Rotary Rift? Rotarians object to Ryan R. E. Geluk as Asst Gov of District 7020
![The Rotarians, in a leaked letter to Rotary leaders dated Thursday, May 7, 2020, said their sole purpose is to ensure that Rotary’s reputation in the [British] Virgin Islands remains unblemished. Photo: FAVPNG.org](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_r_rotaryinternationalrotarycluboftorontoclipartpresidentorganizationpngfavpngScuykkkc9yRqDVbBrXWVpe6wi.jpg)
The concerned members are reportedly drawn from the three local clubs — Rotary Club of Tortola, Rotary Club of Road Town and the Rotary Club of Sunrise Road Town- and they are taking the matter to a level above the District Governor as they are not confident their concerns are being taken seriously.
Reputation at stake
The Rotarians, in a leaked letter to Rotary leaders dated Thursday, May 7, 2020, said their sole purpose is to ensure that Rotary’s reputation in the [British] Virgin Islands remains unblemished.
“Therefore, we are of the opinion, that Past President Ryan Geluk’s appointment as the Assistant Governor for the BVI 2020/2021 be retracted on the grounds that he is a Director of BVI Airways which is accused of perpetrating a massive multi-million-dollar airline scam in the British Virgin Islands,” the letter obtained by our newsroom stated.
“Regrettably, we are forced to raise this matter at a more senior level since it appears to be inaction by the District Governor-Elect for District 7020, Charles Sealey.
The Auditor-General, Sonia M. Webster, in her report titled ‘Government’s Financing of BVI Airways’ Direct Flight to Miami’, now a public document, listed Mr Geluk as one of the Directors of BVI Airways at the time of the investigation.
The report also showed that the then Government of the former Premier, Dr D. Orlando Smith, engaged the local accounting firm BDO in January 2015 to assess the merits of the BVI Airways airlift. Mr Geluk was also a Deputy Managing Director of BDO at the time.
According to the leaked letter, the BVI Airways matter is engaging the attention of the VI Auditor General, the United Kingdom and the Government of the Virgin Islands.
It also noted in the leaked letter that Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has promised to leave no stones unturned in this matter.
“Therefore, in the forthcoming months, significant amounts of information will be offloaded onto the British Virgin Islands community regarding the failed project and by extension Past President Ryan’s involvement in the scheme,” the letter stated.
‘Deeply troubled’
The members also provided several links to articles published in the local press that detailed the failure of BVI Airways and the persons involved.
“We are deeply troubled by the turn of events as criminal charges loom. We worry that the good name and image of Rotary will also be on public trial through Past President’s Ryan serving in such a senior and prominent position as Assistant Governor.
“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rotary Family in the BVI is expected to help fund-raising efforts. Rotary may find it difficult in raising funds if the BVI public becomes aware of the Past President Ryan’s new Rotary appointment.”
Double standards
The members in their letter also expressed surprise that there have been no objections from District Governor Delma Maduro and Assistant Governor Lorna G. Smith OBE “since a few months ago they both objected to a woman President, duly elected by her club, being sworn-in. Her transgression was being in a night club when her sister became involved in an altercation with others.”
The concerned members further said the matter involving Past President Ryan is silently eating away at the Rotary family in the VI.
“Why the double standards? Are we not all equals in our beloved Rotary?” the members asked.
The letter also stated that many Rotarians have discussed Mr Geluk’s matter privately and believe that based on the response from the incoming District Governor, Mr Charles Sealey, along with other senior Rotarians locally, that it is in their best interest to remain anonymous at this time.
“This is a case of wanting to shoot the messengers. How dare anyone question the status quo?
“We are reminded that Rotary’s Code of Ethics states that I will ‘Act with integrity and high ethical standards in my personal and professional life’. Being a member of Rotary means you are a person of integrity and honour, not only in your business or chosen profession, but in your personal life too.”
Possible resignations, lack of growth & reduced public funds
It said Past President Geluk’s involvement in the BVI Airways matter may or may not result in criminal charges; “however, one has to agree that there is a risk that he can be implicated and therefore it is on these grounds we are asking that his appointment be retracted until this matter is fully resolved.”
It said Mr Geluk may very well qualify to serve as Assistant Governor when the investigations are over, but until such time, all the necessary precautions must be taken to safeguard and protect Rotary’s image in the Virgin Islands and around the world.
“We believe that failure to retract Past President Ryan’s appointment could have long-lasting effect on Rotary in the British Virgin Islands which could result in several things. For example, resignations from club members, lack of growth in new members and reduction in public funds.”
The letter at the time had said in the interest of fairness and transparency, the members were hoping the matter would be resolved at a certain level and there would be no need to take it to either Rotary International or the VI public.
Meanwhile, Mr Geluk, Mrs Maduro and Mrs Smith did not respond to our request for a comment up to the time of publication.
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45 Responses to “Rotary Rift? Rotarians object to Ryan R. E. Geluk as Asst Gov of District 7020”
Ryan is a good man, sometimes too good to a fault. He was chosen as Assistant Governor and that says a lot about him. Somebody wants his position and will do anything to get it.
They dont want to publish their names because negative consequences to them but do not care about the consequences to a good man's name from their lies. Do you know they even created a false email address of another person to send out their lies.
Oh stop stirring up trouble where there isnt any
Rotary gone down to a low lower than low low low. That g***** who up and down fight have no call becoming president. jailbird and all hear in rotairy. One s****** alleged rapist, thieve and the a******** m**** is a drunkard. Aryah can’t want anybody take the club serious. If them wasn’t so slack that just R*** demise. Them all drink up together.
They are just a cartel of c***ks anyway and none a dem have the BVI interest at heart. None.
#***, pls bring back the amount of the Airways money u got out of the deal. All that money didn't go oversees to the so called foreign investors.
this is where the real corruption lies.
"The Auditor-General, Sonia M. Webster, in her report titled ‘Government’s Financing of BVI Airways’ Direct Flight to Miami’, now a public document, listed Mr Geluk as one of the Directors of BVI Airways at the time of the investigation.
The report also showed that the then Government of the former Premier, Dr D. Orlando Smith, engaged the local accounting firm BDO in January 2015 to assess the merits of the BVI Airways airlift. Mr Geluk was also a Deputy Managing Director of BDO at the time." WOW. Such a conflict of interest, but these masons just look after their own.
It's just like all the friends of the prominent rotarian who happened to be awarded status without any transparency post-Irma.
damn it man
You all have too many double standards. That is why Rotary has gone to the low and the lowest.
Most of the expats joining Rotary only to be somebody in the community.
A bunch of hypocrites and two timing people..
You hear the @#$^& you talking. Is people like you have the world upside down. Everybody is somebody... Get that in your messed up brain.
R*****G***..his w****L***** ......already acts as if she owns the keys to the city..then Now they want to make him Asst.deputy in Rotary? If Rotary know what's best they will ask R***** H*******..R*****G***** ..L*****H**** and the others to please tell the people where the 7.2 million dollars plane money is. The house of cards of the privileged will soon fall.
He w******* he deserve it more than down island people I would say. Prefer all the w******* to get status over them
Not msny oer ssf ons in th h ed bvi rep this statement in their personal and professional lives.
So u see who the ....Go.....and them so protecting......wickedness in high places
Good honourable move by our Rotarians, im proud.. He just need to with draw his name....As a matter a fact from his name came he should declined knowing he..
Le monde a besoin de savoir que geluk est le gars de l'automne. tous les membres du gouvernement du Cabinet ont obtenu leur part de l'accord. lo**** s**** est aussi coupable. elle a aidé la corde dans mon compagnon. le parti national démocratique était mauvais pour le peuple. G***** est resté silencieux pour se sauver et sauver sa relation. il a fait du mal. il en savait beaucoup, c'est ce qu'on appelle le consentement. beaucoup de mal pour tout le monde. O*****s**** est le cerveau et le my***n***** et le mar****n*****. Ronnie Skelton savait mais a fait du mal au Cabinet. G**** pas innocent. de nombreux rotariens connaissent la vérité des voies aériennes bvi.
Too much white collar and blue collar crime take place here and it is shoved under the rug because of who is involved. Downright disgusting. Bout time we man up and stop tolerating it.