Vindra Amar has been installed as the first female president of the Rotary Club of Port-of-Spain West, but she is clear that her rise was not a sudden occurrence.It was years in the making, she said.The formal ceremony took place at Jaffa Restaurant at the Queen's Park Oval on Tragarete Road in Port-of-Spain on June 29.That's when Amar took over from Garth Sobers."Today, my team and I are ready to take up the mantle and fill some very big shoes of some very outstanding boards and presidents of this club in creating and sustaining the tradition of performance, delivery, camaraderie, fellowship and fun that is synonymous with the Rotary Club of Port-of-Spain West. I am also honoured to be the first female president of the club," she said."Over the next year, we will be seeing a lot of each other, because the board and I intend to engage every member of the club in the many activities we undertake."There are many challenges facing the people in our country, many people who need help at different levels. We know where we are strong. We know what our community needs and how we can help."
Amar and the Rotary Club work well together. Amar has been involved in humanitarian work for the past two decades, and joined the club 13 years ago.She remembered it like it was yesterday: the warmth that greeted her on becoming a member of the social impact organisation from people who she described as distinguished."No doubt, we are a strong club with character and characters, and it is important that we strive to maintain that strength if we are to fulfil our purpose as a Rotary Club."At our planning session, the incoming board agreed to continue with the service projects in which we are currently involved–the BG North Coast project, career guidance seminar, life skills counselling, health fair at Paramin and the E-Male project with the St Michael School for Boys.
"We will also be maintaining our ongoing relationship and support of Rainbow Rescue, Palliative Care and Raffa House on a needs basis."However, being the first female president I would like to do something special that will empower young women, and therefore, I hope to encourage and engage our female members and female partners-in-service to become more involved in Raffa House–a home and safe haven for girls who have been victims of personal trauma."
Amar also announced plans to develop a new autism acceptance project to be called Different, Not Less. She said the issue was close to her heart.The club plans several fundraisers this year: a themed ball this September, the Poor Man's dinner next February and the annual Charity Golf Tournament two months later."Hopefully, these events will raise the funds we need to have a successful year of community service. Rotarians, all 46 of us, made a conscious decision to make a commitment to Rotary, to promote service above self. So I am counting on this commitment which each of you made–to serve and deliver."In the first quarter, we propose to induct three new members into the clubs. But personally, I am keener and more focused on the quality of the membership than (the) quantity.