WHO ARE MEMBERS?

All applicants are considered on the basis of character (will the individual's ideals match those of the club?), and leadership potential (is this an individual who will accept challenges in service and for international understanding?)

The Belize City Rotaract Club has 21 members strong. Our members range from students at the age of 18 to professionals to the age of 27.

When you become a member of local Rotaract club you will have obligations and opportunities not unlike those of Rotary clubs members. Although your Rotaract club must be sponsored by a Rotary club, the two are entirely separate.

A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT

My name is Linbert Guerra; I am twenty seven years old and the President of the Belize City Rotaract Club.

As president, keeping the club together as one family in unity is one of my greatest aspirations. I will try my best to work with each and every one to complete these projects in serving the community in all aspects and in the process try to take the club to a higher level with the intention of gaining a greater recognition as an NGO.

For me as the president it gives me great opportunity to do something for my country without expecting anything in return, and working with a group of young people who have taken the interest to uplift the community and helping the less fortunate.

President
Linbert E. Guerra

LAST YEARS REPORT

The past year was one of many successes and a few failures. We worked together to overcome many obstacles and in doing so have grown closer as fellow Rotaractors and friends. We had our disagreements, but when the time came, we set those aside and worked as one. This is the true meaning of service above self.

Club Service - Henry did a great job. Our membership declined from 22 to 19, but the club member participation is much stronger than in previous years. This past year we swore in 5 (now 6) members and nine were lost due to age and other factors. The 10th September Float was a success, we came in third! The socials were at times good, with the most notable ones being Moho Caye and the Easter Egg hunt. But above all, special recognition must go to the efforts to get Interact started. It was a spectacular success and we hope that the enthusiasm of Rotaractors to help will remain the same.

Financial - We had several small and several larger fund raisers. In the first half of the year, we did not make much money on them with the one exception being the 21st Sept. Stall. But, as the year closed we began to become more successful in our efforts, with the final fund raiser being the Fiesta Latina that raised almost $1500. We had several jumble sales, Bar-B-Ques, sold embroidered caps, a Fish Fry Dinner, a Boil-Up Dinner, and two fiesta type events. These kept the club financially healthy.

Community - Among other things, during this year we have added another scholarship, bringing the total number of students to three. We held our annual children's X-mas party, and gave out garbage drums to the City. We also gave bags of goods along with Johnny Cakes and Cocoa to the homeless during Rotaract Week.

A lot of time AND MONEY was spent at the beginning of the year on a project to get a park built at the KMH Hospital. We encountered many problems, but after getting the majority of the "red tape" solved, the club seemed to loose interest in the project and it foundered. I hope that this coming year we can resurrect this project and get it done!

Vocational - We have many interesting speakers come to talk to us this year with the most notable being Dr. Estradaban (the coroner), and Mr. Guerrero from BIM. The educational trip to the Gallon Jug Coffee Farm was great. We did have fun and we did learn a lot.

Other things that have happened during the year were: that we had 10 members from our club attended the conference in Panama. Our club was runner up for the club of the year. We also held a weekend trip to St. George's Caye with the Orange Walk Club, and many swimming expeditions to the Tun farm. Plans are also already well underway for the district conference in 2000.

I would like to thank all of those who have made my year as president a very rewarding one. Yes you all have completely exhausted me, but I have enjoyed it. As I put on my past president pin, and hand over to Linbert, I have just one thing to say to you all: :I love you my people.

Anthony Hunt
Vice President (Past President)