PHILIPSBURG:--- It was definitely an air of joyous excitement on Saturday, May 22nd as Lions and Leos gathered at the Lions Civic Centre, in Sucker Garden, Sint Maarten to witness and celebrate the nomination and election of Lion Claudio Buncamper PMJF as District Governor Elect of Lions Sub District 60B.
In keeping with the Covid 19 guidelines many Lions and Leos from Sint Maarten and around the Caribbean Region joined the Virtual District 60B Convention Meeting chaired from Barbados by District Governor Maureen Graham PMJF her achievements for the year. Her term ends on June 30, 2021.
After the live introduction by charter member Lion Frank Arnell PMJF of the Sint Maarten Lions Club, Lion Claudio Buncamper PMJF was escorted to the podium by Past District Governor, Lion Maxime Larmonie PMJF, Past District Governor Lion Wally Havertong PMJF, and Past District Governor, Lion Claudius “Toontje’ Buncamper PMJF through a line-up of enthusiastic, cheering Leos and Lions.
President of the Sint Maarten Lions Club Lion Alphons Gumbs PMJF said; “The event was well organized, energetic and exciting. The entire club and my person as President were honored and proud to be part of this historic event”.
In his acceptance speech as District Governor Elect, Lion Claudio thanked the entire District for placing their confidence in him as the leader for the upcoming Lionistic year beginning July 1st, 2021, and outlined four (4) key focus areas for District 60B for 2021-2022. Those key focus areas are Leadership, Membership, Service Reporting, and Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF).
While commending the clubs in District 60B on efficiently embracing and adapting to the change demanded by the global Covid-19 situation in serving their respective communities while championing the Lions motto of “We Serve” under the leadership of outgoing District Governor Lion Maureen Graham PMJF, District Governor Elect Lion Claudio encouraged membership across the region to continue to undertake ‘service projects’ that are “most important and most relevant to the needs of their communities.”
As District Governor, he added that his primary focus covers the health of our clubs and district as “building our strength internally will provide more efficient resources to serve our communities better.”
Unveiling his theme and logo for the year 2021-2022, “Service from the Heart with Kindness,” Lion Claudio reiterated to his audience that “the Service we give as Lions and Leos of District 60B must come from the HEART!” The song of the District Governor-Elect “We are Lions, We are all Leos” which was officially released on Saturday, May 22th, emphasizes this concept.
Among the invited guests to the grand event were Louis Wever, Incoming District Governor of Rotary District 7020 and his spouse Amanda, Lion Felicien Maccow MJF, Past District Governor of Lions Sub District 63 of French Caribbean islands, and Past President of Lions Club Fort Louis, Lion Sandra Fleming MJF.
District 60B comprises the islands in the English-speaking Caribbean region spanning from Cayman Islands and Jamaica in the northwest to Barbados and Grenada in the south east.
Also elected in the District Team were Lion Nickolas DaCosta MJF from Caymac Brac Lions Club as First Vice District Governor and Lion Dr. Carlisle Goddard MJF from Bridgetown Lions Club, Barbados as Second Vice District Governor. Lion Davey Woods MJF current secretary from the Sint Maarten Lions Club will serve as Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer to the incoming District Governor for a one-year term.
Lion Claudio Buncamper is the 4th elected District Governor from the Sint Maarten Lions Club to serve at the helm of Sub District 60B. This achievement marks another historic milestone as Sint Maarten Lions Club continues to celebrate its 50th Anniversary year of service to the community until June 30th, 2021.
