Cyber Security postponed - President Gerry?

21st November 2024 Cyber Security- Professor John Walker President Gerry?

Our speaker had to apologise, so President Gerry stepped up to the mark with his version of “When Irish Eyes are smiling” or replacing ‘smiling’ with ‘twinkling’, which apparently means he has his ‘devious head’ on! So, based on the Survey, to which 29 members responded, discussion took place at the Council meeting which proposed the presentation that would be used at next week’s SGM., So, Gerry felt this was an opportunity to remind members and give them the opportunity to comment/question or simply have a week to consider matters.

The first of the ‘graded’ charts were those items that generally the majority felt should continue, examples such as: Ashmores venue, memory café, Schools Art competition, D4L presentations to schools and social events. The 2^nd chart identified more discussion needed on: funding of £16k raised, Foundation, Cashless society and the Fairshare run.  The 3^rd chart identifies some sensitive subjects: Club Charter night, Community Forum and District meetings/conference, social media, seating at Ashmores; after 35 years of successful activity, the Council recommended we have a charter night celebration in 2025, probably at the Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club. Much discussion followed on Social media, whether Facebook is the right method, with the possibility of outside help or village newspapers. It’s the same old problem though, providing suitable material to Denis or Allen and should the Council look inwards here, as the best source of interesting material/actions should come from the Committee Chairs! Finally, the major problem that impacts the future of the Club “Concern over willingness of people to commit to posts of responsibility” The alternatives are to do nothing or accept that our Club will slowly ‘fade away’, but take positive action to set up a new club, based on local opportunities of ‘groups’ within our 4 major conurbations of Bingham, Bottesford, Cotgrave and Radcliffe. Eg The Roman Quarter with a strong Hong Kong presence, sports clubs (Doncaster RC had achieved with their Rugby Club) The Council recommendation was to set up a small steering group.

Generally, the presentation certainly provoked meaningful discussion and was well received and despite the President having to thank himself, congratulations and a warm round of applause followed in appreciation of the work that had been invested in this subject of the Club’s future.                     AR