Thirteen Rotarians representing the four Cayman Islands Rotary Clubs recently returned from their annual district conference, held in early May in St. Martin.
They were among more than 250 Rotarians attending the 2005 centennial conference from District 7020, representing 64 Rotary, 22 Rotaract and 38 Interact clubs from 10 Caribbean countries, according to a club press release.
Cayman was represented by the current and incoming president of each club along with club secretaries, directors and general members.
This year’s conference held special significance for the attendees as 2005 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of Rotary International.
During the conference several awards were given by the district governor to the Cayman clubs.
The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, Grand Cayman Central, Grand Cayman Sunrise and Cayman Brac received citations for completing a centennial project.
Grand Cayman Central was the top club for the entire district for annual program fund-giving, both on a per club and a per capita basis, the release said.
The district governor awarded a special ‘in the face of adversity’ award to all the Cayman clubs, recognizing the contribution made following the passage of Hurricane Ivan while at the same time working towards meeting the previously established district goals.
Past President Linford Pierson received the Assistant Governor Award. The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac were cited for submitting their Presidential Citation forms, although the actual award of the citation is not given until the Rotary International conference.
In addition to the awards for district Rotary clubs, awards were presented to individuals who are not necessarily Rotarians, based on nominations from individual district clubs.
The Rotary International Centennial Service Award for Professional Excellence went to Max Jones for his contribution to the island in the design of hurricane-resistant government buildings, and to Rotarian Derek Haines for his work on the drugs task force of the RCIP.
One Rotary International Commitment to Service award went to Rotary past president David Foster for his dedication and continued contribution to Rotary in the Cayman Islands, the district, and Rotary International through the Rotary Foundation.
The awards were significant because only five were given in the entire district, the release said.
Annually, the district conference is held in the country of the sitting district governor, and presents the state of Rotary in the region to the current and incoming leadership of the clubs, as well as outlining the goals of the incoming district governor, the theme of the incoming president of Rotary International, and an opportunity to experience fellowship and hospitality of Rotarians from around the region.
In July Tom Lightbourne of the Rotary Club of Turks and Caicos will take over as District Governor, with Alaistair Patterson of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman being named District Governor Nominee for 2006-07.
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