Discovering our District

Transcription

1 Discovering our District Rotary District Newsletter Rotary District 7030 is home to more than 2,000 Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors in 14 countries of the Southern Caribbean, speaking English, French and Dutch. Visit us at

2 Summary of District 7030 Activities 1 DG s Visits 2 DG s Club visit schedule 8 CHANGE - World Pediatric Program 9 - Taking Control of Diabetes 10 - GO-GLO Project 12 - RC Princes Town Vocational Awards 13 - World AIDS Day 15 - District Conference RI Convention CONTINUITY - Zone Institute 17 - Caribbean Partnership Celebration 19 - Rotary St. Lucia Interact Tree Planting 20 FAMILY OF ROTARY - Planning for Family Month 22 - Rotaract Club Genesis BBQ Sale 24 - Rotaract St. Kitts Raffle 25 - RYLA Grenada A Haiti Experience 28 - A Couple of Diamonds 29 - In Remembrance 30 THE ROTARY FOUNDATION - Club Recognition Opportunities 31 - That s what Friendship Exchange is For 32 - Ambassadorial Scholar 33 Membership and Attendance 35 Important Links 36 District Officers 37 Events - CDs for Haiti 39

3 ACTIVITY DATES GSE Application Deadline by December 15 th, 2011 Nominations for District Governor Nominee (DGN) to serve the district in the year by December 31 st, 2011 RYLA January 26 th to January 28 th, 2012 Tree Planting Project by February 18 th, 2012 Literacy Award Programme by March 11 th, 2012 Changemaker Award by March 15 th, 2012 District 7030 Conference Cruise April 2 nd to April 7 th, 2012 GSE Incoming Team GSE Outgoing Team April 6 th to May 5 th, 2012 May 5 th to June 4 th, 2012 Rotaract District Conference May 27 th to May 29 th,

4 DG s visit to Dominica The DG visited the Nature Isle in early November, during which time she had excellent meetings with the Board of the RC Dominica as well as the start-up committee of the RC Portsmouth which is currently being formed. Sponsored by the RC Dominica, the RC Portsmouth intends to be an international club with members drawn principally from Ross University and the hospitality sector based in the North of the island, with projects focused in the areas of health, education and employment. reducing the use of plastic bags on the island Support of Rotaract and introduction of 2 new Interact clubs Marvlyn and her team outlined their strategic vision for the club, for the period , in which they focus on New Generations, PR and other key elements for sustainability and growth. District Governor: Lara On her visit, the DG was hosted Quentrall-Thomas by President of the Commonwealth, His Excellency Dr. Nicholas Liverpool, who also joined Rotarians for the annual Charter night Dinner held at the Fort Young Hotel on 2 nd November. Dominicans celebrate Independence in a big way, with a Creole Music Festival, national parade and many other activities, and the Rotary Charter Celebrations form an integral part of this important time of year. This year, Rotarians raised EC$1,240 for Polio Plus through a very exciting Dutch auction, complete with Dutch Auctioneer. DG Lara and RC of Portsmouth (provisional) The RC Dominica is thriving under the able stewardship of President Marvyln Birmingham, who shared the club plans with the DG, which include: Continuation of their annual Vision and Hearing screening programs Implementation of an environmental conservation project, specifically Over delicious pizza, the DG met with the Rotaract Club a vibrant and dedicated group who shared their plans, which include training on procrastination, budgeting and etiquette as well as their annual Carnival Princess show / fundraiser, children s Christmas party and support of the elderly. A highlight of the trip was a visit to the Rotary water and sanitation project in the small coastal village of Mero, where the RC Dominica built a water filtration and 2

5 washroom facility in partnership with three Rotary clubs in the USA. Ladies in National Dress Water Project Special thanks to AG Grayson Sr. and Rotarians Haynes and Grayson Jr. for their enthusiastic chauffeuring and tour guide services. We would also like to celebrate President Marylyn who received a National Award for Meritorious Service from the President of the Commonwealth, for her years of commitment to the people of Dominica in the area of health services and administration. Congratulations Marvlyn! AG Grayson Sr. and President Marvlyn 3

6 DG s visits to South and Central Trinidad, RC Diego Martin During November, DG Lara met with the Boards of the Rotary Clubs of Princes Town, San Fernando South, Chaguanas, Diego Martin and Felicity / Charlieville. The discussions ranged from membership and PR to Polio Plus fundraising and ways to make meetings more appealing to members, with the focus moving from attendance to engagement. The clubs are executing a wide range of projects in their communities including: Chaguanas: focus on Public Relations and New Generations this year, with inclusion of media as honorary members, providing excellent support for Rotaract and establishment of 2 new Interact Clubs. Additional initiatives include a literacy project at the Chickland Primary School, continuation of wheel chair distribution and distribution of diabetes awareness booklets in pharmacies. Diego Martin: support of the St James Police Youth Club, AGAPE and SCOTT charities, annual fundraising fishing tournament, purchase of an ambulance and focus on strengthening member engagement. Felicity / Charlieville: ongoing distribution of wheelchairs throughout the District, building of a library at the Ezekhiel Home for Abandoned Children, distribution of toys at Christmas and mentoring / support for the Angels on Earth home for girls. school based diabetes awareness education and quiz project, medical outreach in Upper Corosal and promotion of Rotary at Gulf City Mall (an outreach activity which netted the club 2 new members). San Fernando South: ongoing interaction with, and support of, their dynamic Interact Clubs including tree planting, feeding the homeless, defensive driving and recycling projects. Additionally the club will hold their annual Christmas treat for under privileged children and provide assistance to the Strategic Learning Centre, a facility for children with special needs. In addition to the official meetings, the DG visited Operation Smile in South Trinidad, where the Rotary Club of San Fernando South donated a brand new washing machine and dryer. Joint dinner meetings were also held, at which AG Rahin Seemungal and Rotarian Janet were presented with Paul Harris Fellows, a Vocational Excellence Award was given to retired school principal Mr. Simbhudath Ramsaroop, an update on the recent flooding in El Salvador was provided by Ambassador Jose Prieto and a pledge of ongoing support was made to the Adult Literacy Tutors Association (ALTA). Special thanks to AGs Janice and Rahin for organising these visits so efficiently, and to all Rotarians, partners in service and guests for their warm Southern hospitality! Princes Town: fashion show and tea party fundraiser for Diabetes and Polio Plus, rebuilding a home for a needy family of 7, 4

7 . DG and Presidents Azam and Bashir plus AG Rahin DG and Board of RC Felicity/Charlieville Rot Janice and her PHF DG and Board of RC Chaguanas DG and Interact Chaguanas Washer and Dryer to Operation Smile 5

8 DG s visits to the Barbados Clubs From November, the DG spent three action packed days in Barbados, meeting with the Rotarians from the Rotary Clubs of Barbados, Barbados West and Barbados South. Some of the many commendable projects being executed by the three clubs are: Barbados in celebration of 50 years of service, President Brenda and her team have put together an exciting program of commemoration including planting 50 trees at the new Botanical Gardens, refurbishment of the Beauview Home for differently able men, acquisition of wheelchairs for the sea, a healthy living cookbook and a 50 th Anniversary magazine, multimedia exhibition and Gala Dinner to be held in March The club works with both young and old, entertaining seniors with a concert on the boardwalk and holding an annual seniors Christmas tea at the Governor General house as well as showcasing the talent of the Barbados National Youth Symphony Orchestra. Barbados West President Mark and his club have embarked on an ambitious restoration project at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where to follow on from their work in the Renal Dialysis and Pediatric Units, they will refurbish the Medical Intensive Care Unit. They are also engaged in a nationwide fire prevention project, delivering hampers to more than 90 families, providing scholarships for UWI students and partnering with the RC Barbados South to complete an All Inclusive Play Park. Barbados South focusing on the differently able, President Irving and his club continue their plans to build the island s first All Inclusive Play Park and Recreational Centre, in partnership with the RC Barbados West. They have also successfully conducted a diabetic foot care clinic and highly commended Youth Business Challenge, in conjunction with Entrepreneurs in Action, in which students were asked to provide solutions to actual corporate challenges. In December the clubs focus on musical seasonal celebrations, holding the highly anticipated annual Carols by Candlelight (RC Barbados) and a joint concert of the St. Leonards Boys Choir and Barbados National Youth Symphony Orchestra (RC Barbados South). In addition to the excellent Board discussions, the DG toured a number of projects such as the Beauview Home, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Lester Vaughn school library restoration, proposed Botanical Gardens tree planting location, and the All Inclusive Play Park and Recreational Facility site. Meetings were held with the Acting Governor General and media, both pledging their support for Rotary in Barbados. A gala dinner was attended by Rotarians from all three clubs and their partners in service, providing a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and joke telling. The DG also met Rotaractors from both Barbados Clubs who shared their plans and objectives, and commended Rotary for the ongoing and enthusiastic support of Rotaract. Special thanks to AG Grenville and PDG David for coordinating such a wonderful program of activities! 6

9 RC Barbados South Library restoration The Challenor team All Inclusive Play Park Branding Image Tree sign DG with the leadership team 7

10 St. Vincent DATES December 12th to December 16th January 10th to January 13th January 23th to January 25th February 6th to February 10th CLUBS BEING VISITED Guyana Clubs St. Vincent Clubs Grenada Clubs French Guiana Clubs Grenada Guyana French Guiana This newsletter uses maps from a variety of sources. Their use does not imply recognition of any particular boundaries nor prejudice the status of any state or territory. 8

11 World Pediatric Program NOW also available to the Children of Suriname As a result of attending the Rotary District Conference in Port of Spain in April 2010, I took it upon me to get the World Pediatric Program (WPP) to Suriname too. It was the program which was presented by the delegation of the St. Vincent South Rotary Club during that conference. Via this program, pediatric surgery is offered in St. Vincent to children up till and including the age of 21 years, who cannot get this specific kind of surgery in their own country. The concept is that the surgery is done free of charge with the understanding that the country where the children originate from will take care of the costs of transportation of the child and one chaperone to St. Vincent, as well as for their accommodation while on the island. After extensive work however, both in Suriname and St. Vincent, we were finally able to launch it in Suriname on Monday the 14 th of November during an official signing ceremony at the Ministry of Health of Suriname. During that meeting the Ministry of Health signed the MOU with the International Hospital for Children & the Ministry of Health of St. Vincent, after which a separate side letter was signed between the Ministry of Health in Suriname and the Rotary Club of Paramaribo Central as the sponsoring club; the latter thereby took upon it to financially assist the parents in case they were not in a position to pay all of the costs of transportation to and accommodation in St. Vincent. The surgery is done by surgeons who are related to The International Hospital for Children (IHC), which is a US nonprofit organization with a mission to provide children from developing countries access to advanced pediatric critical care. IHC s geographic focus up till recently was on the Caribbean and Central America only. Dr Marthelise Eersel- Director of the Ministry of Health of Suriname and Ruben Yang -President Rotary Club of Paramaribo Central After the signing ceremony we may safely state that this fantastic and life saving program is NOW also available to the children of Suriname. Submitted by: Edward Muller (emuller@dflsa.com) 9

12 Rotary Club of Maracas St. Joseph taking control of Diabetes Now! The Rotary Club of Maracas St Joseph is comprised of hometown heroes disguised as Teachers, Hearing Aid Audiologists, Opticians, Doctors, Lawyers, Mechanics, Homemakers and next-door neighbors. They are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. On Sunday 13 th November they congregated at the Maracas Community Centre to do one thing: raise awareness of diabetes in Trinidad in honor of World Diabetes Day. residents of Maracas St Joseph on how to identify the signs of diabetes, its complications and how manage its risk factors. The audience also learnt how to prevent the disease and help support the diabetics in their lives. The team of professionals conducted Blood Sugar testing, Foot Assessments, Vision screening and distributed brochures on Diabetes. Ena Maraj Chairperson for this project reports thatdiabetes can affect you or someone close to you. No population or age group is spared by the epidemic. In Trinidad alone, an estimated 11% of our population has diabetes and some 8% are Pre-diabetics. There are over 450 children with type 1 diabetes. We have the most persons with diabetes per capita in the Western Hemisphere. We the members of the Rotary Club of Maracas St Joseph are committed to doing all that we can to reduce these scary statistics. World Diabetes Day was started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1991 in response to a diabetes epidemic. It is celebrated on 14th November to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients. This year the Club s campaign slogan is the same as that set by the IDF Let s take control of Diabetes. Now and as such the event focused on educating the community on how to do this. The club collaborated with the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago, Al Mawi Ltd and Ferreira Optical to educate the Anesha Baxter Chair of Public Relations for the club says Diabetes is a deadly disease with life threatening complications. Diabetes is the second most common cause of death in Trinidad It is the leading cause of blindness in this country. Today, there is no cure for 10

13 diabetes, but effective treatment exists. If you have access to the appropriate medication, quality of care and good medical advice, you should be able to lead an active and healthy life and reduce the risk of developing complications. This is the message we are trying to spread today. Submitted by: Anesha Baxter Head of PR for the RC of Maracas St. Joseph (868) Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago 11

14 Go-Glo Project Education Rc Paramaribo Residence - 10 th Anniversary The flagship project of Rotary Club Paramaribo Go-Glo is as old as the club. Started in 2002, the project was initiated to reverse the falling passing results of the 200 plus Primary Schools of Suriname. GLO (Gewoon Lager Onderwijs) stands for Ordinary (as opposed to Special) Primary Education. The concept of the project is to promote excellence at a high level through reward in the hope of thereby raising the general level. If everyone is encouraged to reach for the stars, more get their feet off the ground. Minister Ramon Sapoen of Education amidst Go-Glo-ers The results have been encouraging and give all reason to continue the project. At the beginning the number of students to reach the standard was in the order of 60 to 70 students. Presently we have to budget for around 100 students. Education and general living conditions as a whole of out-of-town regions, tends to be less than in the city. Go- Glo has had awardees from all but two districts of Suriname. Go-Glo is a nationwide project and does not differentiate between public and private schools. It has proven that talent is everywhere, if only pupils are given the chance. Education is a slowly evolving process; there are no quick fixes and no overnight successes. Go-Glo has branded itself. On this 10 th Anniversary of Go-Glo, Rotary Club Paramaribo RESIDENCE can look back with moderate optimism. Go-Glo is looked forward to in the school community. Primary School Heads guage their annual results on the number of Go-Glo-ers their respective schools produce, multiple siblings within one and the same family have emerged, the business community contributes generously to this project, the media attention is high one newspaper (DBS) has elevated Go-Glo to the level of double page exposure for the second year in succession. Most importantly, Go-Glo has attracted the attention of the successive administrations. The present Minister of Education, Mr.Ramon Sapoen (seen in photo above) has initiated this year an Institute for Refresher Training for teachers. He has recruited Education specialist and retired teachers to act as coaches for the present workforce. He has also identified 40 primary schools with lagging results for special attention. On the first day of school this year, the Speaker of the House, Mrs. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons and other Members of Parliament made unprecedented visits to Primary schools to encourage the pupils. And Go-Glo WILL go on. Submitted by: Henry E. Elcock h.elcock@sr.net (597)

15 Princes Town Rotary Club Vocational Awards In keeping with Rotary International s Educational and Humanitarian programs annually, the Rotary Club of Princes Town recognizes students from the Princes Town area and environs who do exceptionally well in the Student s Examination Assessment (SEA) exams. The club also recognizes students from the catchment who sit the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and are awarded National Scholarships by the Government of T & T. This year, on November 5 th 2011, a Gala function was held at the Ste Madeleine Regional Complex where eight (8) Form one students and twenty eight (28) National scholarship winners were honoured. Additionally, six (6) deserving students who are reading for their first degree at the University of The West Indies received bursaries of $6,000 each under the umbrella of the Manic Bissoon Memorial Award. Manic Bissoon was a past president of the club and since his death in 2001, his brother Ramnarine Bissoon has pledged the necessary funds to sustain this program. We, in Rotary salute Mr. Bissoon for his benevolence! Prior to her death in 2005, past president Azinnah Baig annually conducted programs to boost the self esteem of primary school children in under privileged areas. In her memory, the club awards a student who has shown growth in this area. This year the award was presented to the talented Gabrielle Rajkumar from The Barrackpore ASJA Primary School. Frankie Khan for his contribution in the field of Sports and Community work and Mr. Jumadeen Mohammed for Education & Community work. The Club also recognized Mr. Kelly Bainey as an Honorary Rotarian for his contribution to his vocation of Optical screening and services in our Outreach Medical Programs. On hand that day to celebrate with the awardees, and the Rotarians were the Hon. Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and MP for electoral district of Moruga/Tableland, Mr. Clifton De Coteau and the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and MP for Princes Town, Mrs. Nela Khan. Also, our own Assistant Governor, Mr. Rahindra Seemungal graced us with his presence. Naturally, the evening was completed with a sumptuous meal, as you know we love to eat, and we left with 10 year old Chelsea Ali s rendition of Deborah Jean Baptiste s BE AT THE HELM ringing in our ear. Submitted by: Bashir Mohammed President of the Rotary Club of Princes Town bashir@tstt.net.tt Together with these awardees, the club also recognized two individuals for their outstanding work in the community, Mr. 13

16 PP Jamir Ousman, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, the Hon. Clifton De Coteau, President Bashir Mohammed and AG Rahindra Seemungal President Bashir Mohammed and Member of Parliament for Princes Town Mrs. Nela Khan present the S.E.A. Challenge Trophy to Daniel Joshua Harding of Reform Presbyterian School who scored the highest in the S.E.A. exam in the Princes Town District A cross section of proud parents, S.E.A. students and National Scholarship winners 14

17 World Aids Day December 1 st, 2011 Due largely to their close geographic locations, the Caribbean is usually grouped with Latin America in discussions about HIV and AIDS, but the epidemics in these regions are very different. Even within the Caribbean, each country faces a unique situation. The diversity of the region which is apparent in terms of politics, languages spoken, geographic location and wealth is reflected in the significantly different ways that countries are affected. Numerous different approaches have been taken to preventing HIV in the Caribbean. Some programmes have achieved significant success, but the barriers of poverty and insufficient resources continue to limit HIV prevention throughout the region. Extracted from AVERT ( At one extreme, the Bahamas has the highest HIV prevalence in the entire western hemisphere (3.1 percent); at the other, Cuba has one of the lowest (0.1 percent). Trinidad and Tobago (1.5 percent) and Jamaica (1.7 percent) are heavily affected, while Puerto Rico is the only Caribbean country apart from Cuba where it is thought that less than 1 percent of the population is living with HIV. Despite differences between countries, the spread of HIV in the Caribbean has taken place against a common background of poverty, gender inequalities and a high degree of HIV-related stigma. Migration between islands and countries is common, contributing to the spread of HIV and blurring the boundaries between different national epidemics. Additionally, poor availability of HIV and AIDS data makes it difficult to gain a clear picture of each country s situation. 15

18 District Conference 2012 President Elects and Secretary Elects please be reminded that the deadline for payment to the cruise line is 30 th December, In the event that you have not yet registered please contact Janice Roberts for further details and information. As indicated in the last newsletter we have made arrangements at Homewood Suites Miami for Rotarians and Guests wishing to arrive one day prior to the cruise (Sunday 1 st April 2012). These are as follows: Individual calls or to Senior Sales Manager - Ruth Moloon Phone Fax Ruth.moloon@hilton.com Group ID Rotary District 7030 Cruise Group Agreed Rate US$ plus 13% tax 30 rooms have been blocked and the hotel will only hold these rooms until 25 th February. First come first served basis and several have already been booked. Conference Registration fees for Rotarians are also due by 31 st December. For Rotarians who have previously submitted credit cards, no payment has been deducted since our account cannot accommodate these transactions. Please forward cheques (Trinidad and Tobago only) US Bank Drafts or Wire Transfers (others). The wire transfer instructions are as follows: Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Swift Code PNBPUSNNYC or ABA for Credit to Swift Code FCTTTTPS (First Citizens Bank) Beneficiary -: Rotary District 7030 Beneficiary Account CELEBRITY CRUISE LINE MILLENNIUM 5 Nights in the Western Caribbean Monday 2nd to Saturday 7th April 2012 Rotary International Convention Bangkok, Thailand. 6-9 May 2012 Register now for the 2012 RI Convention in Bangkok, Thailand, 6-9 May, and enjoy an unforgettable experience in the Land of a Thousand Smiles! Enjoy Thai hospitality. Make friends with fellow Rotarians from around the world. Take in spectacular sights. Taste delicious Thai cuisine. Experience a vibrant culture. Renew your commitment to Service Above Self. And have fun in a world class city. There are four ways to register: Online, , Fax or Mail For further information, contact: Labib Najjar, RI Convention Promotion, at lgnajjar@metalxtt.com 16

19 Zone Institute October 2011 DG Lara, DGE Stephen, PDGs David, Tony, Cees and Victor and District PR Chair Milton attended the annual Zone Institute in Reston VA last month, convened by RI Director John Smarge. More than 300 delegates from Zones 33 and 34 attended, including most of the current and future DGs. The theme of this years Institute was Together we Can Imagine the Possibilities and the possibilities were made real by an interesting and varied array of speakers, including RI President Elect Sakuji Tanaka, Celine Cousteau (granddaughter of Jacques), Brazilian Peace Scholar Eduarda da Costa and the new RI CEO / General Secretary John Hewko. PDGs at Zone In addition to the workshops and networking, there was a great deal of fellowship, as well as a silent auction, House of Friendship and Wounded Warrior Service Project. During the latter, Rotarians packed 500 personal care kits (in 47 minutes) to be distributed to veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. John Hewko, RI General Secretary, shared his priorities for Rotary which were developed during his first months in office and arising from listening tour meetings with all 800 Rotary employees. 1. Eradication of polio, including the development of a PR plan to celebrate that day and increased recognition to motivate Rotarians to keep giving. 2. Implementation of the RI strategic and future vision plans so that all districts are ready by 1 st July Capturing the value of all the work Rotarians do around the world, not just in $$ terms but in volunteer hours and in kind contributions. 4. Spotlight on membership, enhanced by recently approved 12 regional membership plans and focus on attracting younger Rotarians using social media, focused activities and changing formats to appeal to their needs. 5. Branding, to be strengthened by a partnership with a New York PR firm which shall give Rotary a new persona and message about what we are doing in the world, as well as a revamp of the Rotary website. John said he felt that every 100 years Rotary needed to step back and evaluate itself, and in particular to find ways to measure the impact we are having on the world. He has set himself the goal of creating a new streamlined 17

20 culture at Rotary, where Foundation and RI staff work together, supporting Rotarians, with one single goal. Celine Cousteau shared many stunning stories, images and short films from across the globe, and offered insights into the importance of environmental sustainability. She likened Rotary to the Amazon, where many small individual organisms if removed from the system, cannot function, but together create and sustain life. She offered the view that we are not apart from nature, but are a part of nature. Zone Institute 2012 will be held in Hilton Head, South Carolina in October. Learn more at Submitted by: DG Lara Quentrall-Thomas rotary@regencytrinidad.com (868) Cees and Celine RI President Elect Sakuji Tanaka spoke about how Rotary allows us to be great and to do more, which is why we put Rotary first - we want to be able to give help when it is needed. He spoke about the commitment Rotarians make to others, when they are safe, have food, shelter and clothing but others don t Rotarians don t say it is out of my hands but instead they join hands, reach out and help. RIPE Tanaka, spouse and interpreter in front of the Capitol 18

21 Caribbean Partnership Celebration The next Caribbean Partnership Celebration, as this annual meeting has come to be called, will take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on 27 th and 28 th July, This is the first time that the meeting will be held outside of the USA, and we are indeed privileged that our District has been selected as the venue. or by the occasional severe earthquake as in the recent case of Haiti. This Zone 33 and 34 grouping represents a total of 29 Rotary districts and over 400 Rotary clubs. Its meetings therefore afford a unique opportunity for the forging of friendships among Rotarians over a wide geographical area, friendships which could only serve to facilitate the conception and implementation of joint projects for the benefit of their respective communities. A local committee has been set up under the chairmanship of PP Ian Gillette for the planning of this July conference. The committee has already begun its work. It is intended that all 22 T&T clubs participate both in the planning process and in the hosting of the event. According to its website, the Caribbean Partnership is an initiative of the Rotary Clubs and Districts of Zones 33 and 34 to foster friendship and partnership between the southeast US and the Caribbean. It has evolved from the Think Caribbean initiative which was developed in 2007, largely in response to the perceived need for the direction of developmental assistance to the islands of the Caribbean. It was recognised that many of these islands were also faced with the problem of infrastructural recovery from natural disasters, caused by the hurricanes which traverse the region annually Rotarians of the District are encouraged to take note of this important upcoming conference and to book the dates firmly in their diaries. The relevant details with regard to such aspects as the conference venue, the topics for presentation and discussion, the social programme and the cost of registration and accommodation will soon be decided, and Rotarians will be advised as this information comes to hand. Submitted by: Gerald Popplewell Secretary CPC Organising Committee 19

22 Rotary St. Lucia Interact Tree Planting on , 2011 In celebration of Interact week the Rotary Club of Saint Lucia invited the participation of all 4 Interact Clubs in a national tree planting exercise. It was spearheaded by the Saint Lucia National Trust as part of the worldwide activity called A day on planet earth. Rotarian Dr. Marcus Day and Club Secretary Konrad Wagner represented the club and went with the schools travelling on different buses from the schools to the planting areas in the rainforest area of Forestierre as well as along a river bank in the Dennery valley. Marcus and Konrad said they had a blast and the Interactors did really good. In total almost 100 members of the Interact Clubs participated. The students were in the morning picked up at the different schools by bus and taken to plant nurseries operated by the Forestry Department. There they received a short lecture on the reasons for the exercise and what trees we were going to plant. The various forestry officers explained why specific plants and trees will be planted in certain areas, for example outlining the long term thinking between setting out native species like Fat Poke, Mahaut Cochon, Mahogany in the rainforest, or interspersed with fruit bearing trees like Avodado, Cashew, Orange and Coconut as well as Vetiver grass along river banks. After the presentations every participant collected trees and the different groups walked into the rain forest and along the river. trail where soil had eroded after Hurricane Tomas. In each area we planted 11 trees. The date of course was , 11. Interactor planting out a Fat Poke tree along the Forestry trail In addition to this the students planted trees all along the trail to for long term prevent further land slippages along that trail. Overall the students in the different groups planted over 200 trees. The following day all students were invited to participate in an educational boat ride along Saint Lucia s west coast to see the World Heritage Pitons from the water. Besides learning about the history of the island, the jury is still out on the Rotarians or the Interactors learning more, the students had an opportunity to talk about their Interact Clubs and plans. The fact they experienced a fair amount of rain did little to dampen the spirit. Submitted by: Konrad Wagner Secretary - RC St. Lucia konradinstlucia@hotmail.com In Forestierre the Forestry officers had pre selected 11 specific landslide areas spread out over a distance of app. 1.5 miles along a forest 20

23 Interact Club Members with Rotarian Konrad Interact Club Members with Forstry Officer Interactors huddeling on the catamaran during a rain shower 21

24 Planning for Family Month December is Family Month. It is also the Christmas Season, which means Parang in Trinidad and Grenada, Réveillon in the French Territories and Dominica, Volkskerstzang in Suriname, and Carnival in St. Kitts. For most of us, it is a time when we prepare our homes and our hearts for the peace and joy of the season, a time to celebrate with family and friends. As we prepare for the season, it is a good time to reflect on the importance of the Family of Rotary. The Family of Rotary includes everyone involved in Rotary s work: Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, friends and benefactors, and most importantly Rotarian spouses and children. Rotarians who balance their time between work, Rotary and family are happier and more effective Rotarians. Getting families involved in Rotary helps to achieve this balance. Spouses and children of Rotarians can play a vital role in Rotary too. But how family-friendly are our clubs? Do we do enough to get Rotarian families involved in the work of Rotary? Are we understanding to Rotarians with young children and try to accommodate them when planning Rotary functions and projects? Do we reach out to Rotary families in need? Building family is hard work and requires an ongoing commitment. It is also what brings us the most joy and satisfaction. Here are some ideas to make our clubs more family friendly: 1. Organize cultural, musical or artistic events that are of interest to a Rotarian s entire family, so they can all attend and interact amongst other Rotarians and their families. 2. Arrange for Rotarian spouses who are interested to make a presentation at your club. 3. Hold occasional club and committee meetings in the homes of Rotarians with time for fellowship with the whole household. 4. Involve Rotarian spouses and children in fund raisers and service projects. 5. Arrange for child care facilities during Rotary events to encourage family participation. 6. Recognize wedding anniversaries and birthdays of Rotarian spouses and children at club meetings. 7. Establish a Family of Rotary Committee in your club to promote family supported activities. 8. Carry out a family focused service project, like helping a family who has lost their home in a fire or dealing with a family member in prison. 9. Reach out to the widows and widowers of Rotarians, especially during the Christmas season. 10. Find ways to improve the communication between Rotary Clubs and Rotarian families so they understand why their family member is involved in Rotary and the importance of their Rotary work. I encourage you to give some focus to the Family of Rotary as we prepare for Christmas. 22

25 As RI President Kalyan says, let s all "reach within to embrace our Rotary family, so that we can better embrace all of humanity. Best Wishes for the Christmas Season. PP Mario Bento District Club Service Chair Rotary Club of Antigua Sundown 23

26 Rotaract Club Genesis BBQ Sale On September 30 th, the Rotaract Club Genesis organized a finance project, a BBQ sale. The objectives of this project were to gain money for a community project and to show off the cooking talents in the club. For this project we sold prepaid tokens before the day itself. Every customer received a token of the meal they bought. With this token they could come and pick up their BBQ specialty. On that day we also sold BBQ specials for those who passed by and wanted to have a taste of the cooking talents in the club. The duration of this project was 6 hours. After all the preparations, we shared the work that had to be done that night. Some of the Rotaractors barbequed, some of them baked fries and the others packed the meals. Some of the Rotaractors who packed the meals We were finally sold out due to constant orders that we had. So this project ended successfully and may be repeated next year. One of the cooking talents Genesis BBQ Sale at Top Ice 24

27 Rotaract St. Kitts Raffle The Rotaract Club of St. Kitts recently had the drawing of its 25th Anniversary Raffle. The fundraiser was a success, and we were able to make a profit despite financial challenges in the economy. Thanks a lot for supporting us. Submitted by: Burnell A. Nisbett Treasurer Rotaract Club of St. Kitts Website: rotaractstkitts.webs.com 25

28 RLYA Grenada 2012 Fellow Rotarians, the Rotary Clubs in the Isle of Spice-Grenada are anxiously awaiting the registration forms for the two or more delegates representing your Club at RYLA in Grenada January These forms can be faxed to: or scanned and ed to: Payment details: Bank Drafts must be made payable to The Rotary Club of Grenada- RYLA account numbers: (EC$), (US$) or Wire Transfer: The Bank of Nova Scotia, St. George s, Grenada; Swift Code: NOSCGDGD; A/C# The Rotary Club of Grenada-RYLA. Our Committee has been working tirelessly to ensure that all delegates enjoy the RYLA experience and we look forward to welcoming them to our shores. Let s Go Grenada! Our tri-island state: Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique is a safe, natural and very authentic destination. Located at the southernmost point of the chain of islands that separates the Caribbean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean, is a stunning volcanic island that has become the genuine Spice of the Caribbean. Passing centuries have seen the Island grow in prominence due to its colourful history, spice plantations, lush vegetation and friendly people. The Isle of Spice has attracted various connotations that bring to the fore its similarities and differences with neighbouring Caribbean islands and countries further afield. It continues to inspire discerning visitors with its appealing mix of natural, cultural and historical attractions. Some of the activities that can be enjoyed while visiting are: Underwater Sculpture Park or historic forts; learning of our various spices and their uses; enjoying our beaches including our world renowned Grand Anse Beach; waterfalls, extinct volcanic crater or plantation houses; diving; river tubing at one of our meandering rivers; hashing, hiking or mountain biking through one of our rain forest trails or shopping at the mall, stores or craft centers. In addition to registering high influx of visitors to our shores, the summer months are also considered one of our busier periods. Beginning during the first weekend in August, there is the annual Regatta festival in Carriacou. Events such as the Maroon, String Band Music are also calendar events for the sister-isle. The second weekend in August witnesses the culmination of Grenada s carnival as nationals and visitors merge to enjoy the fun associated with the festival: calypso, soca, steel-band music, traditional and fancy masqueraders. Annually, the new-year rings in two festivals, as fishing and sailing enthusiasts visit our shores for the events, fun and frolic associated with the Spice Isle Billfish tournament and the Grenada Sailing festival. Come! See and enjoy a place where all of nature's best gifts can be found. Meet our people whose simple, celebratory, colourful lifestyle and unmatched warmth make Grenadians the very 'Spice' of the land. The 26

29 Grenadian experience - varied, active, energizing and quietly exciting - will put you in tune with the 'Rhythms of Spice' for a lifetime! We look forward to seeing your RYLA participants in Grenada, January Welcome to the Isle of Spice-Grenada! Submitted by: Rotarian Alana Wilson District 7030 RYLA Chair jmdu@spiceisle.com Tel: (473)

30 A Haiti Experience By Susan Hale Four (4) Rotarians from Trinidad, led by District 7030 DG Lara, set off on the D7030 Rotary mission to Haiti on 14 th November The Guadeloupe Rotary team was already in Haiti and they spearheaded the arrangements regarding the visit of the site for proposed building of a school in the remote area of Nippes, west of Port-au-Prince. PP Susan Hale from the Rotary Club of Maraval gives a riveting account of her Mission to Haiti which took place on 14 th 17 th November, Read all about this exciting adventure in next month s newsletter!! The Rotary Team 28

31 A COUPLE OF DIAMONDS One of our District s best known Rotarians and his equally popular partner-in-service together celebrated a rare milestone achievement earlier this year. August 25, 2011 marked the 60 th anniversary of the marriage of Rupert Cheekes of Trinidad to Mary Bourne of Barbados. Perhaps it was planned that way, but it is nevertheless interesting that the wedding took place on the day preceding Mary s birthday on 26 th August. Mary, bless her loyal, loving heart, insists it was the best birthday gift she ever received. Governor of District Today, at the age of 92, he remains an active Rotarian, with an enviable 100 per cent attendance record at weekly club meetings, and an invaluable resource of Rotary knowledge and wisdom, to all who would seek his advice. This remarkable man also continues to go to work every day at Caribbean Industries Limited, the company he founded many years ago, and which he now runs with the help of his son Andrew and his grandsons Mark and Randall. Mary has been unfailingly present at PDG Rupert s side through all of his Rotary exploits, including the three occasions when he represented the RI President at District Conferences in Boone, North Carolina, USA in 1997, in Akron, Ohio, USA in 2001 and in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in It can be argued that she knows just as much about Rotary as Rupert. She is an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Port of Spain West, to which she has given much over the years. Throughout his entire Rotary career Rupert has remained the consummate Rotarian, recognised within the district and beyond for his dedication to our organisation and its ideal of service. He is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Port of Spain West, which received its charter on 23 rd February, He became the club s President in , somewhat reluctantly, he says, because he was not sure how his largely uncompromising style would be received by his fellow members. His success in this office must have convinced him that really there was nothing seriously wrong with him, for he continued with even greater commitment to Rotary to the point where in he served RI as the May the District continue to be blessed with the inspiring presence of this outstanding Rotary couple for many years to come! Submitted by: Gerald Popplewell Rotary Club of Port of Spain West 29

32 In Remembrance The name Carl Bourne will forever be linked with the name of the Rotary Club of Barbados West. Though not a founding member, Carl was one of its earliest members being inducted to the Club in 1976 one year after its formation. Since that time he has provided the Club and the community with service above self. A true Rotarian. excellent Treasurer (an office which he held on several occasions). From the early days, Carl s contribution to the Rotary Club of Barbados West and the community was great. He was active in all Club projects, and in particular to its Toy Cheer program (now Food Hamper program), the Medical Assistance program, the Career Showcase program and in the creation of the Play Parks programs. Carl was usually a member of the committees involved in the construction of the Play Parks and in particular he provided great assistance during the planning stages of the Folkestone Play Park. Carl at all times distinguished himself by the level of service provided and it was therefore no surprise when he was one of the first members of the Club to be awarded with a Paul Harris Fellowship. This award was given sparingly in those days and only to members of the Club who were considered to have served the community and Rotary selflessly. It is an honour that is highly prized among Rotarians. By 1992 notwithstanding that the Club was founded in 1975 there were only five such Awardees of whom Carl was one. Save for the office of President (which he declined to accept) Carl has held with distinction almost every office and position in the Club. He has always been looked upon as an anchor of the Club being a knowledgeable and balanced individual with a keen business mind and was often turned to for his opinion which you could be sure would be unbiased. He also being a stickler for detail made an Carl s contribution to Rotary West never faltered over the years. He was the epitome of the Rotary motto Service Above Self, he will truly be missed and will never be replaced. Submitted by: Dennis Chandler Rotary Club of Barbados West 30

33 THE ROTARY FOUNDATION Donor Recognition Opportunities Club Recognition Opportunities EVERY ROTARIAN, EVERY YEAR CLUB This banner is awarded to clubs that achieve a minimum US$100 per capita and 100 percent participation with every active member contributing some amount to the Annual Programs Fund during the Rotary year. This annual banner recognition is awarded at the conclusion of the Rotary year. 100% ROTARY FOUNDATION SUSTAINING MEMBER CLUB Rotary clubs must achieve a US$100 per capita and every active member of the club must personally contribute $100 or more to the Annual Programs Fund during the Rotary year. This annual banner recognition is awarded at the conclusion of the Rotary year and is based on active membership as of 30 June. TOP THREE PER CAPITA IN ANNUAL PROGRAMS FUND GIVING Banners are given to the top three per capita giving clubs in each district. To be eligible, clubs must achieve a minimum US$50 per capita. This annual banner recognition is awarded at the conclusion of the Rotary year CONGRATULATIONS!! to the following clubs which received TRF awards for the Rotary Year: Rotary Club of Point Fortin received a special award as the only 100% SUSTAINING MEMBER Club in the District. Highest Giving to the Foundation Per Capita in District 7030: #1: RC San Fernando. #2: RC Paramaribo Central. #3: RC Central Port of Spain. Clubs that achieved 100% member participation in EVERY ROTARIAN, EVERY YEAR : RC Fort de France Sud. RC Point Fortin. RC Sangre Grande. 31

34 That s what Friendship Exchange is For In 2007 RC Paramaribo Residence came up with a plan to renovate or build as much as possible toilet blocks for primary schools. An assessment had showed that about 10% of the sanitation facilities of primary schools were in a terrible state. that by working together with our sister clubs from all over the world we will reach our goal. Submitted by: Waddy Sowma sowma.waddy@gmail.com On October 20, 2011 the fourth toilet block was completed. The recently finished project was funded by RC Paramaribo Residence for US$ 2,929, RC Rapid City for US$ 10,000, RC Crystal City for US$ 700, District 5610 for US$ 7,887, The Rotary Foundation for US$ 14,351 and others for US$ 7,000. What started as a Friendship Exchange between the two clubs in 2009 has finally culminated in the completion of a beautiful and a much needed project. Together the clubs applied for a matching grant which was awarded. By doing so, their contribution and that of District 5610 was increased by the matching of the TRF. Soon we will start our fifth sanitation project in cooperation with RC Voorburg (The Netherlands). After this one we still need to realize about 25 more. But we know for sure 32

35 My journey from Guyana to the United States as an Ambassadorial Scholar By Colette Hytmiah Like many nationals from developing countries I had always hoped to visit the United States of America some day. Constant exposure to Western culture through television programs made me want to experience all that I saw on television including shopping in large malls, riding the subway, and benefiting from the tertiary education offered. I truly believe that my selection as this year s ambassadorial scholar was a timed blessing from God. Not being successful in my 2008 application I continued life with hopes that one day my dream of experiencing the Western culture would become a reality. This dream was fulfilled in 2010 when I was selected as District 7030 s ambassadorial scholar to District District Governor Jim Bynum and Colette at the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise My experience in the United States thus far has been very rewarding. Everyday there is something new to learn. I have had to make adjustments in my lifestyle based on my new environment. My home environment was very busy where people were always seen on the streets, either commuting to and from work, children enjoying their recreational time after school, or neighbors having conversations with each other across their fences. This is not the case in Norfolk Virginia. I live in a very quiet community where there isn t much activity on the streets outside of students parking their vehicles to attend the University. I am now accustomed to a new way of getting transportation. No longer can I walk to the corner and stop a passing bus or car; I now have to time my departure from home to ensure that I am at the bus stop on time, if not, I have to wait half of an hour for the next bus to arrive. Overall, living in Norfolk and being a part of the Rotary District 7600 has been an amazing experience. I have visited several Rotary clubs and made presentations on Guyana s culture and the work of Rotary and Rotaract in Guyana. To date I have attended the District s annual Rotary conference and Interact- Rotaract Conference. I have also had the pleasure of socializing with several Rotarians. I have dined with them and enjoyed sports games with them. I have had the pleasure of going to my first American football and baseball games, which proved to be very enjoyable experiences. This scholarship experience has also allowed me to reconnect with relatives and friends who would have migrated from Guyana to the United States years ago. Another great reward has been the knowledge gained at Norfolk State University where I am pursuing a Masters Degree in Media and Communication: Public Relations. I have not only benefitted from the academics, but also from socializing with people from various 33

36 walks of life. Norfolk State is a melting pot of cultures, with students coming from different states, and socio-economic backgrounds. I have also gained tremendously from my mass communications department s annual field trip to New York. This trip afforded students the opportunity to visit several news entities and meet with professionals who offered sound advice for our different career aspirations. Had I not come to Norfolk State I would not have been given the opportunity to stand in the control room and view a live airing of Brian Williams Night News program. My experience as an ambassadorial scholar to District 7600 has been an exciting journey thus far. I have met new friends, gained new family members, and have learned to appreciate a culture that is so different from my own. As I prepare to end one semester, I look forward to the experiences that the New Year will offer. Past General Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation, and RI President s Representative, Edwin Futa Colette and Pres. Jeff - Rotary Churchland Conference Colette and DG Jim 34

37 Number of Members and Percentage Attendance for the Month of October 2011 Antigua % Antigua Sundown Arima Barbados % Barbados South % Barbados West % Basse Terre 52.94% Basse Terre Fort St. Charles % Bequia Cayenne % Cayenne Est Central Port of Spain Chaguanas % Corriverton Demerara % Diego Martin % Dominica Felicity/Charlieville % Fort-de-France Fort-de-France Ouest Fort-de-France Sud François % Georgetown % Georgetown Central Grande Terre % Grenada % Grenada East Gros Islet % Kourou % Lamentin % Liamuiga Maracas/St. Joseph % Maraval % Marie Galante Montserrat Nevis 75.00% New Amsterdam Paramaribo Paramaribo Central % Paramaribo Residence % Penal % Piarco 67.00% Point Fortin Pointe-à-Pierre % Pointe-à-Pitre % Pointe-à-Pitre Est % Pointe-à-Pitre Fleur d'epée % Pointe-à-Pitre Jarry Port of Spain 46.00% Port of Spain West % Princes Town % Rémire-Montjoly % Saint Pierre % Saint-Laurent du Maroni Mana % San Fernando % San Fernando South % San Juan % Sangre Grande % Schoelcher % Southwest Tobago St. Augustine % St. Augustine West % St. Kitts % St. Lucia % St. Lucia South % St. Vincent % St. Vincent South Stabroek % Tobago 35

38 District Website: Rotary International Website: Rotaract District 7030 website: Register for the 2012 RI Convention in Bangkok, Thailand: Literacy Ahead Award: m_en.doc Caribbean Partnership Celebration: 36

39 Rotary District 7030 Officers 2011/2012 District Governor: Lara Quentrall-Thomas; (868) ; District Secretary: Eric Adams; (868) ; District Treasurer: Anson Khan; (868) ; Assistant District Governors: Antigua & Barbuda Paul Ryan; (268) ; Barbados Grenville Phillips; (246) ; Dominica Grayson Stedman Sr.; (767) or (767) ; or French Guyana Marie Le Hir; or ; or Grenada Roy O'Neale; (473) ; Guadeloupe Stéphane Denaro; or ; or Guyana Kalam Juman-Yassin; (592) or (592) ; Martinique Michel Andre; or ; St. Kitts & Nevis Percival Hanley; (869) or (869) ext. 143; St. Lucia Lisle Chase; (758) or (758) or (758) ; St. Vincent & The Grenadines Brian A. Glasgow; (784) ; Suriname Gerard Alberga; or or ; Trinidad & Tobago - Central Rahendra Seemungal; (868) ; rahin25@gmail.com Trinidad & Tobago - East Kurt Chee a Wee; (868) or (868) or (868) ; kcposa1@hotmail.com Trinidad & Tobago - North East Vin Lutchman; (868) or (868) ; vinodattlutchman@gmail.com or vinodattlutchman@hotmail.com Trinidad & Tobago - North West Janice Roberts; (868) ; janilou51@yahoo.com Trinidad & Tobago - South Ann Marie Rogers; (868) ; annmarie.rogers@petrotrin.com Trinidad & Tobago - Tobago Sonia Louis; (868) or (868) or (868) ; soniapelou@hotmail.com 37

40 Rotaract District 7030 Executive Directory No. Position Officer Country Club Contact Info District Rotaract Trinidad PP Vishi 1 Representative and Chaguanas Beharry (DRR) Tobago 2 Deputy District Rotaract Representative (DDRR) 3 District Secretary 4 District Treasurer 5 Immediate Past DRR (IPDRR) IPP Todd Denoon President Jamila George President Danielle Hanson PP Angele Mendeszoon Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago Suriname Tobago Maraval St. Augustine Paramaribo Ph: OR E: vibrantvishi@hotmail.com Ph: E: toddmj.denoon@gmail.com Ph: E: jamilagrg@yahoo.com Ph: E: yizdat@hotmail.com Ph: E: angele_mendes@hotmail.com 38

41 CDs for Haiti For CD s, please contact the Rotary Club of Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe: Marie-Elise Dongal: Stephane Denaro: 39