The Lion Club of Tortola welcomed its new Board for the 2021/2022 Lionistic year during an Installation Dinner ceremony at Seven at the Pier Restaurant on June 19, 2021. Nichola Dunkley is the new president at the helm and she succeeds Kedrick Malone.
Lions Club 2021/2022 Board of Directors
Nichola Dunkley – President
Kedrick Malone MJF – Past President
Kevin Fahie – 1st Vice President
Kamika Forbes – 2nd Vice President and Leo Advisor
Esteban Smith – Secretary
Daphodil Sampson – Treasurer
Winnette Lawrence – Tail Twister
Marvin Grant MJF – Tamer
Jasmine L. Bass-Frett MJF & Clovelle Stevens – 1 Year Directors Amorell Newton and Socia Burin – 2 Year Directors
Abeana Baptiste-Phillip – Membership Chairperson
Nadia A. James – Marketing and Communications Chairperson
During the ceremony, Jasmine L. Bass-Frett and Marilyn Maduro were each bestowed with the Melvin Jones Fellow award, while incoming President Nichola Dunkley, was honoured as Lion of the Year 2020-2021 for her outstanding contributions to create a positive and lasting impact on the BVI community.
Maria Vieira received the President’s Award in appreciation of her invaluable contribution to the Club’s 2020-21 agenda and renewal, particularly its membership achievement. Club Treasurer Simon Potter and Secretary, Marvin Grant were also recognized for contributions in their respective roles in the Club’s renewal. Daphodil Sampson was recognized as the Lion Project Leader of the Year for her outstanding work on the St. Vincent Volcano Relief Drive.
In his remarks, outgoing President Kedrick Malone reflected on the work of the Club under the theme “Igniting the Spirit of Service” and commended the Lions for their enthusiasm and driving a number of service projects undertaken. These included the St. Vincent Relief Drive, the Annual Christmas Food Drive and the Annual Christmas Toy Drive, as well as annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree and Christmas Concert and the donation of a school bus to the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre.
The new President of the Lions Club of Tortola, Nichola Dunkley in her acceptance speech stated her goals and vision for the Club for the year ahead. She said “We’re going to be taking it one day at a time, one step at a time, and one act of kindness at a time. With this in mind, we have created a new theme ‘Impacting Communities with Kindness, One Life at a Time’ that will guide our service.”
Lion President Nichola explained that the theme was chosen to align with the new Lions International District Governor’s theme of “Serving from the Heart with Kindness”.
She added that service is the pillar of the Lions Club, noting “Our Club is built on the hard work of not just international Lions, but also our local Lions – our Legacy Lions – and we will continue to build on what they have built and we will carry the baton on into the new Lionistic year”.
The new Lion President also expressed thanks for the support given by the outgoing board and commended the new board for taking up the challenge to help fulfil the vision of the Club. She reiterated to members that the board represents the Club and said, “We represent you, and never let us forget it. Remember we can only be strong, if all of us join together, pool our talents and our resources together to become a force to be reckoned with and give credence to the tagline ‘Where there is a need, there is a Lion.’ Pledge now to give your time, your labour and your means – we will be calling on each of you to do your part. Now is the time to extend a hand as we impact communities with kindness, one life at a time.
The mission of the Lions Club is to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions Clubs. Its vision is to be the global leader in community and humanitarian service. It also provides numerous leadership opportunities for personal and professional growth within the organization.
