On Saturday July 5 the Rotary Club installed a new President and Board at a luncheon at the Anguilla Great House. It was attended by several Rotarians from St Maarten/St Martin including the Assistant District Governor, Rebecca Low, Anguillian Rotarians and supporters, family and friends.
Rebecca Low congratulated the Anguilla Club for its outstanding work with WISE (Workshop Initiative for Support in Education) and its literacy programme, and also congratulated it on the Interact Club events especially acting as hosts to Interact members from the British Virgin Islands.
She read an address from Paul Brown, District Governor for District 7020 that includes Anguilla. He said that the theme for Rotary this year is “Light up Rotary” and this will be done by growing and strengthening clubs and increasing the focus on humanitarian service in communities. He also suggested that clubs should seek out a powerful youth programme as youth must be nurtured and guided to realise their full potential.
Brown went on: “Above all, President Seymour, make this your special year. Make it an enjoyable one for you and your members. Have fun while doing so and, at the end, your goal is to leave office with a better Club than when you started the year.”
Rebecca Low installed Seymour Hodge as the new President and past Assistant Governor Jim Ferris installed members of the Board. The new Board includes President Hodge, President Elect and Secretary Genefa Fedee, Treasurer Shernika Connor, Sergeant at Arms Louis Bardfield, and Directors Jacquie Ruan, John Rickards, Betty Feinman, John Jones and Michelle Daley.
Hodge said that he was honoured and proud to serve again as president. He said that there was so much help needed in the community and “together we can light up the world.” He asked everyone to light a candle. He said there were many ways to light up Rotary including involving the young members in Rotaract and Interact and having more projects for young people. The latter will include continuing to work with WISE and the Kids at Sea programme as well as the reading programme at Zenaida Haven and supplying food to some pupils at the Alwyn Allison Primary School. He said there were one or two new projects including the Blood Bank of the hospital, and the Anguilla Library Service. He asked members to continue to support the Club and to ‘light up Rotary.”
A new member, Michael Paul was welcomed to the Club and presented with his badge.
A computer was presented to Chief Education Officer, Rhonda Connor, by Alexander Fedee from his company Professional Wall, Roof and Ceiling Services. She expressed thanks for the generous contribution and said that Rotary is a true friend of education.
