In grand style at the Sugar Mill Hotel on Saturday 19th June the Rotary Club of Tortola Installed Ian. S. Smith as President for the Rotary Year July 2021 – June 30th, 2022.
The event was one of celebration of the accomplishments of the previous Rotary Year under the leadership of Immediate Past President Dion A. Stoutt and outgoing Board as well as laying out the plans for the upcoming year.
“The incoming board and I are honoured to receive the mantle of leadership of
the Rotary Club of Tortola for the 2021-2022 Rotary year from President Dion and his Board and we congratulate them for an outstanding year that culminated in numerous awards at the recently concluded District Conference.” Ian S. Smith.
President Smith also stated that “I’m blessed that the Club has selected an impressive group of experienced and dedicated Rotarians to serve on the incoming Board; the mix is that of youth, vigor, experience, and knowledge. This Board has readily accepted the responsibilities before it, and pledges to lead the Club and execute our Strategic Plan and stated goals, which were presented to the Club on May 27, 2021, and to ensure that our limited resources are marshalled for the greatest good in the communities we serve.”
The Rotary Club of Tortola also Honoured two club member with Paul Harris Fellows. Immediate Past President Michael Killourhy for his year of service as President and Past President Lynette Harrigan for her invaluable and tireless work with helping visitors and returning residents navigate the entry protocols of the BVI.
Two persons we presented with Community Paul Harris Fellow. Mr. Andre raithwaite for his 27 years of service at the then BVIHS, after ESHS youth leadership and inspiring young people through music and music ministry. Mr. Regis Bourdon also received a Community Paul Harris Fellow for his work with Adopt a Roof program after Hurricane Irma and the meal program where he did on average 100 meals a day for children. The Paul Harris Fellow is an award named after the founder of Rotary that recognizes works that serve humanity.
Some of the Major projects of the Rotary Club of Tortola, for this coming Rotary year include
- Continued support – financial and technical -for our youth arms, Rotaract, Interact, Early Act; and our sponsored schools;
- Sponsoring a major educational forum for adolescents
- Supporting Rotary Foundation through various avenues and initiates
- Cleaning up and completing the Mangrove Boardwalk as well as developing a Mangrove nursery at Paraquita Bay
- Collaborating more with the other Rotary Clubs (and Non-Profit Organizations) on community service projects. One such proposed project is The J R O’Neal Botanic Gardens.
- Continued support to Family Support Network, Safe Haven and YEP throughout the year
- Support of the Sound Therapy Family Program – Equipping Minds Cognitive Development Curriculum, in partnership with Social Development.
- Increasing our membership (each member one Bring one) in line with our RI and District goals
- Support District 7020 HANWASH initiative by supporting a well in Haiti
- Quarterly Video to promote and educate the public about Rotary and the Rotary Club of Tortola.
- Promoting Green initiatives to be a more environmentally friendly club.
The above projects will greatly impact and improving the lives of the people of the BVI while promoting more fellowship among members. at the installation the Club raised over $10,000.00 much of which will go to the Haiti HANWASH Programme.
Rotary International is a voluntary organization for business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are approximately 1.2 million Rotary Club members belonging to more than 33,000 Rotary Clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.
The Rotary Club of Tortola was chartered on the 5th January 1968 by 20 founding members as required by Rotary International. The sponsoring club was the Rio Pedras Rotary Club of Puerto Rico.