At the recent Annual General Meeting of Soroptimist International of Anguilla, held on Tuesday April 28, a new President was installed and a new executive announced. Pamela Connor, who served as President for the past year, handed over the chain of office to Oluwakemi Linda Banks.
Reports were given by the Treasurer, Anita Brooks; Secretary, Yolande Richardson; Treasurer of the Day Care Centre, Murielle Owen; and Programme Action Convener, Denise Romney. In her report, Romney said that the Club had continued with its longstanding programmes including the Summer Reading Programme for children entering secondary school who needed extra help in reading; and the Stingray Programme where young people were taught to play the guitar. In addition lunch was being supplied to two children at The Valley Primary School and the loungers at the Paediatric Ward were recovered.
The new President gave a comprehensive and inspiring address to members. She spoke of her mother, Marjorie, who was a Soroptimist member from the Club’s inception – and said she was happy to join the members who had worked diligently over the 33 years of the Club’s existence. She praised the work of the Day Care Centre that helped many families, especially mothers, achieve their dreams as they could confidently leave their children at the Centre when they went to work. “Let us celebrate our successes as we strive to stretch out our hands to produce more successes,” she said, suggesting that members should reach out to younger women.
The new Executive Committee comprises President Oluwakemi Linda Banks; Past President Pamela Connor; President Elect Ursil Brooks; Vice President Anita Brooks; Secretary Yolande Richardson; Treasurer Denise Romney; and members Lana Hoyoung, Catherine Emmanuel, Stella Horsford and Olive Hodge.
Club members were honoured to have in attendance Molly Hodge who was the first President of the Club.