As we come together to celebrate this joyful season, we reflect on the incredible Rotary year we’ve had so far, and we are filled with gratitude. I want to extend my warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to our members, our community, our partners and our extended Rotary family.
This year, thanks to your unwavering support and dedication, we have been able to achieve so much. Through our successful community service initiatives we have organized maternity donations, smart TV and peace garden transformations at Adelaide Primary School, our STEM Saturdays program, coastal and community clean ups, reading and literacy events, entrepreneurship incubators, health fairs and Christmas gift giveaways all while connecting with each other through engaging socials, general meetings and movie pre-screenings.
Your hard work has created a lasting impact in the lives of those in need and we couldn’t have done it without your passion and commitment.
As we look to 2025, we are filled with hope and excitement for the great things that lie ahead. There is still much to be done, but with the continued support of our partners and the strength of our RCOF family, I know we will accomplish even greater feats.
This season is a time to appreciate the true meaning of giving and community, and I am so grateful to walk this path alongside each of you.
May this holiday season bring peace, joy, and love to you and your families, and may the new year be filled with continued success and new opportunities for service.
Thank you for being an essential part of our journey. Here’s to another year of making a lasting difference together!
Yours in Rotary Service, Nateisha Bain President 2024-2025 Rotary Club of Old Fort
On December 19, the Rotary Club of Old Fort (RCOF) hosted a memorable and exciting fundraiser at Fusion Superplex, where members, friends, and supporters gathered for a special pre-screening of Mufasa: The Lion King. This exclusive event not only offered an opportunity to enjoy a highly anticipated film but also served as a vibrant evening of entertainment, community spirit, and support for the club's ongoing community service initiatives.
The evening kicked off with a dynamic performance by a local dance group. Their energy and creativity captivated the audience, sparking cheers while guests enjoyed complimentary libations.
On December 14, the Rotary Club of Old Fort kicked off the holiday season with a successful community event, the “Your Health: Your Wealth” Gambier Community Christmas Health Fair, held at the Gambier Community Park. This event brought together members of the community for a day filled with health education, fun activities, and festive cheer, all aimed at promoting wellness and celebrating the holiday season.
Free Health Screenings
A major highlight of the event was the wide range of **free health screenings** available to attendees. Health professionals were on hand to conduct dental checkups, glucose testing, blood pressure monitoring, BMI assessments, and cholesterol screenings. These vital tests offered participants an excellent opportunity to check in on their health, with many people taking advantage of the chance to monitor key indicators and get personalized advice from health experts.
Wellness Booths
In addition to the screenings, several wellness booths were set up by prominent organizations such as The Kidney Association, the Diabetes Association, and the Alzheimer’s Association. These booths provided valuable information, offering tips for healthy living and preventative measures to manage and reduce the risks of chronic conditions. Attendees walked away with practical advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing their well-being throughout the year.
Zumba and Fitness Demos
To encourage physical activity and inspire attendees to stay active, the event featured exciting Zumba and fitness demos. Led by Jay Fitness and the Zumba Fitness Dynamic Duo, the demonstrations brought high-energy workouts to the park, with community members joining in to dance and move to the rhythm. The dynamic session highlighted the importance of staying active for physical and mental health, while providing a fun and inclusive environment for people of all ages to participate.
Fun and Gifts for the Kids
The event wasn’t just about health—it was also about bringing festive joy to the youngest members of the community. Kids enjoyed hours of fun with a bouncing castle, face painting, and even a special visit from Santa Clause.
This holiday season, the members of the Rotary Club of Old Fort came together to bring extra joy and warmth to the Gambier community in a special way. As part of our ongoing commitment to service, Rotarians donated Christmas gifts, which were wrapped and distributed at the fair. The festivities were a great way to keep the little ones engaged while parents took advantage of the health resources available.
Food and Healthy Treats
To complement the health-focused activities, the fair offered nutritious snacks and refreshing drinks, giving attendees a chance to indulge in tasty yet healthy treats while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
The Rotary Club of Old Fort is proud to have hosted such a successful and impactful event, which truly embodied the spirit of Rotary—service to others, community engagement, and making a positive difference in the lives of those we serve.
We look forward to continuing our commitment to community health and wellness in the coming year.
On December 7, we brought the first semester of RCOF’s signature STEM Saturdays program 2024-2025 to a close!
Using the skills and information they learned over the past 7 weeks, the students independently created informative and well-researched Powerpoint presentations, movies, skits and drawings to showcase their learning and understanding of STEM concerts as it related to the weather and climate change.
We ended with a pizza party, cupcakes and Christmas headbands. They were also gifted with Christmas themed goodie bags.
We wished them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Members of the Rotary Club of Old Fort attended the induction ceremony of six new members into its sponsored Interact Club at Lyford Cay International School (LCIS). This marks a significant milestone for the club, as it continues to thrive as a vibrant community of young leaders committed to service, friendship, and positive change.
The induction ceremony took place on December 5, where the newest members were welcomed into the club by current officers, members and faculty advisors. These six students have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, a passion for making a difference, and a strong commitment to community service. As part of the induction, the new members took the Interact Oath, pledging to uphold the values of integrity, fellowship, and the spirit of giving back.
At the December 4th meeting, RCOF embraced the monthly theme of Disease Prevention and Treatment with Job and Health Talks by its newest members, Dr. Avery Cunningham and Dr. Yasmine Cooke, both distinguished physicians committed to promoting health and wellness in our community.
Dr. Cunningham and Dr. Cooke both took the floor to deliver insightful job talks. Their presentations not only introduced them to the members but also provided valuable health knowledge and practical tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The meeting was a reminder of the critical role healthcare professionals play in both the community and within Rotary’s global mission.
We are so grateful for being selected as winners of District 7020's Monthly Challenge for October 2024.
October's challenge was to host an event that stimulates economic development or a community development initiative and we submitted our innovative project, The Rotary Incubator - the RCOF Pitch Prep and Competition with the Junior Achievement students! Kudos to the team and members who planned, assisted with, attended and supported this event!
During our Club Meeting on November 20, 2024, we heard from DGN Lindsey Cancino as he shared an update on the fight against polio highlighting Rotary’s pivotal role in the global fight against this debilitating disease. He discussed Rotary's commitment to a polio-free world, tracing the organization's efforts back to 1985 when it launched the PolioPlus program and Rotary’s partnered with global health organizations, governments, and local communities to provide immunizations, raise awareness, and fund research. DGN Lindsey emphasized the significant progress made, noting that polio cases have decreased by 99% worldwide, with only two countries—Afghanistan and Pakistan—currently reporting new cases. DGN Lindsey also underscored Rotary's continued dedication to eradicating polio and the importance of maintaining vigilance and support until the disease is completely eliminated. RCOF members’ passion was reignited by Rotary’s organization's resilience and determination in achieving a world without polio.
During this meeting, DGN Lindsey also pinned two new members of the PolioPlus Society, President Nateisha Bain and President-Elect O’Niel Bain.
On November 16, 2024, RCOF participated in the Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas’ Foundation Gala at Margaritaville, where RCOF awarded Mr. Edward Zouein with a Paul Harris Humanitarian Fellow Award for his unwavering commitment to making an impact in our community. The club also celebrates sixteen (16) members who obtained Paul Harris Fellow distinctions this year.
The Rotary Club of Old Fort remains committed to advancing the cause to end polio with the Rotary Foundation.
STEM Saturdays on November 2, 9 and DG Dominique’s Visit to STEM Saturdays on Nov 16, 2024
RCOF was honored to have District 7020 Governor Dominique Bazin visit our Club’s signature STEM Saturday program on Saturday November 16th at the Lyford Cay International School, which is a key initiative aimed at inspiring young minds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
STEM Saturdays has been a signature service project of RCOF for the past eight (8) years. Our STEM Saturdays program consists of interactive STEM-related workshops, experiments and projects, all tailored to the interests and abilities of children in grades 5 and 6 at the public, underserved Adelaide Primary School in Nassau, Bahamas. It is designed to engage, inspire, cultivate and educate the young minds of these children through hands-on learning experiences, interactive workshops, and real-world applications. By fostering curiosity, problem-solving, collaboration and critical thinking skills, we aim to ignite a passion for STEM subjects and empower participants to explore their interest in STEM subjects and potentially pursue further education and careers in these fields.
The STEM Saturdays program currently consists of two seven-week semesters where the students from the underserved public Adelaide Primary School are transported to and from the Lyford Cay International School, which is a private internationally-accredited school with state of the art indoor and outdoor learning facilities. The sessions are held every Saturday in the semester from 8am to 12noon. The students are also provided with breakfast, lunch and all supplies required at no cost to them or their parents.
DG Dominique’s visit provided an opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of Rotary's commitment to education and youth development. During this week’s session, the students built and tested their very own compasses and wind vanes, and heard from DG Dominique on creating and maintaining peace in themselves, their homes and their communities. DG Dominique expressed enthusiasm for the program’s success, praising the collaboration between Rotary clubs, educators, and community leaders in providing such valuable opportunities. The visit highlighted Rotary’s ongoing efforts to equip the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven world. The program’s positive reception underscored its importance in shaping future innovators and problem-solvers.
On November 13, 2024, RCOF welcomed District 7020 Governor Dominique Bazin and Assistant Governor - West Lionel Haven to our board meeting and general meeting at The Balmoral Clubhouse. During the board meetings, DG Dominique engaged with the club’s leadership team, discussed ongoing projects, learned about the progress made in the 2024-2025 Rotary year and plans for the future of RCOF. Later in the general meeting, DG Dominique addressed the members and guests of RCOF emphasizing the importance of Rotary’s mission and the role each member plays in the success of our club.
Members were grateful for the DG’s leadership and the opportunity to engage with her, gaining a deeper understanding of the district’s priorities and how the club can contribute to Rotary’s global and local efforts.
Additionally, we were excited to have DG Dominique and AG Lionel conduct our membership induction where they inducted three (3) new members into the club.
We were also joined by the Interact Club of Lyford Cay International School who provided the District Governor and Assistant Governor with an update of their fundraisers, community service initiatives and future plans. All in all, it was a lovely evening filled with fellowship, camaraderie, and celebration of the success of the Club.
DG Dominique Bazin and AG Lionel Haven meet with President Nateisha Bain and the Board of the RCOF
DG Dominique Bazin speaks to the club members of RCOF
DG Dominique Bazin pins the three new members inducted during the club meeting.
DG Dominique Bazin and AG Lionel Haven inducting three (3) new members into the RCOF Family.
DG Dominique Bazin, AG Lionel Haven, President Nateisha Bain and President Elect O’Niel Bain with some of the members of the Board and advisors of the Interact Club of Lyford Cay International School which is sponsored by RCOF
DG Dominique Bazin, AG Lionel Haven with some of the members of RCOF
The Rotary Club of Old Fort hosted “The Rotary Incubator,” a transformative program that connected Junior Achievement (JA) members with top industry leaders to foster business knowledge, leadership skills, and community impact. This initiative aligned with Rotary’s October theme of Community Economic Development and supported JA Bahamas’ mission to “inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.” Over two weeks, 55 JA members engaged in mentorship sessions with Rotarians and Bahamian business leaders, developed business ideas, and divided into 5 teams to compete in a pitch competition designed to empower youth and strengthen local economic growth and community development. The winning team was awarded with a cash prize and RCOF also donated funds to assist the JA members in their future entrepreneurial initiatives.
