The Rotary Club of Grenada, a 56-year-old volunteer service organization embedded in Caribbean community life, has marked a formal transition of leadership with the installation of its new Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 Rotary year. At a recent handover ceremony, Althea McPhail was sworn in as the club’s new president, stepping into the role after a standout year of progress led by outgoing president Julia Lawrence.
Lawrence’s 2025–2026 tenure will be remembered as a period of significant growth, expanded community impact, and institutional strengthening for the Grenadian chapter. Guided by Rotary’s core “Service Above Self” ethos and anchored to four key pillars of excellence—membership expansion, support for The Rotary Foundation, enhanced public outreach, and impact-driven community service—the club delivered one of its most ambitious project portfolios in history. Over the 12-month term, the organization completed 21 standalone initiatives spanning public health, education, youth empowerment, and environmental stewardship, while also deepening connections among members and boosting overall participation in club activities.
Among the most notable projects from the past year were ongoing community programs to reduce childhood obesity across Grenada, and a major revitalization project to upgrade the green space at Quarantine Recreational Park. To raise public awareness of Rotary’s local work, the club also expanded its media footprint through regular television and radio segments, boosted engagement across social media platforms, and hosted community-facing events including the popular Rhythm & Spice Brunch Experience. These efforts did not go unrecognized: at the district level, the Rotary Club of Grenada took home top honors for its childhood obesity prevention initiative, its annual Learning Challenge, its excellence in public image coordination, and overall club excellence, capping off a year of measurable achievement.
In reflecting on the organization’s progress, Lawrence emphasized that the year’s successes were a collective effort. “These achievements were possible only through the dedication of our members, the support of our partners, and the trust of our community,” she noted, crediting both rotating club members and longstanding community and corporate partners for making the ambitious project slate possible. By the end of her term, Lawrence highlighted that the club had emerged as a stronger, more impactful and connected organization than it was 12 months prior.
Now, McPhail takes the reins, building on the solid foundation laid by Lawrence and past leadership teams to advance new and ongoing service initiatives tailored to the evolving needs of Grenada’s local communities. For the 2026–2027 term, McPhail has aligned her priorities with the District Governor’s core focus areas: expanding childhood obesity prevention work, rolling out anti-bullying programs for young people, and advancing local environmental preservation projects. The club will also continue to sustain its longstanding legacy projects, while working to strengthen existing partnerships that allow it to expand its reach and deliver measurable, sustainable change for Grenadian communities.
In her inaugural address at the handover ceremony, McPhail extended sincere gratitude to outgoing leaders, the departing board of directors, and specifically Lawrence for her transformative service over the past year. She also welcomed the new board members, thanked her family and friends for their ongoing support, and challenged all club members to embrace the new term with intentionality.
Joining McPhail on the 2026–2027 board of directors are: John Williams, serving as vice president; Elida Batista-Herrera as president-elect; Julia Lawrence as immediate past president; Gabrielle Walcott-Bedeau as secretary; Larry Lawrence as treasurer; Anica Roch leading club administration; Marielle Alexander heading membership development; Royston Cumberbatch overseeing service projects; Alphonsus Daniel leading work for The Rotary Foundation; Vondi Cyrus managing public image; Christopher Gilbert coordinating youth services; Otis Wade serving as learning facilitator; and Roy O’neale as sergeant-at-arms.
“Let us serve boldly, lead with compassion, and continue to strengthen the 56-year legacy of this club,” McPhail told attendees. “Together, we will Create Lasting Impact as People of Action.”
As part of the global Rotary movement that unites community leaders and professionals around volunteer service, the Rotary Club of Grenada has supported local communities for more than five decades. Today, it enters its new Rotary year reaffirming its longstanding commitment to delivering meaningful service, deepening cross-sector collaboration, and upholding its tradition of creating lasting change across Grenada.