Bahamian Rotarians Participate In Rotary Leadership Seminar To Become Better Leaders

Participants of the Rotary Leadership Institute’s Part I Leadership Program that was held at the Hilton British Colonial. Rotarians included a new member of less than one week to seasoned Rotarians of 20 year’s membership.

Nassau, Bahamas -- “The future of Rotary is in your hands,” reminded Jim Henry, founder of the Rotary Leadership Institute’s Sunshine Division. Sixty nine Rotarians from various clubs in New Providence, Eleuthera and Cat Island attended a Leadership seminar held on February 20th and 21st in Nassau to not only learn about Rotary and the function of the various programs offered but to improve their leadership skills and to help build membership.

One of the training directors for Rotary District 7020, past Assistant District Governor, Haresh Ramchandani said, “It’s a great program. Many of the Rotarians come away energized and enthusiastic and they take it back to their club as well as the knowledge they gained.” Ramchandani also stated that “We’ve found that those clubs who have members who have gone through the RLI training, do much better in recruitment, membership and in the projects they are doing; they have a better knowledge and understanding of the Rotary Foundation and know how to tap into the resources offered.”

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is one of the world’s best humanitarian foundations whose mission is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education and the alleviation of poverty, states the rotary.org’s website. In the year ended June 20, 2008, The Rotary Foundation spent $227.5 million in support of humanitarian and educational programs implemented by clubs and districts and global polio eradication activities.

Every dollar contributed to the Foundation is 100% returned towards the humanitarian, education and cultural programs. Clubs and districts apply for and receive foundation grants to carry out many worthy projects worldwide. In The Bahamas, some of those projects include a blood mobile which is in the process of being launched; training programs for nurses, a new library in Cat Island, the Western Esplanade beautification project in Nassau, and the Baby Think it Over program that takes place in the local schools and many more.

“Rotarians around the world have lots to be proud of in their work for world peace and understanding and with the work we have done with Polio Plus as well as in Haiti,” stated Barry Rassin, past Rotary International Director and a Rotarian who has played a significant role in the Haiti relief efforts.

The RLI seeks to have Rotary Clubs in member districts identify those Rotarians who seem to have the POTENTIAL for future club leadership (not necessarily as club presidents) and provide those so identified with a quality education in Rotary knowledge and leadership skills for voluntary organizations. For more information on Rotary, please visit www.rotary.org or www.7020.org.