Agenda

Shekhar Mehta, of the Rotary Club of Calcutta-Mahanagar, West Bengal, India, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International for 2021-22. He will be declared the president-nominee on 1 October if no challenging candidates have been suggested. Mehta acknowledges that current membership trends are a challenge and says that membership development should be Rotary’s highest priority. He believes that focusing on regional plans, successfully transitioning Rotaractors into Rotary clubs, and increasing diversity and female members could yield a 5 percent net growth in membership each year. “A major brainstorming is needed to find effective solutions suited to different areas of the world,” says Mehta. He adds that regional ethos and culture have to be taken into account to find localized solutions, as “one size does not fit all.” He believes Rotary can extend to new geographical areas and countries. As a strong proponent of Rotary’s strategic plan, Mehta says he will encourage clubs to use action plans and reinforce the core values of Rotary. Mehta says Rotary needs to become more contemporary and adaptable by focusing on partnerships with governments and corporations, expanding partnerships with organizations that specialize in Rotary’s areas of focus, and investing in technology. Mehta, an accountant, is chair of the Skyline Group, a real estate development company he founded. He is also a director of Operation Eyesight Universal (India), a Canada-based organization. Mehta has been actively involved in disaster response and is a trustee of ShelterBox, UK. After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, he helped build nearly 500 homes for families affected by the disaster. Mehta pioneered a program that has performed more than 1,500 life-changing heart surgeries in South Asia. He is also the architect of the TEACH Program, which promotes literacy throughout India and has reached thousands of schools. A Rotary member since 1984, Mehta has served Rotary as director, member or chair of several committees, zone coordinator, training leader, member of The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers, and district governor. He is also the chair of Rotary Foundation (India). Mehta has received Rotary’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Awards. He and his wife, Rashi, are Major Donors and members of the Bequest Society.

Join DRR Kevan St Brice and DRRE Mario Boyce for an informative session on Rotaract in District 7030.

Kevan St. Brice, was born in Trinidad & Tobago, having moved briefly to England and Egypt before returning home to study at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. There, he joined a number of service clubs, the best of which was the Rotaract Club of Piarco (UWI).

At the university, he studied Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Masters in Engineering management. He currently works in the Petrochemical sector.

With a passion for social entrepreneurship, Kevan has worked on a number of independent software projects, one of which won a governmental grant for the Idea to Innovate challenge in 2014, allowed selection by the US Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Programme in 2015, and allowed him to win a National Youth Award for Innovation and Creativity.

After joining Rotaract, he served in a number of directorial roles for his club, as well as serving as District Webmaster from 2014 to 2018. As incoming District Rotaract Representative, he hopes that he and his team can help to develop the Rotaractors of the district to be serving leaders, while doing as much good as possible in their communities.

DRRE Mario is passionate about community service and professional development and has channeled those passions through his work with the Rotaract Club of Barbados since joining in 2016. He has held several positions at the local level within his club ranging from Vice-President to President and Immediate Past President and most recently Membership Committee Chair.

His work within Rotaract has led him to representing his club and his country throughout the region, in St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Martinique, and Guadelope, at District events such as RYLA, DLT, and most recently the Joint District Rotary/Rotaract Conference.

Mario has raised his club’s profile both regionally and internationally through dedication, passion and sound leadership. He believes in tapping into the strengths of his team and developing others to their full potential. For his passion and dedication his club recognized him and awarded him Rotaractor of the Year in 2016-2017, and then he was selected as the Co-Chair for RYLA on a local level in Barbados during World Rotaract Week in 2018.

At twenty-nine (29) years of age, Mario Boyce is an experienced customer care specialist with 10 years’ experience in sales consulting, marketing, client management and operations. Mario’s track record extends across various industries ranging from hospitality and tourism to the automotive industry and most recently to the demands of the retail sector in Barbados.

Aside from Rotaract, and work, Mario is currently pursuing his BSc in Management at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus and yet still finds time to run a business startup dedicated to natural skin care. A good book, a good meal, and some great company with the occasional fellowship water make up Mario’s down time.

Join Virginia Asin-Oostburg for a discussion on Service in Rotary.

Rotary International is committed to service, fellowship, diversity, integrity and leadership in the community.

The heart of Rotary is our members, dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship and are devoted to the Rotary's mottoes such as "One Profits Most Who Serves Best," and "Service Above Self." Its members are a network of business and professional leaders who serve their communities through volunteer efforts.

Objective of the session is to bring “Service in Rotary” and the motto “Service above Self” to live by showcasing experiences and best practices from different Projects and Rotarians.

Focus The focus for this pre-conference session is on the “above self” in Service above Self.

Part 1: Chat

Chat between two Rotarians who talk about their understanding of ways members exhibit “Service in Rotary”.

• Projects; Giving; Using profession/vocation; Sharing knowledge; experience and skills building; Mentoring and Apprenticeship;

• Childhood Obesity Prevention Projects

Part 2: History

Going back in time about the history of Rotary in the Caribbean

• Rotary along the time line from 1916 – 2021

• Highlights of Rotary Achievements in the Caribbean

Q&A and Discussions

Join Debbie Roopchand and Joseph Nouh-Chaia for an engaging discussion on Peace and Membership in Rotary in District 7030.

At the end of June, 2020, the Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors unanimously approved the addition of a new area of focus: supporting the environment. Join District Environmental Sustainability Chair Matt Render and a panel of specially invited guests to discuss some of the projects already being rolled out across the District, as well as some inspiration for clubs seeking to introduce environmental projects during the coming Rotary year.

Sargassum

Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox and Anne Desrochers of the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, join us to talk about the influx of sargassum, and highlight some of the innovative solutions that are being rolled out across the region to not only reduce the impact of sargassum, but use it as an opportunity to generate employment and revenue, with a view to inspiring action amongst clubs in the most affected countries.

Recycling

From long before the introduction of the new area of focus, Rotarians in District 7030 have been working towards projects related to the recycling of waste. PP Mario Bento of the Rotary Club of Antigua Sundown talks to us about the achievements of, and lessons learned from, the ABWREC project, followed by Rotarian Terrence Elliott, who will introduce the recently-launched RePLAST project, a joint venture between the OECS and governments of Saint Lucia and France, designed to recycle plastics bound for landfill, and with which the Rotary Club of Gros Islet in Saint Lucia is exploring opportunities to collaborate to accelerate the recycling of waste in Saint Lucia.

Refrigerant Removal

In partnership with Tradewater International, a US-based company specialised in the implementation of projects to reduce and avoid greenhouse gas emissions, and under the leadership of ESRAG, the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, Districts 7030, 7020 and 4250 (Central America) are working on an ambitious programme to locate, quantify, export and destroy potent refrigerants from the region. ES Chair Matt Render is joined by project partners to talk about progress to date, and how individual clubs can support the project moving forward.

Plastic Pollution

As part of the project Sea The Plastic, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bruxelles-Altitude, Belgian adventurers Aline and Damien are currently sailing their way through the Caribbean, documenting plastic waste and raising awareness. Presently safely anchored in Guadeloupe, our guests will share with us some of their initial findings, and their recommendations for how individual clubs can address the problem of plastics in our oceans.

Fin juin 2020, les administrateurs de la Fondation Rotary et le conseil d'administration du Rotary International ont approuvé à l'unanimité l'ajout d'un nouveau domaine d'intérêt: le soutien à l'environnement. Rejoignez le président du district en matière de durabilité environnementale, Matt Render, et un groupe d'invités spécialement invités pour discuter de certains des projets déjà en cours de déploiement dans le district, ainsi que de l'inspiration pour les clubs qui cherchent à présenter des projets environnementaux au cours de l'année rotarienne à venir.

Sargasses

Dr Shelly-Ann Cox et Anne Desrochers du Center for Resource Management and Environmental Studies de l'Université des Antilles Cave Hill Campus à la Barbade, rejoignez-nous pour parler de l'afflux de sargasses et mettre en évidence certaines des solutions innovantes qui sont en cours de déploiement dans toute la région pour non seulement réduire l'impact du sargasse, mais aussi l'utiliser comme une opportunité de générer des emplois et des revenus, en vue d'inspirer une action parmi les clubs des pays les plus touchés.

Recyclage

Depuis longtemps avant l'introduction du nouveau domaine d'intervention, les Rotariens du District 7030 ont travaillé à des projets liés au recyclage des déchets. PP Mario Bento du Rotary Club d'Antigua Sundown nous parle des réalisations et des leçons tirées du projet ABWREC, suivi du Rotarien Terrence Elliott, qui présentera le projet RePLAST récemment lancé, une joint-venture entre l'OECS et les gouvernements de Sainte-Lucie et de France, conçus pour recycler les plastiques destinés à la décharge, et avec lesquels le Rotary Club de Gros Islet à Sainte-Lucie étudie les possibilités de collaborer pour accélérer le recyclage des déchets à Sainte-Lucie.

Élimination du Réfrigérant

En partenariat avec Tradewater International, une société basée aux États-Unis spécialisée dans la mise en œuvre de projets visant à réduire et à éviter les émissions de gaz à effet de serre, et sous la direction d'ESRAG, le groupe d'action Rotary pour la durabilité environnementale, les districts 7030, 7020 et 4250 (Amérique centrale) sont travaillant sur un programme ambitieux pour localiser, quantifier, exporter et détruire les frigorigènes puissants de la région. Le président de l'ES, Matt Render, est rejoint par les partenaires du projet pour parler des progrès accomplis à ce jour et de la manière dont les clubs individuels peuvent soutenir le projet à l'avenir.

Pollution Plastique

Dans le cadre du projet Sea The Plastic, parrainé par le Rotary Club de Bruxelles-Altitude, les aventuriers belges Aline et Damien naviguent actuellement à travers les Caraïbes, documentant les déchets plastiques et sensibilisant. Actuellement ancrés en Guadeloupe en toute sécurité, nos invités partageront avec nous certaines de leurs découvertes initiales et leurs recommandations sur la manière dont les clubs individuels peuvent résoudre le problème des plastiques dans nos océans.

Barry Rassin served as World President of Rotary International in 2018-2019. His responsibilities involved leading and motivating the 36,000 Rotary Clubs in the 200+ countries throughout the world. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Board for Rotary International. Mr. Rassin was named the first Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives in The Bahamas. He retired as President of Doctors Hospital Health System in Nassau, Bahamas, after a stellar 38-year career, where he remains as a Director. The organization grew significantly from 11 employees to 600 and was the first JCAHO (International) accredited hospital in the region. Barry has been a member of the Rotary Club of East Nassau since 1980, serving as President in 1987-88. He continued his Rotary service as Governor for District 7020 (9 clubs in The Bahamas and 84 in the Caribbean), Member of the Rotary International Board of Directors, Trustee and Vice-Chair of The Rotary Foundation, as well as Chairman of Shaping Rotary’s Future. He has served on many initiatives in The Bahamas and is currently Chairman of Volunteer Bahamas, a national program to create a culture of volunteerism in the country. Barry Rassin has served both Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation in many capacities such as Chairman of the Rotary International Finance Committee, and as Rotary International Training Leader and Seminar Trainer for Training Leaders. Mr. Rassin is the founder of HANWASH - Haiti National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy, a collaborative program to bring potable water and satisfactory sanitation to all the citizens of Haiti. This is a multi-decade, US $2.3 billion initiative. Mr. Rassin is the Chair of the US based 501(c)3 HANWASH Charitable Foundation. Barry’s spouse Esther has always been a strong supporter of Barry’s humanitarian efforts and is a Lifetime Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of East Nassau. Esther is a retired banker and a strong advocate for family values. She is a recipient of the Sir Durward Knowles Humanitarian Award. In 2010, Barry coordinated the Rotary disaster relief efforts in Haiti following the devastating earthquake. Rotary raised $6.5 million and Barry personally supervised the completion of the 105 relief/development projects throughout Haiti. He is now on the Bahamas Rotary Disaster Relief Committee working on Hurricane Dorian relief and Covid19 relief. He is currently serving on The Bahamas COVID-19 Vaccine National Consultative Committee. He is a Trustee of the University of The Bahamas and a Director of Bahamas Strong.