ROTARACT CLUB OF ANTIGUA

Article by Marissa Benjamin

“More than just a club” were the words used by guest speaker, Michael Joseph to describe the Rotaract Club of Antigua while addressing the packed audience at the Zambuka Restaurant on Saturday evening during the club’s annual Installation Dinner and Awards Ceremony held to recognize outstanding contributions of service to the club and to formally install the new executive for the 2014-2015 Rotaract year.  Joseph, Youth Director of the local Red Cross Association, was the featured speaker of the evening who spoke on the topic “Cooperation and Teamwork in an international environment.” He stressed the need for non-governmental organisations to work together so as to do more with limited resources and thus encouraged the club to form partnerships with similar organisations as they all strive for similar outcomes.

Other featured speakers were Incoming President of the Rotary Club of Antigua, Lorraine Josiah who shared commendations and well wishes on behalf of her club and incoming Rotaract President Rozanne Emanuel who unveiled her plans for the upcoming year as well as gave a charge to the incoming executive and other members to do more and exercise strongly the core values of Rotaract which include fellowship, partnership and leadership.

The rest of the Rotaract executive comprises Immediate Past President Sharlene Matthew, Vice President Cherisse Adams, Treasurer Mykel Samuel, Secretary Janel Ambrose, Public Relations Officer Marissa Benjamin and Directors Jessica Challenger, Nikita Collins and Aba Scotland.

The theme for the upcoming year is “Reviving the Spirit of Rotaract” and Emanuel and her executive propose to do so through the creation of a strategic plan for membership recruitment and retention and training current members for key leadership roles. The Rotaract Club of Antigua is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Antigua and will be celebrating 28 years of unbroken service to the local community this year. Club meetings are held on the first three Wednesdays of each month at 7:30 pm at Rotary House and individuals aged 18- 30 are invited to join.