General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 2nd May 2024 @ The Plough

Present:               Chris, Dave C, David M, Elaine, Fiona, Godfrey, Ian, Kathryn, Lesley, Maureen, Margaret, Pat, Paul, Sue (no breakfast),

Apologies:           Andrew B, Andrew M, David K, Gerry, Hilary, Jean M, Myfanwy, Marian, Nick, Pete, Pippa, Reggie, Robert, Spyros, Trevor, David B

Guest:                  Pat welcomed Ronan, who is here instead of Gerry today.

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

Grace:                   By Paul

BREAKFAST

Business:

Comm / Voc:  Gardening went well at the week end.  Ten volunteers, plus Georgina and Ronan attended.  Maureen said that the staff do appreciate our efforts, and have all said so.

Fund Raising:  Car Parking at the week end was disappointing.  The weather was against us being cold and miserable.  In the end we only made £180 parking and £20 on the stall, making this one of our lowest totals ever.  The hold-ups in and out of Whitstable are still bad which didn't help.

                The next car parking will be on Saturday 16th June.  This will be our last under the current schedule.

                The next fund raising event after that will be the Golf Day on Friday 6th September.

International:  Pat reported that we have been given 2 out of 3 of our latest applications for district grants; these are for the clinic in South Africa, and for a school there.  So, we have achieved 4 district grants this year.  It's curious that more clubs don't apply for these grants, but our club is indebted to David M for his skill with the associated paperwork.

20th Anniversary Celebration:  This is going ahead on Monday.  Again, Pat reminded members that the dress code is smart casual.  Everyone to be there by 18.00pm.  Members looking forward to an evening of cake, fireworks and sparklers.

Upcoming Events:  Pat reminded all members that there will be no breakfast meeting next week, Thursday 9th May.  Committee heads should meet / phone each other instead, and be able to report back to the next Board Meeting on Tuesday 14th May.  Note: this will be Pat's last Board meeting as chair, before Sue takes over.  Sue said she wants to do some planning for next year, so can Chairs bring with them ideas for next year, please?

                There is a sheet in the events folder about the walk round the Stour, with a meal after at the Grove Ferry Inn on Wednesday 12th June.  Also, there is a sheet about the Race for Life on Sunday 30th June. 

Any Other Business:        David M mentioned the new Rotary logo for next year, "The Magic of Rotary".  The idea is to dispel clichés about who can be a member of Rotary.

                Chris asked if anyone responded to the request from Carers Support for assistance on Friday 14th June?  Chris will ask Robert to put a sheet in the events folder, which breaks up the day into 2-hour shifts?

Raffle:                   Won by Ian.

Master-at-Arms:              Godfrey was in the chair again.

Final Toast:         Given by Sue.

Date of Next Meeting:

Reminder:  No Breakfast Meeting next Thursday 9th May.

The Board Meeting will be from 19.00pm on Tuesday 14th May @ The Plough.  Any member can attend a Board meeting, not just officers and committee chairs.