The Rotaract Club of St. Andrew has partnered with Sangster’s Book Stores for a Back to School Stationery drive, where the proceeds will go towards Balcombe Drive Primary and Junior High School students.
From now until the end of August you can visit one of the participating Sangster’s Stores located in Mall Plaza, Springs Plaza, Sovereign, Portmore Pines or 33 King Street and just drop your contributions in the box provided.
To donate you can also contact the Rotaract Club of St. Andrew at [email protected].
Suga’s Throwback Thursday goes out to The Rotaract Club of Kingston’s repainting of Four Square Basic School by Cassia Park on Labour Day, May 25, 2015. The staff, parents and Principal of the school assisted the club members, ensuring that they were fed and hydrated throughout the day. Kudos also to the Eastwood Gardens Youth for Progress Youth Club for partnering with The Rotaract Club of Kingston by sending volunteers on the day. The Rotary Club of Kingston assisted on the day as well.
So many hands coming together to make a positive impact. The kids returned to their newly painted classrooms on the Wednesday of the week that followed in a fresh, brighter, cleaner environment to learn and focus in.
Who knew cashing in crates of bottles could do so much? RCLP cashed in bottles from a bottle drive to purchase educational charts and over 100 seedlings for the Shalom Pre-School Feeding Programme. The University of the West Indies, Mona Social Services and parents will also assist with the growth and maintenance of the Vegetable Garden.
The club also donated books to the school courtesy of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association and gave them Four Way Test Signs to be placed on the walls of the School.
What is the Four Way Test? It is said by Rotaractors and Rotarians at each meeting they hold, it is also a way to live by. With each situation, test yourself. Ask,Â
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
This was done during World Rotaract Week to commemorate when the organization began in March, 1968.Â
Please share this with family, friends and coworkers. Help find untrained artists from inner-city communities that wish to progress today! If they want this opportunity they will work for it and burn that midnight oil.
This project has helped to pave the pathway for a great artistic career for many untrained artists over the past 8 years. Help to pave the way for more. Thanks!
Scenes from NKRC’s annual Wing Sauce Competition held on Saturday, March 7, 2015
In other parts of Kingston last Saturday, Suga was asked to host NKRC’s Wing Sauce Competition, which is also a fundraiser with proceeds going towards their Community Service Projects. The competition was held at Red Stripe’s playfield on Spanish Town Road. I was amongst great company as Jahson Peart from Pop-Up Gourmet Jamaica and Amanda McCreath from Gourmet Jamaica were the other two judges.
There were 9 teams on the day including 6 Rotaract clubs, 2 Rotary Clubs and 1 independent team, all with creative names for their sauces and exciting team names as well.
It was a hot day out but the teams came out with their members and supporters in full force. Well except for one lone ranger from Rotary Club of New Kingston (A Jus Me One). Thankfully he was supported by a few of his club members towards the end of the competition. Teams were observed from start to end.
All teams were asked to highlight 3 ingredients in their sauce, Otaheite Apple, which was the secret ingredient that was revealed to them on the day, as well as the mystery ingredients, Red Stripe Sorrel Beer and Rosemary. Club support, their sales pitch, theme and decor of their booth as well as plating and of course the taste of their wings were all scoring criteria. However even with high scores for all of that, if they failed to highlight the 3 ingredients and show some originality with a great tasting sauce, which carried the majority of the points, they would finish with a very low score.
Teams were also asked to incorporate Yaad Flava sauces that were being promoted that day such as the The Yaad Flava Spicy Ketchup, Pimento BBQ, Molasses and Jamaican Jerk Gourmet Blend sauces. Suga has promoted Yaad Flava on this website before when introduced to them at Sovereign Supermarket, so knew that if not scantily used, they could easily overpower the originality of the teams’ sauces. They have a very strong, sharp flavour and really shouldn’t even be used with anything else. They are great on their own.
All teams showed remarkable effort whether they placed in the top 3 or not.
The Rotaract Club of St. Andrew looked the most professional, all uniformed in team shirts and black aprons with a member who delivered a sales pitch in an all black suit. The taste of their sauce was lovely and it was impressive that the taste aligned with their sales pitch of it being sweet then spicy, which is not easy to pull off.
The Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains did very well across the board, finishing 4th. Their plating was very impressive apart from the overload of Rosemary, sauce was delicious and required ingredients were highlighted.
New Kingston Rotaract Club boasted culinary style, hotel-like plating. THE best plating in the competition, even being presented on different levels.
Tristen,who finished 5th also looked very Professional in Chef jackets and scored high points for use of the main ingredients.
The Rotaract Club of the University of the West Indies Mona,who finished 3rd, had cheerleaders, tonnes of crowd and member support. They had impressive plating, originality and their sauce was delicious.
Interestingly, the sauces from the two Rotary clubs  (Rotary Club of Kingston East and Port Royal and Rotary Club of New Kingston) were the least exciting of the bunch. But it was a fantastic look that they participated with good spirit. They were entertaining, creative with their sales pitch and had a good theme.
Second place winners, Rotaract Club of Kingston aka 50 Shades of K, were quite entertaining and creative. Impressive plating. The best decor. Originality was off the charts and their sauce had a nice, sharp taste with the essence of required ingredients.
That leaves us with the winners. All the other clubs failed to highlight ALL 3 required ingredients effectively. However the Rose Grillaz from the Rotaract Club of University of Technology were the clear winners with their Rosella Soiree sauce. The only team whose sauce actually had the colour of the secret ingredient, Otaheite apple. When asked how they did that. One of their chefs confidently broke down their preparation process starting with how ‘dem draw the apple’, continuing to talk about straining and measuring etc. They clearly had it down to a science. Not surprising right? Because they have a Food Lab and this is their 3rd consecutive year winning. Perhaps it should be called the UTECH Wing Sauce Award of Excellence next year with a member of their Hospitality crew on the judging panel. A team with absolutely poor plating and decor walked away with the trophy. They were confident that they were the sauce boss and their skit with cheerleaders informed us of that. Overwhelming support was there for them as well.
Suga was really impressed with the effort put out by all teams, their competitive nature, their interest to do post mortems and of course originality and creativity of their sauces. Congratulations again to the winners, Rotaract Club of UTECH and hope to see you and more clubs next year!
Not attending Diner en Blanc this Saturday? Looking for something simple, fun and casual to do? Consider supporting, non-profit organization, New Kingston Rotaract Club’s 4th Annual Wing Sauce Competition at Red Stripe Playfield on Spanish Town Road. Suga Lifestyle will be judging to assist them with deciding who is the real Sauce Boss!
This week is all about New Kingston Rotaract Club (NKRC). Young professionals doing big things, working together in a non-profit organization to help improve their communities, themselves and other professionals around them.
Rotaract Mingle is now an annual event hosted by the New Kingston Rotaract Club that showcases businesses and talents of young professionals and entrepreneurs, while also providing an opportunity for young professionals to learn more about starting their own businesses and to network in a relaxed and comfortable setting. NKRC wishes to attract over 100 young professionals and entrepreneurs to help with Professional Development of their members as well as to foster Networking. Sponsors and businesses who showcase their branding or products will also benefit from ongoing marketing efforts leading up to and during the event.
The Guest Speaker will be Mr. Desmond Mitchell, a pitch consultant with Start-Up Jamaica. He will focus on Entrepreneurship and the Importance of Mentorship.
The following Businesses and more will be participating:-
â— Envi i Designs – Hand crafted Jamaican Jewellery for bold, Afro-centric Clientele
â— Haiku Health and Beauty Services – Facials and Massage Therapy
â— GW Art – Paintings suitable for Decor of homes, cafes, offices and hotels
â— Pop-Up Gourmet Jamaica – Offers an Advantage Card to get Discounts at your favourite Restaurants and Bars
â— Splash by Sash – Trendy and Sexy Swimwear
â— Tou-Khan Naturals – Natural products for Hair and Skin
â— Project Management Global Institute – Aids in advancing your Project Management Skills
Please come out and support the Businesses of Jamaica’s young Professionals and Entrepreneurs.
The New Kingston Rotaract Club recently held an Awareness Campaign for expectant mothers, nurses and it’s club members on ‘Maternal and Child Health’, which is also one of Rotary International’s six areas of focus. The Campaign was held at the University Hospital of the West Indies’ Antenatal Clinic. Professor Marvin Reid from their sponsoring Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of New Kingston, led the interactive presentation including topics such as Nutrition and the importance of breastfeeding, Immunization and Types of Contraceptives.
Good work New Kingston Rotaract Club! Education is the key to our country’s success.
Newly inducted member of the Rotaract Club of Kingston, Amashika Lorne, organised a clean up of the Wag Water River for her birthday with friends. She had 42 volunteers, including 2 who were disabled.
55 garbage bags and other huge items like tyres, pieces of furniture, buckets, refrigerators etc. were collected.
Amashika’s commendable act did not stop there. After the clean up, a Presentation on Environmental Awareness was conducted by Patrice Gilpin of NEPA and herself to residents of the Boone Hall Oasis Community. Amashika also thanked Boone Hall Oasis, NEPA, Nestle Jamaica, Ribbiz Ultra Lounge, Respect Jamaica, Rotaract Club of Kingston, her family and friends for their Assistance and a very special birthday.
Great job Amashika and friends for doing their part in the campaign, ‘Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica’.
A few months ago, the Rotaract Club of Tortola held a fundraiser, received donations from the community and solicited discounts from businesses to be able to furnish families in need through an organisation called, ‘Family Support Network’ and the local Social Development Department with Back to School items which including book bags filled with stationery supplies, uniforms, shoes, and textbooks.
Note: Â Families/children were not directly presented with items due to an agreement on confidentiality practices.
Though this was some time ago, the Rotaract Club of Tortola is a part of Rotaract District 7020, the youth arm of Rotary. Rotaract District 7020 has more than 50 clubs and The Rotaract Club of Tortola was recognized as Club of the Quarter for their various efforts to supply necessary aid to their community, having a close relationship with their sponsoring Rotary Club as well as other Rotaract clubs in the District and by developing themselves personally and professionally. Their Back To School donations to families in need was their main project for the Quarter.
I am sure many projects are in the pipeline to lift persons and their communities this Christmas. Email [email protected] to find a Rotaract Club near you so you can either join or do a good deed this Christmas.
Active Territories in Rotaract District 7020 are Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Haiti, British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten (Dutch W.I.), St. Martin (French W.I.), Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
