The year 2020 will go down in history as one of the more challenging years for many. However, our club was able to push through those challenging times and come out stronger. First, we have to thank IPP Pat for the strong leadership and dedication during the first half of the calendar year. Secondly, the Board and members quickly adapting to the changing environment, having to attend virtual meetings, individual issues while adjusting to life in a pandemic but yet still generously supporting various charities at our weekly meetings.
The resilience, innovation, and dedication of our members continued into the second half of 2020, as it seems the challenges we faced made us only stronger as a club. With several members in key leadership positions in the Health Service industry, Government, Community, and businesses, our club remained informed, supportive, and accommodating to members and our community’s needs. It was inspiring to see our membership engagement and growth did not diminish but seemingly flourished under the challenging times. The easing of the COVID-19 regulations allowed us to resume in-person meetings on 16th September 2020 and we pivoted to hybrid meetings, with Director Chris playing the most integral role in making this possible.
The hard work of our all Directors, committees, and members over the last six months yields amazing results and we are proud of the various accomplishments including but not limited to:
- (a) Donation of 72 backpacks and school supplies to DCFS, Early Act and Brac (b) Various community park clean-ups and fellowship (c) Renovation of the Farmer’s Market (d) Bonaventure & Frances Bodden Home Mentoring and donations (e) Breast Cancer Foundation donation (f) CICC donation and RCIPS domestic violence awareness training (g) Pines Retirement Home food donation (h) I increased Christmas community parties with the support of Youth Committee and (i) Childhood Obesity awareness campaign.
- The Buy A Kid a Book fundraiser, a donation to LIFE, distribution of dictionaries to several schools, and donation to The Guatemala Literacy Project and the continuation of many literacy initiatives.
- (a) The unwavering support to the Guaruma Project by supporting both the medical and educational mission despite not being able to travel to Honduras and the committee developing telemedicine services instead to provide various medical services to the people of that community (b) Hurricane relief to Honduras both monetary and generous supplies were sent to Honduras in the wake of Tropical Storm Eta and Hurricane Iota with several thousands of dollars being donated by various organizations and members. (c) Partnership with the Cayman Water Company and Water Authority to provide water purification tablets to Honduras.
- Developing closer bonds and mentoring relationship with our sponsor Rotaract Club with the Mentoring and Fellowship evenings and active participation in their events.
- Continuing the support to the Rotary Foundation and meeting the goals set for EREY and the Annual Fund (by 31st December 2020). Our club was also recognized as one of the top three donor participation clubs in the world for Giving Tuesday. And our club continues to increase our Paul Harris Fellow recipients.
- Winning Club of the Month for August – Membership, Partnership & New Club Development Month. Increasing membership by adding seven (7) new members as of December 2020. New Members who were all actively engaged in the club for several months and who have continued contributing to various committees.
- Completing an amazing car raffle fundraiser in September 2020, with record-breaking sales. It was an amazing effort by fundraising Directors, the committee, and members/friends of Rotary.
- Continuing a variety of engaging and fun fellowship events for members.
- Partnerships with various clubs, organizations, and individuals allowed increased donations to numerous projects.
- Managing and/or making arrangements to deal with all challenges in a respectful and amicable manner, keeping the four-way test at the forefront.
I personally want to thank the Past Presidents and Board for their guidance during the last six months. Also, I want to express gratitude to our membership, our community partners, friends, and other Rotary/Rotaract clubs for their ongoing support and dedication to the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Sunrise / Rotary International. In 2021, we plan to continue the robust community and international work, fellowship, and support to the Rotary Foundation.
I wish you and yours the best of health, prosperity, and success for 2021.
President Stacy Parke
