PHILIPSBURG – St. Maarten Lions Club installed their new President and Board at the Divi Little Bay Resort on the 100th anniversary of Lions Club International.
The incoming President for 2017-2018 is Alison Busby. The rest of the Board of Directors comprise: Immediate Past President Davey Woods MJF; 1st Vice President Christ’l Larmonie; 2nd Vice President Carmen Lake; Secretary Oralie Boirard; Treasurer Claudio Buncamper MJF; 1-Year Director Jennifer Johnson; 2-Year Director Wanuki Holiday and Membership Director Eldert Louisa MJF. Non-Board positions that were also installed at the ceremony were Michael van Grieken as Tamer and Claudius Buncamper PMJF as Tail twister.
Outgoing President Woods mentioned his long list accomplishments to the crowd of Lions, partners in service and families at the dinner, which was also attended by Minister of Justice Rafael Boasman, who is also a long serving Lions member.
Minister Boasman spoke about how proud he felt being a Lion, congratulated the club on its many achievements and gave a toast to Lions Club International, District 60B and the St. Maarten Lions Club. Zone 2B Chairlady Ernie Hodge-Carty from Anguilla also attended the event along with the President and members from the three French Lions Clubs, Lions Club Oualichi, Doyene and Fort Louis.
Club President Woods stated, “It was a pleasure to serve as President of such a prestigious Lions Club while also serving the St. Maarten community. I received great support from my board and general membership. Apart from the Signature Project, we have accomplished everything else that I have set out to do from the start of year and much more.”
Incoming President Busby said, “My focus will be on our young people on St. Maarten especially with drug and alcohol abuse, and we will be going back into the various communities to see where help is needed. The St. Maarten Lions Club wants to serve its communities and by going into those communities it can get a good assessment of what the community needs are.”
The night was capped off with the outgoing President giving out various plaques to deserving members of the club while various speeches were given concerning the 100th anniversary celebration followed by a buffet dinner.
Michael van Grieken is Lion of the Year
The outgoing President of the St. Maarten Lions Club Davey Woods named Michael van Grieken as “Lion of the Year” at the installation dinner of the 2017-2018 Board of Directors.
Van Grieken worked hard during the year as the Tamer of the Club and was rewarded by the President for his dedicated service throughout the year with an award and a 2-night weekend stay sponsored by Sonesta Maho Beach Resort.
