It was a sumptuous lunch at Ristorante Papagallo, West Bay, Grand Cayman on Saturday June 1^st and the largest dining room there was ‘packed to capacity’ to enjoy the delicious food that was served.

The occasion was The Lions Club of Tropical Gardens (TG) Change Over Ceremony and Installation of Officers 2013-2014.

It wasn’t only fellow Lions who were there to witness the event, there were of course family members and friends, but members of Cayman’s other service clubs, Rotary and Kiwanis, were present, too. There might be rivalry but there is fellowship as well.

The President’s theme was “With open hearts and outstretched hands we serve”.

The programme was long but necessary and began with the singing of Cayman’s National Song “Beloved Isle Cayman” followed by the Lions Prayer:

“When I attend my Lions Club And break bread at the table I give million thanks to God To know that I am able To meet there Brothers & Sisters Relax, play and sing To bear the speakers of the day The fine thoughts that they bring. I realize that I have a part In caring for the blind Also the under privileged Let’s keep them all in mind Now as we do our daily tasks Pray God we do them greatly Then LIBERTY and INTELLIGENCE Will be OUR NATION’S SAFETY.”

A touching moment of silence followed this with the reading of names of past Lions members who had died.

The Lions Code of Ethics was read as a reminder (see below) to all and then the toasts to HM The Queen, Lions International and to other service clubs.

The Club Report 2012-2013 was read showing all the Lions TG’s achievements over the twelve months that included Breast Cancer Awareness, Circle of Sight, Walking Workout and Have a Heart. Other projects mentioned were diabetes and sight, health, youths and the elderly.

After the Invocation lunch was served before we heard from the Guest Speaker Rev. Cassius Feare who spoke about the need for God, Love and Hope in our lives. A sentiment acknowledged by all.

Then came the main event the actual installation of the board members:

 

Board of Directors 2013-2014

President                                           Nereen Thomas

Immediate Past President               Eiva Smith

1st Vice President                             Winsome Parker

2nd Vice President                           Caroline Roberts

3’d Vice President                             Blanca Welds, MJF

Secretary                                            Ann Hunte, MJF

Treasurer                                           Pat Bazell-Taylor, PMJF

Membership Director                       Dorothy Davis

1st Year Directors                             Belinda Blessitt-Vincent, MJF & Jondo Obi

2nd Year Directors                           Gina Berry, MJF & Kerry Nixon MJF

Tamer                                                 Norma McField, PMJF

Tail Twister                                        Maureen Robinson

Past Presidents

Patricia McField, MJF                         1993-1994

Lois Kellyman, MJF                            1994-1995

Mary Graham, PMJF                          1995-1996

Kerry Nixon, MJF                               1996-1997

Sharon Mitchell, MJF                         1997-1998

Patricia Walters, MJF                         1998-1999

Paulette Conolly,-Bailey, MJF          1999-2000

Judith Witter, MJF                             2000-2001

Patrica Bazell-Taylor, PMJF             2001-2002

Cynthia Chukwueze                            2002-2003

Gina Barnes, MJF                               2003-2004

Dorothy Davis                                      2004-2005

Norma McField, PMJF                      2005-2006

Cheryl Bell, MJF                                 2007-2008

Ann Hunte, MJF                                 2008-2009

Melrose Gooding, MJF                       2009-2010

Wendy Wiltshire, MJF                       2010-2011

Belinda-Biessitt-Vincent, MJF         2011-2012

Elva Smith                                            2012-2013

Rev Mary Graham of St. George’s Anglican Church, herself a past Lion and President, gave a blessing of the new board and the club.

Nereen Thomas, the new President gave her acceptance speech and the Theme Song “Open the Eyes of my Heart” was sung lustily by all of us.

Various presentations and a raffle followed by a Vote of Thanks ended the beautiful ceremony.

Thank you Lions

And…..  The Lions Club of Tropical Gardens has been an ALL FEMALE GROUP until now. They have installed one lonely male into their ranks…..   will there be more….?

Lions International Purposes

To Organize, charter and supervise service clubs to be known as Lions clubs.

To Coordinate the activities and standardize the administration of Lions clubs.

To Create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.

To Promote the principles of good government and good citizenship.

To Take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community.

To Unite the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding.

To Provide a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members.

To Encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavors.

Lions Code of Ethics

To Show my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by industrious application to the end that I may merit a reputation for quality of service.

To Seek success and to demand all fair remuneration or profit as my just due, but to accept no profit or success at the price of my own self-respect lost because of unfair advantage taken or because of questionable acts on my part.

To Remember that in building up my business it is not necessary to tear down another’s; to be loyal to my clients or customers and true to myself.

Whenever a doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my position or action towards others, to resolve such doubt against myself.

To Hold friendship as an end and not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on account of the service performed by one to another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given.

Always to bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state, and my community, and to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act, and deed. To give them freely of my time, labor and means.

To Aid others by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my substance to the needy.

To Be Careful with my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy.

See also story in today’s iNews Cayman “Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis: Are American service clubs too old to matter?”