Mrs Karia J. Christopher was sworn in on Sunday, July 2, 2017, as the new president of the Rotary Club of Tortola. Photo: VINO

Rotary Club of Tortola's new president, Mrs Karia J. Christopher (third from left) and her family during the 2017-2018 board of directors installation dinner on Sunday, July 2, 2017. Photo: VINO

The board of directors 2017-2018, during their introductory dance. Photo: VINO

The masters of ceremony were Percy Rhoden; 2008-2009 Past President (left) and Julien N. Johnson; 2015-20106 Past President (right). Photo: VINO

First Lady and Past President, Lorna G. Smith, OBE, commented that the new president and her board of directors are very qualified to lead the Rotary Club of Tortola. Photo: VINO

Past President and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe, expressed gratitude to her fellow Rotarians for the tremendous support that she received during her time as President. Photo: VINO

Honourable Archibald Christian, Junior Minister for Tourism (AL), congratulating Ms Bernadette Brathwaite for receiving Rotarian of the Year at the Rotary Club of Tortola installation dinner. Photo: VINO

Rotary Club of Tortola's new board of directors 2017-2018, after being sworn on Sunday July 2, 2017 at Maria's By the Sea in Road Town. Photo: VINO

Rotarians paid tribute to some of the past presidents by entertaining the audience with a fashion show. Photo: VINO

The African themed installation dinner was held at Maria’s by the Sea in Road Town on Sunday July 2, 2017. The legendary baton was passed from outgoing President, Honourable Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe, Speaker of the House of Assembly, to Mrs Karia J. Christopher, Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs.

Cheers and laughter filled the courtyard of Maria’s by the Sea as the evening kicked off with a cocktail reception, where persons gave their early congratulations to the new President, Karia J. Christopher and her Board of Directors.

Past Assistant Governor, Gerald St. C. Farara, QC and Acting Governor Elvis J. Harrigan administered the Oath of Office and installed Karia J. Christopher along with her incoming Board of Directors: President Elect, Lynette L. Harrigan; Vice President, Michael Khillory; Immediate Past President, Hon Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe; Secretary, Ixora Rose-Wong-Williams; Treasurer, Ian Smith; Sargent of Arms, Edson Boyea and Directors: Merrick Watson, Sasha S. Creque, Kishma Penn, Aisha Liburd, Milton Creque and Kevin Fahie. Other members to be installed are Treasurer Elect, Astrid Winske and Bernadette Brathwaite, Secretary Elect.

Tributes

Prior to unveiling the new agenda for the upcoming year, the president and her board of directors paid tribute to some of the past presidents by entertaining the audience with a fashion show which demonstrated how they (past presidents) dressed in their time of presidency.

Messrs Romeo Cameron, Reynell Fraser and Kermet Frett were the recipients of the Paul Harris Fellow Award for their dedication towards improving the lives of others in the community. This award is the highest honour the club can bestow upon any person.

The energetic Percy Rhoden; 2008-2009 Past President and the dynamic Julien N. Johnson; 2015-2016 Past President were the masters of ceremony for the evening.

Past President and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honorable Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe praised to her Board of Directors, officers and members of the club for the tremendous support that she received during her time as President:

“With the Rotary year 2016-2017 now coming to a close, I would like to express my gratitude to the membership of the Club for the support, words of encouragement and commitment given to making it a successful Rotary year. I especially want to thank the board of directors and officers for their unwavering support of me as President.”

Rotary to focus on young people

The remarks by the incoming President, Karia J. Christopher were the momentous highlight of the evening. Mrs Christopher pointed out that the club has made significant strides by allowing likeminded persons to come together and impact the Territory in a positive way. She also thanked the outgoing president and congratulated her board of directors for accepting the challenge in standing with her to make a difference within the community.

“One of my goal while as president, is to ensure that persons all around the community understand and accept that this club is a group of ordinary people doing extra ordinary things for the community at large without any expectation or praises,” said President Christopher.

 She continued, “Focusing on the future, we have chosen to make the upcoming Rotarian year one dedicated to capitalising on the immense potential of the Territory’s young people. The youth represents the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the Territory’s collective soul. Within them lies the essence of who we are and boundless spirit incarnate of who we can be.”

Among those who graced the ceremony with their presence were Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), and Junior Minister for Tourism Honourable Archibald C. Christian (AL), who are also serving members of the club.

Right person for the job!

In her toast to the new board, First Lady and Past President, Lorna G. Smith OBE commented that the new President and her board of directors are very qualified to lead the Rotary Club of Tortola.

“We are especially comfortable that the board is led by Karia J. Christopher, who is an overachiever and a trail blazer. There was no one more qualified and competent to lead the Rotary Club of Tortola in its fiftieth year of service to humanity.

Meanwhile, Ms Bernadette Brathwaite was awarded Rotarian of the Year at the event.