Wilkinson was at the time making a special presentation to a group of prospective members who were invited to one the weekly meetings.

The following is what the former president and Charter Member told the audience.

Why Join Rotary?

1. Friendship

In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs: the need for friends and fellowship. It is one of the two reasons why Rotary began in 1905.

2. Business Development

This is the second original reason for Rotary’s beginning. Everyone needs to network. Rotary represents a cross selection of every business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others.

3. Personal Growth and Development

Membership in Rotary continues one’s growth and education in human relations and personal development.

4. Leadership Development

Rotary is an organization of leaders and successful people. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education in Leadership, helping members learn how to motivate, influence and lead leaders.

5. Citizenship in the Community

Membership in a Rotary club makes one a better community citizen. The average Rotary club consists of the most active citizens of any community.

6. Continuing Education

Each week at the General Meeting of a Rotary club there is a programme designed to keep one informed about what is going on in the community, nation and world. Each meeting provides an opportunity for different speakers and different topics.

7. Fun

Rotary is fun; a lot of fun. Each meeting is fun. The Club Projects are fun. Social activities are fun. And the service is fun.

8. Public Speaking Skills

Many individuals who joined a Rotary club were afraid to speak in public but through opportunities provided at the General Club Meetings they develop confidence and skill in public communications and get a chance to practice and perfect these skills.

9. Citizenship in the World

Every Rotarian wears a pin that says “Rotary International.” And every Rotarian is welcome, even encouraged, to attend the 28,000 clubs in 188 nations and geographical regions. There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary club. This means instant friends in both one’s own community and in the world community.

10. Assistance when Traveling

Because there are Rotary clubs everywhere, many a Rotarian who has needed a doctor, a lawyer, a hotel, a dentist, advice, etc., while traveling has found assistance through the network of Rotary Clubs.

11. Entertainment

Every Rotary club and District has parties and activities that provide diversion in one’s business life. Rotary has conferences, assemblies and institutes that provide entertainment in addition to Rotary information, education and service.

12. The Development of Social Skills

Every week and at various events and functions, one gets the opportunity to develop one’s personality, social skills and people skills. Rotary is for people who like people, or who want to like people.

13. Family Programs

Rotary provides one of the world’s largest youth exchange programmes, high school and college clubs for future Rotarians; spouse clubs and programmes; and a host of activities designed to help family members in growth and development of their family live.

14. Vocational Skills

Every Rotarian is expected to take part in the growth and development of his or her own profession or vocation; to serve on committees and to teach youth about one’s job or vocation. Being a Rotarian helps to make one a better doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.

15. The Development of Ethics

Rotarians practice a Four Way Test that governs one’s ethical standards of operations. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business and personal relationships.

.

16. Cultural Awareness

Around the world, practically every religion, country, culture, race, creed, political persuasion, language, color and ethnic identity is found in Rotary. It is a cross-section of the world’s most prominent citizens from every background. Rotarians become aware of their cultures and learn to love and work with people everywhere. They become better citizens of their countries in the process.

17. Prestige

Rotary members are prominent people: leaders of business, the professions, art, government, sports, military, religion and all disciplines. Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service club in the world. Its ranks include executives, managers, and professionals – people who make decisions and influence policy.

18. Nice People

Rotarians above all are nice people; the nicest people on the face of the earth. They are important people who follow the policy of “it is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice.”

19. The Absence of “Official Creed”

Rotary has no secret handshake, no secret policy, no official creed, no secret meeting or rituals. It is an open society of men and women who simply believe in helping others.

20. The Opportunity to Serve

Rotary is a service club. Its business is mankind. Its product is service. Rotarians provide community service – to both the local and international communities. This is perhaps the best reason for becoming a Rotarian: the chance to do something for somebody else and to sense the self-fulfillment that comes in the process and the return of that satisfaction to one’s own life. Rotarians believe in service above self. It is richly rewarding.

“HE WHO PROFITS MOST SERVES BEST”

Sergeant Calvin Amory of the Traffic Department on Monday said if adults take time to assist children in doing the correct thing, he believes there would be less of these kinds of accidents, and at the same time it would make the roads safer, with children practicing the correct procedures.

He said when one wants to cross the road, it is expected that they would properly use the marked pedestrian crossings where they exist.

He said pedestrians ought to ensure that they make contact with drivers before crossing and to be certain that drivers are showing intent to stop, to allow their crossing.

Amory admitted that there are people who do not pay attention and would simply cross the street just like that; while there are others who emerge from between parked vehicles to cross the street, not ensuring that it is safe to do so.

His comments came in light of recent traffic accidents, one which left a young male hospitalized with serious injuries.

Parliamentary representative for the Central Basseterre area, where the school is located, Marcella Liburd made the presentation on Monday during the school’s morning assembly.

The presentation of the two scholarships represented the fulfilment of a promise and resulted Juliana Pemberton and Deandre Seaton receiving the first two scholarships.

Liburd, told the scores of students at the assembly, “Last year, I told Mrs. Boddie that one of the things I’d try to do to help with the school is to try and award two scholarships to one male and one female student from the school from the Grade 6 who would be going on, who had shown much promise and did well academically, and who exhibited good behaviour, and also students who were in need of that type of assistance.”

Ms. Liburd also provided some words of hope for the sixth graders. “This will be an annual award and so two of you who are here today would get this award at the end of this school year. So those of you, who are in Grade 6, take note, that you can be the recipient of this award, the next time around. So you need to ensure that you study hard, do your work well, make sure you’re on good behaviour, and you can be the recipient of this award the next time around.”

She also congratulated the parents, stating it is not very easy to be parents in this day and age and expressed how proud she felt to know that she can pass on the awards to these two bright, upcoming leaders in Central Basseterre.

Deandre Seaton is now attending the Basseterre High School and Juliana Pemberton is presently attending the Washington Archibald High School.

It was announced by Minister of Tourism & International Transport, Richard Skerritt that the airline will restart regular flights between St. Maarten and St. Kitts on 29^th October, 2012, following a confirmation visit last Thursday, of a three-man delegation from Winair, headed by Michael Cleaver, President and CEO of Winair. 

Skerritt said Winair’s 19 seat twin-engine aircraft will conveniently connect St. Kitts with key incoming international flights to St. Maarten from Europe and North America, and will reintroduce a domestic air service between Nevis and St. Kitts. 

“I am particularly excited that Winair will be providing travellers with a daily airlift option between St. Kitts and Nevis, a route which is presently served only by sea ferries and small individual charter aircraft,” Minister Skerritt said.  “Incoming transfers into St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana Airport destined for St. Kitts or Nevis will also now have a smoother experience, with a shorter wait time as well.” 

The new service will depart St. Maarten at 5:55 pm daily for St. Kitts and overnight in Nevis, after arriving from St. Kitts at 6:55 pm. The flight will start its daily morning journey back to St. Maarten at 9:00 am from Nevis and 9:35 am from St. Kitts, arriving in St. Maarten at 10:05 am. 

Winair’s President and CEO Michael Cleaver said “Winair is a leaner and better airline after our recent reorganization we are confident that our reliability is top quality. We are happy to be re-introducing service to St. Kitts after a gap of more than three years.” 

Cleaver was accompanied on his one-day visit to St. Kitts by Advisor to Winair Michael Ferrier and Roberto Gibbs, VP and CFO of Winair. 

Minister Skerritt was joined in this airlift planning meeting by his advisor in the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, Cedric Liburd; that Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Patricia Martin; St. Christopher Air and Sea Port Authority (SCASPA) CEO, Jonathan Bass, and Director of Civil Aviation, McClean Hobson.