Last week RCSEN held it's 45th anniversary meeting.  Numerous past presidents attended the meeting as we shared stories about the history of the club from it's inception to the present time.  The members and guests got to view photos through the years as well as see the listing of all presidents during the past 45 years along with information on where they are now.  Many of the past presidents are still active members of the club and attended the anniversary meeting.

The Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau was the first club in the Bahamas to admit women and women are very active in the club, slightly outnumbering men at this time.  The meeting was hosted by PP Rochelle Wilkinson and female members ran the entire meeting and all agenda items last week.

 

The first female member of the club was Rowena Bethel who joined in July 1995.  The second female member was Azaleta Ishmael-Newry who joined soon after in September 1995 and is still an active member today.

The first woman president of the club was Carla McCombe.  PP Carla was the speaker at last week's meeting and gave an interesting perspective on what it is like to be a woman in Rotary and also the first woman president of RCSEN.  PP Carla completed numerous projects during her time as president and enjoyed serving the club.  Carla is married to Richard McCombe who is also a past president of the club as well as a past district governor.  She shared her experience traveling with the DG to various Rotary clubs during his tenure. PP Carla told members that it was during PDG Richard’s tenure that she was first called a Rotary Ann. Of course, members were interested in learning more about what the name meant. PP Carla explained that this is what wives of Rotarians were called.  Today the wife or a husband of a Rotarian is called a Rotary spouse.

PP Carla’s presentation and the meeting was followed by fellowship and socializing.