Dear Editor,
The board of directors of the Jamaican Women of Florida responds to an article from your online edition of the Jamaica Observer, May 22, 2015, 'J'can busted in US for 'defrauding' Gov't, clients'. The lead paragraph of your story read, "Pamella Watson, treasurer of the Jamaican Women of Florida (JWOF) organisation, was on Wednesday arrested on several federal charges."
The characterisation of Watson's primary role is misleading. Watson was elected to the position of treasurer of JWOF in February 2015 and to date has not assumed the role of treasurer, in that she had no access to the organisation's funds or access codes to online payment portals. As such the organisation's funds were not accessible to her.
This information is necessary to make the general public aware that the funds of the organisation were in no way compromised. Watson's primary role is that of the principal of her accounting firm.
To lead with and to deem her primary role as that of JWOF treasurer has served to place JWOF in a damaging light. We are a not-for-profit organisation that depends on public support to assist in our charitable endeavours, educational scholarships, and mentoring of the next generation of Jamaican women in Florida and Jamaica.
Of note, though, she was also actively involved in numerous organisations in South Florida and served in various capacities on several community boards, being treasurer to many.
The JWOF board of directors voted on May 22, 2015 to suspend Watson as treasurer and appointed an interim treasurer. We are privileged to live in a society where a person is innocent until proven guilty, and we will reserve any judgements. The organisation will act in accordance with the by-laws when Watson's criminal case is resolved.
Board of Directors
Jamaican Women of Florida
jwoflorida@gmail.com
Watson is not JWOF's treasurer
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The board of directors of the Jamaican Women of Florida responds to an article from your online edition of the Jamaica Observer, May 22, 2015, 'J'can busted in US for 'defrauding' Gov't, clients'. The lead paragraph of your story read, "Pamella Watson, treasurer of the Jamaican Women of Florida (JWOF) organisation, was on Wednesday arrested on several federal charges."
The characterisation of Watson's primary role is misleading. Watson was elected to the position of treasurer of JWOF in February 2015 and to date has not assumed the role of treasurer, in that she had no access to the organisation's funds or access codes to online payment portals. As such the organisation's funds were not accessible to her.
This information is necessary to make the general public aware that the funds of the organisation were in no way compromised. Watson's primary role is that of the principal of her accounting firm.
To lead with and to deem her primary role as that of JWOF treasurer has served to place JWOF in a damaging light. We are a not-for-profit organisation that depends on public support to assist in our charitable endeavours, educational scholarships, and mentoring of the next generation of Jamaican women in Florida and Jamaica.
Of note, though, she was also actively involved in numerous organisations in South Florida and served in various capacities on several community boards, being treasurer to many.
The JWOF board of directors voted on May 22, 2015 to suspend Watson as treasurer and appointed an interim treasurer. We are privileged to live in a society where a person is innocent until proven guilty, and we will reserve any judgements. The organisation will act in accordance with the by-laws when Watson's criminal case is resolved.
Board of Directors
Jamaican Women of Florida
jwoflorida@gmail.com
Watson is not JWOF's treasurer
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