Presidential reflections for 2020-21

Thanks to Past President Mandy Poonia and the commitment of members I commenced my Presidency of a vibrant and healthy club. 

As it has been for the whole world, this has been an extremely challenging year for all Rotary clubs, but the members have demonstrated remarkable adaptability. Moving very quickly from all face to face meetings to online meetings meant a steep learning curve for some, but happened very smoothly. The club’s normal fundraising activities were all prevented by lockdown regulations, but again, members showed incredible flexibility moving from rattling collection tins to applying for grants with considerable success. 

As the phases of the Covid-19 epidemic waxed and waned the club made numerous plans, including detailed plans to properly remember those fallen in war in November, and to take Father Christmas around the community, compliant with all the regulations in force at the time of planning. Of course the regulations changed and reluctantly the club admitted defeat, so the President alone laid the wreath at the war memorial, and the club was only able to take Father Christmas to three local primary schools. However, the obvious delight on hundreds of young faces rewarded the efforts of members and the teachers who made it all happen. 

Over the course of this year, members have developed high level IT skills, to collect money with ‘contactless’ devices as well as buckets, to write successful grant applications and still to serve the community of Wednesfield with targeted donations of cash, food, books to schools, charities, community organisations and people who were struggling. We have also been able to make significant contributions to organisations helping the homeless within our city and those working to help them back into long term homes. 

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the members for the remarkable flexibility that has enabled the club to function effectively in a very difficult period, and I feel sure that under incoming President Stan Jukes, this club will continue to make a major contribution to the community of Wednesfield and through Rotary International the work of Rotary across the globe. 

Your in Rotary 

Professor Patrick Ball and President for the Rotary year 2020/21