General Meeting

ALL MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF RAFFLE PRIZES.

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 23rd May 2024 @ The Plough

Present:               Andrew B, Andrew M, Chris, Dave C, David M, Elaine, Fiona, Gerry, Godfrey, Jean, Kathryn, Lesley, Maureen, Margaret, Nick, Pat, Paul, Pippa, Robert, Spyros, Sue.

Apologies:           David K, Hilary, Ian, Myfanwy, Marian, Reggie, Pete, Trevor, David B.

Guest:                  Ronan.

Welcomes:         Pat welcomed everyone to the meeting, including our guest Ronan.  Yesterday was Andrew B's birthday.

Grace:                   Paul

BREAKFAST

Business:            

Treasurer:  David M confirmed that the donations voted on last week have been made over to the recipients.  These include £750 towards the Air Ambulance appeal for an emergency vehicle, and £100 to the fund for Air Ambulance buying their helicopter. 

                David has also paid our part of the abortive district grant for school equipment for children in Bhutan, "£278 as agreed.  However, district has now indicated that we may get the grant after all.  In which case we will pay it over to OYHTB as well.  This will mean we have secured five district grants this year.  Why are other clubs not so active in applying for district grants?  Pat said it's because they don't have a David M.

                David has also bought new flagpoles for the feather flags for the club.  These will also need new bags to keep them in.

Upcoming Events:  There will be a food fair on Tankerton slopes this week end.  Pat and Sue said that there will an exhibition at the Horsebridge Centre of the art made by children during the workshops run recently by Red Zebra.  You can view these until 2nd June.

                Kathryn told the club about Kevin's adventures during the ambulance run to Ukraine.  Six ambulance went with drivers and co-drivers from various parts of the UK.  The journey out took them through France, Germany and Poland before reaching Lviv.  Kevin will fly back from Krakow.

                Kathy again offered to provide lunch for participants in the upcoming Race for Life.  Please let her know as soon as possible.

                Chris confirmed that Kent Carers still need one volunteer to man a stall outside Tesco from 1.00pm until 3.00pm on 14th June.  Let Chris know if you can do this.

Any Other Business:

                Kathy said she listened to a talk on Tuesday given by a forensic expert from the Metropolitan Police.  Should she asked him if he would come a talk to us at an evening meeting sometime?  Yes, go ahead.

                Andrew M said that he has undertaken two more collections this past week for TWAM.  So, members are reminded that TWAM goes on all year.  Next week he is due to visit an engineering works in Ashford.

                Pippa said that she has heard that Reggie is due to go home after ten days in hospital.  There still isn't a care package in place, so she's not sure how he will manage.  David B suggested an agency which provides care workers, but they were too busy.  He has since found another.  Pippa said it shows the value of Red Zebra as a sign posting agency.

                Pippa said she will be going to visit Marian.

                Jean said she has been in contact with David B.  He is finding it a struggle back home after being is respite care.

Raffle:                   Dave C won this week.  AND WE NEED MORE RAFFLE PRIZES!

Master-at-Arms:              According to Nick, today is World Turtle Day, also Chardonnay Day.  On this day in 1879, a patent for the accordion was approved.

Final Toast:         Proposed by Andrew B.

Next Meeting:

Annual General Meeting 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 30th May 2024 @ The Plough.