Rotary is powerful. Together with Rotaract, it is unstoppable. Working side by side, we have the potential to Be the Inspiration in every part of society, to every person we meet.

Dear fellow Rotarians,

One of the things I appreciate most about serving as president of Rotary International is the people I get to meet. Much of my time is spent traveling and visiting Rotary clubs around the world. A Rotarian welcome is something quite special. But let me tell you, there’s nothing so warm as the welcomes that have been rolled out for me by Rotaractors. These are young people who are committed to Rotary ideals, who are pouring their hearts into service, and who, in the process, don’t forget to have fun.

One of the highlights of my recent travels was a trip to Ghana, where I visited a district that boasts some 60 Rotaract clubs. They aren’t satisfied with that number, though — in fact, they’re excited about a plan to double it. They’ll do it, too.

Rotaractors are vaccinating children against polio. They’re donating blood where the supply is dangerously low. They’re providing handwashing facilities to schools where children previously had no way to get clean. In short, they’re all about transformational service: carrying out projects that make a real difference in their communities.

In Nakivale, Uganda, one special Rotaract club is making a difference in its community — which happens to be a refugee settlement. These young leaders are turning what others might see as disadvantages into opportunities for service, building community and opening up new possibilities to those who are most in need of them.

In Turkey, Rotaractors are visiting children in the hospital every Wednesday to lift their spirits by playing games with them. They also are mentoring new students at their university and teaching them leadership skills.

Rotaractors are blazing the path for Rotary to be more relevant in this new century of service. And World Rotaract Week, which we’re celebrating 11-17 March, is the perfect opportunity to get to know your local Rotaractors and talk to them about how your clubs can work together. If your Rotary club doesn’t already sponsor a Rotaract club, know that you don’t need to be near a college or university to do it: Community-based Rotaract clubs are a great option. And remember that Rotaractors are part of the Rotary family.

When Rotaractors are ready to leave their Rotaract club, we don’t want them to leave that Rotary family behind. I’m asking all Rotarians to help them make the transition into a Rotary club or to start a new one: I’m happy to charter as many new clubs as we need to give everyone a place where they feel at home while making the world a little better. Service should be fun, it should be inspirational, and it should be open to all.

If there’s one thing Rotary has always excelled at, it’s diversity. In the past, that often meant diversity of profession, nationality, and outlook. We’ve made great strides when it comes to diversity of age and gender, and as we welcome more Rotaractors into our organization, we’ll become even stronger.

Rotary is powerful. Together with Rotaract, it is unstoppable. Working side by side, we have the potential to Be the Inspiration in every part of society, to every person we meet.

BARRY RASSIN

2019-20 RI president announces his presidential theme

Maloney, a member of the Rotary Club of Decatur, Alabama, USA, unveiled the 2019-20 presidential theme, Rotary Connects the World, to incoming district governors at Rotary’s annual training event, the International Assembly, in San Diego, California, USA, on Monday.

“The first emphasis is to grow Rotary — to grow our service, to grow the impact of our projects, but most importantly, to grow our membership so that we can achieve more,” Maloney said.

Maloney believes that connection is at the heart of the Rotary experience.

“(Rotary) allows us to connect with each other, in deep and meaningful ways, across our differences,” Maloney said. “It connects us to people we would never otherwise have met, who are more like us than we ever could have known. It connects us to our communities, to professional opportunities, and to the people who need our help.”

Maloney also called on every Rotary and Rotaract club to identify segments of their community not represented in their club by creating a membership committee with diverse members.  

“Through Rotary, we connect to the incredible diversity of humanity on a truly unique footing, forging deep and lasting ties in pursuit of a common goal,” he added. “In this ever more divided world, Rotary connects us all.”

Maloney urged leaders to offer alternative meeting experiences and service opportunities to make it easier for busy professionals and people with many family obligations to serve in leadership roles.

“We need to foster a culture where Rotary does not compete with the family, but rather complements it,” Maloney said. “That means taking real, practical steps to change the existing culture: being realistic in our expectations, considerate in our scheduling, and welcoming of children at Rotary events on every level.”

Maloney said many of the barriers that prevent people from serving as leaders in Rotary are based on expectations that are no longer relevant.

“It is time to adapt, to change our culture, and to convey the message that you can be a great district governor without visiting every club individually, and a great president without doing everything yourself.”

Relationship with the United Nations

During 2019-20, Rotary will host a series of presidential conferences around the world, focusing on Rotary’s relationship with the United Nations and the UN’s sustainable development goals that many Rotary service projects support. More information will be available in July.

In 2020, the United Nations will celebrate the 75th anniversary of its charter and its mission of promoting peace. Rotary was one of 42 organizations the United States invited to serve as consultants to its delegation at the 1945 San Francisco conference, which led to the UN’s charter. For decades, Rotary has worked alongside the United Nations to address humanitarian issues around the world. Today, Rotary holds the highest consultative status that the UN offers to nongovernmental organizations.

“Rotary shares the United Nations’ enduring commitment to a healthier, more peaceful, and more sustainable world,” Maloney said. “And Rotary offers something no other organization can match: an existing infrastructure that allows people from all over the world to connect in a spirit of service and peace and take meaningful action toward that goal.” 

RI President's Message - January 2019

Vocational service can be hard to define, but it is easy to describe: It is simply the point where our Rotary lives and our professional lives intersect. When we put our Rotary ideals to work through our work, that is vocational service.

When I returned to the Bahamas after many years working in health care administration abroad, I realized that my country badly needed a modern health care facility. The resources we had at the time were out of date and inadequate, and people who were unable to travel abroad for care often did not receive the care they needed. Without the experience I had gained in the United States, I could have done nothing to change the status quo. But since I did have that experience, I was in a unique position to have an impact. I knew I could turn my professional path to good and make a career out of improving Bahamian health care.

As Rotary became part of my journey, I discovered that the words of Paul Harris that became the basis of Rotary — that shared effort knows no limitations — were also true for my vocation. I could not bring modern health care to the Bahamas alone. But through partnership, both with the doctors who eventually became my partners in Doctors Hospital and with all the dedicated staff members who worked in the hospital over the years, we could change everything. My goal became a shared goal — and then it became reality.

Rotary emphasizes the dignity of every vocation and the worth of every calling. Remember that the four founding members included no doctors or peacemakers — just an attorney, a mining engineer, a coal dealer, and a printer. From the beginning, the diversity of those vocations gave Rotary a special strength. And that diversity is reflected in our classification system, which aims to ensure that each club represents the full range of businesses and professions that serve each community.

Paul Harris put it this way: "Each Rotarian is the connecting link between the idealism of Rotary and his trade or profession." It was true when he said it and should be equally true now. We only spend an hour or two a week at our Rotary meetings, but most of us spend most of our waking time at work. Through Rotary, those hours are also an opportunity for service: a chance to Be the Inspiration to those we work with, those who work for us, and the communities we serve.

Barry Rassin

President 2018-19

On Wednesday, December 5^th, 2018, members of the Rotary Club of Gros Islet handed over a mobile dental unit to the Department of Health and Wellness.  At a brief ceremony at The Boys Training Centre at Massade, Gros Islet, where the unit will be located initially, Past President Matt Render, who is the current Rotary Foundation Chair for the Rotary Club of Gros Islet, officially handed the unit over to Minister for Health and Wellness, Senator, the Honourable Mary Isaac and Dr. Sherry Ephraim-LeCompte, Senior Dental Surgeon.  The hand over was attended by Mr. Wang Sonson, Manager of the Boys’ Training Centre, staff and trainees.  Also in attendance were members of the Government Information Service, Hot FM Television, and DBS. 

Past President Matt said that the unit was purchased through a District Grant which meant that the money came from The Rotary Foundation.  This unit replaces a mobile unit that Rotary Gros Islet had purchased through an earlier Grant, but which had been destroyed by floods some years earlier.  The Foundation is funded by Rotarians worldwide and Rotary Gros Islet has received Grants from the Foundation well in excess of what Local Rotarians have contributed. 

Past President Matt cited the last major project which was a 150,000-gallon water tank at Plateau Babonneau which currently provides water to approximately six thousand persons in the surrounding area.  The value of this project exceeded $500,000 with Rotary in the District funding a mere $15,000 approximately, the remainder coming from Rotary in Florida/Georgia USA, and the Rotary Foundation.

Minister Isaac for her part expressed the gratitude of her government for the support that Rotary has provided to the communities in Saint Lucia and in particular for this latest donation valued at US$9,000.

The mobile dental unit allows the Department of Health and Wellness to deploy dental technicians to schools in the North and carry out preventative procedures to promote good dental health.  In the past, the deployment of the earlier unit, assisted the Health Services to reduce the incidence of cavities in school children significantly.  The Rotary Club of Gros islet also paid for the dental treatments out of its’ own resourses.

During the past 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects.

With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world.

Our mission

The mission of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

Why should I donate to The Rotary Foundation?

Your donation makes a difference to those who need our help most. More than 90 percent of donations go directly to supporting our service projects around the world.

How does The Rotary Foundation use donations?

Our 35,000 clubs carry out sustainable service projects that support our six causes. With donations like yours, we’ve wiped out 99.9 percent of all polio cases. Your donation also trains future peacemakers, supports clean water, and strengthens local economies.

What impact can one donation have?

It can save a life. A child can be protected from polio with as little as 60 cents. Our partners make your donation go even further. For every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $2.

The future of peace

In its work with the United Nations and other international organizations, the Rotary Representative Network advances a century-old tradition of fostering global harmony

By Geoffrey Johnson Illustrations by Greg Clarke

In October 1991, after a 26-year career with the U.S. Foreign Service, T. Patrick Killough delivered a speech before the Rotary Club of Black Mountain in western North Carolina. The speech’s title captured his provocative premise: “The United Nations: Made in USA by Rotarians.”

To support that assertion, Killough marshaled an array of historical facts. He noted that Cordell Hull — President Franklin Roosevelt’s secretary of state, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and the “father of the United Nations” — and several other key players in the creation of the UN had Rotary connections. What’s more, Rotarians had organized the 1942 conference in London that inspired the creation of UNESCO and, as early as 1943, had advocated for a “central world organization.” Rotary had also published and distributed pamphlets, papers, and books to educate its members about, and tacitly encourage their support of, the fledgling United Nations. 

“The UN is, beyond question, a thoroughly American, a thoroughly Rotarian product from beginning to end,” Killough concluded. “The United Nations is our own child.”

A member of the Black Mountain club until his death in 2014, Killough dated Rotary’s involvement with global peacebuilding to 1939. But this commitment to peace is almost as old as Rotary itself. In 1914, as war broke out in Europe, Chesley Perry, acknowledged today as Rotary’s first general secretary, wrote, “Let Rotary make International Peace and Good Will its mission as an international organization.” And in 1921 at its 12th annual convention, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Rotary vowed “to aid in the advancement of international peace” when it amended the objects, or goals, of the organization. 

"Rotary was instrumental in ... creating the United Nations.

Edwin H. Futa
the first dean of the Rotary Representative Network

 

Rotary and GPEI have put polio on the brink of global eradication

By Ryan Hyland Photos by Monika  Lozinska

After 30 years of bold action, historic achievements, and sometimes discouraging setbacks, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) have nearly brought polio to an end. 

This groundbreaking public-private partnership and its innovative strategies were celebrated Wednesday during Rotary’s 6th annual World Polio Day event, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. 

Dr. Ujala Nayyar, left, a WHO surveillance officer in Pakistan, discussed with Alex Witt about how thorough tracking of the wild polio virus will help eradicate the disease. 

Hundreds of people attended in person, including representatives of all five GPEI partners, and thousands more worldwide watched it live online. Cable news journalists Ashleigh Banfield, host of HLN’s “Crime and Justice,” and Alex Witt, host of “MSNBC’s “Weekends Live With Alex Witt,” moderated the event. 

Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Ron Burton began the program by noting that Philadelphia is where Rotary announced, at its international convention in 1988, that it doubled its fundraising goal of $120 million and raised $247 million.

ummer 2018 was a blast at Grow Well! We held 4 successful camps for children between the ages of 5 -18 years and it is safe to say that all our attendees enjoyed their summer at our centre! We were also extremely proud to provide 26 scholarships to needy students from Gros Islet!

Remedial Reading Camp

Our annual Remedial Reading camp was held for two weeks for 18 remedial readers between the ages of 5 to 12 years. Students participated in activities involving word building through puzzles, word bingo, storytelling, and story-time. They also worked on different craft activities and went on field trips!

Rotary Plates for Peace : A True Opportunity to Serve!

Do you remember the showers of rainfall we had on Friday evening?  Well, during those incessant showers, a small group of faithful servants-  Rotarians  were busy doing the prep work for a healthy meal for  under privileged children from the community of  Vieux- Fort and Surrounding areas. True Commitment is the backbone of any service organization and these Rotarians proved that in the midst of all the bad weather.

The afternoon of Saturday October 20^th, the Vieux-Fort Primary School came alive with excitement from children and Rotarians alike!  This Project, dubbed “ Rotary Plates for Peace” (name coined by Rotarian Precious) was a merger of a soup kitchen and games afternoon for underprivileged children in the Vieux-Fort community and surrounding areas.

The Objectives of this project were:

1.       To provide underprivileged children with a healthy meal

2.       To provide play and play materials to children in a guided free play context.

3.       To provide children with conflict resolution skills and strategies during the play context.

4.       To develop positive interactional and cooperative  attitudes  in children in order to contribute toward conflict prevention  in the wider society

Barry and Esther visited Guadeloupe, Dominica and Antigua on a whirlwind tour of three territories that fall in District 7030.  The visit to Guadeloupe, the home of District Governor, Dominique Vénéré coincided with a banquet to raise funds for The Rotary Foundation.  The visit to Dominica was dedicated to visiting projects and meeting Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors, all of whom had both suffered loss as a result of Hurricane Maria, last September, and who have made a huge effort to assist the less fortunate in Dominica to recover from the devastation.  The visit was hugely significant to Rotarians in 7030 and especially Rotarians in Dominica who have borne the brunt of the hardship in District 7030 resulting from Hurricane Maria.

They visited the "Cover a Home" Project

Together let's serve, celebrate, and share 50 years of Rotaract

On 13 March 2018 we’re celebrating 50 years of taking action, leading communities, and changing the world. Join the celebration and share the global impact of Rotaract.

How Rotary makes help happen

Rotary has issued a global challenge to its members, asking them to work collectively to improve education quality and access — particularly for girls — by working with communities to improve teacher training, curriculum, and water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.

Conflict and violence displace millions of people each year. Half of those killed in conflict are children, and 90 percent are civilians. 

We refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. Rotary projects provide training that fosters understanding and provides communities with the skills to resolve conflicts.

How Rotary makes help happen

Through our service projects, peace fellowships, and scholarships, our members are taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.

We are not alone in this fight, in fact we are joined by some of the most influential people on the planet who have made peace a priority in their life.  In the read more section, you will find a fascinating interview with President Jimmy Carter who has dedicated his life and his power since demitting the office of President of the United States, to waging peace.  I encourage you to take the five minutes it will take, to read the interview below - well worth the read.

Rotary Club of Gros Islet members are proud to sponsor yet another team of Juniors from Grow Well to play in the Club's Annual Charity Golf Tournament which takes place on January 27th 2018. The last tournament was in November 2016 and the Grow Well team also sponsored by members of the Club, placed second - an absolutely fantastic result for them and for the sport of Golf.

Upon receiving the news that a team would be sponsored again this year, Coleen Newman, Director of Grow Well and leader of the Golf program said: "Grow Well junior golfers are very, very excited about this opportunity, especially the three who will form the Youth Team representing RCGI.
They are:
Quain Jones,17, who captained last year’s Youth Team. Quain is the Grow 2017 Golf Champion.
Rayshorn Joseph, 17. Rayshorn is the 2017 Winner of the coveted Grow Well Cup, presented for the best combination of stellar golf, helpfulness and most promising leadership qualities.
Celina Lubin, 12. Celina is in her last year at the Gros Islet Primary School and was very much involved in the extraordinary 1000 Tins for Dominica Grow Well Youth Project. She is the runner up for the 2017 Grow Well Girls Championship.

Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative nearly 30 years ago, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year to just 37 cases in 2016. To sustain this progress, and protect all children from polio, Rotary has committed to raising US$50 million per year over the next three years in support of global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match Rotary’s commitment 2:1. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previously polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.  

Rotary Satellite Club of Gros Islet South, Saint Lucia was recognized by Rotary International on August 30^th 2017

Welcome to our Rotarian family in the South

It has been a fun filled, few months working with great people to make this club a reality.  We have been tested and together we have succeeded in realizing our ambition to have the Satellite Club established before the end of Membership and New Club Development month.  We have a team of thirteen signed up members with a few who just missed the formation date but who we expect to join us within the next month or so.

So what does this mean to Rotary in Saint Lucia?  Well we have added thirteen, dynamic and interesting people to the total number of Rotarians on the island, an increase of 20%.  We have a blend of youthful exuberance and experience that make up our club.  We are not constrained by any convention, rather we are respectful of the great legacy that Rotary South established and we are determined to add to that with our own brand within the family of Rotary. 

The Rotary movement is alive and well in the South and we are excited about working with our fellow Rotarians to make a difference in this our first year as part of the Rotary family.

The executive of the club is:

Shermie James-Darchiville – Chair Person

Eyan St. Helen – Vice Chair Person and President Elect for 2018/2019

Jenny Chicot-Louisy – Secretary

Lana Baptiste – Treasurer

Richard Isaac – Chair Person – Club Administration

Cadley Peterson – Chair Person – Service Projects

The Club meets every 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of the Month at 5.30pm at the Laborie Administrative Building.

images of Rotary Satellite Club of Gros Islet South, Saint lucia

Mark D Maloney is the choice of Nominating Committee as 2019-20 RI President.

Dear fellow Rotarians,

At the beginning of a new year we like to look back at what the past year has brought us: being it lessons learned and our accomplishments.

But also we like to look ahead: make new plans to reach new goals.

The theme for 2017-18 is: Rotary: Making a Difference

In the words of RI President Ian Riseley 17-18 we will answer the question “What is Rotary” with the theme

The Handover Ceremony of Rotary District 7030

Posted by Margriet van Dijk - Nouh Chaia on Jun 30, 2017

DG Waddy Sowma-Left & PDG Roger Bose

The Handover Ceremony of Rotary District 7030 took place on June 24^th 2017 in the Royal Ballroom of Hotel Torarica in Suriname.

 

Presidential message

Ian H.S. Riseley

President 2017-18

July 2017

There are as many reasons to come to Rotary as there are Rotarians – maybe even a few more. But each of us has stayed in Rotary because it adds something to our own lives. Through Rotary, we are Making a Difference in the world; and the more involved we become, the more of a difference Rotary makes to each of us. Rotary challenges us to become better people: to become ambitious in the ways that matter, to strive for higher goals, and to incorporate Service Above Self into our daily lives.

What kind of difference Rotary clubs and individual Rotarians make through their service will always be their own decision. As an organization, we are guided by the three strategic priorities our Board has set in our strategic plan: 

Rotary and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announce $450 million commitment to end polio

ATLANTA, Ga. (June 12, 2017) – Today in Atlanta Rotary President John Germ and Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, announced a commitment of up to $450 million to support the eradication of polio.

To an audience of nearly 40,000 Rotary members attending the humanitarian organization’s annual convention, Rotary and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation renewed their longstanding support for ending polio – a paralyzing, life-altering scourge on the verge of becoming the second human disease ever to be eliminated. Rotary committed to raise $50 million per year over the next three years, with every dollar to be matched with two additional dollars from the Gates Foundation. This expanded agreement will translate into $450 million for polio eradication activities, including immunization and surveillance over the next three years. This critical funding helps ensure countries around the world remain polio-free and that polio is ended in the remaining three endemic countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

 

 

RI President

John F. Germ

President 2016-17

Rotary Club of Chattanooga

Tennessee, USA

John F. Germ is board chair and chief executive officer of Campbell and Associates Inc., consulting engineers. He joined the firm as an engineer in 1965 after four years in the U.S. Air Force. He serves on the boards of several organizations, including the board and executive committee of the Public Education Foundation, Orange Grove Center Inc., and as board chair of Blood Assurance Inc. He also is founder and treasurer of the Chattanooga State Technical Community College Foundation and president of the Tennessee Jaycee Foundation.

He was Tennessee Young Man of the Year in 1970; Engineer of the Year, 1986; Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year, 1992; and Tennessee Community Organizations Volunteer of the Year, 2009. He is a recipient of the Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award and the Arthritis Foundation Circle of Hope Award. In 2013, the White House recognized him as a Champion of Change.

Germ joined Rotary in 1976 and has served Rotary as vice president, director, Foundation trustee and vice chair, aide to the Foundation trustee chair, chair of Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge, RI Board Executive Committee member, RI president’s aide, Council on Legislation representative and chair, membership zone coordinator, chair of numerous committees, area coordinator, RI training leader, and district governor.

Germ has received RI’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. He and his wife, Judy, are Benefactors and members of the Arch Klumph Society of The Rotary Foundation. They have four children and six grandchildren.

Sam Owori is selected to be 2018-19 Rotary president

 

 

The 2016-17 Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International has unanimously nominated Samuel Frobisher Owori, of the Rotary Club of Kampala, Uganda, to be the president of Rotary International in 2018-19.

On Thursday February 9th, the Rotaract Club of Gros Islet inducted five new members. The new members are: Brittany James, Clint Walker, Dervon Amedee, Miguel Charles and Vallin Popo.

At a brief but jovial ceremony held at the Gros Islet Constituency Council Office, the Rotaract Club of Gros Islet welcomed five (5) new members to its family. There were a number of Rotarians representing the Rotary Club of Gros Islet in attendance including President Astrid Mondesir, Secretar...y Joel Crocker, Service Projects Director/ New Generations Chair Lenita Joseph, visiting Rotarian Peter Douch and prospective Rotarian Dr. Marie Antoinette Murray.

Ian and Juliet Riseley

The 2017/2018 Rotary International President Elect's Theme

In 2017-18, we’ll answer the question “What is Rotary?” with RI President-elect Ian H.S. Riseley’s theme, Rotary: Making a Difference. “Whether we’re building a new playground or a new school, improving medical care or sanitation, training conflict mediators or midwives, we know that the work we do will change people’s lives — in ways large and small — for the better.”

Quain Jones of Riviere Mitan celebrates as 2016 Golf Camp Champion.

Golf Camp Champion Quain Jones, right,  with rival Rayshorn Jones

Lisa Daniel (right) repeats as Champion, turning away a strong challenge from Jowen Smith. Claire Nardoni, Golf Camp sponsor, congratulates both Gros Islet residents.

Twenty Grow Well junior golfers compete at Golf Summer Camp

Grow Well is a Project of the Rotary Club of Gros Islet.  The Golf Program is sponsored and run by Mrs. Claire Nardoni  assisted by Mrs. Coleen Newman. 

Presidential message

John F. Germ

President 2016-17

July 2016

Today, we look ahead toward a Rotary year that may one day be known as the greatest in our history: the year that sees the world's last case of polio. Wild poliovirus caused only 74 cases of polio in 2015, all of them in Afghanistan and Pakistan. As we continue to work tirelessly toward our goal of eradication, we must also look beyond it: preparing to leverage our success into even greater successes to come.

 

Ravindran moves audience with personal story

RI President K.R. Ravindran shares a personal story of triumph over polio at the closing session of the 107th Rotary convention.

Photo Credit: SJ Cho

RI President K.R. Ravindran closed the convention in Korea on Wednesday, 1 June, with a poignant story about his mother's fight to survive polio at age 30.

 

Global movement needed to reverse water crisis

Gary White, chief executive and co-founder of Water.org, explains his organization’s microfinance program to attendees at the World Water Summit in Seoul on Friday, 27 May.

This year's World Water Summit on 27 May in Seoul highlighted the progress being made:

• Over the last 25 years, more than 2.5 billion people gained access to improved drinking water, and 2 billion who didn't have adequate sanitation now do.
• Child deaths from water-related diseases dropped from 1.5 million to just over 600,000.
• The UN Millennium Development Goals' target for clean drinking water was met five years ahead of schedule.

But for the 1.8 billion people whose drinking water remains contaminated and the 2.4 billion without access to proper sanitation, progress is still too slow, said Vanessa Tobin, director of water and sanitation for Catholic Relief Services and one of the event's main speakers.

 

History of The Rotary Foundation

A century of doing good

"We should not live for ourselves alone, but for the joy in doing good for others."

— Arch C. Klumph, letter to Rotary club presidents, 5 February 1929

The seed for The Rotary Foundation was planted by Rotary President Arch Klumph at the Atlanta Convention in 1917. From the first gift of $26.50, the Foundation's assets have grown significantly, and more than $3 billion has been spent on programs and projects — transforming millions of lives around the globe. Learn more about the Foundation

The Rotary International “Council on Legislation” is a legislative body made up of one representative from each of the over 500 Rotary Districts, which meets once every 3 years to review, debate and vote on proposed amendments to the constitution and bylaws of Rotary International. Last week, from April 10^th through 15^th, the Council on Legislation met in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Up for consideration were 181 proposed enactments and resolutions affecting the legislation which governs how Rotary International and Rotary Clubs worldwide function.

Although many of these proposals were either rejected or withdrawn by the end of the week, a significant number of major proposals were approved and are expected to be implemented in the coming Rotary year. The following is an overview of the major changes approved this past week by the Council, which will impact us directly as Rotarians and the way our club operates:

Rochester club camps it up for kids with disabilities

A ramp makes the treehouse accessible to campers who use wheelchairs.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Rotary Club of Rochester

From the January 2016 issue of The Rotarian

(This is what Rotary is all about folks - click "Read More" to catch the story)

 

• The scheme targets the elite – minimum net worth of US$3 million
• There are four routes by which persons can invest for the purposes of obtaining citizenship where other programmes have two or three
• There are currently five licensed Authorised Agents – who are the only ones who can submit applications for citizenship by investment.The Unit will continue to consider applications for authorised agents.
• Three internationally accepted due diligence investigators are randomly assigned to conduct due diligence background checks on all applicants over the age of 16.
• Applicants and their dependents including parents considered under one application
• Cabinet grants citizenship on recommendation of the CIP board
• Process takes three months

The New Home of the CDGC at LaClery.

From an earlier story, readers were informed that the RCGI has approved a project valued at EC$100,000 to provide a specialized playground for the children at the CDGC.  This project is now kicking into gear and we expect to purchase the equipment within the next few days.  The playground includes a musical wall which will enable the trined professionals to use music as a form of therapy, something that has not been possible before now in Saint Lucia.

To learn a bit about what the CDGC does, click on READ MORE below.  Visit their website for even more information

At the club’s lunch meeting on January 19^th the newest member of the Rotary Club of Gros Islet was inducted by President Dahlia. Descartes Blackwood, whose vocational category is Security Services, was warmly welcomed by all members present. Secretary Angela presented Rtn Descartes with his Rotary pin, membership card and other Rotary items. Rtn. Descartes was proposed by Rtn. Joseph, and his induction brings the active membership of the club to 22.

Also in attendance at the meeting was Pamela Dolor, wife (and guest) of Rtn. Joseph. Pamela was celebrating her birthday and she and Rtn Joseph were celebrating their 9^th anniversary. The club members present, led by PP Gene, sang Happy Birthday to Pamela, and congratulated the couple on their anniversary.

Board members also reported to the membership, on decisions that were made at the last board meeting.

 "My hope is that we can stimulate a broad community conversation about Upton Gardens Girls’ Centre, beginning with a conversation among a group of influential women in the community – women who know and support the mission of the Girls’ Centre, and agree that it should be a residential facility for girls in need of care and protection.  Women in the various service clubs in St. Lucia, and women in the new, “One Hundred Women for Good” organization, could serve as a good audience to enlarge the conversation.  When the needs of Upton Gardens become better known, other funding sources may come forward with support that would decrease the burden on government"

The story is compelling, I urge you to click on READ MORE below to get the full impact of Dr. Charles Mc Carrthy's appeal for help to save the very institution that is the Upton Gardens Girls Centre. 

ROTARY AT A GLANCE

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a

polio-free world.

Bank of Saint Lucia and Bank of Saint Lucia International - title sponsor

Courts/Unicomer - Diamond Sponsor

JQ Motors- Diamond Sponsor

Ernst & Young - Gold Sponsor

Digicel - Gold Sponsor

Bank of Saint Lucia and Bank of Saint Lucia International - title sponsor

Courts/Unicomer - Diamond Sponsor

JQ Motors- Diamond Sponsor

Ernst & Young - Gold Sponsor

Digicel - Gold Sponsor

The Rotary Club of Gros Islet  sponsored the air fare of the keynote speaker for the  Autism Awareness Conference that took place on October 17th.

Dr. Delia Samuel, Promoter of the conference and President Dahlia Garia of the Rotary Club of Gros Islet