On the evening of July 6th 2021, members, friends and family of the Anguilla Lions Club gathered to witness the installation of the Club’s board for the Lionistic year 2021-2022.
The programme was chaired by Lion Shaynis Connor who welcomed all present including the members of the District Cabinet who attended via Zoom and the keynote speaker Mrs. Aunika Webster-Lake.
The incoming President, Lion Jocelyn Johnson, chose the theme “Recommitting to Service: Moving Forward Together in Lionism” ” to convey the Club’s message over the next twelve months. This theme set the tone for the evening as Mrs. Aunika Webster-Lake delivered a riveting speech which spoke to the same. Worth mentioning is Mrs. Webster Lake’s points of recommitting ourselves to service not necessarily meaning starting afresh but rather evaluating ourselves as to the reason we first joined the Lions International Organisation and honing in on that passion.
Immediate Past President, Lion Melissa Meade, thanked the members for their support during the past year as there were many obstacles most notably the pandemic. “Empowered to Serve With Kindness & Love” fuelled the club despite the challenges, to persevere and was able to bring cheer via serenading over the Christmas season to their loyal patrons. Monies raised positioned the club to distribute food vouchers to the local community and assist fellow Lions in St. Vincent who were plagued by dengue fever, the pandemic and the eruptions of La Soufriere volcano.
Lion President Jocelyn Johnson, joined the Anguilla Lions Club in 2019 and subsequently accepted the role of President without hesitation. Like the keynote speaker, she, too spoke about evaluating oneself and the commitment to the movement that we joined. Lion President Johnson urged all to be open to the possibility of success, looking different and highlighted the importance of showing up and giving of our best. She concluded by pledging her commitment to the Club and the community and underscored the importance of her team, who has over 224 years collectively in this service, in making this upcoming Lionistic year one in which anything is possible. Her acceptance speech inspired all present.
Performing the Installation was Past Zone Chair Lion Carmen Lake of the Sint Maarten Lions Club. Members of the new Board are Lion Jocelyn Johnson – President, Lion Ernie Hodge-Carty – Secretary, Lion Ann Gumbs – Treasurer, Lion Gillian Artsen – 1st Vice President, Lion Celestine John – 2nd Vice President, Lion Natalia Lake and Lion Janice Hodge – 1st and 2nd Year Directors, Lion Bernadine Romney – Service Chairperson, Lion Civilla Kentish – Membership Director, Lion Tiffany Hughes – Communications Chair and Lion Melissa Meade – LCIF Coordinator.
Congratulatory greetings were extended to the new Board from District Governor Lion Claudio Buncamper PMJF, Zone Chair of Zone 2B Lion Alphons Gumbs MJF, and Past Zone Chair Lion Carmen Lake MJF all members of the Sint Maarten Lions Club.
Members were encouraged to keep the passion for service alive as we look forward to observing forty years of Lionsim here in Anguilla.
The incoming President and Board wish to extend profound thanks to all those who made the installation ceremony a success and by extension their support over the years.
(*The Anguilla Lions Club has no affiliation with the Lions Community)
– Press Release
