PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on October 30, 2025.  

The Public meeting, which was postponed on October 28, 2025, due to technical difficulties, will convene on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 11.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda points are:

1. Incoming documents

2. Advice appointment of the Monument Council for the period of 2025-2029 (IS/1384/2024-2025 dated August 29, 2025)

3. Ratification Agreements Lists of the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) held from September 26-29, 2025, in the Hague, the Netherlands (IS/115/2025-2026 dated September 29, 2025)

4. Advice Re-appointment of the current Ombudsman ex. Article 2 of the National Ordinance Ombudsman (IS/1164/24-25 dated June 12, 2025)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament 

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Foresee Foundation’s NPOwer Academy is inviting local non-profits to participate in two practical workshops designed to strengthen how organizations communicate, collaborate, and safeguard important information using Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams.

Many NGOs on St. Maarten are small, volunteer-driven, and experience frequent changes in

their boards. As a result, essential documents such as notary papers, Chamber of Commerce

extracts, meeting minutes, and financial reports often get misplaced or remain inaccessible.

These workshops were developed to help organizations make the step toward using a secure,

shared digital workspace where such information can be safely stored and easily accessed by

authorized board members and volunteers.

Both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 provide professional solutions that go beyond email, offering powerful tools for communication, file sharing, and teamwork. The upcoming

sessions will introduce NGOs to each tool separately, and they can get a sense for which platform is right for their size and needs. Google Workspace, which is simple, cloud-based, and ideal for smaller organizations; or Microsoft Teams, which offers a more advanced and integrated environment for medium-sized NGOs looking to expand and access tools like Office 365.

The Introduction to Google Workspace session will be led by Sahar Thomson on Tuesday,

November 4th, 2025, while the Getting Started with Microsoft Teams for Non-profits session

will be facilitated by Delano Samuel on Wednesday, November 5th, 2025. Both sessions take

place from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM and are hands-on, participants are asked to bring their

Laptops.

“Having a shared digital workspace is one of the simplest ways NGOs can build continuity and

transparency,” says the NPOwer team. “When information is secure and accessible,

organizations can focus more on their mission and less on searching for lost files.”

Anyone in the NGO community can register at https://bit.ly/2024-NPOwer-Workshops. For

more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow @npowersxm on Facebook. You

can also join the NPOwer Announcements WhatsApp group via bit.ly/NPOwerWhatsAppGroup.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday, October 25th, the Sint Maarten Lions Club, the Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation, and the Sint Maarten Senior Citizen Recreational Foundation came together to host a memorable day of fun, fellowship, and appreciation for the island’s senior citizens.

The joint initiative aimed to honor the elders of the community and remind them that they are valued and cherished. The day began with a scenic island tour, allowing participants to take in the beauty of Sint Maarten, followed by a delightful lunch at the Senior Citizen Center in Hope Estate. Members from all three organizations volunteered their time to serve lunch and engage with the seniors throughout the event.

The afternoon was filled with laughter, games, and entertainment, including trivia, musical chairs, and other interactive activities. Exciting prizes were awarded, and the lively beats of DJ Richi D kept everyone on their feet, dancing to classic old-school hits that brought back fond memories and pure joy.

Lion President Alvin Prescod expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating:

“Seeing the seniors smile, laugh, dance, and feel alive reminds us why we do what we do — which is to serve from the heart with a purpose. As our slogan goes, ‘We Outside – Uniting hearts while serving the community,’ and today was a true reflection of that spirit.”

Donna Morrison-Wilson, Executive Director of Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation, also shared her appreciation for the collaboration, saying:

“I am truly elated by the success of this joint initiative. It is an honor to serve our senior citizens and give back to those who have given so much to our community. Collaborations like this remind us of the power of unity, and I look forward to many more initiatives like this in the near future.”

This collaborative effort highlighted the shared commitment of all three organizations to promote compassion, community spirit, and social engagement among Sint Maarten’s elderly population.

The Sint Maarten Lions Club, Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation, and Sint Maarten Senior Citizen Recreational Foundation extend their sincere thanks to all volunteers, sponsors, and participants who helped make the event a success.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Orco Bank proudly supported the St. Maarten Netball Association’s “Battle of the Saints 2025” tournament, held from October 22 to 26, 2025. The event brought together teams from across the Caribbean — including St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, and the UK — to compete in a celebration of athleticism, teamwork, and community.

As part of its ongoing commitment to community development and youth empowerment, Orco Bank proudly extended its support to the St. Maarten Netball Association, helping make the tournament a success and reinforcing the Bank’s dedication to local sports and positive community impact.

“At Orco Bank, we believe in uplifting our communities through meaningful initiatives that encourage growth, connection, and empowerment,” said Mrs. Judy King-Richardson, Country Manager for Orco Bank St. Maarten. “The ‘Battle of the Saints’ tournament perfectly reflects the spirit of teamwork and resilience we value at Orco Bank.”

The tournament was a tremendous success, showcasing the dedication and talent of athletes across the region and reinforcing Orco Bank’s commitment to supporting local sports and community initiatives.