Evening Social Meeting - Handover & Club Assembly

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Evening Handover Meeting 6.30pm for 7.00pm Thursday 30^th May 2022 @ the Golf Club

Present:               Andrew B, Andrew M, David K, Dave C, David M, Elaine, Godfrey, Jean, Kathryn, Lesley, Maureen, Margaret, Nick, Pat, Paul, Reggie, Sue, Trevor, Pete.

Apologies:           Chris, Hilary, Iain, Jackie, Pippa, Robert, Spyros, Marian, Myfanwy.

Visitors:                Chris Dallen, AG

Guests:                Pat Brearly

                                Neil Robertson

                                Mary Robinson

                                Sharon Brown

                                Kevin Fielding

Welcome:           Lesley welcomed everyone, including our visitor and guests.

Grace:                   Paul said Grace.

DINNER

Objects:               Lesley introduced Godfrey who read out the Objects of Rotary.

Outgoing President’s Final Report:           Lesley said she has already given a final report at the AGM recently, so she had only a few final remarks to make.  It has been a funny old year, with the end of lockdown and having to continue meetings on Zoom etc.  However, there have been some solid achievements; The club’s donations to charity this past year amount to approximately £25,000.  Lesley said a thank you to David M for keeping the books, also to Pat for arranging social activities, and David K for arranging speakers.  Lesley also said a thank you to Jackie who is stepping down as Almoner after 7 years.  Lesley wished success to Margaret for the coming year, when youth activities will hopefully be able to get back on track.  Finally, she wished every success to the joint incoming presidents, Nick and Pat.

Exchange of Regalia:       Nick and Lesley exchanged the President’s regalia, and Nick presented Lesley with her badges as Past President.

Incoming President’s Goals:        Nick presented bouquets to Lesley, and to Pat.  Nick also presented bouquets to Mary Robinson, David K for Jill, and to Sue (whose presidency ended during lockdown).

                                Nick said that he and Pat will share the President’s duties; he will chair board meetings, and Pat will chair the breakfast meetings.  Their goal for the year will be to maintain a steady course, repeating the regular events which have proved successful in the past, and also trying out some new ideas.

                                Nick added that the Master-at-Arms collection last year raised approximately £540.  David M added that the raffle raised approximately £700.

Committee Chairs:

                                Community / Kathy:  Kathy plans to visit Crossroads and Red Zebra as soon as possible to see how we can work together.  She will also have a meeting with the Whit & Tank hospital (which Maureen visits every day).  Kathy will continue her work with Inter Act.

                                Social / Pat:  Pat said there area couple of events in the pipeline, a trip to see Guys & Dolls, and an evening visit to Wildwood.

                                Membership / Pete:  Pete has continued to advertise locally.  The is a plan to revive the tradition of Guests Breakfasts.  There is one potential new member – Chris from Cozy Cat.

                                Youth / Margaret:  Sue has two contacts for Margaret at the Whitstable School.  Margaret is hoping to rekindle interest in the Youth Competitions, including Cookery & Photography.

                                International / Andrew B:  TWAM will go ahead in April / May next year.  There has been a new enquiry about support from Bhutan; Andrew ill bring this to the next Board meeting.  There have already been 4 schools signed up for Walk4Water next year.  The club will continue to support Shelter Box.

Any Other Business:        Andrew B said our Global Scholar Lauren will visit on 21^st July to say good bye before going back to USA.  Andrew said we will need the club banners for a photo opportunity on that occasion.

                                The grant aid for Ismail University in Ukraine is nearly sorted; the final decision will be next week.

                                Kevin brought greetings for Whitstable Rotary.  He said that Dover Rotary have come up with an idea to encourage membership.  Potential members who are not yet sure of their commitment can pay a reduced membership fee of £70 to join the Rotary Fellowship.  This gives them a way of dipping a toe in the water.  Finally, Kevin reminded members present about the Concert for Ukraine on 5^th July at the Crescent Turner.  There are still some tickets at £10 from Copperfields in Whitstable.

Address by The AG:         Mike said he always enjoys coming to Chestfield because the meetings are fun.  He complimented Lesley, Andrew B, David M and David K for their efforts to secure funds for the Ismail university (above).  His advice for Nick & Pat was to make the next year adventurous and interesting.

Red Letter Raffle:             This is a special raffle held once a year in memory of a founding member, Daphne.  It was won this year by Spyros.

Master-at-Arms:              Nick plans to continue as M-a-A, but tonight, Trevor was in the chair.  According to Trevor, tomorrow is International Tell-a-Joke Day, and also International Asteroid Day.

Final Toast:         Was given by Lesley.

Date of Next Meetings:

Board Meeting 7.00pm Tuesday 5^th July @ Andrew’s house.

Breakfast Meeting 07.30am for 8.00am Thursday 7^th July @ the Golf Club