General Meeting - Live

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 08.00am Thursday 14th April 2022 @ the golf club

Apologies:       Chris, David K, Iain, Jackie, Kathy, Maureen, Myfanwy, Marian, Pippa, Sue, Trevor.

Present:           Dave C, Lesley, David M, Pat, Andrew B, Margaret, Robert, Godfrey, Andrew M, Elaine, Hilary, Nick, Paul, Reggie, Spyros.

Zoom:              Pete, David B, Jean M.

Guest:             Ted Rooney from Whitstable.

Grace:             Said by Paul.

BREAKFAST

Business:         On Tuesday, the board discussed a suggestion from Hilary to make a donation to the International Rotary Fellowship of Healthcare Professionals towards medical equipment for Ukraine.  Andrew B summarised the discussion and advised members that the board has proposed a donation to purchase 50 tourniquets at £6 each ie £300 in total.  This was proposed by Robert and seconded by Margaret; the members present then voted in favour.

                        Lesley asked all members to note that the breakfast meeting on 2nd June has been cancelled, because it is part of the 4-day Jubilee bank holiday.  Car parking on that day is also cancelled.

                        Re the Barn Dance, only 22 tickets have been sold so far, and there is not a lot of time left to sell more.  We would have need to sell about 60 for it to be viable.  Therefore it is decided to cancel the event.  Hilary has suggested that those who have set aside the evening might like to book a meal as a group instead?

                        Re the President role 2022/23.  Godfrey has had to step back from taking over after Lesley.  Lesley asked if anyone present wanted to take the job on?  Dave C emailed about this yesterday and has had no replies.  Nick and Pat said that they are prepared to do the role jointly (like a tag wrestling team?) if the club finds this acceptable.  Nick’s name would appear in the directory just so that emails and notifications from district would have somewhere to go.  Pat would probably take a lead in chairing breakfast meetings.  Members present thanked Pat and Nick for volunteering.  This will have to be voted on at the AGM.  It is Pat and Nick’s intention to support Godfrey’s choice of charity - Crossroads.

Any Other Business:   Nick suggested we need a small working group to consider what the club should do in 2024 to mark the anniversary of its founding.  Hilary volunteered to lead this.

                        David M informed members that the board is considering having a Race Night on 20th August.  To keep costs to individuals down,this would be on the same basis as Quiz Night ie bring your own food and drink.  Godfrey has spoken to Trevor who has the disks, race sheets and other kit.  Again, as with Quiz Night, we would need about 60 attendees to make it viable.  Also, punters would need to be prepared to sponsor races, buy horses etc.  David B is also experienced at running these events, and has all the kit.  Spyros will put a sheet in the events folder.

                        Lesley asked if we want to obtain a supply of crocus corms to sell at meetings, car parking etc.  Minimum order is 1,000 and we have struggled to sell them previously.  The meeting decided against.

                        David M spoke about regalia for the past President.  When Sue stepped down during the pandemic, the regalia couldn’t be found (rumour has it that they are buried under Dave C’s beach hut).  Members present voted in favour of buying regalia for Sue so she doesn’t loose out.

                        Lesley reminded members that next week will be a Business meeting.  The ADG is expected to visit.

Greetings from Other Clubs:  Ted brought greetings from Whitstable.  Members who were at the parking on Tuesday passed on greetings from Sittingbourne, Wadhurst and Hemel Hempstead.

Raffle:             Was won by Hilary.

Master-at-Arms:          Today is Maundy Thursday.  Nick presented 10 facts you never knew about Easter, including that the custom of painting eggs originated in Ukraine, the first chocolate eggs were made by Fry’s in the late 18th century, and Easter is named after the pagan goddess Eostre.

Final Toast:     By Lesley.

Next Meeting:

08.00am Thursday 21st April @ the golf club