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VG new Rotaract cautioned to 'Keep politics out’ of their club

- Said older members of the fraternity must support the youths
Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE warned members of the recently formed Rotoract Club of Virgin Gorda to keep politics out of the operations of the club. Photo: Kishma Penn
Installation of the first Rotoract Club on the Island of Virgin Gorda, VI, February 1, 2014. Photo: Kishma Penn
Installation of the first Rotoract Club on the Island of Virgin Gorda, VI, February 1, 2014. Photo: Kishma Penn
Installation of the first Rotoract Club on the Island of Virgin Gorda, VI, February 1, 2014. Photo: Kishma Penn
Installation of the first Rotoract Club on the Island of Virgin Gorda, VI, February 1, 2014. Photo: Kishma Penn
Installation of the first Rotoract Club on the Island of Virgin Gorda, VI, February 1, 2014. Photo: Kishma Penn
Installation of the first Rotoract Club on the Island of Virgin Gorda, VI, February 1, 2014. Photo: Kishma Penn
Installation of the first Rotoract Club on the Island of Virgin Gorda, VI, February 1, 2014. Photo: Kishma Penn
Installation of the first Rotoract Club on the Island of Virgin Gorda, VI, February 1, 2014. Photo: Kishma Penn
Installation of the first Rotoract Club on the Island of Virgin Gorda, VI, February 1, 2014. Photo: Kishma Penn
Installation of the first Rotoract Club on the Island of Virgin Gorda, VI, February 1, 2014. Photo: Kishma Penn
Installation of the first Rotoract Club on the Island of Virgin Gorda, VI, February 1, 2014. Photo: Kishma Penn
Installation of the first Rotoract Club on the Island of Virgin Gorda, VI, February 1, 2014. Photo: Kishma Penn
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI - “I would like to warn the members that for God’s sake keep politics out of Rotaract.” This was a stern advice that founder member of the Rotary Family of the Virgin Islands, Past President and Representative for the Ninth District Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE as he addressed the recently commissioned and installed Rotaract Club last Saturday February 1, 2014.

Hon O’Neal was one of the keynote speakers at the Gala event held at the Rock Café and Sam’s piano bar at Virgin Gorda. In giving the strong warning Hon O’Neal alluded to the fact that himself and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith are both politicians of opposite sides. However they have and continue to be able work together in the family of Rotary by keeping their political ideals out.

“You want this to remain a service club, service above self and I want to tell you, give you the assurance my dear people at all time at your beck and call to assist in any way that I think that I can help you.” Hon O’Neal said.

He cautioned the young group to avoid certain pitfalls as there will be. “There will be the wise-a-licks who will tell you, you in that thing, that is for rich people, that is not for you, and they would try to persuade you to leave,” he said.

Speaking as an experienced person of the Rotary Family of the Virgin Islands Hon O’Neal told the new group members that the international bodies sometimes are guilty of writing things without taking the smaller islands into consideration.

“You have to be tough when it is necessary to make people to understand that they must think carefully about the smaller islands.”

Hon O’Neal said that he was very humbled to have been given the opportunity to address the young people of his District he calls ‘Gorda’. He said that the young ones must be given a change to take the lead and they must be given full support to take up the mantle as the older folks are now moving on.

According to Hon O’Neal, being in the Rotary Club has personally helped him to get rid of a bad temper which he underscored as one of the memorable achievements for him.

Hon O’Neal believes that the step taken to form the group in Virgin Gorda is one that was well thought out.

7 Responses to “VG new Rotaract cautioned to 'Keep politics out’ of their club”

  • cay (04/02/2014, 07:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can politics be left out of anything in the bvi
  • oh really (04/02/2014, 09:48) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    He is not a good example for young people and to add insult to injuries
    talk about opertunities to give young people a chance to excell etc.
    its obvious he does not beleive in sucession planning.
    • only now (04/02/2014, 11:16) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Only now ayo seeing this? 5 times with Bertie, twice with Osborne, and the Johnnies that came lately in the last election to throw off everybody. It is a shame to say leave politics out of anything but I would have felt better with him saying the young people have set the example for leadership within the community by initiating the Rotaract Club and it is time to acknowledge by stepping aside in politics.
  • Hmm (04/02/2014, 10:32) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ah wonder if he ain't see tis time for he to move on and give the young people a chance.
  • egg face (04/02/2014, 12:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    GOOD ADVISE FOR DEEDS NDP YOUNG PEOPLE UNCLE
  • now sah (04/02/2014, 12:56) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    POLITICS is a way of life.
  • virgin gorda (04/02/2014, 17:00) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Rotirac ah wha it is call never needed in VG lusifa da ya


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