General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30 for 08.00am Thursday 11th April 2024 @ The Plough

Present:               Margaret, Sue, Robert, Dave C, Reggie, Ian, Pete, Elaine, Spyros, Pippa, Lesley, Paul, Maureen, Andrew M, Jean, Pat, Fiona, Nick, Godfrey, Andrew B.

Guest:                  Ronan

Apologies:           Chris, David K, David M, Hilary, Kathryn, Myfanwy, Marian, Trevor, David B.

Welcomes:         Pat welcomed everyone to the meeting.  There were no birthdays this week.

Grace:                   Said by Paul.

BREAKFAST

Business:

Fund Raising:  Pat said a thank you to all the volunteers who turned up to help with clearing the business unit.  Especial thanks to Nick for arranging a free skip.  Also to David M for the second skip.  Thanks to Hilary fro providing the coffees.  Pat added she will confirm how much this has raised, when we get paid.

                The Spring Quiz Night is this coming Saturday 13th April.  Sue went through the raffle prizes she is holding, which include vouchers from some local businesses.  Sue said that any members who have spare bottles of spirits or bubbly lying around could bring them along.  Some volunteers will be needed on the night to arrive in good time to tear the raffle strips into separate tickets.  Also, could volunteers arrive by 6.00pm to help set out the tables, please?  Note: bring plenty of cash, as we won't have the card reader available. 

Social:  Regarding the 20th Anniversary celebration on6th May, Sue confirmed that she has received the menu from the Crescent Turner.  It's rather an afternoon tea menu with scones and jam the only sweet being offered.  Members felt a scone would be a bit heavy so could there be a lighter alternative?  Suggestion that Hilary might be able to ask them for a selections of petits fours instead. 

                Godfrey said he has shown the menu to his daughter who said that £38 pp was comparable with prices elsewhere.

                Lesley felt it was a bit sad that more of our members weren't coming.  33 members are due to attend.

                Pat asked if members could let Sue know of any dietary needs or allergies asap.

International:  Andrew B said that requests for help are the same ones from around the world that we all know about.  He is not making any new proposals for donations; he is mindful of the commitment to match fund the various application for district grants , if the latter are successful.

Comm / Voc:  Maureen said more volunteers are needed on 27th April for gardening at the Whit & Tank.  There shouldn't be nay heavy tasks this time, just weeding and tidying up.

Youth:  Pat said that Margaret hasn't had any response from Claudine's father about the next round of the Young Chef competition.  There was some discussion about the article in the District magazine about a contestant in the competition who went on as an adult to win TV's Master Chef Professional competition.

Membership:  There is an article in the magazine also about a new recruitment initiative.

Upcoming events:  Pat reminded members that next Thursday is an evening meeting with a speaker.  Pat clarified that the speaker is Bernadette Morgan, great grand daughter of Cecilia Chatterjee  the first qualified female lawyer in India.  We will be joined by guests from other local clubs.

Any Other Business:  Pat wished Robert good luck for this Saturday; he is completing a static bike ride for charity.  There is a sheet in the events folder for members who wish to sponsor him.

                If members have any old prescription glasses, please give them to Spyros; the Lions are collecting them.

                Pippa completed her first shift as a telephone controller for Blood Runners, but there was a problem with the phones.  They always need more volunteers to man phones, and also as drivers.

Greetings from Other Clubs:        Fiona was helping with a marathon wearing a Hi-Vis vest with the rotary logo on it.  This attracted the attention of a member from Tunbridge Wells.

                Ronan will find out how much is being donated to the rotary charity in South Africa.

Raffle:                   Won by Spyros

Master-at-Arms:              According to Nick, today is Jeremy Clarkson's 64th birthday.  On this day in 1958, Leika became the first dog in space.  Tomorrow is World Hamster Day.

Final Toast:         Given by Sue.

Next Meeting:

6.30pm for 7.00pm Thursday 18th April 2024 @ The Plough