Rotary Club of Norwich St. Edmund

A Past President's Reflections on last 6 months of Rotary Year 2011/12

 

IPP Barry Catchpole's reflections on 2nd half of the Rotary Year 2011/12

As we moved into 2012 and Rotary Awareness month Sue Lockhart gave us a most amusing insight into what makes a good Builder’s client. Speaking from experience, and we all have grim builders stories, she showed us the other side of dealing with what people want and what they think they want from a new house or extension.  It was this month when after much consideration we agreed to adopt an associate member policy, based on the Pilot project from Rotary International. The challenge now is to attract busy new members.

In February we were pleased to welcome two of the visitors from the October B2B exhibition and who had expressed an interest in Rotary, Natalya Klymko from the Ukraine and her English husband, plus George Chawawa from Zimbabwe.  We are hoping they might join us under the associate scheme, in due course.  Geoffrey Weaver also talked to us about the history of Quakerism, particularly as it relates to Norwich, fascinating. We again attempted to raise the Rotary profile by taking a stand in the Forum on a very cold and wet Saturday, making some presence and being heard on the Radio Norfolk breakfast show.

In March we staged a successful fundraising Race Night, thanks to Chris Walker and John Rowson which made a significant difference to our charity account, in addition to providing much fun and fellowship.  We also heard about the intractable Palestinian situation from Rev. Doreen Fotherby of Shipdham, who had served as an ‘Ecumenical Observer’ there for the Council of Churches.  It was heart-breaking to see how the Israeli built wall has divided the Arab communities with no consideration for ownership or needs of the people. (Rev. Doreen led a pilgrimage to the Holy Land that I was fortunate enough to join in June 2012) 

At a visit in April to St. Peter Hungate, a redundant church in Princes Street, we heard how such heritage buildings are being utilised for art exhibitions and the like, thereby preserving the many architectural gems that exist in our ancient city.

May was busy as we took off for Easton College, the growing resource and education centre close to the Norfolk Showground, whilst also preparing for and visiting our tripling partner the Rotary Club of Mainz 50% North. This was a very enjoyable coming together of our club, the Germans and our other partner Reims in France.  We meet every year in one of the respective countries and have great fellowship whilst at the same time planning International humanitarian projects.  At the end of May we celebrated our 26^th Charter Anniversary with a dinner at Park Farm Country Hotel, Hethersett.  It was a joyful occasion when we had the Rotary International Director for our Zones, Allan Jagger, a friend and DG from my year, amuse us with anecdotes about those at the top of our organisation and stories of projects worldwide.

After the Diamond Jubilee in early June we set about the new year’s Club Assembly, which announces our hopes and plans for the months ahead. Then on 26^th I handed over to incoming President Malcolm, with thanks and gratitude for the privilege of leading such a dynamic club.

It is my belief that we have had a very good Rotary year and I am sure that many will feel that the team has handed over a club that is in fine fettle and ready for a changing Rotary society.

Barry Catchpole