September 2010 E-Bulletin-PART I
September 2010 eBulletin
for 'New Generations' Month
Rotary Club of Tortola
for 'New Generations' Month
Rotary Club of Tortola
| President: | Lorna Smith |
| Vice President: | Archibald Christian |
| Immediate Past President: | Leroy Moses |
| President Elect: | Brian Liverpool |
| Secretary: | Susanna Henighan Potter |
| Treasurer: | Julien Johnson |
| Director, Club Service: | Laura Greeces |
| Director, Community Service: | Stephen Cooper |
| Director, Membership: | Cate Stephenson |
| Director , New Generations: | Mary Finley-Jones |
| Director, Public Relations: | Joycelyn Murraine |
| Director, Rotary Foundation: | Cate Stephenson |
TABLE OF CONTENTS -Click on story to view directly.
I. 'NEW GENERATIONS' MONTH OF ACTIVITIES
A. 'Motivating the Teen Spirit' Workshop
B. BSAFE Programme for children receive $15,000
C. Showing Children Environment Preservation by Planting Mangroves
D. Q&A with Rotaractors : President Aisha and Past President Abby
II. FUN FACTS ABOUT...
A. PETS and What two Rotarians Think
B. A reflection by Socrates--and THE FOUR WAY TEST REPEATED
III. WHAT ELSE KEEPS OUR MEMBERS GOING...
A. Knowing the contributions of the Rotary Foundation
B. A very strange pastor moment and can you Guess Who?
IV. BUILDING COMMUNITIES BRIDGING CONTINENTS
A. Rotarians Join Forces to help Anegada
B. Prostate Cancer Screening
C. RCT earns Bragging Rights --The College Classics
D. Projects Summary -List of Ongoing Projects
V. FELLOWSHIP
A. Fellowship Fridays are back
Motivating the Teen Spirit Workshop--A Huge Success
by Lorna Smith
On Sunday, September 5, 2010 world-renowned motivational speaker and author, Lisa Nichols created an emotional 'safe space' for over 400 of BVI teens to better understand themselves, articulate their dreams and to start to claim these.
(Photo contributed)
The event took place at the Learning Resource Centre of HLSCC with a number of parents, relatives and friends also in attendance to support the teens.
Billed as Motivating the Teen Spirit, the three hour work shop was hosted by the Rotary Club of Tortola in collaboration with the Rotaract Club of Tortola. The BVI's own very popular DJ and community activist Push Pop was the Master of Ceremony and introduced the youth group J.A.D. who thrilled the teens with their dance routines.
The workshop was designed to empower teens between the age of 13-19 years old to make smart choices about alcohol, drugs, sex, family relations and the pressures they face today.
The ultimate objective was to produce profound shifts in the participants, resulting in more responsible mindsets, attitudes, and behaviors.Many teenagers congratulated the Rotary Club of Tortola (RCT) for affording them the opportunity to attend.
Lorna Smith, President of the Rotary Club of Tortola (RCT), said that "The RCT was pleased to sponsor this historic event as investing in our young people is of the highest priority. Our teens attended mostly out of curiosity but at the end of three hours under the masterful direction of life coach Lisa Nichols, the attitudinal shift was very evident. Although this event was sponsored by the RCT I was extremely grateful for the assistance and support received from the Presidents and members of our sister Clubs, Road Town and Sunrise and in particular the Rotaract Club of Tortola. I am also grateful to Past Presidents Delma Maduro and Mary Finley Jones without whom we could not have pulled off this spectacular event."
Rotary International this year added 'New Generations' as a new Avenue of Service given the critical importance of the development of youth world wide. In the BVI Rotary's objective is to expose youth to the ideals of Rotary at an early age. Sponsorship of Rotaract and Interact Clubs is one way of achieving this. The former is a Rotary youth organization for young professionals ages 18-30 with a desire to give back to the community and world-wide through service, as well as their own personal and professional development, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tortola, The latter (Interact), is a Rotary school-based organization for youths ages 13-18, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Road Town.
Rotary Club of Tortola gives $15,000 to "BSAFE Programme" for Children
by Deon Morgan
Before a child is barely walking, I believe we all watch with interest how the child becomes excited at the sight of wheels. Children want to ride, push, spin and experiment on that wheeled thing driving fear into their caretakers if any such experiment involves flying through air on wheels or even suspended on one of two wheels whilst the wheeled object is in motion. Chris Ghiorse isn't afraid. He understands the importance, however, of showing children how to use wheels for fun whilst doing so safely.
(Photo:courtesy of BSAFE)
Chris is executing BSAFE (Bicycle Safety For Everyone), which currently includes children only. He is giving kids an opportunity to ride bicycles with proper guidance and supervision, and he is letting parents know that riding promotes healthy lifestyles for children. President Lorna of the Rotary Club of Tortola endorsed BSAFE as a wholesome avenue for children to enjoy themselves and on Thursday, September 23, 2010 IPP Leroy made the presentation of $15, 000.00 to the BSAFE programme.
(Photo by:Astrid Wenzke)
IPP Leroy expressed pleasure in the timing of the presentation. He stated "it is fitting that we make this presentation during Rotary's New Generations Month, for this contribution is another way in which Rotary is supporting youth in our BVI community." Since 2009/2010 the club had considered the importance of funding at least one youth programme and part of the proceeds raised from the club's signature fund-raising event in 2010, 'Virgin Affair', was earmarked for the BSAFE programme.
At least four days of each week, a trail of little ones outfitted in the BSAFE colours of yellow and black, is seen on bicycles riding through the festival grounds with their instructor, Chris Ghiorse.
(Photo: courtesy of BSAFE)
To date over 500 kids have graduated from BSAFE and Mr. Ghiorse continues to find fulfillment in mentoring more kids through the programme.
(Photo: courtesy of BSAFE)
"Rotary is making a very generous contribution to BSAFE" he said "and has stepped in at a time when the economic challenges within the BVI have put a strain on support organized by the Ministry of Education."
(Photo: courtesy of BSAFE)
Mr. Ghiorse expressed gratitude to the Rotary Club of Tortola and spoke of leadership provided for the kids of BSAFE.
(Photo: courtesy of BSAFE)
He has given 600 plus helmets, a few bicycles, a few t-shirts among other material in support of the programme. Since the start of the BSAFE in October 2008, the programme has taken the kids through two easter camps and taught students at all 10 public schools on Tortola. During the school year BSAFE teaches classes after school, and Mr. Ghiorse hopes eventually to "have graduates of the BSAFE program that will be old enough to go on a road course." He said that " right now everything I teach is on the festival grounds or other non-road locations the few times [the students] have been on the road were for special events like the Queen's Baton Relay, the August festival parade,support for Olympic solidarity, etc"
(Photo by:Astrid Wenzke)
Mr. Ghiorse is a Rotarian.
Showing Children Environment Preservation by Planting Mangroves
by Deon Morgan
The Rotary Club of Tortola, it's adopted elementary schools, namely the Alexandrino Maduro Primary and Joyce Samuel Primary, in conjunction with the National Parks Trust, embarked on a Mangrove planting on September 25, 2010. Other schools represented by one student each were the St. Georges Primary, Cedar International and Elmore Stoutt High School.
The club is committed to bringing better awareness about the importance of Mangroves in the territory and coastal development. The project was initiated in response to the rapid decline in mangrove forest and increase in coastal development.
There were eighteen children present, who assisted seven Rotary Club of Tortola members to install pipes, fill them with sand and thereafter place mangrove seedlings in the pipes. The children were excited about the planting and it being by the coastline was a welcome refresher during the two hour toil which began at 8:30AM that morning.
Planning Co-ordinator of the Trust, Nancy Pascoe was present to offer guidance on the process, and the children raced with sand in hands to see who could get to an empty pipe first to fill it up. At the end of the planting there was an increase in the mangrove cover of the area by approximately 150 seedlings bringing the total number since the last planting to approximately 300 mangroves. Present also was the principal of the Joyce Samuel Primary School. She can be seen in photos in a black and white plaid shorts driving a pipe though the ocean floor substrate in preparation for the seedling.
Q&A with Rotaractors : Past President Abby and President Aisha
| Question | Past President Abby Christopher | President Aisha Liburd |
| 1. How long have you been a Rotaractor? | 5.5 fun years | 3-4 yrs |
| 2. What has kept you motivated in service as a Rotaractor? | Prospectives. You have to set an example and I always feel the need to do my part to ensure that they know and thrive in Rotaract so that the Club will remain vibrant and strong after my departure. I never wish to be ashamed to say "I was a part of the Rotaract Club of Tortola." | The bond! |
| 3. What is your advice to the Rotary family members who have become discouraged in service? | Ask yourself why you are still in Rotary. What are you waiting on? Whatever that is, go and do it. Volunteer to start that programme, be in charge of promoting that type of fellowship. Live your passion and make others love it too. Redefine the way you give service and you'll be motivating others in no time. | Think about why you joined in the first place (hopefully it was a good reason...) |
| 4. What is your most memorable moment as a Rotaractor? | I have many moments but being asked to speak at a multi-district Rotaract Conference (USCC 2007) and train others how to excel as Professional Development Director (smile), well that's pretty hard to forget. | SO many to chose from but I would have to say more recently (I'd like to give 2) A Rtr saying that for the first time in 3 yrs she felt like a Rtr again and the ever so touching workshop with Lisa Nichols |
| 5. What is your strangest/funniest Rotaract encounter? | PP ABBI remained tight-lipped about this one. She said " Rotaract fellowship rules does not allow me to disclose the details of this event...but I can say it involved 3 Rotaract females, galvanize, a duck and a frog." We are worried ABBI, were the duck and frog doing community service? | Talk about Rotaract code of honour, and Pres. Aisha also remains tight-lipped on this one. In her words "Hmmm...we have a very strange Rtr who never ceases to amaze us and fill us with laughter (their name shall not be revealed, lol)". |
| 6. What are your suggestions for Pres. Lorna and Dir. Joyce of the Rotary club, as they gear up to participate in the "Lose to Win"-a-thon of the Rotary Club of Tortola. | Kudos on the choice to participate! When I set a target weight I plan a bathingsuit photo-shoot for the last day. Nothing keeps you focused more than knowing you have to blow up that final shot for your friends to write comments around. | Get it done for the many who suffer from diabetes, such a worthy cause :) |
Lose -to-Win is upcoming for the month of October. All members of the Rotary family are encouraged to either lose weight if applicable, or to pledge for each pound lost by the particpants. The proceeds from Lose-To-Win go towards help for the Diabetes Association.
PETS and what two Rotarians Think
The eBulletin is disappointed that two Rotarians refer to PETS as if it were some kind of animal. See their responses to ebulletin's(EB's) queries below:-
(EB): Do you have PETS?
Dutiful J (DJ) :I do not..
EB:What does your ideal PET look like?
Dutiful C (DC): My very own PETS. (DC went on to say that that the "talkative" PETS are most annoying).
DJ: I don't like having PETS. I hate things touching, licking and crawling over me.
(DJ's response baffled EB on this one. What does she think PETS is?
DC, you are not even a President but did you just tell Rotary International that you want PETS to be conducted in your very own style?)
EB:How has the Pet changed from last year compared to this year?
DC: I think.... personalities have gotten stronger.
Dear DJ and DC, you are not alone. Although you were off on a tangent, and with the exception of PP Elton, no other Rotary Club of Tortola member could respond to EB to advise what PETS is.They, obviously don't know the answer either. This was a query from our August eBulletin.
It is clear from your responses that you have never attended PETS, and for the record you were not expected to.
PETS is an acronym for President-Elects Training Seminar. EB is disappointed that you refer to PETS as if it were some kind of animal.