Call to Order:

President Elmer started the meeting while music played in the background.

 

Invocation:

Adam Darville kept the invocation short & sweet.

 

To The Queen and then to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas

 

David Lakin read the list of visiting Rotarians which included Peter, Catherine, Sheila, and Melanie.

 

There were none today.

 

The Club gave a loud welcome to the guests bought by Stacy, PP Joanne, and Roz.

 

Non today.

 

Peter Bates informed the Club about the upcoming One Bahamas Unity Walk, co-founded by our very own Sir Durward Knowles, on February 21, 2015. The goal of the Walk is to unify the Bahamas and promote well-being for the whole country. Peter encouraged everyone to walk, crawl or be dragged to the finish line as not only are we showing a united front but also getting back $5 for every entrant in our RCEN group. Also, as BTC is the major sponsor of the event there are possibilities of winning a phone! Prez. Elmer thanked Peter and reminded the Club that the funds will be directed to the East Nassau Foundation for more scholarship to support deserving students.

He also mentioned the upcoming Rotary International Conference in San Paulo, Brazil and encouraged the Club to have a good showing there in presence and funds.

Ferdy had tickets to sell for the Rotary Club of Nassau’s Souse out along with the sign-up sheet for the Unity Walk.

Paul needed help to paint and carry things for the Seahorse Institute Project.

Richard informed the Club that the Fishing Tournament is slotted to take place sometime in the beginning of June and that for the first time RCEN members can charter a boat and enter the competition to win the prizes.

Erin thanked the Club for the support of the Heart Ball and had tickets to sell for the raffle and the event itself. She also made a plea for more donations to the cause.

Denzil presented a check to Lindsey for the End Polio drive to the amount of $400 collected by the Interact Club at Queen’s College.

Prez. Elmer announced that there will be a meeting on February 12 at 1er Cru which would count as a make-up.

 

Sergeant at Arms:

Sergeant JP got his usual welcomes of groan that he followed with a string of questionable jokes with a nod to Valentine’s day. He kept it short but reminded the members that donations during the meetings if possible should not be 75 cents!

 

(Make checks payable to:  EAST NASSAU ROTARY CLUB FOUNDATION)

 

Stuart

 

Geoff Andrews’, Lynne

 

None this week

 

Membership:

Brian Moodie, 18 yrs.

AmolPendharkar, 5 yrs.

 

 

David Allen introduced the two speakers today, Edison Sumner and Juan McCartney.

 

Edison Sumner is President of The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) a non-profit organization representing a diverse cross-section of private sector businesses in The Bahamas. He outlined the expanding objectives of the organization in the 80 years of it existence. He also summarized the initiatives of BCCEC for 2015 while encouraging RCEN members to become members. Mr. Sumner mentioned that the new logo and website for the organisation would be launched in the next week. Prez. Elmer thanked Mr. Sumner and invited him back for a fuller presentation soon.

 

The second Speaker, Juan McCartney, is the broadcast editor of The Nassau Guardian and the news director for the NB12 nightly newscast on Cable 12. Mr. McCartney laid out the history of the Freedom of Information Act while stressing the importance of passing the Bill for providing protection to the Bahamian citizens from closed-door Governmental decisions. This transparency would aid in the process of gathering and sharing information and creating a new culture of public service. Mr. McCartney pointed the irony when the members of the Press invited by the Government to take part in therevamping process of the Act were told to not report on their discussion or progress! The presentation ended by clearly pointing out the necessity of such an Act in a democracy.

 

 

Denzil thanked both the Speakers.

 

RAW