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by pltm
(PLTM) - “It’s definitely going to be the event of the year,” Past President Lorna Smith announced to the media at a press conference on July 26. Smith, who is co-chair of the Rotary International President Visit Committee, was referring to the black tie fundraising dinner that will be held in honor of the Rotary Foundation, and the historic visit of the President of Rotary International, Barry Rassin, who is visiting in celebration of the Rotary Club of Tortola’s 50th anniversary.
The visit is being described as historical, as it is the first time that a Rotary International President is coming to the BVI. It is also a moment of celebration, because Rassin is the first Rotary International President to be selected from District 7020, which also includes the Cayman Islands, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Barts, St. Maarten, St. Martin, Turks and Caicos, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Rassin will be accompanied by his wife Esther, and District Governor for District 7020, Dr. Patrick Adizua and his wife.
Past President Smith said that the gala will be held at the Moorings Mariner Inn, which with the help of one of the Territory’s best décor aficionados will be magically transformed. She stated that culinary aspects will be palatial as the top chef of Charlie’s restaurant will be teaming up with the featured chef of another top restaurant to delight the palates of the guests.
District Governor Elect, Delma Maduro also doted on the plans for the fundraising gala. She said, “The Foundation dinner that we will be having on August 10 will be an amazing evening. From the décor to the music, everything is being looked at in very small detail to ensure that it’s going to be a wonderful event.”
Maduro also pointed out that the visit in general is a memorable occurrence.
“This is going to be a historic time for us in the British Virgin Islands. The main reason for him coming is to continue the celebration of Rotary Club of Tortola’s 50th anniversary. The anniversary was in January, but Rotary International Presidents are usually very busy to travel and of course there are several countries to visit.”
However, it was explained that the visit would not be all fun as various stops and speaking engagements have been planned for the Rotary President.
According to the co-chair of the Rotary International President Visit Committee, Gerard Farara Q,C., the President will make courtesy calls on the Governor and Premier, and also speak to young persons at an event at Village Cay.
Other significant stops will include a visit to the Peebles Hospital in the company of Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon. Ronnie Skelton. It was noted that both the Rotary Foundation and Clubs have over the years supported the hospital, particularly the Dialysis Unit.
In its many faucets of assisting in the hurricane recovery of the Territory, the clubs are especially pleased about the approximately 40 roofs that were restored in the Roof Replacement Program. It was therefore mentioned that the Rotary International President will visit the home of Yvonne McKetney, one of the recipients of the program.
Assistant Rotary Governor, Elvis Harrigan said that it will be wonderful to showcase the work that Rotary has done in the Territory.
“The excitement of Rotary is there, and the theme for this year is be the inspiration and you don’t need more inspiration than seeing Rotarians work and the community benefit from the work that we do and they all smile.”
Lynette Harrigan, President of the Rotary Club of Tortola emphasized that this visit means a lot to Rotarians in the BVI.
“Being the President of the Rotary Club of Tortola during this historic visit will go down in history and is something that I think I will never ever forget…This is huge and as you hear President Barry is not just any international President, he is somebody that we know, somebody that we have a relationship with. We are definitely going to make sure that this is a visit that the BVI as well as the world know that he was here.”
The significance of the visit was also stressed by President of the Rotary Club Sunrise, Rosemarie Flax, who also mentioned that President Rassin is known to local Rotarians.
“It didn’t surprise me one bit when President Barry chose for his theme be the inspiration, because as far back as I have known him he has been an inspiration to all of us, not in the BVI alone, not in the Caribbean, but internationally and my club Sunrise is particularly excited about his coming and I definitely know that he would leave his footprint here in the BVI.“
President Rassin’s visit will span from August 9 -11. During the gala, at least 20 Rotarians will recieve Paul Harris Fellows, an award that exemplifies yeoman service.
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