General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Minutes of the Meeting

Held on Thursday, December 7th  2023

                                               At The Plough, Swalecliffe                      

Apologies:     Dave C., Gerry, Hilary, Ian S., Lesley, Marian, Reggie

Guests:           Past President, Fiona Stevens

Grace:            Paul

Birthday:      Elaine

Pat opened the meeting by extending a very warm welcome to Fiona.

Christmas Collection:   The Christmas Collection will start as usual from Primrose Way at 4.00 on Sunday, December 10^th.     Two shifts of elves have been organized by Robert.

Shift One consisting of Chris, Dave C., Godfrey, Hilary plus friend, Kathy and Sue is asked to gather at Primrose Way at 3.45 pm.     Shift Two consisting of Gerry (if back) Ian S., Maureen, Paul and Spyros is asked to meet at Robert Sissons’ house, 5 Churchwood Drive, CT5 3PG at 5.30 pm for mince pies, sausage roll and mulled wine.    It is suggested that Shift One parks on Primrose Way and Shift Two on Laxton Way where the route will finish as there is only limited parking at Robert’s house.      Everyone is reminded to bring a torch and wear high viz. and warm clothing.     Pat and Robert will be stationed on the green at Chestfield to collect donations from anyone not living in the streets that Santa will be visiting.

The collected food will be taken as usual to Jean and Andrew M’s where six hampers will be put together for Red Zebra and two for Rev. Simon Tillotson at All Saints Church.   David M. will take the remaining food to the Food Bank on Monday.     MacDonalds at Chestfield, Sturry and Canterbury are also collecting donations of food.     Paul has been in touch with the police to let them know about the collection and to discuss possible Health and Safety issues.

A discussion took place regarding signing up for the collection as some members who will be unable to take part had been included in the list of elves as Robert had understood that those who had not clearly opted out on the form in the Events Folder were willing to take part.      However, as the folder does not always circulate round to everyone at the meetings some had not been able to opt out.    It was decided that, in future, each meeting would be notified of any new sign-up forms that had been included in the folder that week.

Food Larder, Herne Bay:    Godfrey raised an appeal from a food bank in Herne Bay which was started during lockdown by a group of volunteers from Christchurch in William Street, Herne Bay.   It had been assumed that once the pandemic was over that the need would cease but the cost-of-living crisis has meant that it has had to continue and expand so that it is open two times each week and is currently providing help to about 150 families in Herne Bay by supplementing food available to them from the Canterbury Food Bank.     Surplus food past its sell-by date is collected from local shops while, in addition, the food bank spends about £7,500 per annum on non-donated but essential items.   Godfrey proposed that the Club make a donation of £250.00 and this was agreed unanimously.

Christmas Meal:   The annual Club Christmas Meal will take place at Whitstable Golf Club on Thursday, December 14^th and everyone is asked to arrive at around 6.30 pm.    Sue has advised the Golf Club of everyone’s menu choices and the seating plan.

Bangladesh:      Andrew B. has had an appreciative email thanking the Club for the donation to a charity in Schreetur, Bangladesh which sought support to help mothers at risk of separation from their children who because of poverty cannot afford to keep them.

Vice-President:     Ian S., has very kindly volunteered to act as Vice-President for the next Presidential year.

Any Other Business:      There was no other business.

Master of Alms:    Today was tie your own shoelaces day so Nick did very well from almost everyone.

Raffle:     The raffle was won by Chris.

The elf who forgot to turn up for the Christmas Collection!!!