Assembly & Handover Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

18.30 for 19.00 Handover Evening Meeting Thursday 27th June 2024 @ The Plough

Present:               Andrew B, Andrew M, David K, Dave C, Elaine, Godfrey, Ian, Jean, Kathryn, Maureen, Margaret, Nick, Pat, Paul, Pippa, Robert, Spyros, Sue, Trevor.

Apologies:           Chris, David M, Fiona, Gerry, Hilary, Lesley, Marian, Pete, Reggie, David B.

Guests:                Sharon Brown

                                Mary Robinson

                                Kevin Fielding, ADG

                                Ted Rooney

                                Robert McFarlane

                                From Red Zebra: Tania & Gabi

                                From Canterbury Food Bank: Graham Bough

Welcomes:         Pat welcomed everyone (for the last time as President).  We have one birthday this week - Pat on Saturday.

Grace:                   Paul

DINNER

Presentations:                  Pat made two presentations.  The first was a cheque to Red Zebra for £1,710 (which makes a total of £5350 to RZ this year).  Pat demonstrated that she still has the plaster cast of her hand which she made during RZ's arts & crafts event at the Horsebridge Centre a few months ago.  The second was to Canterbury Food Bank for £1,710 (which makes a total of £3642 this year).  We will help them again with the results from our Christmas collection.  Graham commented that in May of this year the Food Bank delivered 9,100 meals - so the need is still there.

The Red Letter Draw:      Pat reminded everyone that the club doesn't have a raffle at Handover meeting.  Instead, there is a draw for a £200 voucher for a Virgin Red Letter Day.  This year's winner was Godfrey.  Pat added that the raffle has made £764 this year for charity.

The Paul Harris Award:                  The Paul Harris Award, including a certificate and badge, was presented to Maureen Rooney in recognition for her work at the Whit & Tank hospital.  She started the gardening project there 15 years ago, and is there nearly every day.

Outgoing President's Report for the Year:              Pat gave a report recently at the AGM.  She told the club that this year, we have made donations to various causes totalling approximately £30,000 - which is not bad for a small club.  Nick's efforts as Master-at-Arms have made £578 so far this year (but the night is still young).

Treasurer's Report:         Pat read David M's report in his absence on holiday.  He thanked every member for keeping up the balance in their personal account for the breakfasts and meals.  We have just received the final district grant money of £278 for Open Your Hearts to Bhutan.

Handing Over the Regalia:            Pat made two final presentations, to Mel for her support during the year, and to Sue for taking over the role as President.  Pat then handed over the President's regalia to Sue.

Sue's Report as Incoming President:        Sue noted first that she has a new Vice President, which is Ian.  Sue presented him with the VP's regalia.  Sue thanked pat for her brilliant year as President; this was Pat's second time, but the first was curtailed by the Covid lock down.  Sue confirmed that her three chosen charities for her year will be:

·         Red Zebra

·         The Pilgrim's Hospice

·         East Kent Carers

                Sue thanked all the committee members who have chosen to carry on, so ensuring a continuity of support for the club.  Among the first events will be the recruitment drive at the Canterbury Show on 20th & 21st July.  We will continue some of our longstanding fund raising efforts, including the Golf Day in September and the Quiz Nights in November and April next year.  As part of fund raising, Sue intends to do another sponsored sky dive early next year.

                Sue handed over the floor to Andrew B who has a proposal that the club should support the efforts by a local surgeon who works with a clinic in West Africa.  The need is for an X-ray machine at a hospital in Gouassou.  The machine will cost a total of £48,000.  Right now, Andrew is proposing we make an initial donation of £500 (to be followed later in the year by an application for a district grant).  Sue seconded Andrew's proposal.  This was voted on and agreed unanimously by the members present.  Pippa spoke briefly about the work of the international teams who go out to Africa and do such vital work, including repairing cleft lips and damaged palates.

                Finally, Sue presented Pat with a bouquet of flowers.

Kevin Fielding, ADG:                       Kevin said that he enjoyed visiting clubs such a ours, 'though he noted that our style of Handover meeting was informal compared to some.  He congratulated the club on the feat of making a total donation of £30,000 (above).

                Kevin said that the Theme of Rotary world wide this year is 'The Magic of Rotary' and he explained how this came about.  Apparently, a Rotary project in the Dominican Republic was to provide clean water for a particular village.  A child seeing dirty water going into the filter at one end and coming out sparkling clean at the other exclaimed, "It's magic."

                Kevin mentioned the North Star recruitment project; he commended Joy Palmer's web presentation on the subject.  This is about working with the corporate world and will be important for the future of Rotary, but it needs all members to buy into it.  There will a chat spot meeting for district members coming soon.  Ray Seager underlined its importance to the future of Rotary when he said, "If not North Star - What else?"

                The District Handover meeting will be at Pembury on 6th July.  Kevin reminded everyone about the Canterbury Show (above) and the District Conference later this year.

                Kevin said that although we aim for friendship and good fellowship in rotary, there are times when disputes arise.  He distributed some pamphlets about resolving disputes between members.

Presentation to Mel:                       Sue presented a gift to Mel, in acknowledgement of the relaxed atmosphere we have enjoyed at our meetings in The Plough.

Greetings for Other Clubs:            Robert brought greetings from Garry, the new President of Canterbury Sunrise.

Any Other Business:        Andrew M said that it was a shame that we couldn't have our longest serving member with us, that is David Bowley.  He and Jean have visited David.  Pippa sent his regards for Reggie who can't be with us this evening.  She confirmed that he is doing better now.

Master-at-Arms:              First of all, Nick fined Andrew B who forgot it was an evening meeting and turned up this morning.  Next he told us that today is National Bingo Day (which was started by Mecca Bingo).  It's also International Pineapple Day.  On this day in 1967, the first ATM machine was opened by Barclays Bank.  Finally, today is Michael Ball's birthday.

Final Toast:         Given by Sue.

Next Meeting:  

07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 4th July 2024 @ The Plough