Lions Club of Grand Cayman names new board
(L-R) New Lion president Tannya Mortimer, immediate past president Ewan Jacques and past president Leonard Hew, who conducted the installation
(CNS): The Lions Club of Grand Cayman has installed a new president and board of directors for 2016-17. At the ceremony, held Saturday, 2 July, Tannya Mortimer was named the second female president to be appointed in 43 years, following Deborah Ebanks in 2009. Past president Leonard Hew installed the incoming officers.
Mortimer said as she accepted the position, “As I look upon both the opportunities and challenges we will face serving our club over the next year, I am convinced that our journey will be one full of resolve, dedication, passion and fulfillment while making a difference within our community.”
Looking at the year ahead, she added, “I can assure you that our board will work tirelessly to enhance and build upon the excellent track record laid for us by previous club leaders, who have inspired us with their success in the tremendous initiatives undertaken. Indeed, their efforts are an inspiration which provides both a challenge and an avenue for us to continue doing the great work Lions are known for.”
Aligning with this year’s theme, “One Passion, One Goal, Serving Humanity”, efforts will focus on establishing school-based Leos Clubs, setting up a restoration committee, building on the work of the food pantry, creating new initiatives in the sight programme, continuing to beautify the Lions Community Centre, and partnering with other service clubs for hands-on community projects.
The ceremony highlighted the achievements of immediate past president Ewan Jacques and his board for leading the club over the past year. Jacques spoke of the club’s work in men’s health initiatives such as PACCE (Prostate and Colon Cancer Event) including cancer screenings, participation in Movember and spreading awareness through a variety of events.
Also noted was the heavy involvement with youth in the community through sight screening for 1,282 children, the Secondary Schools Spelling Bee, Youth Choir Competition, Cub Reading Hour and the start of an Alpha Leo Club.
The club was congratulated on its work during the Christmas holidays through hosting the Lighthouse School, Sunrise Adult Training Centre and the all-island parties, as well as Christmas-morning deliveries.
Significant changes were made to Lions Community Centre, including a new roof, remodelled changing rooms, and the creation of a community food pantry, the latter supporting some of the goals of the geriatrics committee, including monthly district food deliveries.
The year also featured strong fundraising projects such as the Lions Breakfast, street collections, donations received from Kirk Market to aid the development of the food pantry and the Benzarama 2016 raffle.
“The club’s board of directors have done a fantastic job this year,” Jacques said. “I have enjoyed their support and valued their work with the committees and their wise counsel.”
Other participants in the ceremony included Premier Alden McLaughlin, who was a past president. He noted that the occasion was quite special to him as the incoming president was inducted as a member of the club under his presidency.
The new board of directors comprises Mortimer, Jacques, first vice president Ian Yearwood, second vice president Stephen Best, third vice president Cordella Chollette, secretary Anthony Ritch, treasurer Andrew Hulse, assistant secretary Albert Anderson, tamer Lynval Watkins, tail twister Johann Moxam, one-year directors Carmin Godfrey and Ronnie Rankin, two-year directors Letitia Lawrence and Janelle Tibbetts, and membership director Rayle Roberts.
Category: Service Organisations
