SUNRISE CONNECTIONS
August–September 2026 Edition
Fellowship • Service • Impact
AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS
Membership & New Club Development Month
🤝 Building Membership Through Fellowship, Service & Community
On August 15, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise hosted its Membership Drive at Divan Café, welcoming prospective members and community-minded individuals for a morning of fellowship, learning and service.
Guests had an opportunity to experience the Rotary spirit firsthand while learning about Rotary's mission, values and impact locally and internationally. Membership Chair Valda Hazel gave an informative presentation highlighting Rotary's global presence and the many charitable, educational, youth, wellness and community initiatives undertaken by our club.
We were also delighted to welcome Past District Governor Louis Wever and Amanda Wever, along with James Park of the Rotary Club of St. Maarten. The response from prospective members was encouraging, with several expressing strong interest in becoming more involved with Rotary.
Membership Chair Giving a presentation on Rotary and our club to our prospective members.
Prospective members and Rotarian Guests at our Membership Drive Meeting.
Growing Rotary means growing our capacity to serve.
General Meeting #7
General Meeting #6
General Meeting #5
☀️ Fellowship, Learning & Rotary Spirit
August General Meetings
Our members gathered at TJ Coal Pot for General Meetings on August 4 and August 25, 2026.
Beyond conducting the business of Rotary, our general meetings continue to provide an important space for fellowship, conversation, planning and strengthening the connections between our members.
August's meetings were especially fitting during Membership Month as we reflected on who we are as Rotarians, why we serve, and how fellowship helps build a stronger and more vibrant club.
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RTN Irma reading at MAC JAG Group 6
RTN Valda Hazel Reading to students at MGDW.
President Jina reading at MAC group 1
SEPTEMBER: BASIC EDUCATION & LITERACY MONTH
📚 A Book a Day — Taking Reading Into Our Schools
Throughout September, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise is collaborating with the Rotary Club of St. Maarten Sunset to bring the joy of reading directly into schools across St. Maarten.
Rotarians will visit different schools to read books to students, demonstrating that literacy can be engaging, exciting and fun.
Through something as simple as sharing a story, we can spark imagination, build vocabulary and encourage children to develop a lifelong relationship with books.
💻 Virtual Reading Collaboration
Our literacy efforts will also extend beyond the classroom. Together with Rotary Sunset and the St. Maarten Library, we will participate in a virtual reading initiative, allowing us to reach even more young readers and celebrate literacy throughout our community.
🏆 Ready, Set, READ!
Encouraging Young Readers Across Three Schools
As part of our commitment to Basic Education and Literacy Month, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise will launch a special reading initiative at three schools:
Oranje School • MAC • St. Joseph Primary School
Students will be encouraged to read aloud to teachers, parents and invited guests, creating opportunities to strengthen their reading skills, build confidence and develop a greater love for books.
To add some excitement and motivation, students will be encouraged to keep track of their reading throughout the program. The student who reads the most will receive a special prize from the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise!
Through this initiative, we hope to remind our young readers that every book opens a new door—to imagination, knowledge, confidence and opportunity.
📚 Read More. Learn More. Dream More.
Disaster Relief Challenge Images
Week 1 Clue: Documents
Week 2 Clue: Light & Power
Week 2 Clue: Candles, rain gear, Matches, etc
Week 4 Clue: Portable Radio
Week 3 Clue: First Aid Kit
Week 5 Clue: Water
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
From Membership to Literacy: Creating Lasting Impact
Dear Fellow Rotarians, Friends and Supporters,
As we reflect on August and move into September, I am reminded that the strength of Rotary lies not only in the projects we carry out, but in the people who come together to make those projects possible.
August was Membership and New Club Development Month, giving us an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a Rotarian and, more importantly, to share that experience with others. Our Membership Drive brought together Rotarians and prospective members in an atmosphere of fellowship, learning and service. It was encouraging to see the interest shown in our club and in the work we continue to do throughout our community.
September brings us to Basic Education and Literacy Month, a theme that is especially meaningful to me. Education opens doors, while literacy gives individuals the ability to walk through those doors with confidence. As Rotarians, we have an opportunity to support children not only by providing resources, but also by giving them our time, encouragement and belief in their potential.
Throughout September, our club will be actively promoting reading and literacy through partnerships with schools, the Rotary Club of St. Maarten Sunset, the St. Maarten Library and other community partners. Whether we are reading a book to a child, encouraging a student to read aloud, or volunteering at a literacy event, each small action contributes to something much greater.
Thank you to our members, partners and supporters who continue to give their time, talents and hearts to Rotary.
Together, we continue to Create Lasting Impact.
Yours in Rotary, Jina Mamtani-Mahbubani
President 2026–2027
Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise
🎙️ SUNRISE WELLNESS TALKS
Parents Edition — September 30, 2026
Our Rotary Sunrise Wellness Talks return with a special Parents Edition on September 30!
Parenting can be rewarding, challenging and everything in between. This special episode will create space for meaningful conversation around the realities of parenting, family wellness and supporting our children.
Stay tuned for more details!
CELEBRATING OUR ROTARY FAMILY
August Birthday
August 12 — Renu Bijlani
Wife of Cookie Bijlani
Happy Birthday, Renu! The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise wishes you a wonderful year filled with happiness, good health, beautiful memories and many reasons to celebrate. Thank you for being part of our extended Rotary family.
💙 Rotary Anniversaries
August 14 — Rtn. Damodar Rawtani
Happy Rotary Anniversary! Thank you for your commitment to Service Above Self and for being part of the Sunrise family. May you continue to inspire through fellowship and service.
August 17 — Rtn. Valda Hazel
Happy Rotary Anniversary! We celebrate your continued dedication, enthusiasm and service to our club and community. Thank you for helping Rotary Sunrise continue to Create Lasting Impact.
🎉 SEPTEMBER CELEBRATIONS
September 5 — Paul Dowse
Partner of Angela Gordon
Warmest birthday wishes from the Rotary Sunrise family. May the year ahead bring you happiness, good health and many memorable moments.
September 9 — Michael Philogene
Partner of Sophie Ledee
Happy Birthday, Michael! Wishing you a fantastic celebration and a wonderful year ahead filled with success, laughter and happiness.
September 18 — Sanjay Ahuja
Husband of Dolly Sadarangani-Ahuja
Happy Birthday, Sanjay! The Rotary Sunrise family wishes you good health, happiness and many wonderful moments in the year ahead.
📅 SAVE THE DATES
🎙️ September 30, 2026
Rotary Sunrise Wellness Talks – Parents Edition
An engaging conversation dedicated to parenting, family and wellness.
🎱 October 24, 2026
Rotary Fellowship & Bingo
Get ready for an evening of fellowship, fun, laughter and friendly competition!
Bring your Rotary spirit and your lucky numbers. More information coming soon.
🌀 Ready, Set, Prepare!
Disaster Preparedness Gets a Fun Rotary Twist
Preparing for hurricane season is serious business, but our Disaster Chair and her committee found a creative way to make preparedness both educational and fun!
Over the past five weeks, members of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise have participated in a special Disaster Relief Challenge, designed to test our knowledge and encourage everyone to make sure they are prepared for the hurricane months.
Each week, a new clue was posted in our club WhatsApp group, challenging members to figure out the theme and then search their homes for items that matched the challenge. Members had to post photos of their items to earn points—bringing out some friendly competition, creativity and plenty of Rotary fellowship along the way!
Beyond the fun, the challenge served an important purpose: reminding us that preparedness begins before a storm is on the horizon.
After five weeks of challenges, the points are now being tallied. Who will take the title of our Disaster Preparedness Challenge Champion? 🏆
The winner will be announced at our next General Meeting on September 29, 2026.
❤️ Rotary Sunrise Extends a Helping Hand to Venezuela
Service Beyond Borders
In the spirit of Service Above Self, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise is extending its support beyond our shores through a financial contribution toward earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela.
Natural disasters can leave families and communities facing tremendous uncertainty and loss. Through this contribution, our club joins the wider humanitarian effort to provide assistance and hope to those affected.
Our support is a reminder that Rotary has no borders. When communities are in need, Rotarians come together with compassion and a shared commitment to serve.
From St. Martin to Venezuela, we stand in solidarity with the affected communities as they recover and rebuild.
Together, even from afar, we can Create Lasting Impact. ❤️🌎
📚🙋♀️ CALLING ALL SUNRISE VOLUNTEERS!
Join Us at the USM Reading Festival
As we continue celebrating Basic Education and Literacy Month, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise is inviting our members to volunteer at the upcoming USM Reading Festival at the University of St. Martin.
This is another wonderful opportunity to put Service Above Self into action while supporting literacy, education and a love of reading within our community.
📅 Friday, September 25, 2026
The festival will welcome high school students from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
The festival will be open to the public from 10:00 AM.
We would love to have a strong Rotary Sunrise presence at the festival! If you are available to give some of your time, please add your name to the volunteer registration form below.
Give a little time. Share the joy of reading. Make a lasting impact. 📖🌅
RTN Marcella Henry
RTN Irma Gumbs
RTN Julianna Shipley-Hodge
📚 Fellowship Through the Pages
Rotary Sunrise & CLIMB Foundation Reading Collaboration
The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise, in collaboration with the CLIMB Foundation, has been bringing fellowship and literacy together through a special monthly reading experience held on the 8th of July, August and September.
The collaboration began on July 8, when members gathered for an evening of fellowship, reading and meaningful conversation. Participants explored a story by a local author, followed by an engaging discussion that allowed everyone to share perspectives, reflections and connections inspired by the story.
On August 8, the experience continued with “Drop Everything and Read.” Members stepped away from their busy schedules, put aside distractions and simply made time to read. The evening was a wonderful reminder that reading is not only important for learning—it can also provide relaxation, reflection and connection.
The series continues on September 8, during Basic Education and Literacy Month, when Rotary Sunrise and CLIMB Foundation will once again come together for an evening of fellowship and reading.
Through this collaboration, Rotary Sunrise hopes to encourage a stronger culture of reading within our club and community while demonstrating that literacy is something we can promote at every age.
Three months. Three reading experiences. One shared goal: inspiring a love of reading and learning. 📖🌅
MOU signing with SMVTS, Rotary and Ms. Sjamira D.M. Roseburg
MOU signing with SMAVBC Rotary and Ms. Sjamira D.M. Roseburg
Sponsor of the Breakfast Program from SOL to LCS
🥣 Nourishing Young Minds, One Breakfast at a Time
Rotary Sunrise Continues Its Commitment to Fighting Student Hunger
The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise continues its signature Breakfast Program, reinforcing a simple but important belief: no child should have to start the school day hungry.
On August 25, 2026, Rotary Sunrise signed Memoranda of Understanding with the St. Maarten Academy Vocational Business Campus and the St. Maarten Vocational Training School, strengthening partnerships aimed at providing students with nutritious breakfasts and helping them begin their school day nourished, focused and ready to learn.
The program continues with the generous support of Ms. Sjamira D.M. Roseburg, Director of the Voice of the Community Foundation, who has supported the initiative since its earlier years and has once again pledged her continued commitment.
Rotary Sunrise is also grateful to SOL for its continued contribution toward the Breakfast Program at Leonard Connor School. Partnerships such as these play an important role in helping the club reach more students and sustain this meaningful initiative.
The Breakfast Program goes beyond providing a meal. By promoting healthy nutritional habits and ensuring students have the energy they need to participate in the classroom, the program supports both their well-being and educational success.
As we celebrate Basic Education and Literacy Month, Rotary Sunrise recognizes that a child's ability to learn begins with having their basic needs met. Through the support of our schools, sponsors and community partners, we remain committed to investing in the future of St. Martin's children—
one healthy breakfast at a time. 🌅📚🥣
Together, We Create Lasting Impact
From growing our Rotary family in August to opening books and young minds in September, every connection we make creates another opportunity to serve.
Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise Service Above Self • Fellowship • Community • Impact
