Lunch time meeting - ZOOM Talk from Alison Irvine from the Wildlife Trust

On Thursday 3^rd September 2020 President Geoff Sampson welcomed 11 Club Rotarians and guest speaker Alison Irvine to this lunch time meeting held by ZOOM.

Three Rotarians apologised for non-attendance.

Our speaker armed with some slides this week was Alison Irvine Chairperson for Fife and Kinross Scottish Wildlife Trust who joined the organisation in the early 1980’s as a Ranger.

For over 50 years, the Scottish Wildlife Trust have worked with its members, partners, and supporters in pursuit of its vision of healthy, resilient ecosystems across Scotland’s land and seas. The Trust successfully champions the cause of wildlife through policy and campaigning work, demonstrates best practice through practical conservation and innovative partnerships, and inspires people to take positive action through its education and engagement activities. It also manages a network of around 120 wildlife reserves across Scotland and is a member of the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement.

Alison Manages Group activities for Fife and Kinross which includes 8 reserves, wildlife sites, welcoming new members, organising events, and activities. She spoke about the 8 sites which are near the areas of Ceres, Peat Inn, Lower Largo. Dunfermline, Aberdour, North Queensferry, Crail, and Kilconquhar and spoke about the wild flower areas and the ‘beasties’, Alison spoke about the ‘Flying flock’, the sheep and cows which are moved across sites for grazing purposes to keep the areas tidy. Alison mentioned that individuals can get involved  by visiting wildlife reserves and record what they have seen, go along to the events and participate in the activities,  join Group committees or by Volunteering for maintenance work, joining work parties or the wildlife reserves. Some of the events they organise are Vegetation Monitoring, Beginners Bird Watches, Moth Trapping nights and Evening talks. The Pitcairn society which is part of the Wildlife trust is right on our doorstep

The Rotary vote of thanks was given by Iain Oates.

President Geoff advised that he along with three other of our Rotarians Zoomed in to the Zone 8 area Presidents meeting on Wednesday where the 12 clubs in our Zone gave an overview of what they had been doing for fundraising, projects and initiatives over the last few months. Other matters such as advising us that a declaration had been made that the End Polio Now campaign and work had seen Africa become Polio free.

It was advised that clubs do a Health check on the progress their club are making during these difficult times and looking at what may be the New normal !!. We were also advised from RIBI that clubs should not be meeting face to face based on Government guidelines.

This coming week Thursday 10th September 2020 at 1pm on ZOOM we will be given a talk by John Calder from the Rotary Club of Banff speaking about a Vocational Training project in Ghana

The Rotary vote of thanks will be given by Brian Johnson.

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.