Local Lion gets regional nomination

Friday,  March 3, 2006

Lion John Edward Ebanks, Sr, MJF of Prospect, Grand Cayman is now the Vice District Governor Nominee 2006-07 for District 60B, which covers a total of 72 Lions Clubs and 45 Leo Clubs from Barbados in the Eastern Caribbean to the Cayman Islands in Western Caribbean.

The selection process took place in North St Catherine, Jamaica on Sunday 12 February, with 26 Lions Clubs in Regions 1 and 4, encompassing Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, choosing between the two candidates vying for this position. Running against Lion John Ebanks was Lion June McCatty from Mandeville, Jamaica.

The first vote resulted in a draw of 41 votes each, thereby requiring that voters recast their ballots, pursuant to the stipulations of the Lions Constitution and By-Laws. The second round of voting saw Lion John Ebanks emerging the victor with 42 votes as against Lion June McCatty’s 40 votes.

Twenty-five persons from the Cayman Islands journeyed to Jamaica to support Lion John Ebanks in this exciting race.

These included Sharon Ebanks, his wife; as well as members of the Lions Club of Grand Cayman, Lions Club of Tropical Gardens and the Lions Club of Cayman Brac. The formal election will take place at the Multiple District Convention in May 2006, which will be held in St. Maarten.

As Vice District Governor, Mr. Ebanks, will help set the future direction for the Lions Clubs of District 60B. His objectives are, “To effectively market the organization, enhance succession planning and leadership development and retain members”. Lion John says “clubs have to be marketed successfully and members have to be encouraged to take up leadership positions, in order to maintain the viability of clubs.”

Mr. Ebanks and his wife Sharon have two children Randy and Josh, and two grandchildren. Lion John also has one daughter Tekira, one son John Jr, and two grandchildren. He is the National Roads Authority’s (NRA) Senior Superintendent of Roads, having worked for PWD/NRA for the past 37 years; and has been a member of the Lions Club of Grand Cayman since June 1973.

He has held many positions within the Lions Club of Grand Cayman including, President, Tamer, Twister and Director and has been on a number of club committees including the Sight and Diabetes, Lions Aquatic Pool, Geriatrics and Fundraising Committees.

He has also served at District level in the positions of Region Chairman and Zone Chairman, overseeing 17 Lions Clubs and 12 Leo Clubs as Region Chairman, and 8 Lions Clubs and 7 Leos Clubs as Zone Chairman.

If elected as Vice District Governor, Mr. Ebanks will support the District Governor, Lion Wally Havertong, MJF during 2006 to 2007. He will then succeed Lion Havertong as District Governor for 2007 to 2008.

President of Mr. Ebanks’ Club, Walton Gooding, said “this is a fantastic achievement – not just for our fellow Lion, John; but also for all the Lions in the Cayman Islands. I know he will have the support of all of the Clubs in the Cayman Islands, while holding these important positions over the next two years.”

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