A Brief History Of The South Queens Rotary Club

The positive impact that the Freeport Merrick Rotary club had during the Covid 19 pandemic inspired the creation of the South Queens satellite club. Projects initiated by the club to protect and support the two communities, in the areas of disease prevention and management of the pandemic in the schools, had a great influence on the decision to create a club that would replicate such benefits in another community.

The need for a new club was confirmed when a member of the membership committee of the Freeport Merrick club reached out to potential Rotary Club members in the Queens community. Their interest initiated inquiries as to how to proceed to start a new South Queens satellite club. With the district support and the help of Assistant Governor Tom Reilly, the process of creating a new club was started. The Freeport Merrick Rotary club, under the leadership of President Marc Rigueur, embraced and supported the idea. The Board members indicated that the Freeport Merrick Club had a history of helping other clubs and they wholeheartedly wanted to facilitate the process required by District 7255 and Rotary International.

Recruitment for members of the satellite club began in the spring of 2021. Soon the club reached the magic number of ten and held its first meeting in October 2021. Paul Gamble was elected the first president of the club, Florence Holly the secretary, and Ducarmel Delorme the treasurer. The members meet every second Tuesday of the month via zoom and the fourth Tuesday in person at Mateus restaurant. The following year, Paul Gamble remained the president, Sheila Marie St Paul became the secretary and Dr. Paul Nacier the treasurer. On December 12, 2023, the South Queens Rotary Club was chartered. The club members, most of whom reside in South Queens and the surrounding areas in Queens and Long Island, come from diverse backgrounds ranging from health care, business, education field, law, as well as civic and community organizations. They have worked together for two years to create a strong Rotary club, dedicated to serve the community and create lasting changes both locally and internationally by upholding the Rotary motto “Service above Self.”

The members focus on providing service to children, new Immigrants, veterans, address food insecurity in the community, assist with disaster relief and more. They agree to support district projects as well as international projects that will promote peace, fight disease, support education, provide clean water, sanitation hygiene, save mothers and babies, grow the local economy, and support our communities and the environment. Their commitment to serve is unwavering, upholding the principles of honesty, integrity, diversity & inclusion.