Welcome DG Jeremy and Michele
Having met with the Club’s Board of directors and Officers in the afternoon of Wednesday 29th January, the DG with his wife Michelle paid his official visit to our meeting later that evening. The meeting with the Board went smoothly and the DG enjoyed the power point presentation which the directors presented on their area of focus. There was a relaxed atmosphere throughout the meeting and the DG left satisfied we were on the right track.
That evening 26 members, 3 prospective members, the PE of Interact as well as Rtn Abbi Christopher from Tortola met to welcome the DG, his wife and our AG to our Club meeting to a prolonged standing ovation. Club business was kept to a minimum, with reports from PP Elvis on the DG’s remaining programme of meetings, a report from PP Janice on the orientation meeting and a report on the coming Charter Dinner for the Rotaract Club of Virgin Gorda.
After dessert, the floor was handed over to our DG who gave a wide ranging talk. He said that having met with our board earlier on he could say with confidence that the club was strong, balanced and stable. He mentioned that he was impressed with the overall presentation that the board made and paid particular praise to Dir. Janice for her presentation on membership. He noted and congratulated us on taking the initiative some 20 years ago to admit women as members. He also commended the Club in taking the difficult decision to move our meeting time to Wednesday evenings, noting that potential members now had a choice of 3 meeting times and days. And he opined that in time, despite short term opposition from a minority of members, the Club would be the stronger for it.
He commented that in a changing world, it was important that Clubs focus on continuity, sustainability and transparency. The prime aim of all Boards should be to hand the Club over at the end of the year in a stronger position than it had been at the beginning. He emphasized the Rotary theme this year of Engage Rotary, Change Lives, and stressed the importance of engaging with all members to ensure their continued and active support for Club meetings and activities. On membership, DG Jeremy said that Rotary was no longer playing the numbers game when it comes to membership growth. The emphasis had moved to quality members, those who would add value to the Club and hence Rotary as a whole and not destroy value. He said sometimes it was better to remove non-functioning members which would end up with a stronger Club as new more committed members joined.
He commended the Club on their twin areas of focus – youth and health, both areas requiring our attention as Rotarians. He said that the present economic conditions had made it difficult to raise funds from the Community and with more organisations tapping the same market he doubted it would get easier. Therefore he encouraged us to be more inventive in how we raise funds; he suggested that we should explore Clubs outside our District who might be willing to co-fund projects, with or without District and TRF funding; he suggested that there were Clubs in the US only too willing to do so.
He noted our Global Grant application which he commended for the clear need in the community and its long term sustainability. However, he indicated that Clubs that do not fully contribute to the Foundation should not be surprised if they didn’t become recipient of grants. He was encouraged to note that his goal of every Club in the District giving something to the Foundation was likely to be realized. He spoke of an initiative he had supported where a new web site had been created where Clubs in the District could post their projects that needed funding, which would be available to overseas Clubs particularly those in the Caribbean Partnership. Earlier he had congratulated IPDG Vance on his election as Chair of the Caribbean Partnership.
In conclusion, DG Jeremy thanked the members for their continued support for Rotary and all the work we had done; he was warmly applauded for his presentation. VP Pat, on behalf of the members, gave the Vote of Thanks and presented both he and Michelle with gifts as a token of our sincere appreciation.
On Thursday afternoon, DG Jeremy and Michelle visited some of the projects that Clubs had undertaken. The DG viewed both the Hovis Home project which he was most impressed with, and later went on to Mt. Healthy where he was given a brief history of the National Park by National Parks Director Joseph Abbott, whilst Dir. Dennis explained to him he work that we had done. Earlier in the week, we had visited the Dialysis unit at Peebles Hospital, where the DG was able to learn first hand of the issues facing the unit, and had a better grasp of the project we are sponsoring through the Global Grant.
On Friday, several Board members entertained Jeremy and Michelle to dinner in the relaxing atmosphere of Quitos, where Dir Janice has ensured we were given VIP treatment. The DG particularly enjoyed the reggae music from Quito himself, and was seen on the floor with Michelle. It was also Irma’s birthday and the band gave recognition in suitable style.
On Saturday morning, DG Jeremy joined us on Rotary Radio for half an hour before leaving for Virgin Gorda. The programme was hosted by Rtn. Abbi Christopher who asked the DG about his role, the work of Rotary, his visit to the BVI and its highlights. Also appearing was the President of Rotaract and your own president who gave a first half report on what the club had done.