SCHOLARS SPEAK at ROTARY LUNCHEON

Every Rotarian in the room was proud to be one, after thanksgiving speeches were made by 2 Rotary scholarship awardees at the Rotary Club of Montego Bay's weekly luncheon meeting on Tuesday 7 September.

Co-ordinated by Past President and Rotary International specially assigned host counsellor to scholarship awardees Bhagwan Chuganey, the scholarship duo visited the luncheon meeting under his fatherly wing. 

Young Jenoy Barnett, a tenth grader at Cornwall College who has received the Maxwell Southby Memorial Scholarship for the 3rd year in a row gave a heart-rending speech about family and school life and what the scholarship meant to him.

Then bubbly Shaniek Parks, recipient of the Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship worth over J$ 2 million took the stand and eloquently spoke about her journey ahead to Leeds University in England  where she will be reading for a Masters in International Communications. She leaves this Saturday with every Rotarian behind her promising to read the blog on her adventures at http://adventuresofajamaicanrotaryscholar.blogspot.com/

L-R  Scholarship Chair Rtn. Maria Hosue, Jenoy Barnett, PP Bhagwan Chuganey,
Shaniek Parks, President Mexine Bisasor

5th Tuesday - GAMES NIGHT SOCIAL

On the 5th Tuesday of any month the Rotary Club of Montego Bay replaces their weekly luncheon meeting with a 'social' and  on Tuesday 31 August, Past President Ann Chen Ueker's legendary games nights was the hit of the summer.

With nearly 40 Rotarians and friends in attendance, an enlarged version of Pictionary (a drawing game, where teams have to guess what word their designated 'artisit' is drawing in under a minute) was organised and Rotarians and friends teamed up to battle their way around the game board using flip charts to draw such words as: Indianapolis 500 ; steam roller, plant, Dad. . .

After a competitive battle between the green, yellow, blue and red teams, the red team edged their way ahead and with some lightning fast guesses from husband and wife duo Natasha (Rotary Club of Montego Bay) and Bertram (Rotary Club of Rosehall), their friends Moralda Green and Melaine Myrie they shouted the loudest, guessed first and WON !

A super evening of cocktails, light fare and competition enjoyed by all .

Past President Ann Chen Ueker explains the rules
whilst husband Steven shows the game board

Team YELLOW start the ball rolling

Team BLUE in competitive form

An "all play" where artists from each team compete,
all drawing the same word for their team to guess

Hear no evil - Speak no evil - See no evil

Team GREEN in guessing mode captained by President Mexine

The winning RED team.
L - R Moralda Green. Rotarian Bertram Clarke,
Melaine Myrie, Rotarian Natasha Parchment-Clarke

NEW GENERATIONS CHAIR MOTIVATES ROTARACT CLUB OF MOBAY COM COLLEGE

New Gen Chair Andrea Hamilton gives words of encouragement

New Generations Chair Andrea Hamilton gave a motivational speech to the newly installed executive committee of The Rotaract Club of Montego Bay Community College at a short and sweet installation ceremony held by The Rotaract Club of Montego Bay at Pier One on Wed 25 Aug 2010.

Newly elected President Brett Lee promised a change in the way people look at the club ; an increase in active members and more island wide inter-clubbing as well as a mentorship programme with their sponsoring club the Rotary Club of Montego Bay East.

A truly encouraging gathering of 40+ young professionals , together on a damp evening in ‘service above self’ !

Left - right: Rotaract Club of MBCC Pres. Brett , Rotaract Club of Mobay Pres. Leon , Rotary Club of Mobay New Gen Chair Andrea , Rotary Club of Mobay East member Kurt . Rotaract Club of MBCC Staff Advisor Oneil 

All members of the executive committee of the Rotaract Club of Mobay Com Coll

plus Rtn Andrea and Rotaract Club of Mobay Pres. Leon (far left)

CORNWALL COLLEGE INTERACTORS CELEBRATE C.A.P.E GRADES

CORNWALL COLLEGE INTERACTORS

CELEBRATE C.A.P.E GRADES

AT ROTARY CLUB OF MONTEGO BAY LUNCHEON

- 17 Aug 2010 -

Rotary Club of Montego Bay’s President Mexine Bisasor [3rd right]and a beaming co-chair of New Generations, Rotarian Natasha Parchment-Clarke [3rd left] congratulate Cornwall College students who received their grades on Tuesday 17 August and were feted at a luncheon at The Pelican moments after their slips were collected.

The service oriented students amassed a total of 10 credits & passes for level one and 10 distinctions for final results in their C.A.P.E subjects. Past President of the Interact Club Norman Malcom with 4 distinctions [2nd left]and Director of Fundraising Malke Kellier with 6 distinctions [far right] are both heading to the UWI Mona campus and will be moving into the Rotaract Club there for young professionals aged 18 – 35 yrs; they leave the Interact Club of Cornwall College in the capable hands of President Ivan Godfrey [2nd right], Vice President Deon Mitchel [far left] and Fundraising Director Romaine Miller [centre].

Left to right: Deon Mitchell, Norman Malcolm, Rtn. Natasha Parchment-Clarke,

Romaine Miller, Pres. Mexine Bisasor, Ivan Godfrey, Malike Kellier.

GUEST SPEAKER - MBJ Airport CEO Fernando Bosque

GUEST SPEAKER AT ROTARY CLUB OF MONTEGO BAY’S

WEEKLY LUNCHEON

MBJ Airport CEO Fernando Bosque

- 3 August 2010 -

Under the motto “Bigger, Better, Bolder”, Mexine Bisasor, the new President of The Rotary Club of Montego Bay has indeed lived up to those 3 words.

At the second meeting of the 2010 – 2011 administration, the guest speaker arranged for the club’s weekly luncheon housed temporarily at the Pelican, was Fernando Bosque, CEO of MBJ. His presentation highlighted details from the Master Plan for the airport and Mr. Bosque spoke candidly about the challenges being faced and solutions being put in place for the multi-million dollar operation in the heart of Montego Bay.The audience of Rotarians, Rotaractors and guests were positively impacted by the facts, figures and assured confidence Mr. Bosque has in the airport’s present and future prospects. There was a hearty and informative debate during the question and answer segment.

ROTARIANS GET PINNED

ROTARIANS GET PINNED BY PRESIDENT MEXINE

AS DIRECTORS OF THE 2010 – 2011 ADMINISTRATION

Rotarians unable to make the lavish installation brunch at Secrets at the end of June were ceremoniously pinned at The Rotary Club of Montego Bay’s weekly luncheon 2 weeks ago.
In the serene Waterfall room of the popular Pelican restaurant, President Mexine Bisasor presented committee directorship positions to:
Andrea Hamilton – New Generations (not pictured)

Kay Rueben – Director of Membership

Maria Ho-Sue – Director of Fellowship

Vernella Fuller – Secretary

PHOTOS OF INSTALLATION

Rotary Club of Montego Bay 2010 - 2011 Installation

‘Twas a delightful brunch held at the beautiful Secrets hotel in Montego Bay where the Rotary Club of Montego Bay held its installation ceremony for their new president and committee members. With over one hundred Rotarians, friends and dignitaries in attendance, outgoing president Michelle Daswani dutifully handed the gavel and presidential medallion to Mexine Bisasor who in turn adorned her new administration with Rotary pins.

The ceremonious affair was punctuated with exciting numbers from Montego Bay’s newest dance troupe “Hah-r-mony” who enthralled the audience with ballroom, contemporary and African style numbers. Then the guest speaker Jesus Silva (ambassador of Spain) intrigued attendees with economics, tales of life in Jamaica and of course world cup football.

By early afternoon, awards had been bestowed a-plenty including a Paul Harris award to Veena Chandiram, wife of Past President Denny for her support and on-going work with Rotary ; The Service above Self award to Bhagwan Chugani for his dedication to international projects and Rotarian of the Year to T. Roxanne Smith for her tireless duties as secretary for the club.

A super event that heralded the beginning of a ‘bigger, better bolder year of service above self’ – the mantra of the incoming president Mexine Bisasor.

Shaniek Parks : Jamaican Ambassadorial Scholar in Leeds, UK

To further international understanding and goodwill is one reason Shaniek Parks will travel to Leeds in September. She will be doing an MA in International Communications at the University of Leeds, this will allow her to become more informed about the impact of communication on global affairs, people and their reactions towards societal issues. She is intrigued by the area of Communications as a developmental tool and its impact on the ways people analyze and relate to situations.

Shaniek graduated from the University of the West Indies, Mona in 2008. While at UWI, she majored in Media and Communication and minored in International Relations. She was a member of the UWI Honour Roll and the received the JN/CARIMAC Media Award for excellence in Radio Production. She had the opportunity of interning with two influential development organizations namely; the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Office for the Caribbean and the Roving Caregivers Programme in St. Vincent in 2007 and 2008 respectively. These organizations introduced her to a plethora of opportunities for societal development and strengthened her passion of making the world a better place through service.

Volunteerism has always been an important part of Shaniek’s life. This appreciation for volunteerism dates back to her time at the Mount Alvernia High School where students had to complete a quota for community service. She was later given the opportunity to be instrumental in the planning and execution of the Protect. Stop. Seek. Talk (P.S.S.T) Campaign Against Physical Abuse in the inner- city community of Torrington Park, Kingston while attending the UWI. The campaign ran from February-April 2008 and featured various workshops and follow- up sessions culminating in a Blue Ribbon Drive at Crossroads, Kingston.

At present, Shaniek is member of the Rotaract Club of Montego Bay and a member of the United Nations Online Volunteers (UNV). In her capacity as an online volunteer she has assisted with the formulation of proposals for organizations in various parts of the world. However, her focus has been on assisting organizations in Cameroon, Africa namely the Rural Development Corporation (RUDEC) and the Goodness and Mercy Mission.

Shaniek is excited to be representing District 7020 and the Rotary Club of Montego Bay in Leeds. She is honoured to be joining Rotary’s International Family as an Ambassadorial Scholar and will do well in representing Rotary and its values while in the United Kingdom.

The Rotary Club of Montego Bay wishes her all the best while in the United Kingdom.

Shaniek plans to blog about this new and exciting chapter of her life in Leeds. Go visit her blog at http://adventuresofajamaicanrotaryscholar.blogspot.com/ and leave her a note of encouragement or two!

GSE Team : From Virginia to Jamaica

VIRGINIA IS FOR Lovers of Jamaica! How else can you possibly sum up a five week experience that equates to a crash course in a country’s cultural essence, and enables total strangers to bond like family within a three day period of living under the same roof?

The Rotary International Group Study Exchange (GSE) Program provides a comprehensive view of a country, its culture and its people, and is by far the best kept secret of Rotary. Jamaica is possibly the friendliest country on earth, and in the words of its tourist board, “Once you go, you [truly] know Jamaica, so it is impossible not to fall in love with the country and its people! Just ask Rotarian Mary Turpin (President-elect, Rotary Club of Rosslyn-Ft. Myers), Brian Ours (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Stafford), Brian Shea (sponsored by the Rotary Club of McLean), Demond Pollard (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Herndon), and Loán (Lo-An) Sewer (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Falls Church).

FORGING FRIENDSHIPS

From December 2009 to April 2010, GSE Team Virginia—which also originally included Anuj Phull (sponsored by the Rotary Club of McLean)— forged friendships that have evolved into lifetime relationships and prepared us for the adventure of a lifetime.

Click HERE to read the rest of the article written by Loán Sewer, GSE team member, sponsored by Rotary Club of Falls Church

EarlyAct Club featured in The Rotarian magazine!

The EarlyAct Clubs of Montego Bay, working with the Rotaractors of Montego Bay in October of last year raised over JA$200,000 with their Coin Collection Drive. The funds were raised for the Norwood Basic School in Norwood, Montego Bay. The Rotarian Magazine featured this success in its April 2010 issue of World Round Up.

Congratulations again to the EarlyActors and Rotaractors on this fantastic fundraiser!

HAITI UPDATE: June 7, 2010

Extraordinary Day
Extraordinary Trip
Extra ordinary Meeting
Extraordinary Achievements

I wanted to provide a very brief synopsis of our Extraordinary Day today spent in Port au Prince Haiti with our Haiti Task Force. I needed to do so because you have not heard from me in some time and in addition this was one of the most successful Rotary Days I believe I have ever experienced and want to share it.

The primary purpose of the trip was to have the Donor Advised Fund Account Holders go to Haiti to meet the Task Force, The Account Holders are made up of the following Rotarians, Rotary Vice President and current Board member Eric Adamson, PRID Bob Stuart, PRID Barry Rassin and RIDE John Smarge. They wanted to listen to and understand the needs as defined and expressed by the Rotary Clubs of Haiti and the Haiti leadership Team, They also wanted to understand from the senior people in the Haitian Government responsible for Education in Haiti what their plans were and what recommendations they had. The Account Holders also wanted to reach a consensus on our direction forward based on these discussions. In addition it was an opportunity for them to establish the criteria and procedural requirements that will need to be met to receive funding. There was a VERY productive meeting on that and PRID Barry Rassin will elaborate in much more detail on that. A Special Thank you again to Barry for his commitment to our great District.

In addition to that we were dealing with 3 other major issues, Firstly the current status of the Rotary NGO in Haiti, ROTAH, Secondly The Jaipur Limb Project, and Thirdly the status and release information on the containers we shipped.

On the First item I must say I am absolutely ecstatic about the news on ROTAH. I was presented with a copy of the signed document signed by the Prime Minister etc. as proof that the process has been completed and within days the official published certificate will be in hand, and published in Haiti.

This was an enormous undertaking that has taken us three years and through some of the most difficult challenges and obstacles you can imagine, but we believed in it and it is a reality today. I want to recognize and thank, DGN Guy Theodore, Dr. Claude Surena, and PDG Amos Durosier for everything they have done. This approval was in the true sense of the word “raised from the rubble” after the earthquake and it would not have been possible without the persistence of these fine Rotarians. THANK YOU!!!!

The second item was the Jaipur Limb project. We have agreed that we would undertake this as one of our primary earthquake relief responses and are now moving forward with the consensus of all the Haitian clubs and leaders to proceed. We believe a modified version which includes a mobile clinic will be the best one and we will immediately begin to define the scope of the project with the new conditions applied. It is likely that the DAF would provide some seed funding for this as well if it is required although we do not believe that to be the case.

The third item was the status of the relief containers and the release of them. Again we have very good news here. PDG Amos Durosier for those that do not know heads up the Anti-Corruption unit of the Haitian government. His involvement with the top levels of the Haitian government is daily so he knows them all personally and well. The release documents have been signed off by the Ministry of Interior and Planning Department (I think I have that right), and will be delivered to the Minister of Finance today as we fly back to Nassau or tomorrow. Amos has already presented this to the Minister of Finance and he assured Amos that he will sign off on it as soon as it touches his desk. He also said he would be sure to ask for it so it reached his desk immediately.

For those of you who know Haiti we have done the equivalent of moving a mountain here. We went the legitimate process all above board and got it done. A very special congratulations to all the fellow Haitian Rotarians that made this possible, and there were many. Going forward our NGO status with ROTAH takes all of the challenges we have had with this shipment off the table as it goes Directly to Customs with our Status Certificate.

When we left we felt the Task Force was untied and organized and fully up to the challenges ahead. We are in flight on the way back to Nassau, (31/2 hours each way) and I think I can say that I speak for everyone on the plane. It was a GREAT DAY !!!!

Many , more details to follow but as always our Supreme Rotarian PRID Barry Rassin will be putting out a comprehensive summary covering everything.

Thanks to Vance Johnson our pilot and Odyssey for their great support.

PDG Dick

More than 700 Rotarians to meet in Kingston for annual conference

MORE than 700 Rotarians of the Rotary District 7020 are to gather at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston today for the start of one of the Rotary Club International's most prestigious annual conferences.

The four-day conference will see over 400 local Rotarians playing host to 300 of their colleagues from The Cayman Islands, The Bahamas, The Turks and Caicos Islands, St Martin and St Maarten, St Barthelemy, Anguilla, The British and US Virgin Islands as well as from the United States of America -- Georgia, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Florida.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding will address the official opening ceremony of the conference on Thursday, following two days of Rotary's Presidents-Elect Training Seminars.

At a press conference on April 19, District Governor of Rotary District 7020 Errol Alberga said that while the theme of the conference is "The Future of Rotary is in your Hands", the group had also been promoting the conference with the 'One Love' tag line, channelling the popular song of Reggae icon Robert Nesta Marley.

"With so many countries in Rotary District 7020, it is a special vote of confidence for Jamaica to be hosting this year's conference which will discuss and define the road map for Rotary going forward," said Alberga, a noted Jamaican architect.

He said that the conference planning committee, which is chaired by Rotarian Dr Paul Brown, "has been engaged for over a year defining a programme of activities that ensures the work of Rotary gets done efficiently and effectively, while Kingston gets an opportunity to shine as both a business and leisure destination".

Alberga noted that in addition to Prime Minister Golding and Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, who will attend the awards banquet on May 8, 2010, a number of other distinguished Jamaicans will address the conference. They include Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, Dr Maureen Samms Vaughn, Earl Jarrett and Ibo Cooper.

He also acknowledged the support of main sponsors LIME, the Jamaica Pegasus, the Bank of Nova Scotia, Caribbean Cement Company, Jamaica Broilers, Grace Kennedy & Company Limited and Geddes Refrigeration Limited.

Noting that the Rotary Clubs of Jamaica last year celebrated "50 years of international service which has benefitted communities across the island", Alberga said that Rotarians are motivated by these achievements and the satisfaction of seeing the benefits of their labour accrue to their fellowmen.

He said that while 2010, like 2009, is proving to be challenging across the globe "Rotarians are not afraid of challenges as we continue to keep sight of our Rotary motto 'Service Above Self'."

"With all of our partners we will ensure that Rotary District 7020 Conference is a success for all Rotarians, for capital city Kingston and for Jamaica land we love," he said.

Source: The Jamaica Observer

Rotary Mobay partners with Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club

Regina Edwards presenting a cheque to The Rotary Club of Montego Bay as part of the Joint Project

As a Joint Project with Rotary Club of Montego Bay, coordinated by International Projects Director PP Bhagwan Chuganey, Past President Regina Edwards of The Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club arrived in Jamaica with her family on the 28th of April 2010. She brought with her a large shipment of:

 Medical Equipment & Supplies for Cornwall Regional Hospital;
 Cash & kind ,which included disposable supplies, children's video cassettes, and many other goodies for donation to the West Haven and Blessed Assurance Places of Safety for children;
 Books for contribution to the Literacy Drive

The Rotary Club of Carrollton-Farmers Branch has partnred with our Club almost every year providing over US$200,000 worth of equipment and medical supplies.

President Michelle pinning Regina Edwards

Past President Regina Edwards of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club took time out from her vacation in Jamaica with her family on the 28th of April to deliver the equipment and supplies and to present a cheque to our Club to complete the project.

Unloading Cargo at the Port

A very special Thanks to The Carnival Conquest who transported the goods from Texas to Montego Bay.


All photos courtesy of Michelle Daswani (c)