The
newly-elected president of the Rotary Club of Brusubi, Mr Sana Jaiteh, has
disclosed that the club is working assiduously to commence their activities
with a major water and sanitation pilot project in the Central River Region
village of Choya, which happens to be the home village of the current minister
of information and communication.
He
made this disclosure at the handing-over ceremony of the club’s
outgoing-executive members at the weekend, held at the Coco Ocean Hotel with a
reception attended by various Rotarians and friends of the rotary club as well
as some government officials and members of the media.
He
said the Rotary Club of Brusubi has been doing its best to meeting the task of
serving humanity in The Gambia which includes such support as the water and
sanitation project.
“We
our club have gone far as we build our capacity to design and implement
projects,” the club’s president said.
He
added: “We plan to explore the feasibility of working with the youth. This year
all Rotarians are challenged to plant at least one tree.”
Mr
Jaiteh assured that his club no doubt will meet its quota many times over.
Also
under consideration is the implementation of a basic literacy project and
another on environmental awareness and protection, he disclosed.
“The
Rotary Club of Brusubi will try not only to access rotary funds, but also to
broaden our partnership base. We will also reach out to other organizations
irrespective of whether they are for profit or not-for-profit public or private
organisations,” he assured.
According
to Mr Jaiteh, among his first priorities is to strengthen the club, saying that
the strength of the Rotary movement lies in the efficient management of the
clubs.
“However,
we share the belief that the contributions, ethical standing and professional
competence, as well as the active participation of the individual members are
the nucleus of this movement,” he said. “We will work with senior leaders
within the country and subject experts to ensure members receive adequate
training in areas relevant to club function.”
He
also said that as part of the global efforts to support and strengthen clubs,
the rotary movement aims to attract more members within the 30 to 40-year age
bracket.
“Another
area requiring attention is diversity in terms of both the gender composition
and classification of professions and the Rotary Club of Brusubi is no
exception,” Mr Jaiteh said.
He
also said that at chapter level, their gender balance was 75 per cent male and
25 per cent female.
His
proposed target, he disclosed, is to increase the current membership of 25 per
cent by a minimum of 40 per cent of the current level thus bringing the number
of members to 35.
“As
a result I do intend to organize on a quarterly basis specific forums to
attract new members. We also intend to explore the feasibility of introducing
new types of membership during the course of the year,” he said.
According
to Mr Jaiteh, the third priority area is enhancing the image of the Rotary
Clubs, which he said is an important component of their effort, as the primary
responsibility lies on the shoulders of club members who must ensure they
adhere to the provision of the ‘Rotary 4-way Test and Code of Conduct’.
“As
a club, we intend to work in collaboration with sister clubs in The Gambia to
inform the public at large about this organization,” he said, adding that his
club will focus on three strategic areas, thus: support and strengthening of
Rotary clubs, focus and intensification of humanitarian action, and enhancing
the image of the Rotary Club.
According
to Mr Jaiteh, under his leadership, the Brusubi club will implement a work
programme aligned with both Rotary international global and district
priorities.
These
efforts must also incorporate national priorities identified by the recently
established national steering committee under the chairmanship of Rotarian
Assistant District Governor Minyan Jobe.
“Within
this context, we will strive to continue to establish solid foundation to
ensure the club, as part of an international service organization aiming to
make a difference in The Gambia, efficiently manage to achieve the capacity to
raise funds as well as to design and implement projects in a sustainable
manner,” he said.