The Rotary Club of St. Vincent celebrated the end of another Rotary year and the installation of a new Rotary Board with a cocktail reception at the Sunset Shores hotel on 1st July 2021.
The Rotary Club of St. Vincent is a chartered member of Rotary International, an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill in the world.
President of the outgoing Board, Annette Mark, in addressing the intimate gathering, highlighted some of the Club’s projects which were brought to fruition despite the challenges faced by the Covid-19 pandemic and the eruption of the La Soufrière Volcano.
Among the projects achieving success were; the Young Employees Socialisation programme, the Back to School Supplies Project, the donation of COVID-19 Care Packages to the Private Sector, providing hot lunches to approximately 200 homeless persons, the donation of over 14,000 disposable masks to the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, the donations of Wheelchairs through partnership with District 6960 Florida and the Wheelchair Foundation, a collaboration with the Salvation Army Children’s Home and Friends, where the children were treated to a ‘fun day’ at a local beach for some downtime and fun in the sun; the children also received routine dental check-ups.
Throughout the months of April to June the Rotarians worked tirelessly in the packaging and distribution of relief supplies (food, water, clothing) to families who would have been affected by the volcanic eruptions, particularly those evacuees in private shelters.
The new Rotary year commenced on July 1, 2021, under the theme “Serve to Change Lives”.
The new President is Dr. Janelle Allen; Director, Regional Project Implementation, University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, and the CEO; Millennial Advantage HR Solutions. Janelle is ably supported by Immediate Past President Annette Mark; Executive Director, Invest SVG, Vice President; Mikasha Ramsaran, Barrister-at-law & Solicitor, Treasurer; Dawnette Constance, Manager of Personal Banking with Republic Bank (EC) Limited, Secretary; Felicia Cumberbatch, Customer Service Supervisor, St. Vincent Cooperative Bank, Sargeant-At-Arms; Joe Sheridan of The Insurance Brokers, and President Elect; Daniel Campbell, Civil Engineer and Consultant.
Directors who will serve on the Board for the new Rotary year include:
Kirk DaSilva – Youth Service
Reuben John -Vocational Service
Sherry Ann Evans – International Service
Francois Truchot – Community Service
Earl Tash – Club Service
Committee Chairs for the new Rotary Year include:
Michker Edwards – Public Image
Joe Sheridan – Service Projects
Annette Mark -Membership
Brian Glasgow – Rotary Foundation
Shandel Ramkumar – Club Administration.
President Janelle Allen indicated that this year is no ordinary year as we are emerging from a volcanic eruption and the world remains in a pandemic. The focus for this Rotary year would include the fight against childhood obesity, the empowerment of girls and women, the growing of the membership of the organisation with focus on being more inclusive thus creating diversity. The latter is regarded as a milestone of achievement for the club which started out as an elite club consisting of only males. Presently, the President, Vice president, Secretary, Immediate Past President, and Assistant District Governor are all females.
The Club brought the curtains down on the 2020-2021 year with the induction of its newest members; Dr. Alisa Alvis, Psychologist, and Mr. Raja Alexander, Engineer, and The Rotary Satellite Club of St Vincent – Bequia with the club members; Franklyn Boucher, Anthony (Larry) Compton, Zoe Cordice, Lucille Cozier, Peter Edward, Clayton Ollivierre, Wayne Peters, Eardley Simmons, Kasai Simmons.
The year ahead promises to be an exciting one filled with opportunities for growth, service, and positively impacting lives throughout the Vincentian community.
Chartered in 1971, the Rotary Club St. Vincent will celebrate its 50th year of existence in August 2021.
Prepared by:Rotarian Michker Edwards – Public Image Chair