Ophelia Nemmy Jackson
President
President’s Message
I am humbled to have been elected to serve as President of this distinguish community service-oriented organization, Rotary Club of St. Croix West, for the 2023-2024 Rotary Year. I extend gratitude to all past presidents, members, friends, supporters and partners of this club as we celebrate 55 years of service to our community. As we embark on a new Rotary year, we look ahead to new opportunities to be impactful, while addressing challenges, not only in our community, but worldwide. To understand Rotary is to know what we are about.
Rotary International is an organization whose mission is to “provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, good will, and peace through fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders” with the vision “to see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.” Rotary’s guiding principles include the Four-way Test (Truth, Fairness, Goodwill and Friendship). Rotarians are committed to “Service Above Self” which is channeled through Rotary's Five Avenues of Service – Club, Vocational, Community, International and New Generations. We have seven areas of focus: Basic Education and Literacy, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Economic and Community Development, Environment, Maternal and Child Health, Peace and Conflict Prevention / Resolution and Water and Sanitation. Rotarians, men and women alike, volunteer their efforts to improve the quality of life in their own community and beyond its borders. We meet weekly and are non-political, non-religious and open to all cultures, races and creeds. I firmly believe in the mission, vision and principles of this organization and I am fully committed to continuing the work of “service above self,” with the assistance of the board and club members.
Rotary’s success is evident by its visibility worldwide. We have over 500 districts in over 200 countries of 46,000 clubs with over 1 million members. We have a shared responsibility, “To take Action on Our World’s Most Persistent Issues”. The International Rotary Theme for 2023-2024, a charge by Rotary International President, Gordon McInally, is for Rotarians to, “Create Hope In The World,” by working for peace and mental wellbeing. He urges members to “engage in tough conversations and earn the trust that's necessary to realize these values.”
We support our District Governor, David Kirkaldy, in working within our reach to address mental illness. We can agree that this is a persistent issue, not only in our community, but worldwide. It is necessary to “Break the Stigma,” encourage counsel, unplug and unwind. The needs may be plenty, but with Rotarians’ dedication we can make a difference.
In the coming year, we pray for a successful tenure and ask that you join us in our efforts to “Create Hope In The World” as we continue to serve.
District Governor David Kirkaldy
Dear President Opheila,
It is a pleasure to congratulate you at the start of your term as president of the Rotary Club of St. Croix West. After a year of Imagining Rotary, I look forward to what you and your board will accomplish to build on the work of the outgoing administration in the 55th year of your club.
You are a dedicated Rotarian and have the support of your storied club that is home to the immediate past District Governor Deborah Howell and had produced tremendous leaders for our District. I know you are committed to making a difference in your community and the world. Our focus this year is on Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution as well as on Mental Health and Wellness. The challenge of mental health and wellness, particularly, is a critical issue that is often overlooked, and this is the particular area of focus I will advocate for during the coming Rotary year. I believe that Rotary, through your club and others in the district, can play a key role in raising awareness of mental health issues and providing support to those who are struggling, directly if your club's capacity allows, or by supporting local NGOs.
I look forward to working with you to expand on the Rotary International theme for 2023-2024, "Create Hope in the World." This theme for RI President Gordon McInally's year resonates deeply with me as I know that your club and many others create hope in the communities you serve. Through your continued hard work and leadership, we can and will make a difference by creating hope for those who are struggling.
You have a lot of hard work ahead. I am confident that you will have a successful term in office and anticipate that I will see you and many from your club, in the Cayman Islands at the end of April 2024 for the Create HOPE 2024 PETS Assembly and Conference where we can all celebrate your success together.
Finally, my wife, Christina, and I look forward to visiting your club during our DG visit to St. Croix, so that we can see first-hand the projects supported by your club, and experience again the wonderful Crucian fellowship we had during the recent district conference.
It is a pleasure to congratulate you at the start of your term as president of the Rotary Club of St. Croix West. After a year of Imagining Rotary, I look forward to what you and your board will accomplish to build on the work of the outgoing administration in the 55th year of your club.
You are a dedicated Rotarian and have the support of your storied club that is home to the immediate past District Governor Deborah Howell and had produced tremendous leaders for our District. I know you are committed to making a difference in your community and the world. Our focus this year is on Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution as well as on Mental Health and Wellness. The challenge of mental health and wellness, particularly, is a critical issue that is often overlooked, and this is the particular area of focus I will advocate for during the coming Rotary year. I believe that Rotary, through your club and others in the district, can play a key role in raising awareness of mental health issues and providing support to those who are struggling, directly if your club's capacity allows, or by supporting local NGOs.
I look forward to working with you to expand on the Rotary International theme for 2023-2024, "Create Hope in the World." This theme for RI President Gordon McInally's year resonates deeply with me as I know that your club and many others create hope in the communities you serve. Through your continued hard work and leadership, we can and will make a difference by creating hope for those who are struggling.
You have a lot of hard work ahead. I am confident that you will have a successful term in office and anticipate that I will see you and many from your club, in the Cayman Islands at the end of April 2024 for the Create HOPE 2024 PETS Assembly and Conference where we can all celebrate your success together.
Finally, my wife, Christina, and I look forward to visiting your club during our DG visit to St. Croix, so that we can see first-hand the projects supported by your club, and experience again the wonderful Crucian fellowship we had during the recent district conference.
Yours in Rotary Service,
David Kirkaldy
District Governor 2023-2024
Rotary District 7020
Members of Polio Plus Society!
Lighting of Government House on World Polio Day!
DG Howell and Dennis Howell participates in our "This close campaign for World Polio Day!"
World Food Day!
Past District Governor's Visit
Honoring Healthcare Worker's in our Community
Rotary West and VI Fire Service Joint Initiative-Haiti Disaster Relief Efforts
VI Fire Service Members Boot Drive for Haiti
DG Wever's Visit to St. Croix
