The Rotary Club of New Amsterdam (RCNA) was recently installed to conduct the affairs of the club for the year 2023-2024. The ceremony was held at Club Eclipse in New Amsterdam, Berbice.
In a release the club said businessman and civil gngineer Raffick Kassim takes over as President from Tajpaul Adjodhea, Manager of the Hand In Hand Insurance Berbice Branch. Adjodhea will serve as the Immediate Past President.
Other members elected are President-elect Keine Read, Vice President Waynewright McIntosh, Secretary Charlyn Artiga, Treasurer Chris Hicks; Director of Club Administration Jerry Outar, Director of Service Projects Keine Read, Director of Membership Navin Hansraj, Director of Foundation Services Tajpaul Adjodhea, Director of New Generation Service Keshia DaCosta.
The Public Image Chair is Roger Greenidge. Empowering Girls Club Champion is Angilla Sattar while Diversity Equity Inclusion Champion is Charlyn Artiga.
The Sergeant at Arms is Nolan France.
Adjodhea who served for the year 2022-2023, thanked everyone who supported him during his tenure reiterating that Rotary’s mandate is to serve humanity.
He highlighted a number of achievements of the Club during his tenure. Including the beautification of the Good Samaritan Home in New Amsterdam. Organizing funding raising activities and a four miles walk in support of persons affected by Polio.
The continued restoration and beautification of the Esplanade Park. Completing another Public School Clean Water Initiative with Tutorial Academy Secondary School being the beneficiary
Organising Childhood Obesity Prevention Programmes. Presenting a number of bicycles to outstanding children at a Children Christmas Party at Sand Hills, Berbice River. Hosting of the World Peace and Understanding Dinner.
Commissioning of a Reading Canopy at the New Amsterdam Library.
Adjodhea lauded the contributions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who assisted in helping to finance a number of the projects.
During the year four new Rotarians joined the club which also held a gala 36th anniversary celebrations.
Kassim in his acceptance speech expressed gratitude to the members for electing him and pledged to do his best. He led the club in paying homage to a number of long serving members and those before who helped the club to be where it is. He urged new members to emulate those contributions. The RCNA is the top club in Guyana in terms of fellowship.
Kassim stated that he would like to see Rotarians involved in projects and suggested that for the club to make more headway the Partners in Service (PIS) must play a role.
He said that the Club is presently exploring possibilities to help with the vast shortage of skills in Guyana. In so doing the RCNA will collaborate with Social Science and Human Resources professionals the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) and the CJCLDS among others to fill the gaps.
