The main focus of this meeting was a presentation by Director of Foundation PP Vivian-Anne in which she provided an overview of the Rotary Foundation, explaining its purpose and various giving opportunities. She discussed the Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) program, the various funds to which Rotarians can donate, and the requirements for becoming a sustaining member or Paul Harris Fellow.

PP Vivian-Anne emphasized the importance of meeting the club's foundation giving goals and encouraged members to consider contributing on Giving Tuesday, when donations are matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation. She also highlighted the Polio Plus Society, which is managed at the district level, and encouraged members to join. She explained that while individuals don't need to be Rotarians to join the Polio Plus Society, they can support the foundation through Polio Plus Fund contributions, which not only helps us to reach Rotary's contribution goals and earn bonus points but brings us closer to the eradication of Polio.

She highlighted the foundation's impact through real projects like school building and clean water initiatives. PP Marcel inquired about drawing down funds from the foundation, to which PP Vivian-Anne explained that clubs must apply for grants through their district, which considers factors like project impact and sustainability, with district grants typically limited to $10,000 for projects that can be completed within a year.  While Global Grants for bigger projects are available from the Foundation and must be applied for in conjunction with another club.

Secretary Ryan explained that while club dues include some Foundation support, individual members should continue giving, as it benefits the club by allowing us access to district grants. PP Vivian-Anne demonstrated how to make donations through MyRotary.org, including options for one-time, recurring, and Giving Tuesday contributions. The club was encouraged to maintain and even increase their strong performance in Foundation giving, with 2024/25 annual fund contributions of $9,672 and Polio Plus contributions of $5,682. President Jacklyn suggested holding a session to help members navigate MyRotary.org, as not all club members have signed up for the platform.

The conversation ended with an announcement that nominations for the 2026 Vocational Service Awards are due by December 23rd.

At this meeting, President Jacklyn announced that the club has been awarded three district grants for various projects, including $2,500 for accessible agriculture, $3,900 for little libraries for literacy, and $4,000 for orthopedic footwear.

VP Stephen introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Kimberley King, who is the medical director and co-founder of the Longevity Clinic in Barbados. Dr. King's talk focused on the future of healthcare, emphasizing a shift from reactive disease treatment to proactive health design, integrating clinical precision with human-centered care. She discussed the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Barbados, highlighting that poor diet and lack of physical activity are major contributors.

Dr. King explained what constitutes a whole food, plant-based diet and its benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. She provided practical tips for incorporating more plant-based foods into daily meals and emphasized that small, consistent changes can lead to significant health benefits over time.  She discussed dietary guidelines, explaining that a balanced plate should be half vegetables, a quarter starches, and a quarter proteins, with the palm of your hand representing the portion of protein. She advised that combining fruits and vegetables in meals is generally fine, though some people might experience gas, which can be addressed with digestive enzymes.

The discussion after the presentation focused on the cost and accessibility of healthy eating, with Dr. King suggesting that healthy foods can be more affordable than processed options when purchased in bulk and properly utilized.  President Jacklyn, an agronomist, highlighted the importance of seasonal produce and raised concerns about overconsumption of carbohydrates in plant-based diets. Dr. King emphasized the long-term health benefits of investing in healthy foods, despite their initial cost.

Wednesday November 26th- 12:30pm In-person Independence Fellowship and Nomination Day