Rotary Club of Bath West

Membership Article by Past President Gail Tucker.

As one of the lady Rotarians in the Bath West Club, I was delighted to take over the role of Membership Secretary from 1^st July 2009, for the year ahead, and I hoped to bring a new slant and enthusiasm to the role.

Our club at Bath West had three lady retarians at that time, so that if anyone thought that Rotary Clubs are a "gentlemen only club" they now have to re-think their ideas of the modern Rotary Association.

On talking to two prospective members for our Club, one thought we were a social club and didn't realise our charitable works aspect; the other thought all we did was raise money for good causes and thought we had no fun. Both these mis-conceptions were immediately dispelled, but it makes me realise that there is quite a way to go in putting our Association across in its real light.

I had the opportunity to highlight our Club's activities over the next year, in an effort not only to raise the profile of the Bath West Club, but to also raise the profile of Rotary within the Bath area.  Bath already have three clubs : Bath West, Bathavon and the Bath Club. We meet at different times in the week and we all strive to carry forward the ideas of Rotary while enjoying ourselves in the process.

I had hoped to be  out and about as a Speaker to other Clubs and Associations, giving what may be an entertaining talk on my year as the First lady President of a Bath Rotary Club, which was in 2007-2008, plus we are organising coach trips to interesting places and doing fun things.

Rotary isn't just a local organisation, we are part of a District, which is, in turn, part of a National body, which is part of an international set up.  Help, assistance, colleagues and friends are all over the world, and are just waiting to make themselves known to you.

In these times of working harder and longer in our working careers, many people want to give something back to dis-advantaged children and adults. This may not necessarily be money, it could be time or a commitment to a project or idea, and we in Rotary are not only able to help, but also we make sure that we have a lot of fun doing it as well.

So why not get in touch with our membership committee, or come along to one of our lunchtime or evening meetings to meet our members?  We would be delighted to see you and to tell you more.

 Gail Tucker (Miss)