Attorney Michael J. Killourhy is the new President of the Rotary Club of Tortola, now in its 51st year. Photo: Provided

The Installation of the Board Members of the Rotary Club of Tortola was done at the Golden Pavilion Villa in Little Bay, East End on Sunday, June 23 2019. Photo: Provided

These were the words of new President of the Rotary Club of Tortola, Attorney Michael J. Killourhy during his welcome address at the Installation of Board Members at the Golden Pavilion Villa in Little Bay, East End on Sunday, June 23 2019.

The new president will take office on July 1, 2019.

Human connections locally

President Michael, using the opportunity to highlight some of the Club's plans for the year ahead, noted this year’s Rotary International theme “Rotary Connects the World”.

He explained that connecting "the world" did not just mean forging global and international relationships, but also working more locally to connect worlds that are closer to home. "Bringing individuals and other service organisations and bodies closer together within our own community here in the BVI is also very much part of the mission.

President Michael said, "we want to work on making human connections locally here in the BVI that we can use to make an impactful difference that is felt across our own islands and beyond them."

One of the ways that the new President hopes to achieve greater connection within the community is to introduce corporate membership to the Club.

Incoming Board of Directors

The Rotary Club of Tortola’s incoming Board of Directors for the 2019-2020 Rotary year, which commences this Monday, 1 July, includes President Michael; Vice President – Ian Smith; Secretary – Violet Gaul; Treasurer –Lloyd K. Black; Sergeant at Arms – Henry O. Creque; President Elect – Dion A. Stoutt; Immediate Past President – Lynette L. Harrigan; Membership Director – Kevin S. Fahie; Foundation Director – Samantha Sayers; Public Image Director – Bernadette Brathwaite; Community Director – Kelvin D. Liburd; Club Admin Director – Nadine Joseph; Youth Services Director – Milton Creque; Secretary Elect – Stacy Wynter; and Treasurer Elect – Edson Boyea.

According to a press release from the Rotary Club of Tortola, the installation was very well attended by Rotarians, family and friends and received great support from a number of local and regional businesses, “resulting in an evening which was a tremendous success as the Club celebrated an inspiring and successful past year against a beautiful sunset and breathtaking ocean views.”

‘A very great honour’

President Michael Killourhy is a partner at the law firm Ogier and the head of its corporate and transactional law practice in the Virgin Islands (VI). He has been a member of the Tortola Club since 2013 and has previously served as the Club's Foundation Director and Vice President before being elected to the presidency.

On being elected as president, Mr Killourhy remarked that being elected was a very great honour, but he also felt humbled and not a little daunted at the degree of trust and responsibility given to him by the Club - particularly in light of the very illustrious line of past presidents of the Club.

"I only hope I can live up to just a few of their achievements in the post," he said "and, at the end of my time, leave a Club that is as happy and healthy as it ever was."

The good work continues

President Michael's year will see the continuation of a number of the projects started under Immediate Past President Lynette L. Harrigan's highly productive and successful term, including repair and improvement projects at Queen Elizabeth II Park and East End Fire Station, as well as a number of new initiatives – such as a project to restore damaged play areas in East End and a project to position portable defibrillator machines at key locations across the VI.

The Club will also continue to support its two adopted primary schools (Joyce Samuel Primary School and Alexandrina Maduro Primary School) and looks forward to working closely with long time partner Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) this year on it expansion efforts.

President Michael confirmed that the Club’s signature social and fundraising event, the Grand Affair, will be back this year to raise capital to achieve future goals. Annual favorites such as the ever popular Fun Car Rally will also be back.

The 2019 – 2020 Rotary Year will be particularly significant for the VI and the Rotary Club of Tortola in particular as the home of soon to be Rotary District 7020 Governor Delma Maduro who will assume responsibility for all Rotary Clubs in a district covering a large part of the northern Caribbean.

DG Delma's tenure will conclude with the VI hosting the 2020 Rotary District Conference for District 7020 which will see approximately 500 Rotarians from around the Caribbean and elsewhere visiting the territory for a week of activities.

Now in its 51st year, the Rotary Club of Tortola is the oldest and largest of the three Rotary Clubs in the British Virgin Islands. It meets on Thursdays at 12:30pm at the Moorings Mariner Restaurant.