Nassau, Bahamas - Chartered on July 19, 1976, the Rotary Club of South-East Nassau (RCSEN) recently held their changeover of presidents and board members while rewarding those in the outgoing Rotary year for their service. Rotarians are known as ‘People of Action.’ The outgoing president, Calnan Weech congratulated his executive and board for a successful year that ended with the RCSEN earning a Silver Certificate of Rotary Service in Public Image from District 7020; a portfolio led by director Candice Hepburn. A Distinction Award for outstanding and dedicated contribution during the Rotary year 2021-2022 was presented to President Calnan Weech and Rotarians at the District 7020 Convention in Saint Martin in May, including a Silver Award for Club of the Month.
Three female Rotarians earned top recognitions for the year 2021-2022:
Rotarian of the Year was awarded to long-service member Azaleta Ishmael-Newry, the second female to join the Rotary Club of South-East Nassau in 1995; New Rotarian of the Year was awarded to Megan Minus, a former 3-year Rotaract member who served as secretary and had transitioned to Rotary in August 2021. She will take up the secretary post in 2023. Director of the Year went to Ruthnell Barr-Bethell whose portfolio was Youth and Literacy and who lead many community projects such as a book donation drive for the Department of Corrections and advancing literacy projects that included youth and adults.
Johann Bain, the new president for the club’s new year, said, “I am committed to service about self, and we are a club that produces greatness.” He congratulated past president Calnan Weech and his board for a successful year and thanked the Rotaract Club of South-East Nassau Centennial who assisted this club with many projects during the year. “We work hard, and we play hard. I encourage all of you to continue working on what we started, continue Improving our community, continue to eradicate polio and continue to build one another,” he shared. “This club was the first club in New Providence to induct females and a first female president. So let us not forget that we are celebrating the hard work that women have also done in helping us to get where we are. Let’s continue to crush our goals as we ‘Imagine Rotary.’”
For the first time in its 117-year history, Rotary International has a female Rotarian leading the organization of 1.4 million members, under the theme, “Imagine Rotary.” Jennifer Jones, a Canadian who hails from Windsor, Ontario is no stranger to The Bahamas and has worked with Past Rotary International President, Barry Rassin of the Rotary Club of East Nassau which is this club’s sponsor. The Rotary Club of South-East Nassau was chartered on July 19, 1976, was the fourth club in New Providence and the seventh in The Bahamas that year.
Outgoing Assistant Governor Carla Card-Stubbs recognized the strong partnerships of the two clubs: The Rotary Club of South-East Nassau was formed in 1976 and in 2005, they sponsored the Rotaract Club of South-East Nassau Centennial (RCSENC) in the 100th year of Rotary’s anniversary.
Recently awarded the highest recognitions in District 7020, the Rotaract Club of South-East Nassau Centennial won three top awards. Rotaract Club of the Year; District Rotaract Representative Award of Excellence - Diamond and Zone 34 Rotaract Club Award - Platinum ranking.
The Rotary Club of South-East Nassau, Executives and Board for 2022-2023 are:
Executive:
President – Johann Bain
Immediate Past President and Foundation Chair – Calnan Weech
President-Elect – Leah Lowe
Secretary – Tanishka Parker
Treasurer – Michaela Bethell-Stuart
Directors:
Club Membership – Kent Forbes
Attendance Chair – PP Sean Blyden
Club Administration – Raymond Charles
Community Service – PP Lionel Haven
Disaster Relief – PP Bridgette Rolle, JP
Health and Wellness – Colin Jupp
Youth and Literacy – Tsega Thompson
Public Image – Megan Minus
International Service – PP Jamaal Davis
Vocational Service – Shakera Rolle
Fellowship – Abagale Butler
Rotaract Liaison – Cecily Dean
Family of Rotary – Aurea Bethell-Russell
Fundraising Chair – Javon Morley
Club Trainer – PAG Timothy N. Ingraham
Sergeant of Arms – Valentine Maura
President Calnan Weech (2021-2022) (right) of the Rotary Club of South-East Nassau was recognized for his outstanding service. Assistant Governor Carla Card-Stubbs (middle) presented the keepsake trophy with the club’s new president for 2022-2023, Johann Bain (left). Photo by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry
Rotarian Azaleta Ishmael-Newry (right) was awarded Rotarian of the Year (2021-2022) from President Calnan Weech at the club’s changeover held in June 2022. Rotarian Azaleta has been a member of the Rotary Club of South-East Nassau since September 1995 the year, the club was recognized as the first Rotary Club in New Providence for inducting women into Rotary. Photo credit: Kent Forbes
Rotarians of the Rotary Club of South-East Nassau who are of the 2022-2023 Executive and Board
