On Saturday 27 June 2020, the Hewanorra Plains Leo Club officially installed the President and Board of Directors who would lead the club for the lionistic year, spanning July 2020 – June 2021. The installation ceremony was a joint activity for the incoming Boards of Directors of all Lions and Leo Clubs in Saint Lucia. Due to the social distancing protocols, the installation ceremony was held online for the first time using Zoom video conferencing.
At the ceremony, Leo Aqil Melchoir officially accepted the baton of leadership, as President of the club for 2020 – 2021. In his inaugural remarks as President, Leo Aqil thanked the members of the outgoing board and called on the members to unite with him to sustain the club’s successes into the new lionistic year: “Standing on the shoulders of all past executive members I plan to maintain all our actions through unity. With this in mind, I am asking every member of the club to help me accomplish and maintain our goals of service to our wonderful community of Vieux Fort, as a team not as individuals.”
Leo Aqil succeeds Leo Meghann Pultie, who served in that capacity for the period 2019 – 2020. Other members of the newly installed Board of Directors include: Leo Rishon Stephens (Vice President); Leo Ericka Moonie (Secretary); Leo Gail Pultie (Treasurer); Leo Jaielle Saltibus (Projects Director); Leo Kejeem Clery (Membership Director); Leo Anyka Holder (Fundraising Director); and Leo Kharyce Moonie (Public Relations Officer).
The joint installation ceremony was also the occasion for inducting four new Leos into the Hewanorra Plains Leo Club. Prior to their induction into the club, the then prospective Leos would have participated in numerous club meetings, fundraising and community service activities, to get familiar with the purpose of the club.
Significant achievements
The 2019 – 2020 lionistic year was a milestone year for the Alpha Leo Club as it celebrated its 5-year anniversary on 9 October 2019. During the past year, the club also recorded several significant achievements, including attaining a record membership growth of nine new members. In addition, the club received high recognition among Leo clubs in Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean and was conferred two coveted awards: ‘Leo Club of the Year’ – Zone 3B (Saint Lucia) and ‘Alpha Leo Club of the Year’ – District 60B (spanning Grand Cayman to Grenada). Throughout the year, the Hewanorra Plains Leo Club’s main community service project targeted and benefitted the patients and staff of the Paediatric Ward of St Jude’s Hospital.
Opportunities for personal development
The Hewanorra Plains Leo Club is a junior service club offshoot of the Vieux Fort Lions Club, which encourages youth, aged 12 – 18 to serve others in the community. The Leo Club provides its members with opportunities to work together on service projects, develop their leadership potential, and engage in fun and social activities to boost their skills and personal development. The Lions Club of Vieux Fort supports the Leo Club activities and provides mentorship, training and guidance.
For more information about the Hewanorra Plains Leo Club and for membership inquiries, please contact the Leo Club Advisors at [email protected].