Call to Order:

Pres. Diane Dinged the bell to call the meeting to order.

Invocation:

Desiray blessed the food and fellowship.

Toasts:

To The Queen followed by the Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Rotarian & Rotaract Visitors:

Visiting Rotarians: Vibert Williams

Member Guests

PP Phil Cumming introduced, Roshan Narwher

Special Welcome to Esther Rassin

All visitors were greeted in the “usual fashion”, with warm applause.

Banners: none

Sergeant at Arms:

Sergeant for the day, PP Michele Rassin-Moody opened with the longest "no-pin" fine list ever! Most shocking fine goes to PP John Robertson for not wearing his pin. Other fines included, RI Pres Barry Rassin for wearing shorts and flip flops to the meeting, and an extra fine to him for making PP Michele pay his fine the previous week. Sir Duward Knowles was fined for having lipstick on his cheek that didn't belong to PP Michele. Fintan Moony was fined for always calling PP Michele, Melissa. Sergeant Michele then ended with a few funny jokes.

Member Birthdays:

Christian Knowles- July 17

Sidney Sweeting- July 19th

Spouses Birthdays:

Christian Knowles July 17- spouse of Karen Knowles

Sabrina Wilcombe July 19th- spouse of Kenrad Wilcombe

Wedding Anniversaries:

none

Membership Anniversaries:

none

Announcements:

Special Welcome to Esther Rassin

Condolences to Raymond Hutchinson on the passing of his Grand-Mother.

Fox Hill Run Saturday Morning

New Member inducted to RCEN by PP Phil Cumming- Roshan Narwher

Guest Speaker

Speaker: Tanya McCartney, RCEN Member, CEO Bahamas Financial Services Board

Introduced by Corinne Laville

Topic: BFSB

BFSB Founded in 1998 is a group of financial institutions with Government backing to promote international investment and advocate to Gov on policies & processes for national development.

Where are we today?

Financial services sector supports Bahamian middle class since 2008 and as a financial services sector, considered generally stable. However, the reality is that financial services sector is under threat. People are no longer coming here for banking and financial services. Bahamas has typically been attractive to people because of tax purposes, but the sharing of information today has changed that with the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). Banks are now responsible for providing KYC information. Banks have had to hand over information to bodies like the United States if clients connected to them in any way. The Bahamas has further committed to implementing legislation by 2018.

Why continue to do business in the Bahamas?

Value: the location of the Bahamas- can live & work here, paired with the benefit of the people, their expertise and qualifications.

Realistically, the BFSB has now highlighted 4 selling points to international investors:

- Regulation: Anti money laundering laws

-Expertise: Over 80 years experience, pioneers in this region.

-Innovation: Key for growth, adding new products in Financial Services

- Location: Strategically placed off the coast of USA, pass through us to get to Latin America.

What we need to work on?

Lobbying- two important things

- Immigration policies: Permanent Resident status concepts to consider

-Ease of doing business: Bahamas needs to improve business services

In closing, BFSB is at work creating greater awareness throughout the globe!

Vote of Thanks: Rotarian Denzil Sirna

Final Toast To

Rotary Around The World

Editor, B Carter

1. Did you know that our very own  Sir Durward Knowles is the oldest living Olympian on planet earth.
2. Presented IPP Jason with the official banner that adorned the podium during his year as President.
3. Invited  Clifford Culmer to accept on behalf of the East Nassau Rotary Club Charitable Trust a cheque for $10,000 from The Club.

1. Richard Pyfrom reminded contributors to the Fishing Tournament not to forget him.
2. Keith Sands continues to make great strides with the Edukarting Programme ..motivating and steering youth in a positive way. He thanked IPP Jason and now President Diane for giving him this opportunity.
3. Jepcho Johnson (PP RC of NP) let us know of “a dunking for Polio” event on July 30^th at Arawak Cay from 12 noon to 5pm (proceeds to Rotary Foundation).
4. Constance Gibson, Community Service Co-Director announced a hands on project scheduled for July 16^th 8pm at Pat’s Senior Citizen Home on Soldier Road. The Community Service Committee aims to hold a hands on project every month and if not quarterly.

• A quarterly fellowship of all members with the first one on Friday July 22^nd.
• A hosting of a peace forum under the “Road to Peace” initiative.
• Establishment of a “Rotary Secretariat”
• Celebration of female “trailblazers” in Rotary.