1998 Feature

Tribute to Outgoing Chairman

by the new President

At the time of going to press, the 14th Annual General Meeting of COTT held on 31st March, 1999 has passed. One of the significant features of the AGM was the retirement of former COTT Chairman, Alvin Daniell, from the Council of Directors. As the new President (the terminology has changed from Chairman) it would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to my immediate predecessor.

When Alvin Daniell assumed chairmanship of the organisation in January 1995, COTT had just begun to re-emerge after a period of instability, low income, proportionately high expenditure and much contention among its Directors. This led to not only a loss of confidence in the organisation by members of the public but also by members of COTT and the PRS, culminating in the latter severing ties with COTT in November 1993. As a result of the severance with PRS, COTT lost the mandate to administer the international repertoire of copyright music in Trinidad and Tobago and likewise there was no representation of local repertoire internationally. Thankfully, under the diplomatic skills of COTT's Council of Directors led by Jomo Wahtuse with assistance from Denis de Freitas, COTT's "Godfather", PRS was persuaded to re-enter into a reciprocal representation agreement with COTT effective as from January 1st, 1995.

Minister of Legal Affairs Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Alvin Daniell and Allison Demas

Under Alvin's leadership, COTT witnessed a period of stability, calm, steady growth, regaining of lost confidence and hope. Alvin's paradoxically commanding yet congenial style of leadership made for peaceful board meetings, decisive policy making , effective operational and financial guidance and keeping abreast with developments in information

technology. During his tenure COTT's total income increased progressively from $ 1,691,586 for the year 1995 to TT$5,080,712 for the year 1998 and the expense-to-income ratio decreased from 33% in 1995 to 16.9% in 1998. It is no surprise that by the end of Alvin's tenure he could leave COTT on what Terry Joseph of the Trinidad Express newspaper described as a "happy note".

Needless to say Alvin's record will be difficult to surpass. Nevertheless my fellow directors have demonstrated their confidence in me by appointing me as President and I intend to prove that their confidence was well placed. I certainly hope that with their support and that of members and staff COTT continues to grow from strength to strength.

Allison Demas
14 June 1999