Service Award 1999

B&P Ministries of Tamarac Florida – Community Service Award 2008

The Arlington Park Family Foundation of Palm Beach – Community Service Award 2008

The Seventh Day Adventists HUM Ministries Kingston – Humanitarian Award 2003

Vonnie McGowan, list her hobbies as: writing, Broadcast Journalism, music, community service.
But being a philanthropist, a counselor and an arbitrator are her favorite pastime. A true friend of Jamaica, and the Caribbean, who is always a ready and willing advocate serving her communities and its members and addressing their most urgent needs.

Family

Dr. McGowan Arscott lives in Pembroke Pines, Florida and is a member of The Pentecostal Tabernacle Church in Miami. She is married to Robert Paul Arscott, and is the mother of 2 sons Daemion & Robert Paul Jnr. and daughter Jody and is the proud grandmother of Daenecia and Janese Black.