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March 2010

This Week in Interviews

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This week in interviews

Marina and Kim

I have done interviews with three people from Republic Bank Limited and it was totally awesome.

In the first case on Tuesday march 23, 2010 at Republic Bank Park Street I came face to face with the first and second winners of the Step on the Step competition put on by the HR department for the staff at Republic Bank – Park Street.

I was really amazed by the fact that such a simple idea, one that didn’t need the usual high injection of funds to have it started or keep it going, or the outside resources of coaches and trainers to be involved to have it succeed, that it catched on so easily .

To think about it, a simple built in infrastructure like the stairs, transformed a normal daily activity into a buzz, a competition, something that would have a strong influence with the staff and people at RBL Park Street branch.

Sitting and listening to Marina Gordon and Kim Ngui it was an eye opener in a world where gadgets and equipment are the order of the day to do the smallest of things like opening a can to sending a message to a colleague a few cubicles away in the same office.

They were passionate about the idea of being motivated in their very own workplace, encourage by friends and other co-workers and being able to reap the benefits of fitness while on the job.

The long tail effect of this is that because of this competition they now get the notoriety and respect from their peers. They now become the subject of discussion when they pass or are seen, pleasant comments come their way and they look upon as leaders in fitness, even as heroes in their space.

They were confident and committed not just to using the step but to the idea of personal responsibility to their fitness.

On Wednesday March 24, 2010 it was down to Republic Bank – Long Circular Mall and I met and interviewed Wendy Hinds-France for the CariFin personality of the Month. I was surprise very early to learn that she was in the first ever CariFin cross country event, when it was known as the Banker’s Cross Country.
This interview had a lot of revelations in terms of her achievements in netball and basket basketball.

When asked how she feels she would rank in the top 10 among the women she was quite dismissive, by saying top 3 actually. She even mentioned that the time clocked for the winning position of the female One Lap Savannah race was the vicinity 18 minutes and she was aiming to post a better time. She is actually aiming to challenge the number one spot in the women’s category.

So uneasy I would say is the head that wears the crown. So all the ladies look out for Wendy Hinds-France of Republic Bank Limited doing something in the 18 minutes range and if the winning time isn’t step up significantly we could very well see someone else wearing the crown for the women’s category.

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Editorial from Nigel Baptiste

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Editorial

Nigel Baptise is on the right in the picture

Welcome to the second edition of the CariFin E-newsletter.

The 2010 CariFin series of road races is scheduled to kick off in April 21st. 2010.

While the series of road races has continued unabated over the years, the level of participation from the various financial institutions has varied significantly depending on the push provided from within each organization.  Over the last couple of years, there has been a steady reduction in the level of participation across each institution.  There is little doubt that the races are losing some of their luster.

Even the organization of the Carifin races itself is largely driven from within the Central Bank and Wayne Roberts in particular.  While the contribution of Wayne cannot be quantified and much appreciation is due to him for his commitment to the ideals, there is no doubt that others also need to step to the fore.  Before this occurs however, or maybe as an essential pre-requisite for this to occur, there remains the need for CariFin to re-invent itself.

The financial sector in Trinidad is comprised of a few serious runners, many intermediate runners and an even larger number that run/walk primarily for health purposes.  More importantly, there are numerous other sporting disciplines that occupy the attention of individuals employed in the sector.  The formation of the CariFin Fitness Club intimated an intention to take activities beyond road running.  This intention needs to be actively developed.

A first step in this direction should be a survey sent out to all of the financial institutions to determine the level of interests in such sports as tennis, squash, swimming, netball, basketball and golf.  Other sports such as cricket and football already have the benefit of inter-financial institution leagues.  Based on the feedback, appropriate arrangements can be made to structure and coordinate sector-wide activities.  A second step is a movement away from the traditional pattern of weekly road races focused on performance to ones focused more on participation.  Team events and relay participation are a couple of ideas to broaden the appeal/participation.  Previous recommendations for a Hash, a Nature Trail Hike and similar such activities are once again also recommended for inclusion.

CariFin has come a long way over the last eighteen years but unless it undertakes a critical revamp of itself, it runs the risk of becoming irrelevant to the sector.  This would be a very unfortunate outcome.

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Marcus Turpin – Personality of the Month

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CariFin Personality of the Month – Marcus Turpin

Ever since CariFin was set in motion in CBTT in 1991, its vision was to encourage the staff of the participating institutions to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle. It was to provide lifestyle and nutritional information as well as mentorship that would develop and nurture individuals to adopt or learn a life skill that would last them a life time.

CariFin is always on the look out for individuals that exemplify these qualities in order to highlight, praise and showcase them as well as to provide an avenue for them to tell their story.

Leading up to CariFin, we try to find and feature one of these people every month.

Our CariFin personality of the month is a member of staff of the Central Bank and a man who embodies all these virtues and more. We are pleased to interview him to share his story with all of us.

CariFin E-news: How long have you been exercising?
Marcus Turpin: I would say about 7 to 8 years now.

CEN: What lead you to adopt this lifestyle?
MT: I guess the desire to look better and feel better about myself.

CEN: What in your junior years would have lead or influence you along the way to choose a path of exercise.
MT: My mother was my biggest influence. She was an avid member of the gym and “keep fit” classes and a subscriber to fitness and bodybuilding magazines. So exercise and weight training was very much “in my face” while growing up.

CEN: What year did you enter the bank and how has working here affected or made it better for you to continue along your path to fitness.
MT: I joined the bank in October 2003. Even back then I was committed to exercise and attended a gym on Wrightson Road. The refurbishment of the gym in the Bank made it more attractive, convenient and cost effective for me to continue with my exercise regime.

CEN: What is present training regimen?
MT: At least 20 minutes of cardio and an hour weight training, 3 times a week.

CEN: Do you take part in any competitive events?
MT: No. I’m not the competitive type.

CEN: What are the major motivating factors in you continuing training consistently and regularly?
MT: Over the years, I have grown addicted to exercising; therefore motivation is no longer needed.

CEN: What is your present fitness goal?
MT: I have always wanted to gain an additional 10lbs of muscle. In order to achieve that, I would have to start taking protein supplements and shakes. Unfortunately, that lifestyle is a bit expensive, so I think I’ll stick to simply maintaining my current weight and fitness level.

CEN: How has the refurbished gym ay CBTT enhance your fitness experience
MT: As I said before, the gym at the Bank is great. It makes it easier for me to do what I already feel passionate about.

CEN: What would you say are the benefits at this stage for you to continue to keep the drive to personal fitness?
MT: I enjoy the feeling of vibrancy and vitality that I get from exercising.

CEN: Have you ever encourage anyone to adopt a more active healthy lifestyle through your personal involvement.
MT: I always encourage people around me to join the gym and start exercising. I also encourage them to surf the internet, read the literature that’s available on the various fitness websites and find an exercise program that fits their lifestyle…information is at their finger tips and it’s free!

CEN: As someone who has been involved in fitness for a while what advice would you give to the other CBTT staffers to come on board?
MT: Exercise! Exercise! Exercise! It’s the recipe for a long and healthy life.

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Like an Olympian

March 9, 2010

Looking at the Winter Olympics since it began I’ve been in awe and shock by these world class athletes. It’s not only the incredible skills they possess that I’m in awe of but the sheer dedication to their sport, the intensity of their focus, the willingness to challenge themselves, the commitment to their rigorous training [...]

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Step by Step

March 6, 2010

Fun, fitness fellowship Republic Bank Limited -  HR’s ‘Step on the Step’ We embarked upon “Step on the Step” as a fun way to incorporate some physical activity into our work days and encourage healthy habits. The focus of ‘Step’ is on fun, fitness and wellness with a side benefit of team-building and camaraderie, all [...]

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