The recently re-installed President of Rotaract Club of Barbados South, Graham Belle, is looking forward to another eventful year of activities to raise funds for the needy, and to support education and health.
And based on his report for 2021, it was a year of fun events, which included raising a record $8 000 from a Karting for Charity fund-raiser.
“The execution of Karting for Charity was a particularly laudable feat (returning after a two-year break) surpassing the fund-raising target and that of previous years to raise 8 000 dollars for the Diabetes and Hypertension Association of Barbados. This project was led by director Resheena Homer,” Belle said.
His report came at the recent installation ceremony of the Rotary Club of Barbados South. Re-installed for the 2022-2023 period, Belle said:
“Answering the call of Sir Patterson Cheltenham (the club’s patron) at last year’s installation ceremony, the club embarked on a reading programme, appropriately dubbed the Rotaract Reading Room, which engaged an average of 15 children between the ages of four and 12 in reading of Bajan books, seasonal traditional tales and even the reading and singing of carols during the Yuletide Season.”
He added there was a diverse roster of readers from the Rotary family, and the public, most notably then Minister of Innovation Science and Smart Technology Kay McConney and then District Governor, Sonya Alleyne.
The project was launched to coincide with September (Rotary Basic Education and Literacy Month) and culminated in June. It was run for 10 months with 21 sessions.
The project was subsequently named the Club’s project of the year for 2021/22 and directors Kerrie Barker and Ayanna Evelyn were lauded for their hard work.
Belle reported that the Professional Development Committee was vibrant.
There was a continuation of the HR Scoop series of online sessions tackling topics such as Covid-19 Vaccines and the Workplace, Marketing Oneself, LinkedIn 101, and Wellness at Work – in collaboration with the International Service Committee – in recognition of World Mental Health Day. Professional development activities also included social media campaigns on topics such as career planning tips, resume writing and job interview tips.
In keeping with the district theme of Women Empowerment, the Professional Development Committee found partners to execute the impactful Women of Tomorrow seminar and social media campaign featuring speakers such as District Governor Sonya Alleyne and Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Elizabeth Riley, as well as online video contributions by United Nations gender specialist, Isiuwa Iyahen and Mount Gay Master Blender Trudiann Branker.
The contributors addressed topics facing females in the workplace and their journeys as pioneers in their respective fields.
The Rotaract Club of Barbados South also collaborated with the Rotary Club of Barbados South led by President George Connolly, to execute a series of projects including the annual Christmas Hamper programme which distributed 250 hampers to needy families last year. (HH)
