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The Annual General Meeting of the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica is to be held on Wednesday March 29, 2023 at 6 pm.  Nominations are invited for Board positions for the 2023/2024 administrative year.

• Eligibility for Nomination: Persons nominated will need to be active members the LFJ (up to AGM date) and receive two or more nominations from active members of the LFJ, to be considered.  In addition, nominees will be required to confirm that they accept nomination for the position, declare no conflicts of interest, and consent to other requirements for service, to be put forward as candidates. 
• Roles & Functions of Board Members: The Organisation Chart below illustrates the current Governance Structure including committees overseen by Directors.  A brief Description of Board positions is also provided to assist in appropriate selection of candidates.
• General Expectations: In general, Board Members should be prepared to commit 10 hours per month to their role, to attend monthly meetings and occasional Board retreats, provide reports as required, participate in strategic planning, participate in fundraising initiatives and serve on committees, in the interest of the LFJ.

• Submission of Nominations: The completed Nomination form may be submitted by mail, email, fax or hand-delivery and should be received by Wed March 22, 2023, 4 pm at 7 Barbados Avenue, Kingston 5, 8767548458, or info@lupusfoundationjamaica.org.  Members are encouraged to confirm that their submitted nomination forms have been received and logged.

• Unfilled positions: For any vacancies that remain after the AGM, the members of the elected board (2023/24), once formed, are authorized to recruit and co-opt suitable persons for Board service.  Persons not elected or not available to take on full Board service may be co-opted to serve on the Committees listed below or other special committees.

Organisation Chart

Description of Board Positions:

Development Director: LFJ Ambassador with planning and marketing skills and able work with potential donors, sponsors and supporters. Able to dedicate 10 hours per month on a regular basis.

Financial Director: Strategist who will work closely with the president by taking a proactive stance in managing the organizations finances. Requires a donation of 10 hours per month.

Services Director:  An Administrative and HR wizard who can think on his/her feet and follow through with deliverables. Able to delegate and get results.

Programmes Director: An analyst and wordsmith able to gather statistics regarding the effectiveness of our current programs as well as managing the review and updating the organizations documents.

Board Member at-large: These are very valuable board members who form sub-committees, provide advice and pitch-in wherever there is a requirement.

Youth Member: Lupus Patient or family member, age 18 – 30: Good communicator and connector who can serve on committees and contribute to Youth engagement including Education, Communication & Membership

Please click here to download Nomination Forms and detailed instructions;  NOMINATION INFORMATION AGM_2023.pdf

KIM Mair, chair of the Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS) — the coordinating body for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) serving in Jamaica — said that technology and data should be used to develop interventions to aid vulnerable groups, including those affected by lupus. Click the link below to read the article.

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/cvss-advocates-for-proper-data-on-lupus

A call is being made for technology and data to be used to develop interventions to aid vulnerable groups across Jamaica, including those affected by lupus. 

Click the link below to read the article. 

https://our.today/cvss-urges-use-of-technology-data-in-developing-interventions-for-persons-with-lupus/

CVSS lobbies for use of data, and technology to develop lupus intervention. Click the link below to read the article. 

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20221012/cvss-lobbies-use-data-technology-develop-lupus-intervention

Check out this article by the Jamaica Gleaner highlighting why you need to know more about Lupus.

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/health/20221012/heres-why-you-should-know-more-about-lupus

Help us "Fun"-Raise! Lupus Awareness Month continues with our annual family friendly fundraising lapathon LAPS FOR LUPUS AWARENESS next Sunday October 16, 2022, 5 - 8 pm at Emancipation Park. Let's show up in our numbers to to show our support and enjoy free workouts, music, health demonstrations, games, sponsored prizes and entertainment, all for a great cause.

Proceeds towards our warrior welfare fund. REGISTER OR DONATE online with this link: https://lupusfoundationofjamaica.wildapricot.org/event-4979206

Then SHARE THIS LINK or Pick up your own LAPATHON SHEET to sign up family, friends and co-workers. Let's support our warriors!

Click here to register for the event

Hi, I am Dr Susan Manzi, I am a Lupus doctor and Medical Director of Lupus Foundation of America.

Do you have questions about lupus?

I will be joining Lupus Foundation of Jamaica for a special edition of Ask the Expert Live. No question is off limits.

Send us all your questions and join me live on Wednesday October 5 at 6 pm Jamaica time to hear your questions answered.

Send your questions:

• Whatsapp - 8767783892 
• Email Us - Info@lupusfoundationjamaica.org

BENEFIT PERFORMANCE FOR LUPUS FOUNDATION OF JAMAICA Sunday July 31, 2021

Photo Mikael Reckford, Jamaica Gleaner

Finally, theatres are open again!  Relax with family and help raise funds to support LFJ Programmes and Services – at the same time!  

GET YOUR TICKETS early for a Benefit Performance of Basil Dawkins' highly acclaimed comedy "Hide Your Husband" on Sunday July 31, 2022 at 5pm at the Little Theatre, Kingston.

Tickets are being sold for $2000 each and are available at 7 Barbados Avenue or from our Board members (Payment on delivery required!)

As the health and safety of our patrons is a priority for us, we note that the venue is accessible, seating will be socially distanced at 70% capacity and masks will be required.

For more information, contact 8767548458, 8767783892 (WhatsApp) or info@lupusfoundationjamaica.org. 

Read more about the popular play in this Gleaner Review: https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20220516/hide-your-husband-amusing-escapist-comedy

Thank you for your support!

On Thursday June 16, LFJ members and friends gathered online for their monthly Support Group Meeting, organised and facilitated by members of the LFJ Services Committee including Board Members Joel Holding (Director of Services) Joel Holding and Sybil McLean.  A strong showing joined in via Zoom and welcomed guest presenter Mr Samuel McDermott, Counselling Psychologist covering the topic “Managing Stress”, selected by popular demand.  Mr McDermott shared insights on good stress and bad stress as well as different phases of stress 1. Acute phase 2. Reaction phase 3. Repair phase 4. Reorientation phase, as well as various responses to stress model and tips on how to cope with stress. He gave examples of how to develop resilience, such as:

Mr Samuel McDermott, Counselling Psychologist

1. Make connections (good relationships)

2. Be active in social and civic groups (assisting others)

3. Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable problems

4. Accept that change is a part of living

5. Move towards your goals

6. Look for opportunities for self-discovery (stress helps you to discover the inner you)

7. Nurture a positive view of yourself

8. Keep things in perspective

9. Maintain a healthy outlook

10. Take care of yourself.

In addition to questions and answers and sharing, attendees interacted with new and regular attendees and had opportunities to hear updates on membership benefits and upcoming events, make suggestions, sign up for membership and volunteer. 

The Lupus Foundation holds its general support group meeting on the third Thursday of every other month commencing at 6:30 p.m, while the Lupus Support Group Western JA meets on the last Wednesday of every other month at 6:00 pm.  Since restrictions of Covid-19, the groups have been meeting online via Zoom link, with limited accommodation for in-person attendance on special request.

Specialists are invited to explain various aspects of the disease as well as coping strategies living with a chronic illness at these monthly meetings.