The 17th Annual Boardie Bash will be April 24th at Travellers!

This year's 2015 annual Boardie Bash will be held where it all began - at Travellers Beach Resort on April 24th from Noon to 4pm! It brings us full circle - from the Beingee's Boutique Shop (there were no Internet Cafes back in 1995) where we offered "email related services" using the only provider on the island - InfoChannel - to the present where the internet is now in your pocket! And it all started at Travellers Beach Resort and we proudly support their efforts with the NEET program. Giving back to the community has always been the goal of Negril.com!

And you all have been a great part of this 20 year journey and we want to invite each and everyone of our online community to join us and meet each other and also help those who support Negril and Jamaica. We hope to see you, either in person or online and help us celebrate years of online Negril!

Here is a little "blast from the past" from March 1996 at Travellers:

http://www.realnegril.com/beingees/nn140396.htm

Looking forward to it. The first trip in April was planned so we could attend the Boardie Bash.... LOVE April.....Love the Bash and meeting all the GREAT people who come to this board.. Thank-you, Rob and Lisa.........Without you this would not happen~~ Counting down the days.

We are in!! Soon come..

Keep checking this thread for more information about the 17th Annual Boardie Bash party for news and how it will benefit the local Negril community and Jamaica as a whole! As always, the Boardie Bash is free to attend. The charity we are supporting this year is the NEET program (Negril Education Environment Trust) http://neetja.com/ which is an official non-profit organization based at Travellers Beach Resort in Negril, Jamaica.

In 2003 the organization was founded to address the country’s need for educational support and resources. Since its inception, NEET's mission and vision have grown. Today, NEET is committed to strengthening the social fabric of Jamaica through programs that expand educational access for children and adults, partnerships that address our public and environmental health, and events and activities that celebrate Jamaica’s rich heritage. NEET achieves its mission through the provision of three programs, Island-wide Book & Computer Distribution, Computer Literacy, and the Medical Mission.

In January 2015 NEET rededicated St. Pauls primary library which has been completely renovated. In doing so, 30 tablets were donated to the graduating class of 2015. These tablets came with the Bible, national anthem, pledge, encyclopedia and a number of educational programs pre-installed.

We didnt actually make this a "sticky" post to start a roll call but since it has started, you can add your name if you so choose! It will be great to see old friends and meet new ones again this year! As always, everyone is welcome - registered member Posters and non-registered non-Posters (Lurkers) alike! As I mentioned, you can add your name here if you wish so your friends can look for you, but no one is under any obligation - it is up to you! Negril.com and Travellers want this to be a fun time for all with no pressures or hassles - just a great chance to meet and greet each other at a fine property, and also to help support a wonderful cause at the same time.

And yes, the "buy a brick" donations will be "in action" so think of a great name to paint on a brick!

See you all in just over a month at Travellers Beach Resort!

Sounds like a lot of fun and a worthwhile cause. I'm in and will bring friends too!

Sorry we can not attend this year. We love Travellers. Our Wedding is a month almost to the day, later at Charela

No worries Flip! You guys can still join us during the live webcast!

See you soon!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cool Shade

Sounds like a lot of fun and a worthwhile cause. I'm in and will bring friends too!

---

The more the merrier! See you soon Cool Shade!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob

No worries Flip! You guys can still join us during the live webcast!

See you soon!

---

Yes indeed. Which reminds me. I need ask you about wedding stuff. Will send IM.

We'll be there! Arriving 4/20...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lowlandr

We'll be there! Arriving 4/20...

---

Please call CrossJamaicaTours if you need assistance. We would be happy to be part of your upcoming trip to Jamaica! We provide for transfers from and to airport, tours all over the Island and taxi services all around Negril. Our taxi are always sitting in Negril and ready for short distance transfers. Anywhere you are in Negril call us and we will reach you in less than ten minutes. All our taxi have red plate

Phone: (876) 362-4906

Website: http://crossjamaicatours.com/

Email: crossjamaicatours@gmail.com

And CrossJA Owen, we expect to see you there! Everyone is welcome including our great Negril.com family of sponsors as well as your friends!

See you soon man!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lowlandr

We'll be there! Arriving 4/20...

---

See you soon! WooHoo!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob

And CrossJA Owen, we expect to see you there! Everyone is welcome including our great Negril.com family of sponsors as well as your friends!

See you soon man!

---

I will be there of course!! Thank you Rob!!

What about having 50/50 raffie and raffles of sponsor donated items that could generate funds for charity? Just a thought.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BostonBob

What about having 50/50 raffie and raffles of sponsor donated items that could generate funds for charity? Just a thought.

---

Hey BostonBob thanks for offering to do a raffle and organize an auction. I will certainly buy a ticket. In absentiia unfortunately.

Hi Dash. Sadly for me, I will not be there this year but have been in the past and loved it. I hope to go next and every year. But I was just throwing out the idea. Also, thanks for the support and I too would buy one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dash

Hey BostonBob thanks for offering to do a raffle and organize an auction. I will certainly buy a ticket. In absentiia unfortunately.

---

What??????? No Dash at the Bash? :(:(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BostonBob

What about having 50/50 raffie and raffles of sponsor donated items that could generate funds for charity? Just a thought.

---

Thanks for asking.

Each year we try to choose a legal charity to help support at the annual Boardie Bash by donations. The charity we chose this year is the NEET program. In order to have a raffle (or 50/50), Negril.com, Travellers and NEET would need to apply for the "gaming/gambling" permit and put 15% of the proceeds aside for the government.

That is why we have never had raffles in the past. This is also why our events have always been free for anyone to attend. If we were to charge an admission fee, even for the charity, by charging it for the event would make it taxable under Jamaican law. And we do not want anyone to be breaking the law.

Two years ago, a notable charity in Negril found out the hard way that they should have filed the proper paperwork. During the event, the police and Ministry of Justice showed up and stopped the "gambling". People could still donate, but no prizes or money could be given out as "winnings".

The NEET Charity is a great program and all the money donated to them at the Boardie Bash (or online during the Bash through their "Donate" button at http://neetja.com) will go directly to helping their cause which is the betterment of Jamaica. The NEET "buy a brick" program is one of their main fundraising activities and they have all the legal aspects taken care of so there are "no problems" with buying as many bricks as you want!

As each year, we want this to be an easy going, fun time for our Boardies (posters and lurkers alike) and sponsors to meet and greet each other. Once again, it is free to attend and any prizes would need to be "giveaways" having no money exchanged for the prize.

For those interested in knowing the laws so you dont break them when having an event here, please read below.

There are laws in Jamaica that govern Bingos and Raffles for Charities. Here is the exact wording from the Ministry of Justice:

Bingos & Raffles for Charitable Purposes

The Ministry of Justice processes applications for the holding of Bingos and Raffles for charitable purposes in accordance with Section 51(1)(a) of the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act.

Under this section of the act permission is granted by the Minister for a lottery to be held in order to raise funds for any religious, charitable or educational purposes or promotion of athletic sports or cultural activities.

The procedure to be followed when making application for Minister’s consent is set out below: -

The attached application form must be completed in triplicate by three individuals considered to be the organizers of the Raffle/Bingo. They are required to complete this form in their private capacity even though they may hold a position in the Organizing body (i.e. President, Secretary etc. of Service Club).

The application form when completed must be submitted with a supporting letter from the host organization giving authority for the individuals to hold the lottery on its behalf.

A letter of acceptance from the benefiting organization should also accompany the application.

The application form is then forwarded to the Police for investigation and report as to the reputation of the organizers and their trustworthiness to disburse public funds.

Once the Police report is favourable, a decision is taken on the application.

The organizers must thereafter enter into a Bond to pay to the Accountant General fifteen percent (15%) of the gross receipt; this is regarded as the duty payable.

Once the bond has been signed, the formal approval for the holding of the lottery is given.

With regard to the fifteen percent (15%) of the gross receipt a waiver of the duty may be sought from the Ministry of Finance, after the venture has been held.

http://moj.gov.jm/services-and-infor...go-and-raffles

For those wondering, here is a picture of the bricks in the "Buy a Brick" program. Your donation allows you to paint your name on a brick that will be used in one of the libraries, computer libraries and schools that NEET builds across the island!

Attachment 41299

woot woot, 11 sleeps.... soon come

lets see that ticker~~

We are definitely looking forward to welcoming you all to Travellers Beach Resort on April 24, 2015! Let us celebrate 20 years of online Negril Jamaica! See you there!

Any webcast from the bash? That would be nice.

Yes, we will be webcasting the event live from Travellers!

If you cant make it in person, we will see you online in the chat and webcast on RealNegril.com!

Nice. Looking forward to it. Would rather be there but.... Next year for sure.

ha ha 4/20 lowlandr

I hope all enjoy the gathering and plenty money is raised.

The same law covers all forms of gaming /gambling when money is involved including poker, dominos, drop pan etc.

Thanks Sheba! As a reminder, for those who cannot attend but would still like to donate to the NEET program, you can click on their "Donate Now" button on their website (upper right hand corner) at http://neetja.com/

I have been fortunate to meet a lot of great travelers who not only take in all Negril and Jamaica has to offer, but make a point to give a little back. From getting kids to school, donate a brick to the Travelers NEET program, spay and neuter clinics in cooperation with Debbile Lightheart, trash pickups, school supplies, etc.

April 27th is another chance to participate for those of you in town for the Boardie Bash. If you attend the bash you will be able to help NEET out as described in the Boardie Bash thread. And if you are still in town you can visit Seastar on April 27th at 1PM to observe the 3rd annual belly flop. Admission is free and any donation of any size is welcome. Proceeds will benefit the Get To School program for local youth. The last two have been a blast and this one will only be bigger. Thank you to Muzicdoc Phil for taking the lead and keeping th vibe right.

All are welcome.....

Are there anymore activities/outings planned for the boardie bash?

The weekly webcast parties are always a great way to meet others! Sunday with Stormin' Norman's Mento Band, Tuesday at 3 Dives with the 3 Dives Band, Thursday at Canoe with Greenie & Steel's Steel Drum Band and of course the Saturday night One Love Reggae Show at Seastar Inn!

Stop at any or all of them while you are here!

Plans are being finalized at Travellers Beach Resort for Friday's Boardie Bash! There will be beer and drink specials along with special lunch items to please everyone! There may be a representative or two from the schools that benefited from the NEET program, so you can find out how your donation dollars help the children of Jamaica!

More info to come!

At the Boardie Bash there will be a complimentary rum punch if you want one as well as a beer bucket special - 6 beers for us$15! Dont forget the special lunch menu including jerk chicken and burgers!

And be sure to Buy a Brick to help out the children of Jamaica!

See you there!

Hope everyone has a great time today!!!! Looking forward to the pictures.

I'm sooooo envious!

Enjoy!!!!!!

VVHT

From the webcast, it looked and sounded like a really special 20th anniversary bash. Congrats to all who made this day so special, and for the 20 years of being the best and info source for all that is Negril. Now on to many more years and cool reports. Have fun.

We want to thank everyone who made this year's Boardie Bash the best ever! You all helped raise funds for the NEET program and watching the children perform was wonderful! We especially want to thank Winston and the Wellington family for their support!

Thank you all!!!

Attachment 41498