El Presidente rang the bell in a futile effort to get everybody to take their seats and stop talking.

 

Llewellyn asked God’s blessings upon the meeting and the food.

 

To the Queen and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

 

RCEN warmly welcomed three visitors from Nassau Sunrise in the usual manner.

 

None today.

 

There were so many guests today it was hard to keep track of them all.

 

Sergeant Jeff took the podium to tepid applause and proceeded to fine just about everybody in sight, including a couple of PPs for being late, a couple of people for being the paper, and everybody who was still talking.  He told a couple of bad jokes about Canadians and taxes, and sat down to considerably more applause than when he started.

 

(Make cheques payable to: East Nassau Rotary Club Foundation)

 

Elmer, Nathan, and Manuel Stone - January 29

Esther Rassin - January 31

Cle Clarke - February 1

 

Esther Rassin (Barry Rassin) - January 31

Honey Robertson (John Robertson) - February 2

Simone Smith (Mel Smith) - February 2

 

None today

 

Craig Pinder - 17 years

Robert Thompson - 30 years

 

 

 

 

There were lots of announcements today.  Thanks to everybody that attended the Rotary Family of Fun Field Day last week, and a reminder that the Golf Tournament Committee will meet on Monday at the Green Parrot.  Tanya and Iona already have gotten sponsors for the tournament so the challenge is on to the rest of us.

 

Also a reminder that volunteers and participants are still needed for the tennis tournament over the weekend, including to work the famous (or infamous) hamburger van.  To the relief of all, we were assured that we didn’t actually have to try to play tennis, however.

 

Speaking of the hamburger van, we were told the RCEN has been invited to bring the hamburger van and a bar to the Ride for Hope on February 8 at Goodman’s Bay.  Volunteers needed for that event too.

 

Rotarians were reminded that the Heart Association and a local foundation will be doing many activities for “Heart Month” in February, including a ball on Valentines Day.  There are lots of ways to get involved, and the money raised goes to help kids with heart problems who need surgery.

 

Donald Tomlinson was (finally) presented with recognition for agreeing to give the Rotary Bequest Society at least $10,000 upon his (hopefully a long time in the) future passing on to glory.

 

Sir Durwood reminded us that he had never before seen such a cute picture in Rotarian Magazine as the one that appeared a few weeks ago of our own President Elmer. (Or maybe it was Nathan or Manuel.  I can’t tell them apart.)

 

 

Tanya introduced Kathryn Chisnall-Mitchell and Alexa Ray Smith, both of whom are associated with the Rumbahamas 2015 festival at Fort Charlotte February 27 to March 1.  After a beginning that had more than a few of the older Rotarians blushing, Kathryn reminded us that hospitality is a virtue and connecting people has value.  Taking a food and drink festival concept from Australia, her company is working to empower local Bahamian businesses by coaching them and introducing them at festivals, which has led to wider exposure and distribution of their products.  The key, she said is to create positive experiences for both Bahamians and visitors through “creative non-surrender.”

 

Alexa followed by telling us about getting started helping new and small businesses after being contacted by lots of the same wanting to be involved in Rumbahamas.  This has now evolved into a micro business training program, which helps these companies to develop.  Empowerment, but no hand outs!  There will be a micro business section of the festival where small companies can exhibit for a small fee, and Kathryn and Alexa will help them get training in research, planning, marketing, customer service, and vender-to-vender and vender-to-festival organizer coordination.  The next training session will be on February 4 and all are welcome.

 

Iona thanked our speakers for their presentations, and told us how much fun Rumbahmas was last year.  She also thanked Kathryn for the Dirty Mules she contributed to the meeting, while noting the irony that neither of them could partake both being in a family way.

 

Four Way Test:

Gavin led us in the Four Way Test, after which President Elmer (or Nathan, or Manuel) raised his glass and toasted:

 

Rotary Around the World!