Governor John J. Rankin, right, is an Honourary Member of the Rotary Club of Central Tortola. Left is President Nelcia St Jean. Photo: Rotary Club of Central Tortola

Some Members of the Rotary Club of Central Tortola at the club's annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree and presentation of toys to children in Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on December 22, 2021. Photo: Facebook

Rotary Club of Central Tortola presented toys to children at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on December 22, 2021. Photo: Facebook

Past President and Membership Chair of Rotary Club of Central Tortola, Mr Shan Mohamed, right, assists with the planting of coconut trees in Brewers Bay. Photo: Rotary Club of Central Tortola

The Rotary Club of Central Tortola donated a Smart Board to the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School in November 2021. Photo: Facebook

The Rotary Club of Central Tortola meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Village Cay. Photo: Facebook

Dubbed ‘The Action Club’, the Rotary Club of Central was officially chartered on January 15, 2021, with President Ms Nelcia St Jean at the helm.

“Some of our projects started prior to our charter, but we have increased activities since then. Over the past year, we have been fulling the mandate of our board and membership along with ensuring that we adhere to Rotary International’s bylaws. It has certainly been a hectic first year of service to the community, but it has also been fun and rewarding, especially our meetings which are held twice monthly,” Ms St Jean stated.

The club inducted Governor Rankin as an Honourary Member at the club’s Rotary Foundation fundraiser event, Cocktails and Canapés which was held at Brandywine Estate Restaurant.

“We are pleased with the support received from residents and our community partners that include Delta Petroleum, Nagico Insurances and FLOW. Through their support, we are able to execute our goals. We have also delivered for the community within the BVI Rotary family where our members assisted the Government with its vaccination drive at the peak of COVID-19,” St Jean stated.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Past President and Membership Chair, Mr Shan Mohamed.

It’s a milestone that we are extremely pleased about because you can imagine the challenges forming a new club and then the challenges keeping a new club together during very difficult times, in terms of COVID, the economic situation and so forth.”

Snapshot of Completed Projects

Mr Mohamed noted that the Club was able to maintain its core objectives, such as focusing on the environment. This included planting mangroves in Manuel Reef and over 100 coconut trees in Brewers Bay.

The club also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) to support young entrepreneurs through training and a shark tank initiative to pair with investors. 

Ms St Jean expressed gratitude to the community for supporting the club’s first annual car raffle which concluded in December. According to St Jean, funds from the raffle will be used to undertake major projects in health and education this year. 

Additionally, the club introduced students to a story writing competition that is spearheaded by the Rotary E-Club of the Caribbean, 7020. A student from the Seventh-day Adventist School won and a special presentation will be held this year as the winning entry will be published in the regional Butterfly storybook.

The President also shared that the club is pleased to have donated a significant amount of food items to the Family Support Network (FSN), a SmartBoard to Ebenezer Thomas Primary School and toys to hundreds of children.

‘A family club’

Meanwhile, Mr Mohamed shared that the club was able to retain its membership it started out with in 2021 and has grown to 32 members.

He said the Rotary Club of Central Tortola allows participation from a wide cross-section of people in the community to join and participate. “We have created a club where the entire BVI can be a part of if they choose to.

He said one of the objectives is to bring members together as a family.

“We believe if you strengthen relationships you will also get persons to be more committed to Rotary and the ideals of serving the community and the wider world.

‘An investor club’

Mr Mohamed reiterated; however, that one of the main goals is making the club an investor in the VI.

“I have said it before, we can’t all keep going to the same VI community without outstretch hands trying to raise money. There is only so much you can raise because there are other clubs doing the same thing. So we have got to find innovate ways to raise funds on a sustainable basis. We want to create revenue generation.

He said plans are underway for such an undertaking via a public-public partnership.

Additionally, the club has plans to create a natural disaster fund.

‘We want to have lasting impacts on our community,” Mr Mohamed remarked.

The Rotary Club of Central Tortola meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Village Cay.