51 year old Rotary club installs new officers

Posted by Mike Stafford 
 

By Sonia Walker-Russell / Bahama Buy & Sell

The Rotary Club of Freeport recently installed a new slate of officers for its 2013/2014 year.

The Board consists of Richard Bates, Membership Director; Len Hindley, Chief Sergeant-at-Arms; Darren Cooper, Community Service Director; Constance McDonald, Secretary; Louis Alleyne, President; Neil Burrows, Treasurer; Vicki Martel, Director and Chief Fundraiser; Bert Lightbourne, Foundation Director and  Betty Van Lew, Vocational and Club Service Director. All of whom have committed their time and resources to the betterment of their communities and the world through "Service Above Self".

Mike Stafford, new Assistant Governor for Rotary District 6990 and member of the Rotary Club of Freeport implored his fellow Rotarians: "Each of you has been charged with a very specific task to perform to make this Club even stronger and in turn assist this community and the Rotary world at large. The theme for Rotary International this year is 'Engage Rotary, Change Lives'. I ask that you all remember this as you perform duties and realize that this is not a position you perform once a month at a board meeting or once a week at a Club meeting but everyday as a Rotarian."

 

He noted that all are excited about the great things that will come out of this Club this year through the actions of the board, led by the president with the support of all the members, and encouraged his fellow Rotarians. "Vocational community service is something that is the basis of Rotary and one which is so critically needed, not only in our community but throughout the world. Our foundation worldwide changes lives all over the world and everyday empowers people regardless of their ethnicity, religion, social standing or gender. We dig wells, build schools, alleviate hunger, fight diseases and educate the under privileged. Never forget why you joined Rotary."

This year's President for Rotary International is Ron D. Burton,  and marking a milestone in the international club is Anne L. Matthews, a Rotarian from South Carolina, USA, who goes down in history as the first female Vice-President of RI.

Photo by Sonia Walker-Russell