General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 21st September 2023 @ The Plough

Present:               Andrew B, Andrew M, Chris, David K, Dave C, David M, Elaine, Gerry, Godfrey, Hilary, Ian, Jean, Kathryn, Maureen, Margaret, Nick, Pat, Paul, Pippa, Reggie, Robert, Spyros, Sue.

Apologies:           Lesley, Myfanwy, Marian, Trevor, David B.

Welcome & Birthdays:                   Pat welcomed everyone and wished Pete a happy birthday on behalf of the club.

Grace:                   Paul.

BREAKFAST

Business:            

Fund Raising:  Car parking last week end did very well.  We achieved £895 for parking and £43 on the stall.  £222 of the takings were on the card machine, the highest amount yet.  It was very busy, perhaps because of the Oyster Festival in the town.  The point was made again that we must have four people on shift during the two busiest times ie 12.00 'til 14.00 and 14.00 'til 16.00.  The people at the top end need to know how many spaces are available, and especially if the grounds are full, which requires two volunteers at the bottom.  Also, there needs to be two people at the top, one to mind the bucket and one to stand at the lane entrance to turn cars away if we are full.  Godfrey recounted how one driver became abusive who had been let in but asked to wait a few minutes for an available space.  Pat asked those members who do not normally help with car parking to consider doing an hour, perhaps 13.00 to 14.00 or 14.00 to 15.00 - which are the peak times.  There was a suggestion that we might ask Whitstable to make up the numbers of volunteers - but then we would have to split the profits with them.  The next date will be Thursday 26th October(half term).

Social:  Tomorrow night (Friday) is a table tennis evening at the Chestfield Warriors club.  We have 10x names at present; Gerry may have a couple more.  John Wickings usually provides a lot of food anyway.  Sue won't be there - it's her moving day!

                Next week (28th) will be an evening meeting.  The speaker will be Roger Simpson hon. Sec. of the Whitstable & Herne Bay Bee Keepers Association.  Both Pat and Nick will be away, so who will chair the meeting?  Godfrey volunteered.

                Sue said we don't have other social events in the forward diary.  She will make enquiries about another Ales & Antiques evening, possible a Thursday or a Tuesday.

Treasurer:  David M confirmed that he has sent the donations to Shelter Box and African Oyster as agreed at last week's meeting.  He has received an acknowledgement from both.  David added that 35 tickets have already been sold for the Autumn Quiz night on Saturday 18th November.  David suggested that members who want a whole table should book one promptly.  Email David

Comm / Voc:  Kathryn reminded members about the shoebox appeal.  Last year we did 11x boxes.  She will need filled boxes returned to her by the end of October.

Youth Opportunities:  Margaret confirmed she now has 4x entrants for the Young Photographer competition, as well as a volunteer to be the judge.  She also has 8x entrants for the Young Chef competition.

International:  Andrew B confirmed that, including private donations, we have sent £690 to Shelter Box.  The Collection for TWAM next year will be 21st April 2024.  Andrew urged members to keep an eye out for any neighbours moving out or in who may have tools they are happy to part with.  Andrew confirmed that 5x schools have signed up so far for Walk4Water which will be on 22nd March 2024.  As always we need as many volunteers as possible to act as marshals etc.  Andrew hasn't heard anything lately from Emma Slade of Open your Hearts to Bhutan.  He will see if he can contact her amanuensis Sue.

                Andrew commented that we haven't heard anything from Ukraine recently.  David K said that his contact has been ill; also, his home are has been heavily bombarded by the Russians.  So, we haven't had any request for assistance from them lately.  Sue commented on a news item she has seen about the Norwegians having supplied Ukrainian troops with morale-boosting mobile saunas disguised as shipping containers. 

                Finally, Andrew said that, 'though we have heard from Mercy Ships, we have donated so much to other causes recently that he thinks MS should be on the back burner.

Any Other Business:        Andrew B said he had the shop with him if anyone needed an extra badge etc.  Godfrey reminded the meeting how much smarter it looks if we are all wearing a Rotary polo shirt for outside fund raising events.

Greetings from Other Clubs:        Andrew M said he has spoken with Jacqui Smith who is a  former member.

Raffle:                   Andrew B won the only remaining raffle prize - a bottle of Angostura bitters which have been hanging around for a while.  Margaret confirmed she needs more raffle prizes as she has none left.

Master-at-Arms:              According to Nick, today is World Gratitude Day, also Escapology Day.  On this day in 1937, The Hobbit was published.

Final Toast:         Given  by Kathy

Next Meeting:

18.30pm for 19.00pm Thursday 28th September @ The Plough