Club evening meeting 6.30 for 7.00 p.m.

President Janet began by thanking Past President Geoff for an excellent job over the past year whilst still working full time and supporting fund-raising for his chosen charity. Janet saw her primary target as continuing and expanding on past excellent achievements. Retaining members was very important so that we could still support fundraising events for charities we support . We must be forward thinking as we have a great reputation to maintain. Sadly we have lost some members this year and give thanks for their dedicated contributions over the years whilst welcoming new member Mark.

My commitment as ever is raising our profile in the community and broadening our appeal to younger people by showcasing what we do  and not being shy in publicising  our achievements. I want to thank the leaders of what were previously our committees for continuing in their roles for the coming year. 

This year I want to help Membership Lead John Kitching in looking at how we can attract Corporate Members as they could provide us with massive resource options. We shall meet to discuss this in the next few weeks.

I also want to arrange some days out so if there is anywhere you would like to visit then please tell me.

I have three charities I would like to support:Millie Wright's Charity on Ward L50 at Leeds Children's Hospital. The aim here is to make life easier for families of children with rare and life threatening non malignant conditions. Janet will be visiting the ward to learn more. Her second Charity will continue with support for the Rob Burrow Motor Neurone Disease Centre for which the first turf has already been cut. Finally she will be supporting Breast Cancer as a survivor herself.

The evening's surprise was the presentation of a Certificate and letter from the Rotary international President for 50 Year's Service to the ever present Brian Waite

Before handing over the Chain of Office Geoff reminisced about his year. He was sad that Barry Bootland could not be present as it was Barry who encouraged him to take on the role. On joining Rotary he spent time with Patrick Glenn in meetings putting the world to rights and his was a major loss to the Club. There were many highlights within his year beginning with a very successful Charter Night dancing to a live band. He felt it was a particular honour to represent the Club at two Remembrance Day events first laying the Club's wreath at Rawdon Cenotaph and then fronting the Annual Brass Band Concert at Yeadon Town Hall. His father had come safely through World War 2 as a bomber pilot. Then followed a stream of memorable events: Christmas collections for the Leeds Children's Hospital which brought Mark Whitehead into the Club, winning the January Quiz, the sell-out Easter Egg Hunt, still making waves in South Africa at Mnyakanya High School's brilliant Mary's Room and finally the 6th Aireborough Beer Festival beating the previous year's result by £1500. He was also delighted to present Paul Harris Fellow Awards to Sally Mohan and John Kitching (I thought you were a mate).

His charity for the year was the Mara Safe House in Tanzania keeping girls safe from FGM by providing food , shelter, education and family reconciliation. We were also to have the Rotary logo above the plimsoll line on a transatlantic 3000 mile trip from the Canaries to Antigua. 

It was indeed a year to remember.