When it was suggested that I should interview the new Rotary president, I laughed! Leathon Khan, the insurance guy? Didn’t sound too exciting. Press the snooze button! But then maturity kicked in so I emailed some questions. I received the answers just a day later and, to my astonishment, I was gripped. Double Espresso! Leathon Khan, president of the Rotary Club of Saint Lucia, is a man of compelling determination.
What exactly is the Rotary Mission and Vision?
LK: In Rotary we are called to serve humanity selflessly. Our motto is “Service Above Self”. We unite in service as “People of Action” around a common set of ideals and a shared purpose. Rotarians share a passion and an energy to take on sustainable community projects that address some of society’s more pressing social and economic challenges.
Our Mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through our fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. Our Vision Statement is “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves”.
You were a Rotary president in 2001-2002. What wisdom does an older Khan bring to this leadership role?
LK: Leadership now must be stronger, decisive, and more resolute, particularly amid the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. My primary goals are to continue to build progressively on our successes of the past and to forge and strengthen our relationships with the communities we serve. I believe it is wise to pursue a strategy of corporate partnerships, community relationship building and more direct engagement with the people. This will help to bring about a greater appreciation of the work of Rotary and a change in public perception. Additionally, this will enable a wider public participation in the efforts of Rotary.
My leadership approach is guided by our motto, “Service Above Self”, which means setting aside one’s self-interests and doing what is best to help those in need. I’m focused on all Rotarians finding their true purpose and making a real, lasting impact in all we do.
Does COVID-19 present any possible opportunities for your organization?
LK: We believe that every setback offers an opportunity. COVID-19 has forced us to look at situations differently and with imagination. We now meet virtually, via Zoom, which means we’re attracting a larger and more diverse audience from all over the world. We are now so tightly connected internationally, much more than we have ever been. This allows us to share more openly the work of Rotary and to engage more people in the activities of our Club. Currently, have access to great speakers from across the globe to address our local meetings.
How will you expand membership to Rotary?
LK: Membership growth and development is one of our key strategic imperatives this year.
We have developed a New Member Development Strategy, centered on the willingness to serve, but encompasses fellowship and social networking. COVID-19 is restricting implementation as the strategy involves face-to-face meetings and engagements, but we are making strides through our virtual Zoom meetings.
Additionally, for the first time, our Club will be offering corporate membership to organizations and business entities who would like to become part of the global Rotary family. In so doing, they can align with the work and community projects of Rotary and be identified internationally as part of a force doing good in the world.
How are you raising funds during this economic crisis?
LK: This is one of our greatest challenges. We have exciting initiatives planned to raise funds but the threat of community spread of COVID-19, plus the requirements for physical distancing, will make it difficult, if not impossible, for us to host any mass crowd events.
We are focused now on using virtual channels to raise funds through direct contributions from individuals and organizations, locally and internationally. We are reaching out to Rotary Clubs overseas to establish partnerships and collaborative ventures to fund local service projects.
We will also be launching a local appeal to all employed Saint Lucians, asking them to contribute an exceedingly small amount, say EC$5 to $10 per month, for at least three months. We will ask their employers to match any contribution. Of course, all parties are free to donate more if they wish. It’s a small sacrifice to make, but it will help a great deal to feed and take care of the needy.
What are Saint Lucia’s main social problems and how has Rotary addressed them?
LK: There is a lack of meaningful employment opportunities. There exists a level of hopelessness among the young, attracting them to pursue a life of crime as a means of economic survival. We need better education. There is a lack of resources, affecting the quality of education in most of our primary and secondary schools, particularly in the areas of technical and vocational training. Like everywhere else in the Caribbean, social and economic inequality remains a problem for our society.
What goals have you set for Rotary to tackle some of the needs of Saint Lucians?
LK: Despite the hurdles presented by COVID-19, we are pressing on. Some of our key plans are:
1) Establishing a Homeless Shelter in Castries, in collaboration with the Ministry for Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment.
2) Creating a dormitory facility at the Upton Gardens Girls’ Centre.
3) Expanding our quarterly Feeding Programme for the needy at the Castries City Council to include other communities. We will also provide clothing, shoes and personal hygiene supplies.
4) Hosting a Youth Innovation and Leadership Seminar as well as a National Youth Debate Contest.
5) Expanding our annual Tree Planting Project with participants in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) to a nationwide tree planting effort involving communities and thousands of students across the island. We intend, as a pilot project, to establish a “Food Forest” in a particular community by replacing bush and shrubbery with fruit/food bearing trees. This will be done in conjunction with certain State agencies and corporate Saint Lucia, with different companies and organizations sponsoring certain plots of fruit trees.
What is your proudest achievement as a Rotarian?
LK: There have many proud moments over my 25 years as a Rotarian. I’m particularly pleased that in 2002, when I was first President, we raised EC$208,000 to purchase a new and second Mobile Blood Bank for the Ministry of Health. This was mainly possible through a grant provided by the Embassy of Japan in Trinidad which gave US$44,000 towards the project.
I am also immensely proud of being a founding member of our club’s musical performing group, the Rotary Calabashers.
Give us an example of how Rotary has enriched your life.
LK: There are numerous rewarding experiences I have had from being able to help, in a meaningful way, those who are less fortunate and in need. The opportunity to serve, build goodwill and understanding with others and forge bonds of lasting friendship, through fellowship, has enabled me to appreciate some of the simple joys of life. Being able to serve as a Rotarian has been a blessing in many ways. These experiences continue to motivate me to boldly face the challenges of the “new normal”.
If you would like to make a difference, please contact Rotary Club of Saint Lucia at (758) 285-0092 or 285-3295.
SOME OF ROTARY’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN ST. LUCIA
Rotary has played its part in helping to alleviate some of the nation’s problems though various programmes, including:
1. Hosting Youth Symposiums to encourage positive living.
2. Annual Anti-Drug Youth Camps to promote drug-free lifestyles.
3. Providing artificial limbs to amputees.
4. Youth leadership and development activities through Rotaract and Interact clubs.
5. Providing Mobile Blood Banks to the Ministry of Health.
6. Providing Mobile Youth Clinic to bring medical services & counselling to the heart of communities.
7. Babonneau Water Tank Project.
8. Eradicating the disease Bilharzia.
9. Hosting of Doctors in Action Free Medical Clinics in communities.
10. Providing hospital equipment.
11. Donating hundreds of wheelchairs island wide.
12. Providing secondary school scholarships.
13. Donating computer equipment to schools.
14. Annual Christmas treats for children and hampers for homes of the needy
15. School Feeding Programme.
16. Establishing a school library.
17. Establishing Chess in Schools Programme.
18. Technical and vocational awards to top performing students at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.
19. Face mask production and distribution
20. On the international level, Rotary has spearheaded the eradication of polio from all counties in the world except for two. This was done in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the CDC.
