Posted by Bashir Mohammed on Jul 01, 2017
On June 30th, 2017, the Rotary Club of Princes Town held its 24th handover ceremony at the auditorium of Gulf View Community Centre, Recreation Drive, Gulf View, La Romain where with the usual pomp and fanfare, outgoing President Debbie Roopchand handed over the leadership reigns to incoming President Bashir Mohammed.
 
After the formal handover, President Bashir launched his year by introducing a Corporate Profile showcasing the Club’s 24 years of our charitable work and used Rotary motivational videos to urge the membership in continuing to support the upcoming activities of the new Rotary Year 2017-2018. Members were encouraged to embrace RI theme “Making A Difference” in all our activities through the new Rotary year as we seek to improve the lives of the less fortunate in our society. The new Board of Directors was then introduced to the audience in the usual style and fanfare.
 
 
Guests were treated to beautiful renditions of ‘One Voice’ and ‘Tomorrow’ performed by the children of Rotarian Hafiz Ali – 9 year old Rehan and 7 year old Saheli. These selections, while delivered with style and yet humility of young children reminded all guests of the importance of being a single yet important voice that can make a difference in improving the world we live in therein creating a better tomorrow for all.
 
Outgoing President Debbie did a remarkable presentation in recapping all the projects and activities completed within the year 2016-2017 and publicly recognized her Board of Directors and those Rotarians that went above and beyond the call. Perfect Attendance recognition awards were issued to Rotarians Vilma Bellamy, Rudolph Ali, Hassim Ali, Bashir Mohammed and Terrance Gopaul. Special recognition for outstanding contributions were issued to Rotarians Seunarine Sanmook and Rhea Nobbee as well as Honorary Rotarian Peter Chang. Rotarian Rudolph Ali capped the ‘Rotarian of the Year Award’’ while Rotarian Delicia Maharaj capped the ‘Spirit of Rotary’ Award. The Community Service Award was granted to the President of the Cerebral Palsy Society of Trinidad and Tobago – Phillip Metivier. Paul Harris Fellows, the most prestigious Rotary Award were issued to Rotarians Vilma Bellamy and Rudolph Ali and the son of Rotarian Hassim Ali – 12 year old Master Kyle Ali who offered splendid renditions as a young talented pannist at almost every function held by the club. Dr Amit Paryag also received a Paul Harris Fellow along with Partner-in-Service Laura Ali for her tireless efforts in supporting the public relations efforts of the club. In her final act of “Rotary Serving Humanity”, a cheque of $10,000.00 was presented to the Rotary Club of Penal to support the relief efforts in Woodland, South Trinidad.
 
Outgoing President Debbie’s year climaxed by the serenading of the audience with the harmonious voice of Andre Mangatal singing Andre Bocelli’s “Time to say goodbye”.