Out-going President Shan Mohamed and members of the Rotary Club of Tortola who bonded together to bring the club the record accolades it now holds. Photo: VINO

Assistant District Governor Mrs Delma Maduro said the Rotary Club of Road Town, under the leadership of Shan Mohamed, raised the bar for Rotary Clubs in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO

Shan Mohamed, the Out-going President of Rotary Club of Road Town, expressed much gratitude to all the members for their support during his successful tenure. Photo: VINO

It was Assistant District Governor Mrs Delma Maduro who said at the meeting on May 28, 2015 at Charlie's on Wickham's Cay II that the Virgin Islands has seen a record achievement during this Rotary year in District 7020. “The Rotary Club of Road Town has done its share in terms of contributing to the accolades that have been brought on the Territory.”

“You have raised the bar in the club, you have had a record year in the Rotary club of Road Town. This club has really achieved quite a lot in all the areas of focus. This club has also set a record in terms of the number of district awards….not just in numbers,” said Ms Maduro.

Working beyond the call of duty

“I have to say that I am humbled by your support, I am humbled by the fact that you have chosen to go beyond the call of duty to ensuring that we achieve our service club mandate,” Outgoing President Mr Shan Mohamed said last evening at an extra-ordinary meeting of the club that saw the attendance of brothers and sisters from all the Rotary Clubs across the territory attending in fellowship.

“With the help of our past presidents, chartered president, we were able to build on the platform laid prior to our year,” said Mr Mohamed who also thanked several platinum and other sponsors, including LIME, NAGICO Insurances and Mourant Ozannes.

Rotary Awards

The various awards the Rotary Club of Road Town has received for its outstanding work, locally and abroad are Membership Development Award - 33% (over 10%), Public Image Citation, Area of Focus - Platinum Award, Club of the Month Sapphire Award, Club of the Month Superstar Large Club, Certificate of Merit - Winner of the Video Contest, Outstanding Service Award, Rotary International Presidential Citation, District Governor Award for Excellence- Platinum Award and District Governor Award for Excellence - Exceptional Award (Top Club in the District Award - Tied with Cayman Club).

While acknowledging the work they would have put in to achieve the club’s mandate, Mohamed said, “I have not always gotten it right, I have made mistakes but I have gotten up, I’ve dusted off and I have continued along the path the club has agreed to embark upon.”

Wine tasting fundraiser

Before the close of the Rotary year, the Rotary Club of Road Town will be hosting a Wine Tasting Fundraiser on June 5, 2015 at the Old Government House commencing at 6:30 pm. All proceeds from the wine tasting will go towards the Julian Skelton Scholarship Fund to assist disadvantaged children in the VI attain an education.

The late Julian Skelton completed studies at the College of Arts Science and Technology (CAS) in Jamaica, and went on to pursue studies in surveying in England. He was one of the first (British) Virgin Islanders to become a qualified and licensed Land surveyor and he rapidly moved through the ranks of the Survey Department - from Assistant Surveyor, to Surveyor, to Senior Surveyor and Acting Chief Surveyor. His passion for education and drive to see young people become qualified led the club to establish the scholarship fund in his honour.

Meanwhile, Mr Mohammed said the club has been at the forefront of youth issues through various initiatives in the past months.

“We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hope Foundation and Follow The Movement to work with At-Risk youth; Co-hosted the ‘I’m A Lady’ seminar for all high school girls in the territory; co-hosted the ‘Show Love’ seminar for all high school boys; and more recently started a partnership with the BVI Rugby Football Union to tackle childhood obesity and other health risks,” Mohamed told this news site.