The Rotary Club of Central Tortola has received the District Governor’s Green Diamond Award for the 2024–2025 Rotary year. Second from left is President Annill Daniel. Left is Rotarian Rosemarie Flax, 2nd from right is Rotarian Zoe J. Walcott and right is Rotarian Eileen Bourke. Photo: Facebook

According to the Rotary Club of Central Tortola, receiving the District Governor’s Green Diamond Award reflects the Club’s exceptional performance and unwavering commitment to Rotary’s ideals under the inspiring leadership of President Annill Daniel and the dedicated Board of Directors. Photo: Facebook

This prestigious award, according to the Rotary Club of Central Tortola, reflects the Club’s exceptional performance and unwavering commitment to Rotary’s ideals under the inspiring leadership of President Annill Daniel and the dedicated Board of Directors.

“Receiving the District Governor’s Green Diamond Award represents not just an accolade, but a resounding endorsement of our steadfast commitment to being a club of action. It signifies our unwavering dedication to the principle of "Service Above Self," demonstrating that our efforts to generate meaningful impact are recognized on a larger scale,” President Annill told Virgin Islands News Online.

According to the young president, this award serves as a powerful affirmation that “we are on the right path, measuring our success through the tangible changes we create and our conscious drive to innovate and promote sustainability.”

Impacting the community

Through a year marked by impactful projects, strong member engagement, and meaningful community service, the Club demonstrated what it truly means to be a vibrant and high-achieving Rotary club.

“This Rotary year has indeed been a tremendous success, elevating our club's standards and building upon the legacy of those who came before us. Each project undertaken has been impactful, yielding substantial returns on social investments that enhance the fabric of our communities and improve the lives of individuals.”

A highlight this year for the Rotary Club of Central Tortola was its Annual Car Raffle, now in its fourth year.

“We proudly presented the car to a young man who was the successful recipient, making this event our most successful fundraising platform to date. This initiative has been made possible through the generous support of our platinum sponsors—TAG, Nagico Insurances, Cable and Wireless Business, and Delta Petroleum—each of whom has consistently backed our efforts. The funds raised through the raffle have been reinvested back into our community, underlining our commitment to service."

In addition to the car raffle, two other initiatives stand out for their profound significance. First, the James Harris Scholarship Programme provides an annual scholarship for an Associate of Arts in Accounting. This initiative embodies the club’s commitment to youth empowerment, enabling aspiring students to pursue their dreams in higher education and fostering a new generation of leaders in the field.

Secondly, the club hosted an Inter-High School Peace and Conflict Poetry Competition, which served as a vibrant platform for young poets to express their perspectives on critical global issues.

“The compelling submissions we received addressed topics ranging from the unrest in Ukraine to the impact of global conflicts on peace, reaffirming our belief in the immense potential of our youth. This competition not only showcased the talent our young people possess but also instilled hope that future Nobel laureates may emerge from the British Virgin Islands,” President Annill said.

The scholarship and poetry initiatives were made possible through a partnership with H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC).

President Annill said HLSCC “shares our vision of empowering youth and equipping them with essential resources for success. Through these dedicated efforts, we celebrate our achievements while remaining steadfast in our journey toward innovation and sustainability that will resonate for generations to come.”