General Meeting - Live

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.45 for 08.00am Thursday 21^st July 2022 @ the Plough

Present:               Marian, Andrew B, Hilary, Godfrey, Dave C, Margaret, David M, Andrew & Jean M, Lesley, Nick, Maureen, Robert, Elaine, Kathryn, Pippa, Spyros, Pat, Chris.

Zoom:                   Not working / Not Available (sorry, Pete)

Apologies:           David B, Paul, David K, Myfanwy, Iain, Pete, Trevor, Reggie, Sue.

Guest:                  Loren Schmidt, Global Scholar

BREAKFAST

Business:             Pat welcomed Loren; Andrew B explained to members that Loren is an International Scholar sponsored by the Pentagon Capital Crystal Rotary Club.  Pat present Loren with a banner from this club for her sponsoring club.  Loren in turn presented us with banners from her sponsors.  (Andrew B added that he hoped that in the future the International Scholar scheme would make more effort to identify deserving students from less well off backgrounds.)

                                Pat referred to last Thursday when several members attended a performance of Guys & Dolls at the Kings Hall.  It was apparently a very good evening.  Pat noted that the Kings Hall is improving as a venue.

                                Pat confirmed that the Tea by the Sea at Dave C’s beach hut will be from 2.00pm on Wednesday 14^th September (beach hut no. 154).

                                Anyone wishing to attend the evening visit to Wildwood needs to get his/her skates on – there are only 3 places left.

                                Re Race Night.  There are still tickets to be sold.  Dave C confirmed that he has sent the poster to the secretaries of local clubs.

                                Car Parking is on Saturday coming ie 23^rd July.

                                Nick and Davis M confirmed that the Golf Day is trundling along.  There are 6 or 7 teams due to compete.

                                Gardening at the Whit & Tank will be on Saturday 6^th August.  There will be a sheet in the folder for next time.

Treasurer:           David M said that there are still a couple of members who need to pay their annual subscription; he has emailed them.  He has chased up District regarding the grant for the Ismail University in Ukraine. 

Almoner:             Pippa is organising a list of members who would be willing to pick up and give a lift to those members who may not be able to drive – so that no-one unnecessarily misses a meeting.  Anyone who wants to be on the list, please inform Pippa.  Pippa has heard from David B, he will try to attend a meeting soon.  David K is apparently now testing negative for Covid, but Jill is still positive and suffering badly.

AoB:                      Kathy said she has received an Email from Rising Sun asking for further financial aid.  However we don’t know how they have spent the previous grant we gave them towards a new shed.  They were talking about renovating an old shed (which would be outside the terms of our grant).  Kathy’s problem is that her previous contact has now left.  She has a new contact, Emma.  She will talk to her.  Note: we have to report back to District in September about these grants.  Regarding this topic, Dave C and Nick have both been in touch with the Over-60’s club about their grant towards a dishwasher; they now have the name of a fitter who can do the work in their kitchen.  Dave C will remind them that we need to see an invoice.

                                Nick said that we have more crocus pins that we previously thought, so instead of waiting until the Polio Day we may begin to sell them at the car parking from this Saturday.

                                Next week we will be joined by a potential new member, a Jerry Lennon.  Best behaviour everyone.

                                Andrew B spoke about a request from District that we take part in raising money for accommodation units in Ukraine.  There is a deadline for this of only 3 weeks.  We don’t have sufficient money in the charity account, nor is 3 weeks enough time to set up a new fund raising event.  We have already provided money towards emergency accommodation through Shelter Box.  Andrew M said that these units however are much more robust and weather-proof than Shelter Box tents.  Lesley said we should tell District we are unable to comply; we are unlikely to be the only club in this position.

                                Pat said that next week Emma and Sue from Open Your Hearts to Bhutan will join us for breakfast.  Andrew B said he will hand them the remaining box of dictionaries.  Emma is then due to complete a six week retreat at home.

                                Pat said that last week’s intended speaker got the date wrong; he thought he was due on Friday.  He (James Kirby) will come to us instead on Thursday 4^th August.

No Raffle today

Master-at-Arms:              Nick told us the today is Belgian National Day, and also Watercolour month.  It is also the anniversary of the day Armstrong walked on the moon.

Final Toast:         Given by Margaret.

Next Meeting:

07.45 for 08.00am Thursday 28^th July 2022 @ the Golf Club (unless notified otherwise)