PADG CHANCE'S REMARKS

Congratulations and Best Wishes to you President Cassie and your leadership team!

An occasion such as this is an opportunity for us Rotarians to contemplate the core values of the Rotary Movement—Service, Fellowship, Integrity, Diversity, and Leadership—and just as important—to re-affirm our commitment to those ideals that drew us to Rotary in the first place.

This afternoon we witnessed the proverbial baton passing to another dynamic group of Rotarians who stand ready to embrace the confidence that we have placed in them to lead. This leadership team is now the steward of our legacy, a rich tradition steeped in Rotary ideals that allow us to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of others—one life at time.

President Cassie, you and your team are expected to advance the grand traditions of the extra-ordinary Rotary leadership which has served Rotary Club of St. Thomas II, since it was chartered on April 14, 1979. We are confident that you will be extremely successful.

 

For the past 33 years, Rotary Club of St. Thomas II has endeavored through our service projects to impact the quality of life in our community. Let us continue to ensure that we identify the greatest needs and the greatest benefits of Rotary service here at home, as well as the global community. Thank you Fellow Rotarians, all past presidents and the founding members of this outstanding organization, the Rotary Club of St. Thomas II.

When President Cassie asked me to deliver remarks, I asked her if there was any particular topic she wanted me to present. And her reply to me was to simply speak from the heart. And I’m glad she said that because I want to digress from the traditional installation speech and share some personal moments with you and President Cassie.

Cassandra Mallory became a member of our Club the year I was President. And right away we experience some of her admirable qualities. Who else besides me has felt a Cassie Mallory hug? When Cassie hugs you—you are well hugged—a true and heartfelt embrace that takes your breath away. And just like that strong and powerful hug, Cassie has brought her strengths, her passion and her dedication to Rotary. In a few short months as a new member, she accepted to chair the Rotary/Lion Joint Health Fair Committee. Her first year as a member, she became the Rotarian of the Year. Shortly after that she became a club director, then the Club Treasurer and so on. An emerging leader was on the rise in Rotary II. And I believe I had something to do with that when I first presented Cassie the opportunity to become involved in service at the club level.

You see, I firmly believe that all new members to this or any Rotary club should be give positions of responsibility and be fully engaged in the call to service.

This, Fellow Rotarians, is the first step in developing our Club leaders, shoring up membership retention, and rallying the resources we need to carry out our service projects.

Cassandra Mallory hit the ground running and has not looked back since. She work her way through the ranks, always advocating on behalf of Rotary. As far as I can recall, Cassie has always answered the call to serve in the Club, the community, and the district—a sign of leader.

Similar to my experience as a new club member, Cassie was given positions of responsibility and engaged in service at the on-set of her membership to this Club, and she has proven time and again that she can take on any job thrown at her—another sign of a good leader. Fellow Rotarians, our investment in our most valuable asset, our members, does pay off—and pays off BIG!

I can go on and on about the qualities that separate Cassie from the RINOS (Rotarians in name only) but that would have to be another conversation at another time.

We now look forward to the new Rotary Year—one that will provide challenges and opportunities for us to put Peace Through Service at the forefront of our Rotary work. Let us do all we humanly can to uphold the Core Values of the Rotary Movement: Service, Fellowship, Integrity, Diversity, and Leadership—this and every year. This, Fellow Rotarians would be the first step in the right direction to build bridges of friendship and tolerance among people—learn empathy for others—learn that cooperation is more productive that conflict—and that every one of us has something to give—and everyone has something to teach—and ultimately that—we as Rotarians—can put the common good of Rotary above ourselves.

In closing—fellow Rotarians, I would like to take this opportunity to properly “Thank You”.

As I end my assignment as Assistant District Governor for USVI North and past the baton to AG Mike, I must say that it was indeed a privilege for me to answer the call to service. I am humbled by your thoughtfulness, appreciation, and outward show of support throughout my term. My three years as AG has taught me to further advance and embrace the core values of the Rotary Movement in all interactions with Rotarians, business and community leaders, and family and friends alike. It has being a phenomenal journey, and I look forward to continuing on this path of success—in every aspect of my life.

Thank you all for being a part of that!

Cheryl George-Chance

Past President, Rotary St. Thomas II