General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 2nd November @ The Plough

Present:               Dave C, Sue, Ian, David M, Pat, Margaret, Pippa, Jean, Andrew M, Spyros, Maureen, Godfrey, Nick, Chris, Robert, Andrew B, Reggie.

Apologies:           David K, Gerry, Hilary, Kathy, Lesley, Paul, Pete, Marian, Elaine.

Welcomes:         Pat was in the chair.  There were no birthdays this week.

Grace:                   by Margaret, in Paul's absence.

BREAKFAST

Business:            

Gardening:  Maureen said a lot was accomplished despite the poor weather.  The group planted some winter pansies - and then the squirrels came!

Social:  The Ales & Antiques evening went well.  Pat said there were a lot of antiques to look at.

Fundraising:  Members were reminded about the Quiz Night onSaturday 18th November.  87 tickets have been sold, but there is room for one more table.  David M said what we need is a selection of prizes for the raffle, preferably a few really good ones rather than a lot of small ones.  While he was on his feet, David mentioned that the delivery deadline for Christmas cards will be upon us very soon.

Upcoming Events:  Pat reminded members about the next Board meeting.  This will be from 7.00pm on Tuesday 14th November here in the back room @ The Plough.  Sue gave her apologies.  The next evening meeting will be on Thursday 23rd November when we will have an ex-miner from the Kent coalfields as a speaker.  On Thursday morning 30th November, our breakfast meeting will be a Special General Meeting.  Pat said that committee chairs should begin thinking who they want on their committee for the year 2024 / 5.

International:  Andrew B said he has emailed David K to see if there is any update about our contact in Ukraine.  There was a suggestion from the floor that we should make a donation towards birthing packs for women in Chad; they do a lot of good for only £4 per pack.  Pat said this will be on the agenda for the Board meeting on Tuesday week.

Youth Opportunities:  Margaret said she has 3x definite entries for the Young Chef competition.  Pat's Robert has agreed to be a judge.

Any Other Business:

                Jean asked if we are going to offer Christmas hampers this year?  Pat said Mel might know of any local families in need.  Otherwise we could ask Red Zebra for advice.  Robert said he will ask Rev Simon Tillotsen.

                David M said he has information about which branches of MacDonald's are participating in their Christmas food collection.  They will have bins for people to drop off food.  David has posters.

                Spyros confirmed that the mobility aids were due to be collected from his garage today, but this has been delayed by the bad weather.  They will be picked up next week.

                Pat said she has been collecting knitting needles for TWAM.

                The meeting welcomed back Reggie after his bout of ill health.

Greetings for other Clubs:            Dave C brought greetings from one of the regional managers at National Coastwatch, who is also a member of Rotary at Folkestone.

Raffle:                   was won by Pat.

Master-at-Arms:              Nick told us that today is International Stout Day.  On this day in 1793, Marie Antoinette was executed by the guillotine.  On 2nd November 1954 Hancock's Half Hour was first broadcast on radio.

Final Toast:                         Was given by Pat.

Date of next meeting:   

07.30am  for 08.00am Thursday 9th November @ the Plough