Lunch time meeting - ZOOM Talk from Kenny Murphy update on Fife Voluntary Action Group

On Thursday 13th August 2020 President Geoff Sampson welcomed 12 Club Rotarians and guest speaker Kenny Murphy and guest Gayle Wilson from the Leslie Community Pantry to this lunch time meeting held by ZOOM.

Our speaker this week was Kenny Murphy is CEO for the Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) a registered charity was formed in 2012. Kenny who studied employment law at University has never been in commercial practise and since qualifying has been involved in the third sector which covers 3500 – 4000 organisations in Fife. Kenny spoke passionately about his team and how they have supported those much in need in the community since the Covid 19 Pandemic hit us.

FVA supports, develops, and represents community groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering in Fife. FVA is the Third Sector Interface for the Fife Council area. They are funded by the Scottish Government and Fife Council to provide four key functions to support, develop and represent the third sector; to represent social enterprises; represent volunteering; to support and promote third sector engagement with the Community Planning Partnership.

FVA have a core staff of about 40 with volunteers to make society better for so many.

The Rotary vote of thanks was given by IPP Ewen Macdonald

After the talk the members heard from Iain Oates about the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and it was agreed that we send £600 which will cover the cost of 4 boxes to Aquabox UK a charity and community project set up and managed by the Rotary Club of Wirksworth to provide safe drinking water, through the use of filtration units, and humanitarian aid to crisis zones around the world.

Since last week on a sun drenched Saturday afternoon at West Park nursing home in Leslie, Estelle and Tiyan Shek, with an arrangement of freestyle dance 'Mason Ross' with some wonderful songs and Laura Clark with some lovely violin arrangements entertained the residents staff and Rotarians Geoff and Anne Sampson and lead Rotarian Wilna Roger at the care home. Many thanks to all who gave of their time to bring some joy to the residents This was the 5th week where Wilna Roger has organised the entertainment a Rotary project which has seen Rotary at its best in the community.

Approaches have been made to Pitteuchar Stenton and Finglassie Community Group and Kinglassie Kats mission and community group to find out more of what is going on in the community and how Rotary can support these groups.

We are still collecting Computers and  lap tops and took another 3 computers and 2 monitors down to HAGO computers for the schools and community project

This coming week Thursday 20th August 2020 at 1pm on ZOOM we will hear further from Alan Farquharson who was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by his club the Rotary Club of West Fife in June 2020 who will be talking about the Ocean Youth trust. The Rotary vote of thanks will be given by Wilna Roger.

If you were interested in supporting the community and international projects get in touch by Private message on The Rotary Club of Glenrothes Facebook page. You will be made most welcome.