Club Assembly 11 June @ 18.45

Club Assembly 11 June @ 18.45

June signals the beginning of a process of change in Rotary.  At this point in the year, the incoming President, David Chisholm, and those appointed as chairs of the various committees for the following year, set out their plans for the new Rotary year.  The actual handover of roles and responsibilities takes place at the beginning of July.  President Andrew Hilley was pleased to welcome the Assistant District Governor, Sandy Farquarson, who joined the meeting to give general encouragement and to provide information emerging from the wider Rotary community.  Needless to say, in this period of Covid-19, all the interactions took place virtually.

At the invitation of President Andrew, President-elect David took over as Chair of the meeting, and set out his aspirations for the incoming year.  ‘Given the present circumstances’, said David, ‘it is extremely difficult to plan definitively.  But the Club has been extremely resilient in responding the current crisis.  That gives me encouragement that we can look forward with confidence.’  David reflected that the Club has already made a significant financial contribution to CHAS, with a submission now well advanced to provide support for Strathcarron Hospice.  This, he said, is the spirit in which we can look forward, adapting our efforts to the prevailing circumstances.  Our plans will include an extension of the Club’s  involvement with the community and, in particular, with young people.  In the latter case, there is scope to promote Interact clubs in the two High Schools in our area. As ever, our efforts will also continue to attract new members to the Club.

The chairs of the various committees reflected the difficulty of planning activities, but, nonetheless, were confident that, whatever the prevailing circumstances, opportunities to promote the objectives of Rotary would be found.  

Asked to address the meeting, Sandy Farquarson congratulated the Club on its upbeat approach.  As with other Clubs, the challenge is to innovate; and that spirit is already well in evidence.  The District is keen to encourage a sharing of ideas among clubs, and the Lockdown News is a useful means of achieving this.  Although it was disappointing that annual fund-raising events had been cancelled, there is a real opportunity for Clubs to help smaller charities in particular that are having to deal with a significant shortfall in donations.  In the midst of the Club’s various activities, Sandy was delighted to see a Fun Committee – an innovation that he particularly welcomed.  While recognising the contribution that Zoom meetings are making to keep members in contact, Sandy encouraged the Club to seek a variety of other ways to keep in touch with members.

President Andrew thanked Sandy for his very helpful contribution. He was sure that the Club would reflect positively on his comments.