On November 5th, 2022, the BVI Rotary family held their annual Rotary Foundation Dinner under the theme, “Shades of Rotary’. The grand affair which took place at Maria’s By the Sea, and coincided with District Governor for District 7020 Deborah Howell’s official visit to the Territory. Despite the inclement weather that evening, the dinner was well supported by Rotarians, family and friends who wished to celebrate and support the Rotary Foundation and the achievements of their loved ones.
During the proceedings, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Tortola who nominated the awardees, District Governor Deborah bestowed three community Paul Harris Awards (PHF) on Mrs. Antoinette Skelton and Mr. Andrew Bickerton in in recognition of their exemplary service to the community and putting the needs of others before their own. Mr. Khalil ‘Johnny” Hassan also nominated by the Club for community PHF award, was unable to attend the dinner on Saturday evening, was pinned by Past District Governor Delma Maduro at the Club’s weekly lunch meeting on Thursday November 10th.
About Awardees
Antoinette Skelton
Mrs. Antoinette Skelton was the Director of the British Virgin Islands Social Security Board from 1990 to 2021. As Director, Mrs. Skelton oversaw the day-to-day administration of the Board and the management of the Fund, which was valued at over $800 million US dollars on her retirement in 2021. Mrs. Skelton is a product of the Virgin Islands Secondary School, holding a bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management from Bernard M. Baruch College, the City University of New York, and a Master’ Degree (Honors) in Business Administration from Wright State University of Dayton, Ohio. She served as Chairperson of the Public Service Commission and a Judicial and Legal Service Commission member from 2006 – 2010, was on several committees, such as the Income Tax Board of Referees, the Advisory Committee on Fiscal Matters, and The Cost-of-Living Committee, and was the Chairman of the BVI Honors Committee. Additionally, she was a Bureau Member of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) for approximately 13 years. She was also a member of the Financial Service Appeal Board until 2019 and a member of the National Bank of the Virgin Islands Board of Directors 2018 - 2022.
Andrew Bickerton
Mr. Andrew Bickerton is the founder of BDO firms across the Cayman Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, and the British Virgin Islands, where he also serves as a Partner at all three entities. The work of Mr. Bickerton exemplifies Rotary’s vision of “A world where people unite and take action to create lasting change” and he has contributed in many significant ways in the area of sports, tourism, and economic development.
Mr. Bickerton is currently the President of the British Virgin Island Football Association and has both played for and managed the national team during his 35 years in the territory. With a strong sense of love and development for the community, Mr. Bickerton’s focus has been on youth development which has allowed him to take the Territory to the next level in developing young men and women, to go above and beyond in football and also teaching life skills associated with the sport. Mr. Bickerton sees football as more than just a sport. He sees it as an avenue for exercise and a healthy lifestyle, a distraction to keep young men off the streets and out of trouble, creating a way of reversing medical conditions such as obesity and diabetes, and an opportunity to bring out the natural talent and potential to form a career.
Khalil “Johnny” Hassan
Mr. Khalil Johnny Hassan have played a pivotal part in sports development, specifically track & field and football in the British Virgin Islands.
During his years of service, he dedicated himself to the personal development of athletes as they represented locally, regionally, and internationally on behalf of the British Virgin Islands for the past four decades. His determination and efforts alongside his counterparts steered the British Virgin Islands to become a competitor in major regional and international games Mr. Hassan’s work has been aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus which included Peace and Conflict Prevention / Resolution, a soft skill taught to young athletes as they developed other soft skills associated with sports, Disease Prevention through their hard work and dedication by showing up and engaging in exercise which served to reduce chances of obesity and becoming more fit and having a healthy lifestyle. The enhancement of Basic Education and Literacy by learning things about sport and Economic and Community Development as he played a part in molding the future leaders of this world and putting the Territory on the map About Paul Harris Fellows (PHFs): The community Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who have made a significant impact in their community, which the local Club recognizes and honors by making a US$1,000 contribution to the Rotary Foundation in their name. These contributions are spent on humanitarian efforts around the world. Paul Harris was the founder and organizer of the first Rotary Club in Chicago in 1905. He was the founder of the Rotary idea and the first president of the worldwide organization, Rotary International.