BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MEMBERS and the new Executives of the St. Kitts Lions and Leos Clubs renewed their commitment to serve at their 30th Annual General Meeting and Installation Ceremony last night (June 25).
Held at the Diamond Cut Steakhouse Restaurant in Frigate Bay, the event drew Leos and Lions from around the island to celebrate the past Lionistic year and to plan the way forward for 2009 to 2010.
After members observed a one-minute silence for world peace, the ceremony kicked off with a review of the year’s highlights by the outgoing presidents of both clubs. These included their adoption of the Newton Ground Primary School, a Children Fun Day and the inaugural Diabetes Awareness Week, as well as smaller community projects such as wellness walks and cleanups.
They were then treated to a presentation by Analdo Bailey, CEO of the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Banking, who praised the group for its volunteerism and beseeched members to continue their efforts.
“NGOs such as your group are instrumental in the creation of social capital and good governance. Your members work hard for no pay whatsoever, because they are concerned about public good and public welfare. Continue to work for free, continue to sacrifice, and continue to tell the truth so you may add to the world’s store of good,” he said.
After a sumptuous buffet dinner, the new Executive of each club was formally installed, headed by Leo President Ouckland Lindsey Connor and Lion President Patricia Farrell-Heyliger. Speaking exclusively to SKNVibes, Connor said the group would continue to support its adopted school and would implement activities to meaningfully engage youth in the different communities. Meanwhile, Farrell-Heyliger revealed that she had five main priorities for the upcoming Lionistic year.
“Firstly, to promote the club and put it back in the spotlight. I think we’ve been fading a little bit. Secondly, to have regular personal development sessions for members so we don’t have to recycle leadership. Thirdly, to continue our cultural programme in which we promote artistes and entertainers from Carnival. Then I would like to strengthen our relationship with the Leo Club, because we tend to go our own ways and we really should be closer. And finally, to develop our partnership with UNICEF and to introduce the Lion Quest, which is a conflict resolution programme for struggling communities,” she informed.
The St. Kitts Lions Club was charted in 1979 and currently boasts 40 members. With over 1.3 million members worldwide, Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organisation.
