General Meeting - Live

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.45am for 08.00am Thursday 15th December 2022

Present:               Andrew B, Andrew M, Dave C, David M, Elaine, Godfrey, Lesley, Maureen, Gerri, Robert, Paul, Pippa, Spyros, Paul, Nick, Pat, Reggie.

Apologies:           Chris, David K, Hilary, Iain, Jean M, Myfanwy, Kathryn, Marian, Margaret, Sue, David B, Trevor, Pete.

Grace:                   By Paul

BREAKFAST

Business:            

Social:                   Pat mentioned the Christmas meal last week at the Crescent Turner.  She asked for feedback from members present about the food.  Andrew B sais it was variable.  The sprouts were still hard.  Godfrey said they had pushed us through very quickly so the evening ended quite early.  Dave C said he was unable to attend because he had another Christmas meal on the same night, at the Curious Cat where the food was very good.

                                The Christmas collection went well.  Liam from the food bank was very pleased with the food collected.  Pat read out the Christmas card containing his best wishes.  As well as supporting the food bank, we delivered four hampers to Red Zebra.  David M said we had two (only two) calls from households who we missed.  The clothing has been delivered to Catching Lives in Canterbury.  Pat confirmed that Sharon from Red Zebra will join us for breakfast early in the New Year.  She works closely with Mel from the Plough, so we will invite the latter on the same date.

                                There was some feedback from members who took part about how tiring it was, pounding the pavements for three hours.  One suggestion might be to have two teams, each taking half the evening; team B would take over from the time when we usually stop for a break at Robert's.  Godfrey said we need to notify some houses that we can't go down the smaller closes because we can't turn the float round.  David M said the music was loud enough for everyone in the neighbourhood to hear us coming.

Fund Raising:     Godfrey confirmed that there are no more car parking dates this year.  We did think there might be one in December, but the date was grabbed by someone else.

International:    Lesley asked about a hospital project in Uganda.  A hotel building in Kampala has been repurposed as a hospital but £50,000 is need for equipment.  Neil apparently worked in Kampala as a volunteer doctor for a while.  David M said we only have £700 in the charity account, but we could do £250 and still have some money left for other causes. 

                                A propos donations, Pat outlined the story of a young girl who lives locally who has had a cochlear transplant and now needs new prosthetic ears, at a cost of some thousands of pounds.

                                After some debate, Andrew B proposed that we donate £150 to each of the above causes.  This was carried by a majority vote.

                                Andrew B welcomed Gerri back from abroad.  Gerri described a fund raising cycle ride called "Wine to Wales." 

Comm Voc:         David M said that he has received confirmation that the new shed has finally been erected by Rising Sun.  So that saga is finally over.

Greetings from other Clubs:        Greetings were presented from Somerset West Sunrise club.

Raffle:                   No raffle as such this week, but Pat had brought a scratch card challenge, which was won by Gerri.

Almoner:             Pippa said she has spoken to Marian who hopes to rejoin meetings in the New Year.

Any Other Business:        David M has Chestfield parish calendars for sale at £3 each.

Master-at-Arms:              Nick told us that last Thursday was Christmas jumper day.  December is Christmas tie month.  Today in 1939 was the premiere of Gone with the Wind (the box office sales relied on the kindness of strangers, Dave C)

Next Meeting:                   This will be  final breakfast meeting of the year.  Pat instructed everyone to wear Christmas jumpers etc.

07.45am for 08.00am Thursday 22nd December 2022.