New executive for the Rotaract Club of Roseau

Amidst a gathering of Rotarians, Rotaractors, friends and the 2014 Carnival Princess Kitanna Joseph, a new executive of the Rotaract Club of Roseau was installed on July 5th at the Rodney’s Wellness Retreat Centre in Soufrière. The Rotaract Club of Roseau is a non-profit community service organization for young professionals within the ages of 18-30.

At the helm of the organization for the year 2014 – 2015 is President Shanda Carbon.

In her analysis of the theme “Changes, Challenges, Chances…Embracing the Possibilities”, under which the ceremony was held she verbalized the need for members to put their best foot forward always, and to stay motivated while taking on the many challenges that service volunteers face.

Among many things, she aims for the enhancement of the club’s membership through skills targeting in the community, and she also aims for the club to remain as one of the most vibrant service organizations in the country.

Ten other Rotaractors will hold leadership roles for the year. Dane Hypolite will serve as Vice President, Ezra Peter – Secretary, Leona Jeremiah – Assistant Secretary / Professional Development Director, Mc Ferrin Pierre – Treasurer, Kena Baptiste – Assistant Treasurer, Normanna Jno Baptiste – Club Service Director, Vernice Thomas – Community Service Director, Ishmael Joseph – International Service Director / Assistant Rotaract District Representative, Curvin Joseph – Finance Director / Sergeant At Arms and Tyishia Williams – Immediate Past President.

Outgoing Rotaract president Tyishia Williams in her final remarks noted that the year was challenging and reminded Rotaractors that what they put into the club is what they will get out of it. She outlined the club’s achievements over the 2013-2014 period including the successful staging of the 2014 Carnival Princess Show, and the recognition of two projects on the district level. One of the projects entitled “Mingle” won the district award for Most Outstanding Club Service Project.

President Marie-José Edwards of the Rotary Club of Dominica extended congratulations to both the outgoing and the new executive. She praised the club for the good job it has been doing and she noted that her club looks forward to working together with Rotaract to achieve more.

“Make your moments count” is what Pastor Marcus Francis, guest speaker at the event, told the executive and other members. “Dominica has work to be done, and young people are needed more than ever before to continue making a positive contribution to the development of our country”.

He drew from the Scriptures as he exhorted the members never to grow weary of doing well, and to remain committed to the roles of leadership. In a world of changes he encouraged them to carefully consider the new and emerging areas of need of the community, and to keep an ear on the ground so that findings can be communicated to the leadership. He strongly suggested that the club should work to reinstate the values of volunteerism, to get on board to champion the cause of eliminating child abuse and also to work to improve the literacy levels in the community since he said, unfortunately, there are too many “functional illiterates” in today’s society.

On the same evening, the Rotaract Club recognized the dedication of other members of the Club during the last year. Ezra Peter was awarded Rotaractor of the Year, Director of the Year, the President’s award (from Past President Tyishia) and her committee, the Finance Committee was awarded Committee of the Year. Dane Hypolite also received the President’s Award while Vernice Thomas captured the Spirit Award and Leona Jeremiah captured the award for Most Outstanding Newly Pinned Rotaractor. The House of Hope project was dubbed Project of the Year.