General Meeting

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 29th August 2024 @ The Plough

Present:               Chris, Dave C, David M, Elaine, Fiona, Gerry, Godfrey, Ian, Kathryn, Lesley, Maureen, Margaret, Pippa, Reggie, Robert, Spyros, Sue.

Apologies:           Andrew B, Andrew M, David K, Hilary, Jean, Marian, Pate, Trevor, David B.

Welcomes & Birthdays:                 Sue welcomed everyone to the meeting.  She reminded everyone that there will be no breakfast meeting next week.  Instead, members of the committees will be encouraged to meet so that the chairperson can report to the Board meeting the following Tuesday.  There are no birthdays this coming week, but next week (when we are not meeting, remember) it will be David M's.

Grace:                   Said by Paul

BREAKFAST

Business:

Membership:  Sue has had a long email from Louisa Constantin; the latter is very busy at present but still intends to join us.

                Robert has had a message on Face Book about someone who used to be a member at Amhurst, and is interested to know what we do.

Fund Raising:  Sue thanked everyone who helped with Plough Fest earlier this week on Bank Holiday Monday; Sue's hearing is only just coming back!  We made £45 on Splat the Rat, despite one urchin catching two rats and taking a fiver off us.  Mel has promised us a share of her profits on the day; she supports the same charities as we do.  One member commented that the open day at the Chestfield cricket club was heaving, whereas last year when we were there it was relatively quiet (at least where our tent was).

                The next event will be the Golf Day on Friday 6th September.  Godfrey has asked those who are not attending as players or helpers might like to donate a raffle prize.  Since we are not meeting beforehand, (see above) he would be happy to collect stuff.  David M led a brief discussion, ensuring that flagpoles and banners will be available.  The evening carvery meal will start at 6.30pm.  Lesley warned that a lot of staff have left the golf club, to be replaced by very new staff.

                Paul confirmed that the next Car Parking date will be on Sunday 22nd September.  There was a discussion about some of the other groups who do car parking at the school.  Members wondered if they are all bona fide charities.

                Pat said that. Following up on the success of the recent Craft Fair, she is working on having another at The Swalecliffe Free Church hall on Saturday 23rd November.  There will be nine exhibitors, plus mince pies and tea, coffee etc.  Cost will be £5 on the door.

                Pat also said that we have been invited by Sam, the community champion at Tesco, to do a bucket collection there on Monday 9th December.  This is the day after our Xmas Collection round Chestfield, so we can take the trailer with Santa's sledge if we want.  If Pete isn't available, Robert Mac will act as Santa.

                Robert confirmed that he will add extra sheets in the events folder to cover all of the above.

Social:  Re the Bat & Trap, a practice evening will be arranged, probably Tuesday 8th October.  To be confirmed.

Comm / Voc:  Kathryn wanted to confirm that non-members to help out with events are covered by our club insurance.  David M confirmed that this is so.

Speakers:  Chris reminded members about the next evening meeting on Thursday 26th September*, when Red Zebra will provide the speaker.

                Chris has arranged for Emma Slade from Open Your Hearts to Bhutan (OYHTB) to visit and talk to us at breakfast on Thursday 10th October.  The following week, Thursday 17th October is an evening meeting when Chris will give us his re-arranged talk about brewing. 

Any Other Business:        Kathryn has two tickets for 'A Chorus Line' at The Marlowe for Friday week on 6th September.  If anyone would like to take over these tickets, please contact Kathryn.

                Marian reported that she has been in contact with Marian; she is better but very tired.  Pippa is still arranging for volunteers to driver Anne to visit David B; volunteers need please, let Pippa know.

                Maureen reminded everyone about gardening this Saturday at the Whit & Tank.

Raffle:                   Won by Ian.

Master-at-Arms:              Nick told us that today is Potteries, Bottles & Ovens Day.  In 1838 the Brothers Grimm announced they were working on the first dictionary of the German language.  They expected the work to take 10 years, but it wasn't finished in their lifetimes.  Today is also Lenny Henry's birthday.

Final Toast:         Proposed by Maureen.

Next Meeting(s):

In case anyone has not yet been made aware, there will be no breakfast meeting next Thursday 5th September.  There will be a board meeting at 6.30pm for 7.00pm Tuesday 10th September.  The next breakfast meeting will be at 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 12th September.

*Sue and Robert, please note:  Dave C gives his apologies for this evening meeting.