Rotary Club of Garden City Georgetown installs 2025–2026 board
The Rotary Club of Garden City Georgetown proudly hosted its 2025 Handing Over Ceremony on Sunday, June 29 at Olympic House, Liliendaal, commemorating a year of impactful service under outgoing President Melissa De Santos and ushering in a new chapter of leadership and commitment to community development.
Sheran Harper, former Worldwide President of the Mothers’ Union, was one of the persons honoured by the Rotary Club of Garden City Georgetown
The ceremony served as a moment of reflection on the club’s accomplishments from July 2024 to June 2025 and the formal installation of the 2025 –2026 Board of Directors. Under President Melissa’s stewardship, the club made significant strides in advancing Rotary’s mission of “Service Above Self,” notably surpassing its Rotary Foundation giving target by raising USD $8,751 against a goal of USD $7,500. This achievement positioned the club among the top three per capita contributors in District 7030.
The newly installed board for the 2025–2026 Rotary year comprises: President: Risa De Santos; Immediate Past President: Melissa De Santos; President Elect/Vice President: Pearson Burch-Smith; Secretary: Erwin Chapman; Treasurer: Onieca Dennis; Directors: Club Administration: Ronald Burch-Smith; Rotary Foundation: Ariane Mangar; Public Image: Schemel Patrick; Service Projects: Cindy Maloney; Membership: Amanda Ali; Youth Development: Mischka White; Executive Secretary: Lisa Foster; Environmental Officer: Ladonna Kissoon; Club Learning Facilitator: Vanessa Leitch; Protocol Officer: Alvina Rambarran; Sergeant-at-Arms: Roger Harper
The Rotary Club of Garden City Georgetown new 2025–2026 Board of Directors
The event also honoured two individuals for their exceptional contributions to Rotary’s mission. Sheran Harper, former Worldwide President of the Mothers’ Union, and Margaret Maloney were pinned as honorary Paul Harris Foundation awardees for their outstanding leadership and unwavering support to the club. The pins were presented by Rotary Foundation Director, Dr Ariane Mangar.
Reflecting on her term, outgoing President Melissa De Santos thanked her board and members for their dedication and support.
“It has been an epic, magical, impactful year and I want to thank our fabulous board members and every single member of our epic family who contributed to one helluva year where we truly saw how being people of action, putting service above self, made the magic of Rotary come alive. We achieved almost every goal we set for ourselves,” she said.
The club once again fulfilled all Rotary International and District 7030 goals, earning the prestigious District 7030 Titanium Award for a second consecutive year.
Throughout the year, the club implemented a series of projects aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus, including youth empowerment initiatives for both boys and girls, mental health awareness, peacebuilding campaigns and environmental activities. Strategic partnerships were strengthened, and member engagement was significantly enhanced, reflecting the club’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and impact.
Incoming President Risa De Santos, in her acceptance speech, invoked the 2025–2026 Rotary theme, Unite for Good, as both a rallying cry and a moral imperative.
“In a world marked by conflict and uncertainty, this theme is not only a reflection of the times, but a challenge to us all,” she said. “We must remain bold in our mission as Rotarians — to reach across cultural, political and personal divides, and to remind the world that kindness is stronger than hate, and that hope is more powerful than fear.”
Assistant Governor Rafeek Kassim also addressed the gathering, commending the outgoing board for their achievements and welcoming the incoming team. He emphasised the importance of unity and collaboration across clubs to strengthen Rotary’s collective impact.
“Together, through shared purpose and mutual support, we can drive meaningful change in our communities,” Kassim stated.
Now in its fifth year, the Rotary Club of Garden City – Georgetown has built a solid reputation for executing projects focused on safeguarding the environment, promoting education and advancing mental health awareness. Under the guidance of its new leadership, the club aims to expand its reach and roll out innovative initiatives tailored to the evolving needs of the community.
