Toti Rotary Club welcomes new president
“I was happy and excited to accept the challenge of president, as I am completely inspired by my fellow Rotarians," - Rhona Chetty.
The Rotary Club of Amanzimtoti is in good hands heading into the future with a new enthusiastic leader at its helm. Rhona Chetty, 51, has taken over as president from Neil McDonald.
“I was happy and excited to accept the challenge of president, as I am completely inspired by my fellow Rotarians. We work on a three year strategic and succession plan at Rotary, so I was aware that I was president elect during Neil’s year. I also have wonderful mentorship and support from past president, Aneska Dupont, Neil and my other Rotarians.”
Rhona joined Rotary in March 2016. “My eldest sister Lisa was a member and passed on my details to Aneska when she moved to the Berea. When I attended my first meeting, I was impressed with the community projects they were engaged in with such few members. I am happy to serve in a club where members put service and vulnerable people above self.
“I enjoy working with like-minded people and making a difference in the lives of others. We also have fun and fellowship connecting with fellow Rotarians locally and abroad. Rotary is making a global impact with over 34 000 clubs worldwide, especially with polio eradication. There are wonderful opportunities to travel, especially with international conferences, which I am keen to experience in the future.
READ ALSO: Amanzimtoti Rotary president receives prestigious Paul Harris award
“Some of our annual projects include the Daily News Team Talk, Rotary Family Health Day, Pink Tree Drive for Cancer Awareness and Arbour Day, among others. There is something for everyone.”
Rhona was secretary of the club for the past year and said she would like to see the club grow in membership and to strengthen their existing projects during her presidency. “Rotary is about building communities and therefore it is important to attract like-minded people. I would like us to focus on specifically strengthening the youth, like our interact clubs in schools, youth exchange and engaging with other service providers in Toti.
“We have accepted that we need to grow our membership to include more of the youth for future growth and to sustain the club.” The Toti club currently has 12 members and recently welcomed new members Sarah Stott and Neil and Lerina Subbiah.
Rhona was born in Clairwood and attended school in Chatsworth. She was head prefect at Risecliff Secondary School in 1985. She lives in Athlone Park after moving from Isipingo Hills in 2003.
READ ALSO: Amanzimtoti Rotary Club to benefit from fundraising programme
She is a social worker, employed by the department of health. “Unfortunately my work and church life leaves me no time for sport or social clubs, however, I enjoy the social fellowship of Rotarians and my church family.” She is the deputy president of the KwaMakhutha AIDS and TB Association (KATA), chairperson of Continuous Professional Development (training social workers) and part of the Social Workers eThekwini Forum.
In her rare downtime, she loves movies, reading and going to the Berg for getaways. Rhona met her husband Jason at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Isipingo, where they were married on 11 January 1992. They have two children – Gerard Jude, 27, and Lauren Jade, 24.
Asked why should someone join Rotary, Rhona replied: “Rotary allows the opportunity for anyone to join. It is a great way of making and building connections, either within Amanzimtoti or any other clubs local and worldwide. When you join Rotary, you literally have access to over 34 000 clubs globally. The people you meet are phenomenal and inspiring. Rotarians are people with big hearts and are within the scarce group of givers and not takers.
“Rotarians are governed by the ‘four way test’ of the things we think, say or do: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? With Rotary you get satisfaction from knowing that you have an opportunity to make a positive difference and change lives.”
To join Rotary Amanzimtoti, call Rhona on 083-268-2265, Aneska on 083-255-2588 or Jay Ramsunder on 082-414-4388.
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