Stories

The Rotary Club of Barbados is buzzing with excitement as we proudly welcome aboard a group of passionate individuals ready to make a positive impact!

The Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of Barbados joined forces on World Polio Day to commemorate the significant milestones achieved in the ongoing battle against polio.

For the third consecutive year, the four largest international service organizations – Kiwanis, Lions, Optimist, and Rotary – have issued a rallying call to service clubs worldwide, urging them to come together in celebration of community.

1. President Tracey Knight-Lloyd
2. Vice President Paul Ashby
3. President Elect Ermine Darroux
4. Secretary Jamella Forde
5. Treasurer Peter Williams
6. Director Club Administration Savitri St.John
7. Director Public Image Keri Mapp
8. Director Community Service Anton Nicholls
9. Director Membership & Youth Service Barbara Trieloff-Deane
10. Director International Service Carole JnMarie
11. Immediate Past President Robin Ford
12. Sargeant-At-Arms Randy Marshall

                                        

• A joint press release outlining the work of Rotary relating to the history of polio globally and Barbados, fight to eradicate this disease, support for the science of vaccinations as well as the assistance provided by Rotarians in the community. 

• Immediate response: We immediately offer helping hands and supplies.
• Short-term assistance: We help affected communities wherever we can through funds and materials to re-establish day-to-day operations.
• Long-term rebuilding: We plan and implement projects that rebuild affected communities.

Affectionately known to us as Alex in his capacity as a Rotarian for over 21 years, he served as our Club President for Rotary year July 1 2014 to June 30, 2015.

We are proud of Alex’s achievement and wish him success in his new role as he continues to serve our country Barbados.

• Collection of wrapped Christmas gifts at the gate for distribution to less fortunate Children
• Carols sing along by candlelight.
• Featured remarks by the sitting Prime Minister
• Special Carols by Candlelight food and drinks
• Family and friends gathering on the lawn creating a picnic while enjoying the concert.

2) Nikita Gibson sponsored by Rotarian Diana Douglin

• SECRETARY ERMINE DARROUX - One of the key success factors of any Club is an efficient Secretary.  In this, her first year in the position, Secretary Ermine Darroux has epitomized the role and I wish to thank her for her fabulous contribution.  Ermine stepped up, writing Rotary stories for posting on ClubRunner and ensuring that every Rotary International requirement was diligently fulfilled.  Credit also to Past Secretary Neal for his support in the transition.

• PRESIDENT FIONA HINDS & THE FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE - Every year we are challenged to pull out all the stops and deliver a great “Carols by Candlelight”.   There isn’t enough room to include the photos of the full Committee, but suffice it to say that this year’s event was tops.  While we may not see all that goes on behind the scenes we know that we are in good hands.  Special mention to PP Norman and his production team, including Tamara Marshall. A World Class event by any standard.  Well done.

• THE PRIDE OF WORKMANSHIP TEAM - This year’s Pride of Workmanship Awards dinner, a well-established Club practice of recognizing those persons in our community who give selflessly to help others, was given a new twist thanks to the creativity of the team.   With the energy and leadership of the team – Director Adrian, Treasurer Meryl Stoute, Past Directors Winston Warren and Malcolm Vaughn, and Rotarians Jason Martin and Keri Mapp – we reached new heights, while retaining the core purpose of the function.  The event shone thanks to the flawless touch of Rotarian Keri, a true gem who continues to make a difference in our Rotary Club.

• DIRECTOR PP TONY WILLIAMS - Director PP Tony Williams has been tireless in his role and I would like to recognize Tony and two committees – Rotanews and Bylaws - under his stewardship who did fabulous work.

• ROTANEWS TEAM - Producing our weekly bulletin is a relentless task.  Yet, every week for an entire year our Rotanews team delivered.  Congratulations to Editor in Chief, Rotarian Randy Marshall and his cohorts, including eagle eye PP Michael Browne and night owl Rotarian Steve Cozier.  They worked well into the night to dot the i’s and cross t’s so that Rotanews was always there on Thursday morning.  Great work.

• BYLAWS COMMITTEE – There is always a task which needs Rotarians with deep experience and knowledge.  We could not have put together a better Committee than PDG Tony Watkins, PP Lionel Moe, and the ever eloquent PP Grenville Phillips.   It was an ‘A’ class team and the results bear that out.  We not only have updated Bylaws, but a revised Constitution.  Thank you.

• COVID ESSENTIALS COMMITTEE - And out of the blue came COVID.  However, when faced with adversity, Rotarians demonstrate that they are people of action.   The Committee, which was pulled together in about one week, worked like a well-oiled machine.  We had the experience of PDG David Edwards and PP Elvin Sealy, the fundraising expertise of Rotarian Barbara Trieloff-Deane, and the drive and organizational skills of Rotarians Neal Griffith, Meryl Stoute and Heather Tull.  They delivered.  We raised over $500,000 as noted in my earlier remarks. And be assured that every penny has been accounted.  PP Ron Davis was there to ensure that all the funds were properly accounted for.  An outstanding achievement.  Special thanks to Monique Archer and her colleagues who requested the Club’s participation in this initiative.
• All Directors, Thank you - especially those who will not be serving for the coming year.  Special thanks to the Vice President, Elvin Sealy, to Immediate Past President Shawn Franklin and Past District Governor David Edwards.  Your support has been invaluable.  PDG David is the consummate Rotarian and we wish him success as he takes of the role as Chair of Rotary International Membership Committee.

 

• Monthly attendance rate in excess of 70%
• Over 75% of members participated in various service activities
• Membership growth of 12.5% (12 new members installed)
• Retention rate of 94.7%
• Donation to RI Foundation above plan of US$9K now at US$10K
• Surplus on Club Funds of BB$20K
• Completion of revised Bylaws and Constitution
• Impactful projects including the Blood and Kidney Donor Awareness project
• Good Press Coverage which assisted in creating impact

As an award winning author, global investor, and adventurer, Neal Petersen delivers a powerful message incorporating the difficult challenges facing us all globally today.  It’s a captivating and interactive journey through his "No Barriers - Only Solutions" keynote - his life story.  Neal empowers his audience by using examples of how he overcame barriers by always turning them into opportunities, of knowing how to innovate and how it relates to success and the need to adapt to constant wind shifts and change.   He challenges his audience to think outside the box, to use this economic challenge to their advantage - it's an opportunity to excel by choosing a winning course, using the ever changing winds, fierce storms and unsettled seas to your advantage.  Most importantly, the need to clearly communicate the vision and the direction, then followed by the planning and the preparation, followed by determination and perseverance to achieve extraordinary results.

That is how Neal achieved his dream of racing solo around the world in the AroundAlone yacht race, 27,000 miles, 9 months, at sea ~ alone and in a boat he designed and built himself!