General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Club Meeting Online Thursday 4th February 2021

Present:           Pat, Sue, Ron, Lesley, Paul, Andrew & Jean M, Kathy, Margaret, Pete, Andrew B,                                    David B, David K, Hilary, Dave C, Robert.

Apologies:       None

Discussion:      Paul raised the matter of the Easter Parade.  He has been to the police and had a cordial discussion with them for 45 minutes.  They aren’t actually saying ‘No’ but they do have a number of reservations:

-    would members taking part be able to maintain social distancing?

-    Would those taking part be travelling outside the 5-mile limit?

-    What about virus transmission from handling the eggs?

Discussion about when restrictions might be lifted in view of falling levels of transmission.  The earliest the Government might review restrictions will be mid-February.  Lesley pointed out that few people will have had the second jab by then, so won’t be fully covered by the vaccination.  Ron said that he is aware that Canterbury is still full of shoppers and big stores haven’t cordoned off non-essential areas (which seems unfair to small traders).  We will need a month’s lead-in time if we are to go ahead so we would have to make a decision by the date of our next-but-one meeting ie 4th March.  If necessary we could always shift the event to Whitsun.

                        Last time we had a discussion about who would benefit from the parade?  Hilary proposed that we make a firm decision about whether the Umbrella Centre will be the beneficiary.  This was put to a vote and agreed by those present. IF any members not present today have a dissenting view, could they email this to Dave C, please?  (dave.coupland@yahoo.co.uk)

Any Other Business:   Sue has spoken to the band about the Barn Dance.  They are happy to retain our booking fee.  Sue has asked them to confirm a date for next year.  The suggested date by the person Sue spoke to is 21st May 2022.  However, other band members have other commitments (Morris Dancing) so they will get back to us and confirm.  Once they have done so, Sue will confirm the date with the All Saints hall.

                        Ron said that he felt it is still vital to keep in touch with members who don’t attend zoom meetings.  We know that Jacky has contacted a number of people.

                        Godfrey said that there has been a magnificent response to the cake baking for the NHS.  He has taken cakes to various local venues including Margate hospital and the vaccination centre at the Queen Victoria hospital in Herne Bay.  The WI are very much on board with this.  There are pictures of some of the cakes on our website.  It was suggested we might publicise this initiative (and our club’s part in it) more widely; Margate apparently were in the local news for donating a £1000’s worth of food to the local food bank.

                        Andrew and Jean said they have spoken to Maureen yesterday.  She is fine, but doesn’t want to zoom still.

                        Margaret said she is going for her first jab tonight.  Members who have already had it commented on how quick the process was at the Queen Vic.

                        Peter said he attended a zoom presentation by Rotary GB about membership.  However it proved to be mostly a presentation from someone in Australia about setting up satellite clubs.  Nothing about retaining or encouraging existing members or clubs.  Pete felt that by concentrating only on satellite clubs the presentation rather missed the point of what people wanted from it.  Also, the presenting style of some of Rotary speakers is felt to be rather pedestrian and lacking in dynamism.  The language used (monthly club meetings, mother clubs etc) may sound old-fashioned to the ears of younger would-be members.

                        Lesley wanted to confirm that Margaret’s membership is now done and dusted.  Dave C confirmed that he had no adverse comments in response to the minutes of the last meeting (previously circulated).  There is an induction process, which we need to complete.  Paul said that we will do this at our next meeting.

                        Pat mentioned a website which allows you to go on virtual trips to sites around the world.  There is a guide who takes you round, and you can ask questions of the latter.  You can say ‘Hi’ to friends who join the tour.  Pat said they are very good; she got up at 1.00am to follow a tour through Tokyo.  The tours last about 45 minutes.  The only cost is to put a tip in the guide’s inbox.  Sue has also done a number of these.  The address is: www.virtualtrips.io

                        Robert said that bookings for the Quiz Night on 6th March are going well.  Members are urged to book a place soon, using the link previously circulated.

Next Meeting(s):

Club Meeting - 7.30pm Thursday 18th February

Club Meeting - 8.00am Thursday 4th March

Board Meeting - 7.30pm Wednesday 17th February