Club's New Year Party

On behalf of the 2016-2017 Board and Members of the Rotary Club of Antigua I would like to wish you a happy, peaceful and prosperous new year, 2017.

 

I am deeply honored and proud to lead this August body at this time in my life.  We have just completed the first half of this Rotary Year and I would like to extend a hearty thank you to those who played their part in bringing us thus far. 

 

In July the Club experienced the execution of its major fund raiser, the Rotary Colours Fete under the theme, Colours in Africa.  The Club experienced a record attendance and expresses its gratitude to the many patrons who attended and the corporate donors who continue to support the work of the Club. 

 

The Club’s focus is on Literacy and based on its Action Plan, at the start of the School year, (September 2016), 12 needy families around the island were recognized and a presentation of back to school supplies made to 12 students. 

 

We were also able to complete Term 1 of the Student of the Month Awards for Grades 1, 2 & 3 students from the Five Islands, Green Bay and Golden Grove Primary Schools.  This project seeks to recognize individual students for their ability to portray excellence, achievement, attendance and overall being an exceptional student for the month.  A big thank you to Antigua Commercial Bank for partnering with us by offering each Student of the Month an Antigua Commercial Bank Junior Savings Account.

 

We were graced with the visit of Rotary International President Elect, Ian Riseley and his partner in Service Juliet and a joint Cocktail Reception with Rotary Club of Antigua Sundown was held at La Bussola Restaurant to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Rotary Foundation.  The Club awarded Violet Lake with a Paul Harris Fellow for her dedicated and outstanding service to the community.  President Evangeline Allen, IPP Sharon Cordner and PP Denise Armstrong were also pinned with PHF+2, PHF+5 and PHF+1 respectively.

 

In December, the Club brought Christmas Cheer to the less fortunate children in the various communities through its annual Christmas parties in Antigua and also in Barbuda.  We catered for 500 students each of whom received a gift from Rotary’s Santa, Rtn. Kirk Francis.

 

With the new year, I am sure the challenges will continue, but it is not the challenges that matter, it’s how we deal with the challenges. 

 

Amidst the resolutions we may have taken this year I challenge us to seek to acquire positive actions and create positive change in ourselves, our Club and our communities in whatever we may undertake.  I do believe we can do it.  

And so as we enter the second half of the Rotary year, I urge you to become more involved and rekindle that flame you had at your induction. Your suggestions and plans are indeed welcome.

 

 

Yes ‘We Can’.  Let us move forward in faith, with the same vision and mission of Serving Humanity.  Together we can create positive change in our communities!