Posted by Julia Symonette

Call to Order:

PE Christian rang the bell to call the first meeting of 2023 to order.

P Taran wished everyone health, wealth and prosperity for the New Year.

Invocation & Loyal Toasts:

The Invocation was given by PP Franny with PP Adam leading members in a toast to the King and to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Fellowship:

Members in the room then enjoyed 10 minutes of fellowship.

Guests, Visiting Rotarians & Honorary Members:

We were joined by;

  • Visiting Rotarians;
    • Claudia Roth (EClub 1850 - Germany)
    • Bradley Fox (Rotary Club of Abaco)
    • Tamara Evans (Nassau Sunrise) joining via zoom
    • La’Chara Carey (Rotaract Club of East Nassau) joining via zoom
  • Guests:
    • Dam Myers (President of Rotaract 2010/2011), guest of PP Joanne
    • Jeff
    • Keva Carey, guest of P Taran
    • Wendyi Poitier, guest of P Taran
  • Honorary Member: Claudio Lins

Banners for Exchange:

N/A

Announcements:

  • Wendyi Poitier, President of The Bahamas Alzheimer’s Association thanked the club for the donation of $1,000.  She informed members of the association’s history and purpose; to provide guidance, assistance, education and advocacy for those living with dementia, their families and care partners. Dementia costs the global economy USD 1.3 trillion, a figure which is expected to double by 2030.  Wendyi informed members that The Bahamas signed onto the global dementia action plan in 2017, however the national dementia plan has yet to be put into action.  She asked RCEN to become an advocacy of the association to encourage the government to develop a national dementia plan.
  • Dates for your diary:
    • 13 Jan: Murder at the Manor Murder Mystery Event.  It’s going to be a great one! Jackie advised members that the event is now FULLY BOOKED - better luck next time folks!
    • 14 Jan: at the Ranfurly Home for Children, social with the kids where pizza or hamburgers will be provided.  This is an opportunity to show our support, contact Mike Russell.
    • 21 Jan: Burns Night.  Tickets are $100 per person, $900 for a table.  A great night, and one not to be missed.  Hurry, before the tickets sell out. Contact PAG Lindsey, PE Christian, PP Mayuri, Rafique or basically any of the members of the whiskey society.
    • 18 Feb: Basket ball on the Park, contact Mike Russell
    • Peace Poem contest, gift vouchers will be made available for 3 winners of each age category valid for Marathon Mall.  PP Mayuri will be on the judging panel, contact Mike Russell
    • And finally, how about purchasing a Rotary 2023 Calendar, so you can keep on top of all the fun RCEN and RCOB activities this year! RCEN turns 60 on May 6th. $15 per calendar, members are encouraged to pledge to buy/sell 3 calendars each.  See PAG Lindsey for more details
  • Rafique thanked members for their support in 2022, which enabled 37 gifts to be delivered to the kids at All Saints Outreach on Christmas Day.  Special mention was made to PP Adam, Kelly’s, PP John and Kenrad, among others for their contributions to this effort.

Sergeant at Arms:

PE Christian Knowles was our Sergeant at Arms dolling out fines left, right, and centre.  2 for being late, 5 for lack of pins, 1 for no pin and no tie, 1 for three strikes (tardy attendance, no pin and being on the phone) and the last for no pin when the member in question has more pins then PE Christian and Lindsey combined.  There were murmurs from the crowd that perhaps PE Christian should be fined having proudly informing the club he was wearing his favourite poppy Rotary pin only to be corrected that it was a Hibiscus RCEN pin… after a few chuckles PE Christian treated members to several jokes. Two featured golf games involving a variety of animals, and parting waters.  Little Johnny was mentioned, for his particularly disgruntled letter to Santa dated 26 December 2022 where he objected to receiving socks, a yoyo and a lame whistle despite no one in the neighbourhood having behaved better than he. More on the consequences of that in later club meetings no doubt!

Member Birthdays:

Let the treasurer know once donations have been made.  Please make checks payable to:

EAST NASSAU ROTARY CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST

Karen Knowles - Jan 09

Kimiko Knowles - Jan 11

Spouses Birthdays:

Karen Knowles, spouse of PE Christian - Jan 09 (Karen after all of these reminders I hope Christian doesn’t forget!!)

Wedding Anniversaries:

N/A

Membership Anniversaries:

Multiple club anniversaries this week!

Phil Andrews - 28 years on Jan 06

Ricky Fox - 11 years on Jan 06

Ryan Treco - 12 years on Jan 07

PADG Murray Forde - 41 years on Jan 08

David Knowles - 3 years on Jan 08

Kimiko Knowles - 3 years on Jan 08

D’Miller - 3 years on Jan 08

Jen Roberston - 2 years on Jan 08

Andrew Symonette - 3 years on Jan 08

Guest speaker:

Shervonne Johnson welcomed One Family members to the podium, swiftly turning over to their PR Coordinator Anthony Coakley. Anthony started by thanking RCEN for the invite and introducing his colleagues; Chairman Christina ‘Muffin’ Fernander and Choreographer and Co-ordinater Misca Fernanda.

Anthony explained that ‘Muffin’ had made history as the first woman chairwoman of a Junkanoo group.  Further making history as the first woman chairwoman to lead a group to victory not once but twice in immediate succession. One Family celebrates their 30th Anniversary this year, on the back of a New Year’s win.  Bittersweet, with their Boxing Day parade paying homage to the many members of their group lost during the Pandemic.

‘Muffin’, Anthony and Misca gave insight into the history of Junkanoo, the planning, preparation to rush and challenges faced by groups rushing.  Junkanoo groups begin preparing costumes in March, and work right up to December.  ‘Muffin’ explained how Junkanoo can be a powerful vehicle for social change, particularly for the youth of the country.  She detailed One Family’s efforts to impact communities and members beyond the Junkanoo Parade.  One Family’s mascot is an ant; builders who work together to get a job done.  One Family’s constitution has an administrative core; with representatives from all sections of the parade on the steering committee. Unlike many other groups, any member of One Family has the opportunity to put forward theme suggestions to the steering committee.

One Family’s aim, among others, is to contribute to positive growth and development through service, and promote Bahamian culture.  They run several community projects including their annual ‘rush back to school’ event.  200 packs are prepared for school children in the Bain & Grants town area.  The initiative includes inviting police and firemen to participate and provide safety tips and encouragement to children.  School children are encouraged to bring their report cards to the event, with the highest preforming boy and girl from each grade receiving a tablet or bike to encourage continued academic excellence. The aim is to be a supportive community participant.

Discussion and questions from members included parade management topics relating to spacing between groups, choreography queries, experience in a traditionally male dominated parade, and traditional Junkanoo design vs evolving design.

The vote of thanks was given by Jeffrey Beckles, who has not only worked with ‘Muffin’ for years, seven relatives of his family are also members of One Family’s wind section.  (I think we need more on this later…)

Final Toast:

The final toast was given by P Taran to Rotary around the world before ringing the bell to close out the meeting.

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