General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting online Thursday 3^rd December 2020.

Present:               Jean & Andrew M; Pat,; Dave C; Kathy; Godfrey; Andrew B; Hilary; Ron; Robert; Paul; Pete.

Apologies:           Lesley; Margaret; David B; Sue

General:              Kathy said that it’s the 17-21 years age group who are said to be pushing up the Covid infection rates in nearby Swale.  She added that last Tuesday she had been geared up to present badges etc to the Interact members at her school, but only a handful turned up.  Others weren’t able to attend because they were self-isolating.

Hilary spoke about Community Emergency Response.  This was set up as a national network to allow members of the community to help others during national emergencies.  An example of when this came into play was in the West Country a couple of years ago during the flooding there.  Hilary thinks this would be an ideal way for Rotary members to offer service to their local communities.  Hilary will be our local liaison.  One job we might do would be to manage car parking during the forthcoming mass inoculation against Covid; we have the experience.  Or we could help with shepherding people to inoculation centres.  While we are doing this we would be covered for insurance, DBS etc.  Hilary would like to use our club directory to contact members if we are asked to carry out a task.  Would anyone object to Hilary doing this?  All members:  Please contact Kathy or Dave C if you object to Hilary contacting you via the Club Directory in the case of the club being tasked to carry out a task.  Or you can contact Hilary direct on: hilaryjbrian22@gmail.com.  There is no obligation to respond if you are asked.  Jean said she had seen volunteer car parkers being used at the testing centre she visited.  NB: there is the December Rotary SE briefing on the website which gives more details about the above.

Robert spoke about the Christmas food collection this coming Sunday.  At present there will be Santa plus 7 elves (not dwarfs).  Paul reminded the elves present that they must wear face masks; this was one of the stipulations made by the police.  Food will stay in the cars overnight and be collected on Monday morning.  Hilary will collect any bedding donated.  Everyone needs to be there by 15.50 for a 16.00 start.  We are allowed to park on the grass space next to the road (a lot of which is double yellow lines).

Godfrey mentioned the two car parking dates in December: Tuesday 22^ndand Tuesday 29^th.  Both of these are expected to go ahead.  It’s expected we will be busy; half of the Gorrell Tank car park is closed at present.  People present volunteered to do car parking at various times; Godfrey will text or email individuals to confirm times.

Any Other Business:        Jackie has asked if we could make a donation to Mercy Ships.  David M’s recent email was mentioned; Rotary has donated £1.2 million recently towards surgical equipment.  Perhaps we can come back to this after Christmas?  Paul was asked to remind members about this issue then.

Does anyone know how Gordon is at present?  Godfrey or Andrew will find out.

Paul asked if Pat has to pay for Zoom?  Yes, £15 pcm.  Paul suggested that Pat should contact David M to be reimbursed for this.  Robert said that you can get a discount of Zoom membership if you apply through the Rotary website.

Re: an online Quiz Night.  Robert will check out a date in the New Year.  Possibly Saturday 17^th January.

Andrew B mentioned Brian Dunne’s email re ordering Rotary Christmas cards, face masks etc.  David M has already taken orders from our club.

Next meeting:  

                                                Thursday 17^th December @ 8.00pm

There will be no Board Meeting in December.