Previous Meeting Details
Wednesday February 5th 6:30pm In-Person
It was a wonderful evening of fellowship at Hotel Pommarine when Rotarians gathered to hear a presentation on Etiquette by our guest speaker Ms Paula Hunte-Cox.
After the usual opening formalities, we had two long overdue Paul Harris Fellow elevations as President Terry was finally able to Pin PP Vivian-Ann as PHF+3 and Rotarian Denise as PHF+4. Congratulations ladies.
PDG Sonya was invited to update the club on the progress of the ongoing MUN sessions. She indicated that she was proud of the progress to date and was pleased that we are in the 12th installation of this very important and impactful joint project.
This is our largest cohort to date. There are 46 participants representing 12 Secondary schools, 2 of which are private schools. The schools represented this year are:
Christ Church Foundation School
Ellerslie Secondary
Frederick Smith Secondary School
Harrison College
Princess Margaret Secondary
Queen's College
St Winnifred's School
The Alexandra School
The Alleyne School
The Codrington School
The Lodge School
The St Michael School
Rotarians were encouraged to volunteer as mentors to assist the students as they navigate this new experience.
After dinner, we were treated to an informative session on etiquette by our guest speaker who congratulated us on keeping high standards of etiquette while engaging us on the essential elements involved in encouraging and maintaining proper standards in an environment influenced by social media that fosters falling standards of deportment and etiquette.
This session was well attended by Rotarians. We hosted 5 guests including Brigadier Carlos Lovell and Rotarian Andrew Carter, New Generations Director from the Rotary Club of Plymouth, Massachusetts.
From all accounts, everyone had a lovely evening.
Wednesday February 12th 12:30pm Zoom
This meeting was a business meeting. PP Marcel, PE Jacklyn, Dir Ryan and Dir Shem reported on the business of the club.
Dir Shem started by indicating the list of projects in which the club is involved. He highlighted our partners and source of funding for the various projects. In addition to the legacy projects, he indicated that there were a few new projects in which the club was involved this year. They included:
* The packaging of supplies for St Vincent after hurricane Beryl in conjunction with CDEMA
* The fund raising by the three Rotary clubs and the Oistins fish festival committee to assist fisherfolk to repair their vessels after hurricane Beryl
* Collaboration with Rotaract and Kiwanis on the decoration of the reading room at Luther Thorne Primary
* The children's fun day in collaboration with the Prison Fellowship Association
* The QEH Children's Ward assistance
* The Nightingale children's Party in association with the Kevin Greenidge Charitable Trust and Rotaract south
* DEI awareness- Dining in the Dark trial and upcoming fundraiser in association with the council for the disabled
* The sensory playroom project
* The aquaponics project for 2 schools
* District 7030 pollination project in association with Andromeda Gardens
* The Social and Emotional Learning Project in collaboration with CiSEL and
* The upcoming diabetic shoes project in association with the Samaritans
He also indicated that we have an upcoming humanitarian visit by 80 Rotarians from District 5280
PE Jacklyn then reported on the fundraising by the club for the year. She disclosed the source and amount of funds raised for for each project. It included donations from Rotarians, corporate partners, fundraising, district grants and a global grant.
Dir Ryan then shared the status of the club as regards foundation giving. He reminded members that we were able to have access to grant funding because of our contribution. He thanked the Rotarians who have been giving. At that point he congratulated the sustaining members. He reminded us of the district goal of 50% sustaining members giving us a target of 25; we are currently at 16. The list is indicated later in the bulletin.
Our annual fund target is $3,500US; we have already attained it as we are currently at $3,711. Our polio plus fund target is $1,500; which we have long surpassed as we currently stand at $4,438. Well done to the Rotarians who are contributing.
PP Marcel notified us of potential collaboration with Ross University for a CPR project and a burn outfit project. He updated us on the status of peace poles for BBC and Harrison College. He indicated that the principal and teachers at Princess Margaret Secondary have expressed interest in starting an Interact club.
It was a well received business meeting packed with a lot of very meaningful information that reflected the hard work of club members. Well done everyone!
Wednesday February 19th 6:30pm Zoom
Our special guest for this meeting was Dr Johnathan Michael Yearwood of the National Council of Substance Abuse (NCSA).
Dr Yearwood gave us an information packed session in which he indicated the character of drug use in Barbados. He gave us details on the types of drugs that have been identified here. He gave us statistics on the age and drug preferences of users.
Cannabis is currently the drug of choice in Barbados even though other types of drugs have been intercepted by officials. Cannabis use is not just more widespread but is more accepted and much more dangerous as THC content of cannabis in the 1990's was 3.7%; but by 2019 it was 14.35%. Children are being introduced to drugs at a much younger age. He warned about synthetic cannabinoids that look like weed but has more dangerous effects.
Drug offences are primarily cannabis related, particularly in 20-39 year old males. 24% of the people at the psychiatric hospital are there because of drug induced schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
We were given details on a number of less popular more dangerous synthetic drugs that the NCSA is concerned about and continuing to monitor.
It was a particularly informative session that was well received by Rotarians.
Wednesday February 26th 6:30pm In-Person - Club Forum
The meeting on February 26th was a club forum. It was the 3rd of 4 for this Rotary year. It was a productive session. The membership will be properly informed of the decisions that were taken.
Upcoming Meeting Details
Wednesday March 5th-In-person Lunchtime 12:30pm
Wednesday March 12th-Lunchtime zoom 12:30pm
Wednesday March 19th -Evening Zoom 6:30pm
Wednesday March 26th -In-person Lunch 12:30pm
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