Rotarian and a former president of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), Justice Anthony T. A. Carmona O.R.T.T., S.C has urged the Virgin Islands (VI) families of Rotary of District 7020 to not forsake their family and friends in their duty as a Rotarian. Photo: Team of Reporters

Mrs Delma Maduro and husband Audley Maduro. Mrs Maduro was installed as District 7020 Governor on July 6, 2019. Photo: Facebook

The presidents of the Rotary Clubs in the Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands were also recognised at the Installation Ceremony for District 7020 Governor Mrs Delma Maduro, 5th from left, on July 6, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters

Hundreds gathered at Scrub Island Resort on July 6, 2019 to witness history for the Virgin Islands as Mrs Delma Maduro, the first female member of the Rotary club of Tortola, ascended to the highest district level – District 7020 Governor. Photo: Team of Reporters

It was on Saturday July 6, 2019 at an event at Scrub Islands, themed ‘Glamour Under The Stars’, that hundreds of Rotarians, corporate supporters, families and friends of Mrs Delma Maduro gathered for her installation as District 7020 Governor.

Don’t forget service to family & friends

Fifth former president of T&T, Justice Carmona was the keynote speaker who related about issues ranging from air pollution to Rotarians being true to their families.

“Your definition as a Rotarian must not be to the detriment of those that love you and who you love. We often don’t like to talk speaking about love publicly and we need to for there is no juggernaut like the power of love and is genuine service not based on love?” he asked rhetorically.

Taking Rotarians back to a recent occurrence at a Trinidad and Tobago National Award where a woman told him how happy she was to hear what her deceased father had accomplished, as outlined by the master of ceremonies, something which was never done before. “She now understands why her father came home late on many occasions because of his consuming time weary, selfless service and she has been made prouder by it.”

He insisted therefore, “In engaging service to country, service to Rotary, do not forget service to family and friends.”

According to Justice Carmona, he has seen and experienced inhumanity to man, which made it imperative for him to speak about luxuriating in the best.

“Be Rotarians in your homes through proper and good bonding, nurturing an environment where mutual respect is germane to relationships with each other and among each other.”

He was very candid in noting, “We risk being so busy trying to save the world when we need to start saving ourselves and those around us. Be a beacon of hope and a soldier of what’s right in your personal space, in and outside your homes and offices.”

Mentor parents to become mentors

Justice Carmona also charged the Rotary family to be mentors to the youth of today, as he stressed that one important component of volunteerism is mentorship.

“Children and young people do need mentors and the Rotary Club has been an incisive game changer, but I must warn, be a mentor but the primary mentor should really be the parent and we must not encourage parents to abdicate that responsibility.”

In his passionate delivery on this topic, Justice Carmona insisted that personal responsibility and accountability must not be compromised by one’s sense of service to others. “The Rotary clubs needs to build capacity and mentorship among parents who are falling short.”

“Mentor the parents to become a mentor. We cannot and must not underestimate or undervalue the power of mentorship, the power to change lives through inspiring and inspired leadership and mentorship.”