Business Meeting at new venue?

MINUTES OF THE BUSINESS MEETING  – Thursday 24^th September 2026

Present  -  Bill Banner, Chris Beale, Steve Carson, Adrian Cresswell, Doug Downing, Alan Folwell, Chris Glenn, Derek Goodacre, Jim Gostick, Jane Hart, David John, Peter Jordan, Gordon Marsh, Roy Morledge, Barry Newman, Gail Parkinson, Pam Richmond, Chris Scholey, Gerry Short, Gerry Thompson, David Valentine.              

Apologies  -  Denis Bacon, Sarah Bailey, Mary Bridge-Collyns, David Eldridge, Maggie Falconer, Duncan Garment, Rob Gray, Stuart Horsley, Steve Lawes, Karen Marsh, Chris Netherwood, Clive Rees, Allen Richmond, Stan Taylor, Ian Torr, Alan Wilson, Mike Wiseman.            

1.President’s Opening Remarks  -  President Dave welcomed all members present at the meeting but before he started the meeting he had the pleasant task of inducting Chris Glenn into the club as a Rotarian. Dave also asked for a minutes silence in remembrance of Chris Coombs who sadly had passed away recently                

2. Minutes of the last Business Meeting (18^th June 2026)  -  The Minutes of the meeting were accepted by all present as being a true record. Proposed by Steve Carson, seconded by Bill Banner.

3. Matters Arising  -  None

4.  Conflict of Interest  -  None

5.  Health & Safety  -  Issues – None   To be reviewed  –  a) A Risk Assessment to be done for our new venue, The Royal Oak   b) A Risk Assessment to be done for The Maestros Concert in November

6. Secretary’s Report  -  None        

7. Treasurer’s Report  -  (Report taken as read)  In addition Steve Carson reported that the balances in the accounts were as follows. Club Account - £924.54,  Club Reserve - £2,288.37, Charity Account 1 - £2,669.69.  Charity Account 2 - £10,512.34,  Events Account 1 - £260.00, Events Account 2 - Nil,  Club Members Account -£2,955.17   

Steve said that included in the Charity Account an estimated £2,340 is to be paid away from the Swimathon receipts and £387 has accrued from monthly SAA receipts which is ringfenced for Foundation  In the Events Account the balance relates to ticket sales for the Maestros Concert      In the Members Account there is £80 pending transfer and £180 held in cash pending banking.        

8. Service Committee Reports.

1. International & Foundation  -  (Report taken as read)  In addition Adrian Cresswell reported that the planned donation to Shelterbox was paid in June after their ‘Stock the Box’ appeal. Following the recent floods in Nepal the club have donated all the remaining Reserve and Aquabox budgets to support the current Rotary Appeal.  Adrian thanked club members for donating 200 tubes of toothpaste to InterCare’s request  £500 has been donated to fund the charity Mary’s Meals.  The District Grant for the CHAU Project in Uganda has been approved but at a reduced sum of £1,163 leaving a shortfall of £737. It was proposed by Adrian Cresswell, seconded by Steve Carson and agreed by all present that this shortfall of £737 should be paid by the club.  This year’s crocus planting on 25^th October will be infilling patches on existing sites at a cost of £200 funded by the frugal supper at Whatton Village Hall. There will be a Frog Race on Saturday 30^th January 2027. Adrian reminded club members that both he and Stan Taylor would be standing down as International Chair and Foundation Officer respectively at the end of the Rotary Year meaning that volunteers will be necessary                       

2. Community Services  -  (Report taken as read)   In addition Chris Scholey thanked club members who took part in the Litter Pick in Bingham in July.  It would appear that Rushcliffe Rotary Club are struggling with their share of the Fareshare Run.  11 club members helped at Edwalton Manor Care Home to support their ‘Edfest’ event on 5^th September  A Christmas event is planned.  Chris said that a donation of £500 has been given to the Dove Cottage Hospice.  Further donations of £1,000 will be given to the Vale and Fosse First Responders, £250 from the Community Fund to the Bottesford Community Medical Transport for leaflet printing, a mobile phone and insurance and £80, also from the Community Fund to the Bottesford Youth Club for computer games. Chris reported that more publicity will be done to give the club a greater profile in the community                    

    (c)  Youth  -  (Report taken as read)   In addition Gerry Thompson reported that the Dictionaries 4 Life books have arrived and these will shortly be delivered to the schools in our area.  It has been decided to purchase Pudsey Bears for each school if they are participating for the Children In Need Event in November at a cost of £35 each to be used in any way the school wishes.  It has not been decided as yet whether the Art Competition will take place this Rotary Year.. If it is an Art Gift will be given instead of Amazon Vouchers.                                        

4.   Club Services  -  (Report taken as read)  In addition Alan Folwell reported that the Royal Oak at East Bridgford will be our preferred venue with a review at the end of November The Christmas Dinner on Thursday 17^th December will be held at The Anchor at Gunthorpe.  Chris Netherwood is assembling a team to look at External Communications, Marketing and Publicity  Committee Chairs are asked to provide items for publicity in their reports for Council and Business Meetings. Gordon Marsh is assembling a team to look at Membership initially focusing on Corporate Membership. Gail Parkinson is assembling a team to look at Fundraising..  Alan also said that the sales of tickets for the Maestros Concert so far is down on last year.   

9.  A.O.B.  -  a) New Banners – Doug Downing requested that new banners be made as soon as possible as the ones we have are very old and outdated

                     b) Rotary View  -  It was suggested that a demonstration of how to get on the Rotary View site on line should be done at a future meeting

                     c) Assistant Treasurer  -  Steve Carson requested that he would like the club to have an Assistant Treasurer to learn from him and help with the club finance.  It was agreed that new club member Chris Glenn will take on that role and shadow Steve for 12 to 18 months           

                     d) Volunteers – Club members are reminded that volunteers are required for the                   position of President Elect and President Nominee ideally by the Special General Meeting on 26^th November

10.  Date of the next meeting  -  Thursday 26^th November 2026   

The meeting closed at 8:40pm