Business Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Evening meeting online @ 8.00pm Thursday 17^th December 2020

Present:                               Dave C; Pat; Iain; Andrew & Jean M; Sue; Godfrey; Hilary; Kathy; Andrew B; David B; Pete; Paul; David K; Robert.

Apologies:           Ron B (IT not working); Margaret; Lesley (who has had her hip operation).

General:                              Last time Pat was asked if she is being paid for running her Zoom account on behalf of the club?  This has now been sorted.  Andrew B said that David M should owe the Master-at-Arms a 20p fine for not coughing up promptly enough.  It was also suggested that we fine Lesley for not attending this meeting from her hospital bed.

Last Monday the Forest of Blean club ran an online evening of entertainment.  Each attendee received a festive box containing nibbles, small games and puzzles etc.  The evening went very well apparently; perhaps this is something we could emulate?

Hilary has initiated an email conversation about whether we should build on the success of the recent Christmas collection by doing an Easter run.  There was an initial favourable reaction from a number of people.  However it was also pointed out by David M in one email that we would have to meet a number of conditions in order to run such an event safely.  It was also pointed out that doing an event such as this with the sled decorated for an Easter theme, at a time of year when it will be light at night, is quite different from doing one at Christmas time.  Another possibility would be to organise an Easter egg hunt on the playground area, making this more of a community event rather than a collection.  We can come back to this in the New Year, but there is a deadline of 20^th January if we want to advertise in the March community newsletter.  Note that Easter Sunday next year will be 4^th April.  Kathy and Paul will discuss what to do next; this might be something for the club’s Communities team to action.  NB:  anyone present tonight, or not present tonight who has any views or ideas about the Easter event proposal, please email Kathy or Hilary.

Members present asked if the secretary could re-circulate the club directory.  Dave said he will do this.  NB: can anyone whose contact details have changed please let Dave C know – dave.coupland@yahoo.co.uk.

Any Other Business:        Robert spoke about the online Quiz Night in January, which he has discussed with Canterbury Sunrise club.  This will be from 19.30pm Saturday 16^th January.  Cost will be £5.00 per screen.  Robert will invite Whitstable and Herne Bay clubs.

Kathy and Hilary said they will hold a meeting of the Community team online @ 19.30pm on 4^th January to discussed the proposed Easter event.  As above, if any club member has any ideas or views, please contact Kathy or Hilary.

Godfrey confirmed that we will be doing the car parking on Tuesday 22^nd.**  He said that another group has backed out of car parking this coming Sunday – do we want to take this on, at short notice?  Discussion round the table indicated that we would struggle to field enough volunteers – so forget this one.  Kathy added that she did car parking with another group last Sunday and they only raised £65 all day.

Andrew B confirmed that seven schools have signed up for Walk4Water on 26^th March next year.  Paperwork about this has been sent to District.

Sue said a thank you to Godfrey for the update about Gordon.  He has begun chemotherapy, and it’s not making him feel too bad at present, so he is quite upbeat.

Canterbury Sunrise’s recent virtual tour of Shakespeare’s London was very good apparently, and a good fundraiser for the club.  Robert said he will have a look around to see if we might do something similar.

Pete said that he reprised his role as Santa for a local school.  It went very well, and he was given some donations for Rotary by parents.

Next Meeting(s):                              Club meeting, Thursday 7^th January 2021 online @ 07.30am.

                                                Board meeting, Wednesday 20^th January 2021 online @ 19.30pm.

**While I have included references to the planned car parking for the sake of accuracy, this didn’t happen because of the tighter Covid rules imposed by government at the week end.  (D Co)

And Finally:

PS:  I was going to attach an audio file of me singing Christmas Carols, but Diane begged me not to.