Discussion on Club Opportunities, led by Peter Hill

MAPPING THE FUTURE

Members of the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club this week set themselves the challenge of re-examining fundamental aspects of the Club’s operations and functions.  The Club Council had decided to take a root and branch examination of all the Club’s activities and to give members an opportunity to express their views on these issues.  If this brought forward views which suggested that change was desired in any of the aspects being discussed, then the Council would examine means of implementing desired change. Led by Peter Hill, a Club member with specialist experience in this area, members looked at questions related to the format of meetings; how to raise the profile of the Club and attract new members; how to develop the bonds of friendship and, remembering the Rotary motto of “Service before Self”, how to develop its focus on fundraising. Members were also asked to look at the charities currently being supported and to vote for those they particularly favoured.  In looking at these issues, members were reminded of the very positive successes of the previous year in which some £30,000 had been raised for charities. Members had contributed to events such as the Dunblane Fling, the Doune and Dunblane Show and the Bridge of Allan Highland Games.  In addition, the Club was reminded of the very successful Am-Am golf competition, the Duck Race, the Beat Beethoven Fun Run, and the support given to the Judy Murray Tennis Competition and to various events run by Strathcarron and other charities.  An important element had been work with schools through the Primary School Quiz, the Young Chef Competition, Euroscola and Rotary Young Leadership Awards.  Support had also been given to the Dunlane Centre, and there had been the annual outing for senior citizens at Queen Victoria School.  Working with the Club there had been great enthusiasm from the Interact Club at Queen Victoria School and its junior Rotakids Club.  All these activities had involved a great deal of work for members, but they had got great satisfaction in making their contribution to the undoubted success of the ventures and, in doing so, had enhanced friendship.   And all was not work and no play: members had enjoyed various visits and outings, including taking part in the Rotary gavel and curling competitions, and had enjoyed a visit to the pantomime.  All in all, the Club was in good heart.  So why look at change?  All organisations, said President Mary Fraser, can benefit from time to time from looking at how they operate, and the Club is no exception; there is always a danger in complacency.  So, led by Peter Hill, members, in groups of four or five, shared their thoughts on each of the selected topics for discussion and posted these on display boards.  These ideas and comments will now be drawn together by Peter, who will then bring them back these to the Club, and, subsequently, Council for consideration and decisions on any actions to be taken.  President Mary Fraser thanked Peter Hill for the contribution he had made in setting up and leading the consultation.  She also congratulated members for the detailed and positive thoughts that had come forward. They would be carefully considered and evaluated.

Members engrossed in discussion – left to right: Iain Smith, Rod Jones, Peter Holmes and Jim Gardner