Meet Rhea Charles, a young lady with a dynamic story of survival against all odds!
The members of the Rotary Satellite Club are privileged to be part of her story. On Wednesday May 30th, 6 enthusiastic members of the club took a drive down to New Development, Soufriere to Rhea’s home to hand over a cheque of $500 to her to assist her with her medical expenses. The funds were raised from a Flea Market Sale held in the town of Soufriere on December 2nd, 2017.
Rhea had a brain tumour which was growing rapidly leading to her having fainting spells, severe headaches, and even bouts of blindness. She spoke of how she was she was terrified of going blind. Fortunately, she was able to access surgery in Cuba to remove the quickly growing tumour late last year. She is not out of the doctors hands and will not be for a long time, as the headaches continue. She now has to return to Cuba for MRI imaging to ensure that all of the tumour has been removed and for her medical checkups.
Rhea’s repeated “thank you, thank you, thank you” were well received by club members. Her mother talked about her own fears watching her daughter go through such physical torment from the age of 13. Their gratitude to the Rotary Club’s contribution to Rhea’s medical expenses was expressed in many ways, the words ring true yet again… Rotary Making a difference!
All smiles! A thankful Rhea posing with members of the Rotary Satellite Club!
Rotary Fellowships are international groups that share a common passion. Being part of a fellowship is a fun way to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience.
How do I join a fellowship?
Fellowships are open to Rotarians, family members, and program participants and alumni. You can contact a fellowship directly by using the links below.
How do I form a fellowship?
Start by finding others who share you interest.
Join a discussion group or start a new one. It's a great way to share your interest with other members.
Use Rotary’s presence on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to promote your idea.
Attend the Rotary International Convention or other Rotary events.
Reach out to district leadership in other countries to build membership.
Be sure you meet the criteria for a fellowship and apply for official recognition.
Interested in a particular subject? Visit the group's website or email it to learn more.
The Caribbean Chapter of Cricket Loving Rotarians are playing a series of fun filled matches today, June 3rd to mark Fellowship Month.
I am willing to bet that the majority of my dear and cherished Rotarian readers thought that this month was about party time and nothing to do with actual Fellowships???! I know our friends in "Sout" had a costume party on June 1st just to get the ball rolling!!
If anyone ever had any doubt that the philosophy of RI President Elect Barry Rassin may be overly ambitious or perhaps just out of keeping with the establishment that is Rotary, the young members of the Rotary Satellite Club of Gors Islet, South Saint Lucia are proving that those doubters are missing the point.
Earlier this month the members took to the streets to carry out a Community Survey to help in determining where the greatest needs exist in the South of Saint Lucia. The results of this survey will instruct the strategic plan that the board is working on for the coming year.
On May 26th Chair Shermie James-Darcheville organized a training day for all of the members of the club. With more than 70% turn out from the members, it is clear that the club values knowledge as the corner-stone on which Rotary is founded.
Chair Shermie recruited resource persons from across the Rotary spectrum in Saint Lucia. As a result, members were treated to a variety of perspectives and topics, all of which were highly appreciated by those present.
While we waited for late-comers to arrive, we watched the video of PRID Brad Howard as he presented on Brand Rotary in San Diego in January this year.
Rtn. Jenny (Loxie) Chico-Louisy opened with an icebreaker that got everyone involved.
Chair Shermie then introduced your editor to kick off with the topic - Our Rotary World. Other topics included, Our Core Values presented by PE Soraya Warner-Gustave of RCSL This was followed by 15 things that every Rotarian should know presented by Rtn. Eyan St. Helen Eyan was followed by PE Lenita Joseph of RCGI who covered the Structure of the Club Board and Committees This was followed by a creative presentation by Chair Elect Melisa Agdomar on What Constitutes an Exceptional Rotarian As can be seen, Chair Shermie ensured that we did not go hungry while we all engaged in this worthwhile and enjoyable exercise. Chair Elect was followed by Treasurer Joel (RCGI) who becomes PE Joel on July 1st when PE Lenita becomes President.
Joel spoke on Rotarians Roles and responsibilities within the club. He concluded with a game of "Since when dat's your Role" which was very entertaining and served to cement the roles and responsibilities of each member and committee chair in the minds of the participants.
The event rounded out with the induction of two new members, Vernette Edwards and Annice Jn.Panel who both missed the last induction because they were unable to attend the orientation training held earlier. This young club clearly appreciates the value of training.
No day together can come to an end without breaking bread and this was no exception. We all gathered for group photographs and then moved on to an off site venue for lunch at 2.00pm. Apart from the time that it took to be served, some of us never being served at all, the gathering was again a worthwhile bonding event. More photographs follow...
Did I mention that the team has also been actively engaged in the reading programme at the schools in the South?
What do you know about Rotaract? As a Rotarian, you have a responsibility to understand Rotary and by extension you have a responsibility to understand the Programmes of Rotary.
Rotaract is a very significant programme of Rotary and it is a significant source from which we will recruit members in the future. Are you aware that twelve (12) of our members are past Rotaractors, including PE Lenita? Are you aware that DGN Trevor Blake is a past Rotaractor? Do I have your attention?
As we come to the end of Youth Service Month (May), I have decided to throw in some facts about Rotaract in an effort to impress upon you, the readers, the absolute and vital responsibility that you have as a Rotarian to understand Rotaract, to be involved in Rotaract, to mentor Rotaractors, and to help to develop Rotaractors in their journey to become the best that they can be.
Please take the time to read the very short extract from the Code of Policies relating to Rotaract that we have below. When you have done so, you will come to the realization, as I have, that we have left a great deal to be desired in terms of our knowledge and understanding of our responsibility. Let us resolve to fix this and in so doing we will make a significant contribution to the development of strong Rotaract and ultimately to a much stronger Rotary.
Have we stopped to wonder why RCGI only has one past Rotaractor as a member, the other eleven belong to the Satellite Club South?
POLICY RELATED TO ROTARACT BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
41.040. Rotaract
Rotaract is a program of Rotary International, adopted by the Board in 1968.
Rotaract Statement of Policy
1. The Rotaract program was created by and is an activity of Rotary International, and the authority for the establishment and enforcement of constitutional provisions, organizational requirements and standards of procedure, and for the preservation of the Rotaract name and logo is retained by Rotary International.
2. A Rotaract club is a Rotary club-sponsored organization of young adults ages 18 to 30, whose purpose is to provide opportunity for them to enhance the knowledge and skills that will assist them in personal development, to address the physical and social needs of their communities, and to promote better relations between all people worldwide through a framework of friendship and service.
3. A Rotaract club is organized, sponsored, and counseled by Rotary club(s) and is established following the endorsement of the governor and upon certification and recognition by Rotary International; it can be created and sustained in no other way, and its existence depends upon the active sponsorship of its sponsor Rotary club(s) and continued recognition by Rotary International.
5. All Rotaract club activities, projects and programs shall be conducted in harmony with the policies of Rotary International.
18. Leadership Training
a) An effective Rotaract club depends on the guidance, support, and active participation of the sponsor Rotary club(s). Rotarians should be involved in the training of Rotaractors, Rotaract club officers, directors, and committee chairs. Sponsor Rotary clubs:
· Should pay for and strongly encourage the attendance of club officers, directors, and committee chairs at all relevant and necessary district-level training meetings
· Should appoint Rotarian mentors to Rotaractors in their sponsored Rotaract clubs
· Should promote multidistrict and international training opportunities for Rotaractors, including the Rotaract Preconvention Meeting
b) An effective Rotaract club also depends on the support of the Rotary district. The district Rotaract representative, in conjunction with the district Rotaract committee chair, the district trainer, the district governor-elect, and the district governor, shall promote Rotaract training needs during planning for district leadership seminars, Rotaract training seminars, and other district events. The district should conduct training of Rotaract leadership in conjunction with presidents-elect training seminars (PETS) and club officer training. The district Rotaract representative should organize a Rotaract district conference to promote service, increase international understanding, enhance professional development, and build friendship and connection. Where possible, the Rotaract district conference should occur in conjunction with the Rotary district conference and include at least one joint session.
The chair of the district Rotaract committee and the district Rotaract representative shall facilitate a one to two-day leadership training seminar for all incoming Rotaract club officers, directors, and committee chairs.
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The members of the Rotary Satellite Club are privileged to be part of her story. On Wednesday May 30th, 6 enthusiastic members of the club took a drive down to New Development, Soufriere to Rhea’s home to hand over a cheque of $500 to her to assist her with her medical expenses. The funds were raised from a Flea Market Sale held in the town of Soufriere on December 2nd, 2017.
On May 26th Chair Shermie James-Darcheville organized a training day for all of the members of the club. With more than 70% turn out from the members, it is clear that the club values knowledge as the corner-stone on which Rotary is founded.
This was followed by 15 things that every Rotarian should know presented by Rtn. Eyan St. Helen 
Eyan was followed by PE Lenita Joseph of RCGI who covered the Structure of the Club Board and Committees 
This was followed by a creative presentation by Chair Elect Melisa Agdomar on What Constitutes an Exceptional Rotarian 
As can be seen, Chair Shermie ensured that we did not go hungry while we all engaged in this worthwhile and enjoyable exercise. Chair Elect was followed by Treasurer Joel (RCGI) who becomes PE Joel on July 1st when PE Lenita becomes President.
and Annice Jn.Panel
who both missed the last induction because they were unable to attend the orientation training held earlier. This young club clearly appreciates the value of training. 
