President Bernadette Davis Message

I would like to thank 2 people who introduced me to this wonderful Rotary family and they are Rene Jean Duret & Jim Rosen. I found the place where I can contribute and give something back to a community that has sustained me and of which I am so proud to be a part of. The custom in Rotary is to have a yearly theme. This idea began in the 1950's with : Rotary is Hope in Action, Develop our Resources & Help shape the future. We moved on with more modern ones such as: Act with Integrity, Serve with love, Work for peace, The future of Rotary is in our hands, etc , etc. How appropriate that this year the theme is : Building Communities / Bridging Continents. We do not have to look far to put that theme in action and it is more apparent here in St Martin/Maarten than anywhere else. With more than 100 nationalities sharing this little piece of land , we have a representation of every continent in the world right here, therefore , building our communities and bridging the continents are a vital component for a better St Martin/Maarten and a better world. Our focus this year will be on the building blocks for the next generation which is our Youth. I would like to acknowledge the importance the Rotary Club has placed on this sector with projects such as Early Act, Interact , Rotaract clubs , Rotary Youth Leadership Institute and the National Youth Science Forum. This year they have gone further by encouraging every club to create a Youth Chair of which I have humbly decided to chair. I am here this evening to encourage each and every one of us to invest in our Youth. The money, time and energy we invest in our Youth has a broad and long-term impact. There is a study that shows for every one dollar invested in our youth , there were 17 dollars saved when the adults reached the age of 40. This kind of investment that will rewards us with very handsome, immediate dividends and an attractive, long-term yield. Therefore, it's only fair that if the community and businesses will reap this type of reward, then the community and businesses should become genuine partners in the venture also. Investing in our youth, means we're helping to build strong resilient families, supportive communities and ultimately a thriving and prosperous Island. We have an ambitious line up of projects for this year: • READERS ARE LEADERS • FRESH WATER IN THE SCHOOLS • BIG KID PROJECT: • SIMPSON BAY COMMUNITY CENTER: • BELVEDERE COMMUNITY CENTER: OUR FUNDRAISING EVENTS: 1. MOVE FOR HEALTH DAY: Move for Health Day is an international event created in 2002 by the World Health Organization to celebrate and promote physical activity. you will hear more about this. 2. SUPER CAR RAFFLE: 10 ways to win in 2010 We look forward to your support I would also like to thank the many sponsors who shared our vision by contributing in one way or the other, whether it is by an Ad in the booklet or an item for our auction table or by so many other ways. Remember : Service is the rent we pay for living on this planet.- Marion Wright Edelman, founder & president of Children's Defense Fund Bigger, Better & Bolder Bernadette Davis President 2010-20110