Division 22:

The Nassau, Bahamas

Lieutenant Governor Evan Dean with Division Secretary, DLG Henry Gibson making merry.

"Kiwanis," I’ve been told is different in the Caribbean: more “service” oriented and less “cheque writing”. My first southern Divisional Council Meeting (DCM), held in Division 22 (the Bahamas) confirmed this.

The Bahamas is an aggrego of roughly 29 islands, 661 cays (pronounced: keys) and more then a thousand small islets. Two of the most populated islands are the big island of The Grand Bahamas (where Freeport is located) and New Providence (where Nassau lies). We have 10 active clubs in the Division that include the large club of Nassau A.M. and 5 others on New Providence.

The oldest club on the island, the Kiwanis Club of Nassau celebrated it’s 47th anniversary on December 13th. If Hamilton, Ontario is the first Kiwanis club that formed outside of the United States, then the Kiwanis Club of Nassau is the first Kiwanis Club formed outside of North America. Forty-seven years after their charter, the club is still rightly proud of this distinction.

My early morning flight left Toronto long before the crack of dawn and arrived in Nassau midday. Lieutenant Governor Evan Dean was there to meet the plane along with eight of his ten club presidents. After a short "getting-to-know-you" reception we went for lunch and a short area tour.

Lieutenant Governor Evan and Governor Gary congratulate DP Oswald Eugene and President Conrad Maycock for inducting 12 new Kiwanians.

That evening an Interclub meeting was held with the venerable Kiwanis Club of Nassau and the Kiwanis Club of Over-the-Hill (not really, it turns out, "over the hill" at all!). An injury prevented Nassau President Barrington Murphy from attending. DP Oswald Eugene took his place and conducted the evening meeting along with President Conrad Maycock. The highlight of the event, for the 100+ attending Kiwanians, was inducting twelve new Kiwanis members.

Kiwanis growth is high on the minds of the Division 22 leadership team. This was amply demonstrated in this evening's event.

The following day, after a Kiwanis lunch, we embarked on a city tour that culminated in an active Kiwanis club project.

President Anthon Moss welcomes Governor Gary.

The Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu, under the leadership of President Anastacia Johnson works with social agencies to identify local families in need. They collect food and clothing, meet with the families and give them their gifts. We took part in such a meeting. This family of three small boys lost their house in a fire and then suffered the further tragedy of loosing their father through drowning.

Now living with their grandmother, the three boys and their mother greeted us enthusiastically and gratefully. They appreciated the Kiwanians attempting to make their Christmas a little bit brighter in the face of such terrible hardship.

The hugs and smiles that they gave us will stay with me long after my time as a Kiwanis Governor comes to pass.

New Providence President Nadia McHardy-Rolie and Governor Gary welcome new Kiwanian Patrice Cooper to the club.

That evening, amidst the Junior Junkanoo taking place downtown Nassau, a reception was held at the home of Cable Beach President Don Aranha. Traditional Bahamian food (e.g., conch fritters, peas and rice, Guava Duff, etc.) was served along with a health dose of traditional Bahamian music.

When I retired from the dance floor I was pleased to hear, from a number of on-looking Kiwanians, the comforting refrain, "Don't worry Governor, what happens in Nassau, stays in Nassau".

A good time was had by all; better, knowing that pictures won't appear on the pages of facebook or Twitter (at least, not yet).

Early the next morning our Governor's Divisional Council Meeting (DCM) took place. Most clubs in Division 22 were represented. Travel, in this Division, is a major impediment. Several clubs are located on the Family Islands (Harbor Island, South Eleuthera, Yuma, Long Island, etc.). We were pleased that President Cranston Patram (South Eleuthera), President Bridget Newman-Bowe (Yuma, Long Island) and President Geron Turnquest (Freeport, Grand Bahama) made the trek into Nassau to take part in our DCM.

Governor Gary and Lieutenant Governor Evan, along with Nassau A.M. President Anthon Moss, New Providence President Nadia McHardy-Rolie and Over-The-Hill President Conrad Maycock tour the Kiwanis Emergency Shelter.

At the meeting's end we adjourned to tour the Kiwanis Emergency Shelter. Here, 16 young people (under the age of 12) currently live, waiting to either be returned to their families or adopted. The Kiwanis Club of Nassau, back in the 1960's, erected the building that is still in use today. Now, all of the island's clubs help out in the care and maintenance of the facility.

My visit to our Sunshine Division was rewarding and memorable. Kiwanians truly build better communities by working with and enhancing the lives of our young people. There is nowhere that this is truer, then in the Bahamas.

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