'Rotary Needs You' – President Shan Mohamed
Recently installed as president of the club, Mr. Mohamed and his team are diligent in their efforts to build on what others have started and doing their best as citizens, civil servants, stakeholders and others to make an indelible mark on lives in the Virgin Islands.
The current board (2014-2015) for Rotary Club of Road Town are Shan Mohamed – President, Ishma Edwards - Vice President, Nelcia St. Jean – Secretary, Elvis Harrigan – Treasurer, Ryan Geluk - President Elect, Lavina Liburd - Membership Director, Elford Parsons - Club Administration Director, PDG Vance Lewis - Foundation Director, Geraldeen Johnson - Service Projects Director, Diehdra Potter - Youth Services Director, Margaret Penn - Fundraising Director, Gordon French - Public Relations, Andrew Emery - Sergeant-at –Arms, and Charles Crane - Immediate Past President.
Mr. Mohamed who is also a prominent businessman in the Territory described the club as a fusion of teachers, doctors, lawyers, technicians and world leaders who are making a difference in the Territory and the world as a whole. “But you too can become involved in the global push of making the world a better place,” he said in his charge to prospective new members.
Rotary boasts over 1.2 million members in more than 34,000 clubs worldwide. “In nearly every corner of the world, you'll find a Rotary member who puts the motto, 'Service Above Self', into practice to make the world a better place,” he told this news site.
“Rotary brings together community leaders from all continents, cultures, and occupations to share their ideas to facilitate peace, fight disease, provide clean water, save mothers and children, support education and grow local economies. By combining their distinct skills and expertise, Rotary members are tackling some of the world's most pressing problems –from local initiatives like feeding the hungry to global efforts like eradicating polio,” explained Mohamed.
The Rotary Club of Road Town, chartered in 1991, is one of three established clubs on the island that have been helping to build a viable Territory for all. It all begins at the club's weekly meeting on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. at the Moorings Conference Room, where members catch up with friends, hear what's happening in their community, and organize club activities and service projects.
“It's a fun way to connect with the people in your community who share your passion for doing good. So much so, that the club has adopted the slogan, ‘Keep Calm, We Are The Fun Club', a true testament to the satisfaction derived from serving the community,” assured Mr Mohamed.
The History of Rotary Club of Road Town
On January 7, 1991, The Rotary Club of Road Town was chartered with now Minister of Health and Social Development, Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton as chartered President. He remains to this day a very active member in the club, attending meetings on a regular basis.
The Rotary Club of Road Town, which has always embraced change, was the first club in the Virgin Islands to admit women as members 1991. The first three women to be admitted as members were Margaret Penn, Maltina Anthony and Francis David.
Then in the Rotary year 1997-1998 Jeffery Potter-Canton became the first woman to serve as President in the VI when she was elected in the Rotary Club of Road Town.
It was 2012-2013 that Mr. Vance Lewis became the first person from the BVI to serve as Governor of District 7020. Mr. Lewis is the sixth President of the Rotary Club of Road Town and is currently the chairperson of Caribbean Partnership, a regional group under the Rotary umbrella that spearheads several large projects including the rebuilding efforts in Haiti.
Inspiring Youth & Building Rotary
Since its formation, one of the central missions of the club has been to create avenues for youth to make a positive impact in the community. During the Rotary Year of 1998-1999, the club adopted the Enis Adams Primary School. Subsequently, the club adopted Eslyn Henley Reichiez School for the mentally and physically challenged. The club provides continued support to both schools.
The club has also sponsored youth organizations, including EarlyAct Clubs at the Enis Adams Primary School and the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School; the Interact Club of Road Town and the Rotaract Club of Virgin Gorda.
The club is deeply involved in fixing the problem of Youth-at-Risk and cemented a partnership this year via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between Follow The Movement and the Hope Foundation. The ceremony was witnessed by a wide-cross section of persons from the community, including the Minister for Education and Culture, Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, who congratulated the club for forging a meaningful partnership to help the youth.
Annual Projects
Every year, dozens of children in the Virgin Islands look forward to the club's annual Kiddies Fiesta which has been staged since 2004 on the last Saturday of July. It is the only dedicated event for kids during the Emancipation Festival. This year, Kiddies Fiesta drew over 2,000 persons. “We were able to distribute 300 school bags with supplies thanks to our partners at LIME BVI, NAGICO Insurances and Morant Ozannes,” said Mohamed.
The community has also benefited from the club's annual health expo which provides the general public with the opportunity for free screenings for hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol.
He said the education sector can count on the club to deliver dictionaries annually to Class 3 students throughout the Virgin Islands. He said too that usually, in December, the club coordinates a grand raffle which for some years, the winner has received cash and other times the winner received a car.
The club has also donated two dialysis machines to Peebles Hospital and has restored a number of homes for residents across the Territory.
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