It was a night of epic celebrations as the Lions Club of Tortola welcomed its new Board for the 2022/2023 Lionistic year with President Kamika A Forbes at the helm. The Board was sworn in at the Club’s annual Installation Dinner Ceremony at Seven at the Pier Restaurant, with the appointments taking effect from July 1, 2022. She succeeds Kevin S. Fahie, MJF.
Lions Club 2022/2023 Board of Directors:
Kamika A. Forbes – President
Kevin S. Fahie MJF – Immediate Past President
Daphodil Sampson, MJF – 1st Vice President
Amorell Newton – 2nd Vice President and 1st Year Director
Carlene Romney – 3rd Vice President
Annetta Williams, MJF – Secretary
Vivette Adams – Treasurer
Nadia A. James, MJF – Tail Twister
Simon Potter, MJF – Tamer
Socia Burin – 1st Year Director
Linda Cills, MJF – Service Chairperson
Marvin Grant, MJF, PCC – 2nd Year Director
Winnette A. Lawrence – Service Director
Faith Dawson – Membership Chairperson
During the ceremony, Daphodil Sampson, Clovelle Stevens and Nadia A. James were each bestowed with the Melvin Jones Fellow (MJF) award in recognition of their humanitarian work, while incoming First Vice President, Daphodil Sampson, was also honoured as Lion of the Year 2021-2022 for her outstanding contributions to create a positive and lasting impact on the BVI community.
Maria Vieira, MJF received the Membership Key in appreciation of her invaluable contribution to the membership achievement. Abeana Baptiste-Phillip was recognized for her outstanding work with Membership Growth. Socia Burin was awarded New and Innovative Project of the Year for her work on the Pandemic Relief Committee.
In his remarks at the event on June 4, outgoing President Kevin S. Fahie, MJF reflected on the work of the Club under the theme: Impacting Communities with Kindness, One Life at a Time’. Among others, these included: The Pandemic Relief Project; Christmas Food Baskets; Christmas Food Drive; Christmas Toy Drive; Anegada Cleanup Project with Unite BVI; International Coastal Cleanup Project spearheaded by Green VI; Vaccination Drive spearheaded by the Ministry of Health; Support of the VI Alzheimer’s Association; Taste and Serve BVI Fundraiser and the Club’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.”
He expressed his thanks to the outgoing Board and the Club saying, “I am proud and truly honoured to have been given the opportunity to serve as your President for the last year, 2021 -2022. It has been an interesting and rewarding experience. This is a Club of individuals with great energy, who desire nothing more than to serve and help to create a better life for those in need within the various communities of the Virgin Islands.”
The incoming President, Kamika A. Forbes shared her goals and vision for the Club for the year ahead. She said “Lions I am proud to witness the embodiment of the infamous “Where there is a Need, There is a Lion” in the way that the Lions interact with the world around them. My objectives for this year are simple and best expressed in the theme chosen: ROAR as WE Serve. ROAR: REIMAGINING OUR ALTRUISTIC REACH which will be the focus of our upcoming year. But this year’s theme also encourages us to remain true to our roots of SERVICE.”
She added, “The impact felt by the service of our club in our community is undeniably significant – this year we must consider in the face of ever evolving needs, how best to adapt and reimagine the ways that we serve to meet those needs. Opportunities for new signature projects present themselves almost daily.”
Incoming President Forbes credited the growth and success of the Club over the past two years to Immediate Past President Kedrick Malone, MJF and President Kevin S. Fahie, MJF. In closing she encouraged Lions to continue their excellent service and pledged to work together to build upon the club’s current success.
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.