Nelcia St Jean Installed RCCT President
Nelcia St Jean was installed as president of the Rotary Club of Central Tortola under the Rotary International theme "Create Lasting Impact." Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) delivered the keynote address, praising the club as an indispensable partner in community development and highlighting projects that benefited schools, vulnerable residents and public spaces.
Nelcia St Jean has been installed as president of the Rotary Club of Central Tortola (RCCT) in a ceremony held under the Rotary International theme "Create Lasting Impact." The event both celebrated the accomplishments of the outgoing administration and marked the start of a new chapter of service and leadership for the club.
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), delivered the keynote address, commending RCCT for its sustained commitment to community service and its meaningful contribution to the Territory's development. Describing service organisations as "indispensable partners" in national development, Premier Wheatley said clubs such as RCCT strengthen communities by mobilising volunteers, cultivating leadership, promoting civic responsibility and addressing needs that government cannot always meet. "The work of Rotary demonstrates what can be achieved when people come together in service of others," he said, praising the club's lasting impact throughout the Virgin Islands.
The ceremony also recognised the achievements of Past President Walcott's 2025–2026 Rotary year. Organisers highlighted a range of initiatives that support youth development, education, health, food security and wider community outreach. Key projects included the launch of Rotary Spotlight and a Communications Internship Programme aimed at young people aged 12 to 18, designed to build media and public-relations skills among youth in the Territory.
RCCT also invested in public spaces and school programmes. Volunteers made enhancements to the RCCT Peace Garden at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, donated three hydroponic towers to Leonora Delville Primary School to support hands-on learning and local food production, and provided an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to Elmore Stoutt High School to bolster emergency response capacity on campus.
Community support initiatives were prominent: in partnership with the Samaritan Inn, RCCT provided meals to more than 800 vulnerable residents through four Soups and Sandwiches drives. The club's Annual Christmas Gift Run fulfilled the wish lists of 65 students and delivered more than 130 additional gifts to members of the public.
For BVI residents, these projects underscore the practical role service clubs play in supplementing public services, supporting young people and improving community resilience. With St Jean at the helm, RCCT will be expected to continue and build on these efforts as it seeks to make a lasting impact across the Territory.
Primary source: VINO