President Mary Recounts Successful Year
Posted by Astrid Wenzke
Outgoing President Rtn. Mary Finley-Jones gave a detailed account of her year during the club's Installation Dinner on Saturday, June 28. Under her guidance, the Club received numerous awards on District Level, presented at the District Convention in May in the Bahamas. (Photo by Astrid C. Wenzke)
These are excerpts from her very impressive speech: "Tonight we come to the end of the 2007/08 Rotary year as we install a new President and Board for the Rotary year 2008/09. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to my fellow Board members, my fellow Club members, and the community at large for their support and contributions during this year. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to serve at the highest honor in our club, and I did my best to serve with integrity and distinction. --- In addition to highlighting some of our club's activities for the year, I take this opportunity to recognize and thank those members who led activities along with their committee members. The Membership Committee, chaired by VP Rtn. Leroy Moses, played an integral part in helping to identify potential new members. We inducted 6 new members; four of those are under the age of 40 years, 5 of the 6 new are women; 1 of them is family of a former Rotarian( note by the Editor: It is Paloma Helm, who's dad Michael was a founding member of the Club even before she was born). PP Rtn. Andy Bickerton hosted a Rotary Orientation meeting, 23 Rotarians and guests attended. Co-chaired by VP Rtn. Leroy Moses and Dir. Nigel Bailey. We retained more than 90 percent of our club members. We honored our founding members at our club's 40th Anniversary Celebration held in Palm Grove Park, chaired by PAG Audley Maduro, and PP Stanley Gordon, who is a founding member, was keynote speaker. We presented a PHF (Paul Harris Fellow Award) to the family of our founding member, the late Cyril B. Romney. Co-chaired by PP Delma Maduro and Dirs. Lorna Smith and Derrylyn Churchwell. Rotarians who sponsored a new member were recognized and presented a sponsor pin. Coordinated by Sec. Monica."
Rtn. Mary recognized and complimented members for participating in various Leadership Development and Trainings Programmes. She continued to list the large amount of Community projects completed as follows: Fun and frolic on the 2007 Rotary Festival Float- co-chaired by Dirs. Lorna Smith and Derrylyn Churchwell. A very successful and well organized Children's Christmas Party held at Nanny Cay. Chaired by Rtn.Violet Gaul. Annual Prostate Screening- over 1,000 men were screened. Co-chaired by Rtns. Dave Baldwin and Astrid Wenzke along with the BVI Red Cross. The Mangrove Boardwalk cleanup was chaired by Rtn. Jonathan McCarthy. PE Percy Rhoden and his team decorated the Port Purcell roundabout at Christmas. We served Christmas dinner to seniors at the Adina Donovan Home and provided some needed supplies for the home. Chaired by Rtn. Lilas Masters. Rtn Paloma Helm, in her first week as a new Rotarian, assembled a winning team for the annual 2007 HLSCC College Classic race.
She continued by talking about joint Club Projects with the Rotary Club of Road Town, The Rotaract and Interact Clubs: "Together we started the monthly Rotary Information radio program on ZROD. We prominently placed the revolving Rotary sign at T.B. Lettsome airport. Jointly hosted the incoming GSE Team from District 6950 Florida (USA). Jointly hosted DG Dick McCombe and wife Carla from Nassau Bahamas. Jointly hosted the first RYLA Conference held in the BVI at Lambert Beach Resort. The two Rotary clubs co-sponsored the historic BVI Air Show along with Rotaract and Interact clubs. The KATS' 2007 Premier's Cup Youth Regatta was held at Nanny Cay and chaired by PP Tom Gerker and coordinated by Dir. Stephen Cooper along with the Rotary Club of Road Town, Rotaract and Interact Clubs. As for our Youth Programmes -- We implemented Youth Day by inviting students from all primary schools to Rotary lunch to recognize them for their academic achievements. Co-chaired by Rtn. David Archer and Dir. Stephen. We implemented the Just 4 U program for the BVI Vocational school to provide hands-on support and mentorship for the students. Chaired by Dir. Stephen. The RYLA Conference was a joint project held for the first time in the BVI, and hosted 20 young people at Lambert Beach Resort. Co-chaired by PP Charles Wheatley and Dir. Stephen Cooper along with co-chairs PP Jeffrey Canton and PP Janice Rymer of the Road Town Club and Rotaract President Mia Wattley." (Note by the Editor �?" Mia is the daughter of the late Hon. Paul Wattley, a past president of the Rotary Club of Tortola)
With passion she spoke about the very successful fundraisers: "The Grand Affair Auction has evolved to become our largest fundraiser and this year grossed over $160,000 for our named beneficiaries, HIV/AIDS, Diabetes and Cancer, and several other beneficiaries. The event was ably led by PP Delma Maduro, Dir. Lorna Smith and Rtn. Terry Ellis. We co-sponsored the BVI Air Show and this first-time event was an overall success. Co-chaired by PP Tom Gerker, Dir. Nigel Bailey, Rtns. Scotty Joseph and Jonathan McCarthy along with the Road Town Club, Rotaract and Interact Clubs. PP Elton Georges chaired the annual Lose To Win program for the benefit of the Diabetes Association. Rtn. JoAnn Romney chaired the committee for our annual Fun CarFest and Rally. As for our Club's Administration - We fully implemented the Leadership Plan; PP Delma chaired our club elections in accordance with the new Leadership Plan. Dir. Derrylyn organized several fellowship Fridays jointly with the Road Town Club, and Rtn. Astrid hosted the GSE Team fellowship at her home. The DG's visit provided a great fellowship opportunity. The two Rotary Clubs together visited service projects and toured the island with the DG and his wife. Co-chaired by Sec. Monica Ramgeet and Sec. Kishma Baronville of the Road Town club.
We maintained our annual Rotary Foundation contributions including Polio Plus, Paul Harris Fellow and Benefactor Club, and sustaining members. Our club also acquired 3 new Benefactors; Rtn John Williams, Honorary Rtn. Bengt Nygren, and community member Mr. David Johnson. We made donations to local organizations such as the BVI Diabetes Association to aide in their fight against obesity; we provided financial assistance for further training and education overseas for teachers at the Eselyn Henley Richez Learning Center for the benefit of children with special needs; the BVICCHA's Right Start program to help school leavers transition from high school; the BVI Culinary Team Competitions; and local families in need of assistance.
During the DG's visit to Tortola, we made presentations to the beneficiaries of the 2007 Grand Affair which included an infant ventilator for the maternity ward at Peebles hospital; we purchased a police dog and provided financial assistance for training of police officers in the RVIPF Canine Unit; and we purchased a new Yamaha engine and provided financial assistance for training of emergency responders for VISAR. (These donations added up to over $90,000.00)
With great pride she spoke about the awards her Club received during her tenure: "In addition to the many accomplishments we had in the community, our club holds the distinction of being one of only 5 clubs in District 7020 to be awarded the Rotary International Presidential Citation Gold Award as well as the District Governor's Gold Award at the 2007/2008 District Conference in Bahamas. The Road Town Club was also one of the 5 clubs in District 7020 to receive the RI Presidential Citation Gold Award and the District Governor's Gold Award at the Conference. Congratulations to Pres. Roy Barry and his Board, and congratulations to AG Vance Lewis who received the Assistant Governor's Award at the Conference."
Rtn. Mary recognized and complimented members for participating in various Leadership Development and Trainings Programmes. She continued to list the large amount of Community projects completed as follows: Fun and frolic on the 2007 Rotary Festival Float- co-chaired by Dirs. Lorna Smith and Derrylyn Churchwell. A very successful and well organized Children's Christmas Party held at Nanny Cay. Chaired by Rtn.Violet Gaul. Annual Prostate Screening- over 1,000 men were screened. Co-chaired by Rtns. Dave Baldwin and Astrid Wenzke along with the BVI Red Cross. The Mangrove Boardwalk cleanup was chaired by Rtn. Jonathan McCarthy. PE Percy Rhoden and his team decorated the Port Purcell roundabout at Christmas. We served Christmas dinner to seniors at the Adina Donovan Home and provided some needed supplies for the home. Chaired by Rtn. Lilas Masters. Rtn Paloma Helm, in her first week as a new Rotarian, assembled a winning team for the annual 2007 HLSCC College Classic race.
She continued by talking about joint Club Projects with the Rotary Club of Road Town, The Rotaract and Interact Clubs: "Together we started the monthly Rotary Information radio program on ZROD. We prominently placed the revolving Rotary sign at T.B. Lettsome airport. Jointly hosted the incoming GSE Team from District 6950 Florida (USA). Jointly hosted DG Dick McCombe and wife Carla from Nassau Bahamas. Jointly hosted the first RYLA Conference held in the BVI at Lambert Beach Resort. The two Rotary clubs co-sponsored the historic BVI Air Show along with Rotaract and Interact clubs. The KATS' 2007 Premier's Cup Youth Regatta was held at Nanny Cay and chaired by PP Tom Gerker and coordinated by Dir. Stephen Cooper along with the Rotary Club of Road Town, Rotaract and Interact Clubs. As for our Youth Programmes -- We implemented Youth Day by inviting students from all primary schools to Rotary lunch to recognize them for their academic achievements. Co-chaired by Rtn. David Archer and Dir. Stephen. We implemented the Just 4 U program for the BVI Vocational school to provide hands-on support and mentorship for the students. Chaired by Dir. Stephen. The RYLA Conference was a joint project held for the first time in the BVI, and hosted 20 young people at Lambert Beach Resort. Co-chaired by PP Charles Wheatley and Dir. Stephen Cooper along with co-chairs PP Jeffrey Canton and PP Janice Rymer of the Road Town Club and Rotaract President Mia Wattley." (Note by the Editor �?" Mia is the daughter of the late Hon. Paul Wattley, a past president of the Rotary Club of Tortola)
With passion she spoke about the very successful fundraisers: "The Grand Affair Auction has evolved to become our largest fundraiser and this year grossed over $160,000 for our named beneficiaries, HIV/AIDS, Diabetes and Cancer, and several other beneficiaries. The event was ably led by PP Delma Maduro, Dir. Lorna Smith and Rtn. Terry Ellis. We co-sponsored the BVI Air Show and this first-time event was an overall success. Co-chaired by PP Tom Gerker, Dir. Nigel Bailey, Rtns. Scotty Joseph and Jonathan McCarthy along with the Road Town Club, Rotaract and Interact Clubs. PP Elton Georges chaired the annual Lose To Win program for the benefit of the Diabetes Association. Rtn. JoAnn Romney chaired the committee for our annual Fun CarFest and Rally. As for our Club's Administration - We fully implemented the Leadership Plan; PP Delma chaired our club elections in accordance with the new Leadership Plan. Dir. Derrylyn organized several fellowship Fridays jointly with the Road Town Club, and Rtn. Astrid hosted the GSE Team fellowship at her home. The DG's visit provided a great fellowship opportunity. The two Rotary Clubs together visited service projects and toured the island with the DG and his wife. Co-chaired by Sec. Monica Ramgeet and Sec. Kishma Baronville of the Road Town club.
We maintained our annual Rotary Foundation contributions including Polio Plus, Paul Harris Fellow and Benefactor Club, and sustaining members. Our club also acquired 3 new Benefactors; Rtn John Williams, Honorary Rtn. Bengt Nygren, and community member Mr. David Johnson. We made donations to local organizations such as the BVI Diabetes Association to aide in their fight against obesity; we provided financial assistance for further training and education overseas for teachers at the Eselyn Henley Richez Learning Center for the benefit of children with special needs; the BVICCHA's Right Start program to help school leavers transition from high school; the BVI Culinary Team Competitions; and local families in need of assistance.
During the DG's visit to Tortola, we made presentations to the beneficiaries of the 2007 Grand Affair which included an infant ventilator for the maternity ward at Peebles hospital; we purchased a police dog and provided financial assistance for training of police officers in the RVIPF Canine Unit; and we purchased a new Yamaha engine and provided financial assistance for training of emergency responders for VISAR. (These donations added up to over $90,000.00)
With great pride she spoke about the awards her Club received during her tenure: "In addition to the many accomplishments we had in the community, our club holds the distinction of being one of only 5 clubs in District 7020 to be awarded the Rotary International Presidential Citation Gold Award as well as the District Governor's Gold Award at the 2007/2008 District Conference in Bahamas. The Road Town Club was also one of the 5 clubs in District 7020 to receive the RI Presidential Citation Gold Award and the District Governor's Gold Award at the Conference. Congratulations to Pres. Roy Barry and his Board, and congratulations to AG Vance Lewis who received the Assistant Governor's Award at the Conference."