Club Assembly

Area Governor Tony Stringer joined us for our Club Assembly today.

President Elect Graham Furnival should have presented his plans for his Presidential year, which starts on 1 July. Unfortunately he was unable to attend so President Francis read Graham’s statement on his behalf.

That meant Francis found himself reading Graham’s tribute to him for the leadership he has provided and all he has done for the Club over his two consecutive Presidential years, a tribute all members will echo. Graham also thanked Anne Moriaty for her work as District Governor and Bob Booker for his work as District Treasurer.

Next year’s Club Council will consist of President Graham, Anne Moriaty (President Elect), Francis Whitbread (Secretary), Bob Booker (Treasurer) and David Axon, Keith Dabbs and Keith Otter (Elected members).

In his statement Graham said that the Club will continue to co-operate with the other Rotary Clubs in Chelmsford to organise various joint events. All five Clubs have agreed that we should work together to organise events in 2027 to celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Chelmsford, which will be an excellent way of generating more publicity. (In 1927 ours was the first of the Chelmsford Rotary Clubs to be chartered.)

Our Club will continue to support the community in the ways we have proved to be good at, including the twice-yearly jumble sales, the annual summer party for senior guests, where Anne Moriaty’ family kindly provide the entertainment, the annual visit to the panto for senior guests, the Rotary Young Musician Chelmsford heats and fund-raising quizzes for local charities. Some of these will require members to volunteer to lead them. We will also remain available to take local collections on behalf of charities where appropriate.

Tony Stringer commended us on those plans for the future and for all the ways we have served others in the recent past.

President Francis agreed to send all members a copy of Graham’s statement.