Who We Are
Recognising the threat to the built heritage of Dominica,
a group of concerned citizens founded a local non-profit organization
called S.H.A.P.E. (Society for Historic Architecture, Preservation &
Enhancement) in 1997.
S.H.A.P.E.'s primary objectives were always to raise public awareness and appreciation of Dominica's Architectural Heritage through a range of activities including defining Preservation Zones, listing Historic Properties, developing tours, selling promotional merchandise and hosting various promotional events. The desired list is longer than the actual one due to limited manpower and financial resources.
In 2004, SHAPE decided to broaden its scope slightly by changing the
'H' from 
Historic
to 'Heritage'. This emphasizes the architecture as the backdrop or context
for all other cultural experiences and includes a wider range of activities
such as Agro-processing and Carnival Arts.
On March 1, 2005, SHAPE embarked on an Institutional Strengthening Programme (ISP) in partnership with DHTA (Dominica's Hotel & Tourism Association) towards the inclusion of cultural heritage into the eco-tourism product. This is thanks to the European Union who is channeling millions of dollars into Dominica's Eco-tourism industry and saw the relevance and importance of these two organizations.
Objectives & Goals
To secure, promote, protect and enhance the architectural integrity of the Commonwealth of Dominica,
To persuade, encourage and assist the government to:
- adopt a national policy on the preservation and enhancement of our architectural heritage;
- designate specific buildings and sites as having historical and/or architectural significance worthy of protection and preservation,
- establish and protect a Historic District in the city of Roseau,
- offer financial assistance, fiscal incentives and duty-free concessions for related developments.
To assist in the preparation of development plans for areas both within and outside the limits of the proposed Historic District of Roseau,
To collaborate, affiliate or otherwise consult with any other National or International groups or individuals having similar objectives,
To provide consultancy services of the development and design of caribbean and Indigenous Architecture, furnishings and fittings and traditional construction methods,
To research and compile architectural data to facilitate the society's objectives,
To organise public awareness campaigns as well as solicit subscriptions, donations and raise funds through bequests, leases, property management and sales.
Structure
Meet the people behind S.H.A.P.E.
At the AGM of 9th November 2006, the following were elected:
President - Ron Severin
Roseau property owner, Culturally & civically active, builder.
ronniesev@gmail.com
Vice President - J. Grimner
French Teacher, Convent High School. Heritage advocate.
mixx777@hotmail.com
Treasurer - Sarah Slanetz
Roseau business owner/restaurateur.
sarahdominica@gmail.com
Secretary - Esther Carbon
esthercarbon@yahoo.com
Trustee - Jackie Dupigny
Roseau business owner/restaurateur.
dupesjj@gmail.com
Programme Officer - Ezra Blondel (acting
for Elise Johnston-Agar until end March 2007)
Outside of official structure, guided by the Board under EU-funding
until end Feb 2008.
shapedominica@cwdom.dm
Constitution
SHAPE's Constitution is strictly based on the standard set of
Companies Regulations as described by Dominica's Companies Act
1994. It will be reviewed and customized for SHAPE under an EU-funded
short-term consultancy in mid-2008.
Download
the Constitution
Association Memberships
SHAPE is currently a member of:
Publications
SHAPE has been increasingly contacted for submissions to magazines.
Articles have been published in the following:
From Past to Present, SHAPING up; Caribbean
Homes & Lifestyles - Issue 3 Winter Edition 2006/07
(1 mb PDF)
Dominica's Carnegie Library; DOMNITJEN magazine - June/July/Aug 2006, p.20-21.
Why SHAPE? Architecture as Culture; D-ECO, the Eco Magazine of Dominica - #2 Jan-Jun 2006, p. 14-15.
SHAPE - Preserving Dominica's Architecture; DOMNITJEN Magazine - Sept/Oct/Nov 2005, p.19.
COMOS Dec. 2005
Safe Haven Real Estate - October 2005.
Destination Dominica - September 2005.
Liat Islander Magazine - Issue 49.
MACO - Spring 2003.