Newly elected president of the Rotary Club of Maracas, St Joseph (MSJ) Felix Pearson is ready to hit the ground running with the initiatives that are in-keeping with the Rotary International (RI) 2012/13 theme, Peace through Service. "Rotarians, I am mindful at the prospect of us achieving Peace through Service as we work purposefully together as a united team in the coming year," Pearson said at the club's handover ceremony on July 1, at Ortinola Great House, St Joseph. President Pearson was passed the baton by outgoing president Azard Mohammed, who took up the position of assistant District Governor. Pearson said the MSJ Rotary Club's strategic plans will focus on the three priorities of the RI strategic plan-to support and strengthen the club; to focus and increase the club's humanitarian service and to enhance the image and awareness of Rotary.
"The MSJ Rotary Club has a reputation of being very active in the community and this Rotary year we propose to further increase that interaction. We will enhance our Meals on Wheels programme by improving the quality of meals offered and ensuring that we reach the people with the greatest need. "We will expand our children's Christmas outreach programme beyond the boundaries of one or two schools to the community at large, where we can more effectively reach the underpriviledged children. "We will intensify our health and wellness service to the community with the hosting of programmes addressing issues related to diabetes awareness, vision and hearing." In the area of vocational services, Pearson said this year the club proposes to transform and further enhance its career planning seminar into a personal development forum which will focus on the youth's ability to come with the issues of everyday life in today's challenging society. And as far as public image and awareness of Rotary goes, Pearson said: "It would seem that MSJ Rotary Club is ahead on this objective. The club will continue to build on the systems and procedures established in 2011-12, which saw the club enjoying an unprecedented amount of media coverage and becoming a familiar name. I thank our friends in media for their support."