General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 16th May 2024 @ The Plough

Present:               Chris, Dave C, David M, Elaine, Fiona, Godfrey, Ian, Kathryn, Lesley, Maureen, Nick, Pat, Paul, Pippa, Robert, Spyros.

Apologies:           Andrew B, Andrew M, Hilary, Jean, Gerry, Myfanwy, Margaret, Marian, Pete, Sue, Trevor, David B.

Guest:                  Kevin Fielding, ADG, Rotary Club of Whitstable

Welcomes:         Pat welcomed everyone to the meeting, including Kevin, our honoured guest.  Kevin said that he has never joined us for breakfast before, only evening meetings. 

                There is one birthday from last week (when we didn't have a meeting) namely David K.  Best wishes to David, who has had a card from Reggie.  Reggie is still is hospital, having had his operation on Monday.  Pippa reported that he can't be discharged yet because there is no one at home to help him with tasks which require bending eg taking a shower etc.

Grace:                   By Paul.

BREAKFAST

Business:

Social:  Pat said that she (and the board earlier this week) thought the meal went very well at the Crescent Turner last Monday week.  They did us proud.  Ian has already spoken to them about the possibility of having Christmas dinner there.  He will also speak to the Whitstable Golf club to get a comparison.

Comm / Voc:  David M spoke about two requests for donations we have received from district.  Both are for the Air Ambulance.  One is for each club in the district to donate £100 towards the cost of the helicopter.  The second is for £750 towards the cost of an emergency response ground vehicle.  David explained that the vehicle would have the Rotary logo prominently displayed on the side, so would be a good promotional example (especially for younger people who are of the generation which has never encountered polio).  The club voted separately on each proposal.  The £100 was seconded by Robert, and was agreed by members present.  The £750 was seconded by Paul and was also carried.  David M added that we have just under £2000 in the charity account at present.  Pippa spoke up to offer a personal additional donation of £100.

                Kathy spoke about the Race for Life in support of cancer charities on 30th June.  There is a page in the events folder for anyone interested in joining her to do the walk.  Kathy is offering to provide lunch afterwards - but let her know asap.

                Also, 14th June at Tesco, Carer's Support have asked if we can help to man a stall outside the store.  There is a page in the events folder.  Chris is organising this.

                Pat mentioned the recent art project for children organised by Red Zebra at the Horsebridge Centre.  She went along to help supervise, as did Sue and Spyros.  They made plaster casts of their hands.  We have been invited to a private showing of the art work produced by the children.  This will be from 1.00pm until 3.30pm on 23rd May, at the Centre.  Dave C said he saw a poster thanking Red Zebra and Chestfield Rotary when he was in Tesco yesterday.

International:  David M said that were secured two of our applications for district grants: to the African Oyster Trust and Red Zebra.  The one we missed out on was an application in respect of Open Your Hearts to Bhutan for £500 towards outfitting 4x children with everything they need to go to school.  The way it works is, district contribute £250 and we match fund with the other £250.  Andrew B has asked that the £250 we would have had to pay anyway could still be paid to OYHTB towards 2x children's' outfits.  Pat seconded this proposal, and it was passed by the club.

Membership:  Last year, August Bank Holiday Monday, we had a stall at the Chestfield Fair at the cricket club.  Not an overwhelming success, we were out on a limb and didn't see many people.  Pat is suggesting we give this a miss this year in favour of having a stall at Plough Fest (which is on the same day).  Last year Plough Fest was heaving with people, so we should attract much more interest.  Red Zebra are having a stall.  This was agreed by members present, so Pat will talk to Mel.

                The Canterbury Show is over the week end of 20th & 21st July.  Canterbury Sunrise rotary are organising a stall for this on behalf of the six clubs in the area (including ourselves).  There will be an environmental theme about recycling, but the main purpose of the stall will be recruitment.  CS will be looking for volunteers from the clubs to man shifts at the stall.  Sue has invited Steve Roots to attend a break fast meeting on 13th June to tell us more; he has confirmed he will be there.

Greeting from Other Clubs:          Kevin brought greetings from the Canterbury clubs.  He referred back to the Canterbury Show in July (above) as an example of how district wants to encourage closer co-operation between clubs locally.

Any Other Business:        Lesley confirmed that she has booked lunch for 8x people at the Grove Ferry Inn after the walk around the Stour marshes on 12th June.  If anyone else wants to go, can you let Lesley know asap.

                There are some plants for sale, including some nice dahlias, from Spyros.

Raffle:                   Won by David M.  Ian said we need more prizes for the raffle - getting low again.

Master-at-Arms:              Nick was back in the chair.  He informed us that today is Horse Rescue Day.  It is also Pierce Brosnan's birthday (71 years), and Customer Support Day.  Finally, it is Dementia Week.

Final Toast:         Given by Robert.

Next Meeting:

07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 23rd May 2024 @ the Plough

NB:  Members are reminded that the rule regarding attendance at breakfast is that if your are not attending on Thursday, you must let Robert have your apologies by Monday tea time - or you may be charged for breakfast.  (Robert has to tell The Plough on Tuesday how many are attending).