(Monrovia, Liberia July 2, 2022) The three Rotary Clubs in Liberia (Rotary Club of Monrovia, Rotary Club of Sinkor, and Rotary Club of Gbarnga) made history with the first joint induction ceremony for new officers, for Rotary Year 2022-2023.Rtn Decontee T. King-Sackie (named Energizer President) was inducted into office as President for Rotary Club of Sinkor, Rtn Mai Bright Urey, as President for Rotary Club of Monrovia and Rtn Relhetta Wreh, as President for Rotary Club of Gbarnga. All three Presidents are women.
Nancy Deline Freeman – Past President of the Rotary Club of Sinkor – was introduced as the Assistant Governor –RY 2022-2022 representing the District Governor of District 9101.
Other Officers inducted for the Rotary Club of Sinkor, were: Rtn Mildred B. Cooper Reeves, Vice President, Rtn Joyce Garnett Frankfort, Secretary, Rtn Kpana Vivian Sao, Treasurer, Rtn O. Natty B. Davies, President-Elect and Rtn Rose Jallah McCauley, Sergeant-at-Arms.
Also inducted were Rtn PAG A. Nadu Cooper, Director, Club Administration, Rtn PP Clara Doe Mvogo, Director for Membership, Rtn Massa Crayton, Director Rotary Foundation, Rtn C. Gyude Bedell, Director – Service Projects, Rtn Elizabeth Horace-Kwemi, Director-Youth Services, Rtn Melvin Crawford, Director – Public Relations and Rtn PP Pauline S. Kwabo – Club Trainer.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Induction Officer, PAG A. Nadu Cooper praised Rotary Clubs in Liberia for the level of service they are rendering to communities. She highlighted the fact that the World is changing, and women are playing key leadership roles in institutions and organizations around the World. She also noted that for the first time in the 117 years of its existence, Rotary International has a female President. In Liberia, all three Clubs are now led by women and the new Assistant Governor (AG) for District 9101 is a woman as well.
The Guest Speaker, Rtn PP Victoria Cooper Enchia, gave a historical perspective of Rotary in Liberia and hailed the active participation of women in Rotary, which occasioned the ascension of Rtn Ophelia Hoff Saytumah as the first female President of the Rotary Club of Monrovia, Rtn PAG Nadu as the first female Assistant Governor, and for the first time in Liberia to jointly induct three females as Presidents.
Commenting on the theme of Rotary for 2022-2023, Imagine Rotary, the Guest Speaker, Rtn PP Vicki Cooper Enchia admonished the inducted officers to emphasize the seven areas of focus with a charge for change during their tenure in office on. A message from Rotary International President-Jennifer Jones, read by Rtn PP Angela Benson, encouraged all clubs to exemplify commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Outgoing President, Rtn Florence Allen Jones, (named Home President), turned over the club symbols of leadership to the new President and thanked members for affording her the opportunity to serve and was grateful for a smooth handover of leadership to the new President.
Incoming President, Rtn Decontee T. King-Sackie, said that her administration will focus on implementing impactful projects as a club and jointly with other Rotary Clubs in Liberia, the Rotaract Club of Sinkor, and JJRUMS Interact Club. She affirmed RCS target areas of focus remain; Disease prevention and treatment, Water and Sanitation, Maternal and Child Health, and Basic Education and Literacy.
The ceremony was held at the Monrovia City Hall in the presence of an impressive in person and online crowd of fellow Rotarians and Rotaractors from the three clubs, Guests of Rotarians, families, and friends.
Rotary Clubs are all-voluntary membership organizations engaged in community service and charity in Liberia and the world. The clubs are a part of Rotary International District 9101 comprised of Rotary clubs in 10 countries of the ECOWAS region.
