THE ROTARY CLUB OF CAT ISLAND JOINS ROTARY INTERNATIONAL’S MEMBERSHIP

CAT ISLAND, BAHAMAS - - The Rotary Club of Cat Island was officially recognized as part of Rotary International on April 8th, 2009 and their charter banquet will be held on June 13th in Cat Island. Led by Gwendolyn Rolle, this new club has a start up membership of 24 businessmen and women.

“A wonderful thing has happened on Cat Island,” said President Rolle. “I am blessed to be part of this club and have committed myself to doing whatever is in me and with the power of Rotary, we will help the community, the elderly and the youth.”

Rotary International, one of the world’s first civic organization that started over 100 years ago, is well known for its work in the fight against polio. Rotary has 1.3 million members and 32,000 clubs in nearly 170 countries. The Rotary Club of Cat Island is now part of District 7020 that comprises of 75 clubs and whose District Governor is Rupert J. Ross.

Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau that has 70 members and was formed over 30 years ago, the Cat Island club has received tremendous support from club president David Moncur, club secretary, John Haughton and Assistant District Governor of District 7020, Felix Stubbs.

John Haughton, the District Governor Representative congratulated the new club on their sterling efforts and “in particular President Gwen Rolle who first had the vision and then the commitment to make the club a reality. This is indeed a giant step towards this year’s Rotary’s theme, “Making Dreams Real.”

More congratulations came from President David Moncur. "We are delighted to have sponsored the Rotary Club of Cat Island. We know that this new club will live up to Rotary International's motto of 'Service Above Self' in making a significant contribution to Rotary generally and to the community of Cat Island in particular. The Board of Directors and members of the Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau extend best wishes to the Rotary Club of Cat Island, which is one of the newest Rotary clubs in the Bahamas and of course in the Caribbean District 7020. We pledge our full and continued support in ensuring the success of this club."

The Rotary Club of Cat Island has ambitious plans to aid the community in which they serve. Some of their larger goals include renovating an existing building to install a community library and computer lab center as well as a multi-purpose sports facility for the community.

The Rotary Club of Cat Island is spear-headed by the following officers: President Gwendolyn Rolle, a teacher and businesswoman; Vice President - Kerry Campbell, a local hotelier/manager; President Elect – Clifton Giarot, P.E. teacher, Arthurs’ Town Secondary; Secretary – Sherita Wilson, secretary with the Island Administrator; Treasurer - Allison Stubbs – teacher and Sergeant-at-Arms – Albert Stubbs.

Rotary club membership represents a cross-section of the community's business and professional men and women, is non political and open to all cultures and creeds. The Club meets every Thursday at 7.00 pm at The Boggie Pond Restaurant in Arthurs Town, Cat Island and visiting Rotarians as well as guests are welcome at meetings. All Cat Islanders are invited to join with Rotary in their effort to develop the community. For more information please call our 354-4116 0r 354-4040 646-0816 or email Sliponscollection@hotmail.com. For more information about Rotary, visit www.rotary.org.