PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The Rotary Club of Sint Maarten Mid Isle had its annual Change of Board (COB) ceremony. Considering the economic state that our island is in and the fact that we are still not fully COVID free, the club decided to do this year’s COB in a smaller setting for Mid Isle members (plus spouse/partner or immediate family member) only and not as a fundraiser. The COB ceremony was held on the gallery of the Belair Fitness Center, where besides only members of Mid Isle, Assistant District Governor Marcellia Henry was present.
Incoming President 2020- 2021 Grace Linger has taken over the reins of The Rotary Club of Sint. Maarten-Mid isle from outgoing President Aernout Kraaijeveld.
In his speech, member of Mid Isle District Governor Nominee Louis Wever, took the opportunity to thank outgoing President Aernout and his board for their dedicated service to their community, in the district and worldwide. He also extended appreciation to all Mid Isle members for everything they had done to make Rotary work even in these difficult times, and that they had lived up to the ‘Ideals of Service above Self’ and to District Governor Delma Maduro’s theme of ‘Service Humanity, secure our Future’. He informed us of The Rotary International Theme for the year 2020-2021 “Rotary Opens Opportunities”, in the words of Rotary International, President Holger Knaack; “We believe that our acts of service, big and small, create opportunities for people who need our help”. Everything we do, opens another opportunity for someone, somewhere.
Outgoing President Aernout presented tokens of appreciation to his outgoing board, Vice President/Immediate Past President/Public Image Chair Denise Antrobus, Secretary Grace Linger, Treasurer Tony Da Cunha, Foundation Chair David Antrobus, Membership Chair Wayne Wilkie, Disaster Relief Chair Sonia Meade- Swantson, New Generations Chair/Spelling Bee Chair Jon Hart and Sergeant- at- Arms DGN Louis Wever.
Incoming President Grace Linger said the night was to honor the outgoing board and support the incoming board. Even though the past year had its own challenges with Covid-19 and even more economic challenges, President Aernout and his team were able to collect some awards and recognitions from our District and Zone. She also added that going forward we will do our best to follow in the footsteps of our past leaders, but her main goal is to continue to put a lasting smile on the faces of those we help. To her that is its own reward. A great team has been assembled and she is confident that the Rotary Year 2020-2021 will be successful.
The incoming board consists of: President Grace Linger, Vice President/Foundation Chair Aernout Kraaijeveld, Secretary/New Generation Chair Jon Hart, Sergeant at Arms/Fundraising Chair Wayne Wilkie, Treasurer Tony Da Cunha, Membership Chair Quincy Lont, Public Image Chair Anjali Manek and Disaster Relief Chair Sonia Meade-Swanston.
The anticipated Rotarian of the Year Award was presented to New Generations Chair/Spelling Bee Chair 2019-2020 Jon Hart, for his work with the Annual Rotary/Rotaract Spelling Bee.
Past President David Antrobus was presented with his Paul Harris plus eight, while Past President Denise Antrobus was awarded her Paul Harris plus four for her contribution to Mid Isle as President and her Paul Harris plus Five. Both David and Denise were also presented with their major donor pins and crystal for their contribution to the Rotary Foundation.
We would also like to extend a special thank you to the Belair Community Center for everything they have done to accommodate us during our Change of Board. We greatly appreciate it!
