Rotary Club of SC presents their New Board

at a ceremony held at the Westin Dawn Beach Hotel and Spa on Friday July 2, 2010 in the presence of dignitaries such as President of the Collectivite Mr. Frantz Gumbs, Acting Lieutenant Governor Reynold Groeneveldt and friends and families. Outgoing president Peter Dialani thanked his fellow board members and the entire membership for their support and dedication during the year, he summarized the executed projects including donation of a Warm Bed for the Pediatric Ward of the Medical Center, donation of eyeglasses to students of the St. Maarten Academy, Launching of the Reading Program "Leaders are Readers", support to Haiti in the form of Shelter Boxes, Big Kid Project, Reading to the youngster at the library and to the elderly at the Senior Citizens Home, St. Maarten Cultural Poster Project to all schools on the island, Donation to the University of St. Maarten towards it expansion plans, Youth mentoring with Victorious Living Foundation, etc. Outgoing president Peter concluded in wishing the incoming president, Bernadette Davis, and her team of board members a successful Rotary Year 2010/2011. The new Rotary board consists of: President Bernadette Davis, Vice-President/ International Service Director Martha Pouchie Secretary/President Elect Hendrik-Jan van Iperen, Club Service Director/ Immediate Past President Peter Dialani, Community Service Director Lucy Gachette, Vocational Service Director Marcellia Henry, Treasurer/ Sergeant-at-Arms Angela Gordon, Fundraising Director Cookie Bijlani, Rotary Foundation Chair Kenny Parwani, Rotaract Chair Claret Connor and Youth Chair Bernadette Davis. In her speech incoming president Bernadette Davis mentioned how appropriate this year 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. In addition, we will continue with the Readers are Leaders Program, Provide Fresh Water to all schools on the island, Big Kid Project in Haiti, Assist the Simpson bay Community Center and the Belvedere Community Center. The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise thanked its sponsors and Rotarians who made this event possible with their contribution. Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Restaurant Air Lekkerbek (near the Prince Bernhard Bridge) at 7:00AM to 8:00AM