Business meeting

At our business meeting the Club Treasurer, Bob Booker, presented the latest accounts for the Club Funds and the Trust Funds. Both showed healthy balances but he pointed out that, of the £3,000 held within the Trust Fund for general charitable purposes, £2,000 was already spoken for. This limits the donations we can make to the charities which send representatives to speak to us.

The Club Administration Committee reported that average attendance during March was 59%. All meeting venues and speakers have now been booked for the remainder of the Rotary year. A guided tour of Beeleigh Abbey has been arranged for 25 May. Other visits being considered are to Ingatestone Hall, Layer Marney Tower and the RNLI station at Burnham-on-Crouch.

As Chair of the Membership Committee, Jenny Black reported that John-George Philips’ membership application had been accepted and he will be inducted once his badges have been received. A number of people have contacted us through the website to express an interest in joining but unfortunately some have then failed to attend after arranging to attend a Club meeting. Jenny will resume her earlier practice of meeting possible new members before inviting them to the Club.

Jan Goodman reported that a Public Image Committee had been formed consisting of herself (responsible for our Facebook page), John-George Philips (Instagram), Francis Whitbread (LinkedIn) and Keith Otter (website). She asked that items that might be suitable for publication be sent to all of them.

Chuda Karki, Chair of the Foundation & International Committee, gave a report on the projects we are supporting in Nepal; he will give a more detailed account at our International Evening on 28 April. A fundraising Bollywood type event is being planned for this summer.

The Community & Vocational Committee report was circulated before the meeting. There is now a good team of volunteers to help at the Jumble Sale on 23 April. Steve Moriaty has agreed to provide the entertainment at the Senior Guests’ Summer Party on 9 July. Two donations of £250 have been made to the 1st Chelmsford Scout Group to help towards the cost of scouts attending the World Scout Jamboree in Korea and a training week in Jersey, both in 2023.

On behalf of the Youth Service Committee, Keith Otter reminded members that the Regional Final of Rotary Young Musician will take place in Chelmsford Cathedral on 23 April, starting at 7 pm.

The Chair of the Environment Committee, Anne Moriaty, said that the Club’s Treekly Group now had 14 members and 252 trees have been planted as a result of their efforts. The Committee is organising a sunflower competition at Beaulieu Park School; Stan Keller is printing flyers. Indu Tiwari has offered to collect blister packs for recycling and Maureen Benson is preparing a list of things Club members can do individually to make a difference. The District hopes to hold an Eco Fair in September.

After the business meeting, President Peter presented Colin Murphy of Backhouse Solicitor with a wall plaque signifying their corporate membership. (See photograph.)