Mid Year Report
The Rotaract Club of Antigua has been off to a good start for the Rotaract Year. The club’s theme for this year is Inspire. Empower. Achieve. Aimed at inspiring others to give back to the community via our community projects and club activities, empowering members to take leadership roles by encouraging full participation in all club functions and achieving the plans that was set out by the Executive. In addition, by doing all of the aforementioned points, the main objective is to increase the visibility of the club to the public and create interest for potential members as well, along with increasing the fellowship among members.
The 1st Quarter of the Rotaract Year began with a hike to Mount Mcnish to foster fellowship and to encourage fitness. The Spelling Bee Media Launch along with two back to school donations. The PDF Committee held its first phase of its ‘Learn a Trade’ Project which was pottery.
The CSCommittee began the quarter with the annual Inet Rotaract Spelling Bee, where 21 schools participated and Caden Phillip of Sunnyside Tutorial School emerged the winner. Donation of picnic benches, a PA system and table cloths as part of the winning school prize to Sunnyside School. Share the Cheer donation to the Good Sheppard Home for girls where members played games with the residents and presented individual hampers with items for the 10 girls living at the home.
The FFCommittee had its Spelling Bee Snack Tent and was able to raise $1420.00 over the 2 week competition and the Independence Sweet Treats Stall was able to raise $1175.00. The ISCommittee did lunches for the homeless on World Food Day, Sunday October 16, 2016.
Hot lunches were distributed to various homeless persons. Free HIV testing drive gathered close to 50 persons being tested and the committee executed an international cook off between the members, where foods from Greece, Morocco and Thailand were prepared and sampled with Thailand emerging the winner.
The Professional Development Committee held its second phase of it ‘Learn a Trade’ Project, where the members built a 6 bass steel pan from scratch and donated the pans the to the Cedar Grove Primary School. The Club Service Committee held the first ever Rotary-Rotaract-Interact Beach Social. This was a great success as members from each branch of the Rotary family was in attendance and it was a fun time. The committee also executed the club’s charter week activities which ended with the 30th Anniversary Banquet at the Touloulou Restaurant. As it relates to the 30th Anniversary, the club was able to get an article published in the December/ January edition of the Business Focus to celebrate that milestone.
The PRO also represents the club for interviews at various media houses to promote upcoming events. The post of the PRO has helped the club tremendously in its marketing efforts thus far.
So far for the 3rd Quarter, the Professional Development Committee held its’ ‘Know your Rights’ Project in collaboration with the Labour Department. The project was a success. We targeted 21 secondary schools, Antigua State College and members of the public. Our District Rotaract Representative was also in attendance for this project.
It was an informative and interactive session for those that attended.
The Finance and Fundraising committee is having its annual Valentines Raffle, books are on sale at $60.00 or $5.00 per ticket. Please support the club in its fundraising efforts. The committee is also having a date auction on the 11th of March to raise funds for club. The Club Service Committee will host the annual World Rotaract Week of Activities to be held from the 12th to the 19th of March in which the club retreat will be held on the 17th to the 19th of March. The Community Service Committee also has a project scheduled for World Rotaract Week but more details will follow as the time draws near.
As it relates to the relationship between Rotaract and Rotary, I must say that it is definitely growing more as the year continues and I must commend and thank President Vangie for being so dedicated to our club during her presidency. We will continue to do as much as we can to give back to the community, enhance personal development and have continued fellowship opportunities in efforts to continue to grow and develop the club.
Thank you.