Aims and Objectives 2017 -2018

Introduction

I am honoured, and delighted, to serve a second term as this Club’s President.

First of all I would like to record my own and the club’s gratitude to retiring President Sheelagh Jones who has led the Club calmly and with wisdom and style. Sheelagh led a future visioning review before her year started, from which came some changes both to the Club meeting and programme format and to future aims and objectives. With some minor adjustments these will form the basis of Club activities in 2017/18.

Club Aims and Objectives 2017 -2018

RCCB was chartered in 1997, and in this our 20th year, we can state with some confidence that the Club is recognised as amongst the most successful in the District as regards service, energy and impact. There is still much to admire about our Club, but we are right to increasingly recognise that with advancing age and difficulty in recruiting new members there will be challenges ahead. For this coming year, the following will be the core principles behind our programme of activities:-

• Attempts to find new members will continue, with particular emphasis placed on securing the establishment of a Satellite Club in Pontypridd where a number of interested individuals have been identified and are being helped and encouraged to find a format for meeting and providing Rotary services. I as President will engage with other Cardiff Clubs about possible longer term strategic realignment.

• We are conscious, and proud of the fact, that one of our own members, Maggie Hughes, is the incoming District Governor, and the Club wants to support her in this important role whenever possible. We are particularly aware of Maggie’s wish to promote the “Dementia Friendly” initiative, and will develop a Club plan to become engaged with this during the year.

• There is still a strong level of support for youth activities, particularly reading in schools, Interact, Rotakids, a number of Youth competitions and RYLA.

• We will continue actively to support a number of community activities, including one or more for which District Grant support will be sought, and to look for additional worthy causes (including Dementia Friendly).

• In the International arena we will continue to support Rotary Foundation, respond to major disasters by making a financial contribution to relief initiatives, will further develop our KIVA initiative (small project investment scheme), and look for a new international project to lead.

• Fellowship – there is strong support for this as one of the founding principles of Rotary. We will continue to ensure that the programme contains events, activities and visits so that members can enjoy each other’s company

• Fundraising – several of our activities do raise funds for the club and also provide an opportunity for Fellowship. Members firmly support the International Quiz, Big Breakfast, Youth Orchestra Concert, Whitchurch Fete, and “tinshakes” at Christmas.

The specific plans and objectives for 2017/18 of the 3 Committees are contained at the end of the Assembly document.

Management of the Club

Council is the executive of the club and makes decisions or recommendations to the club for approval.

Council will meet every six weeks and membership will be:

President – Stephen Best

President Elect- 3 attending in rotation

Treasurer – Peter Weber

Secretary – Sue Hewerdine

Chair of International – Michael Brooke

Chair of Community – Steve Finch

Chair of Youth – Richard Cunningham

Immediate Past President—Sheelagh Jones

In attendance Assistant Secretary David Williams

Council minutes will be available for members to read via the ‘members only’ section of the club website. There will also be regular reports back of Council discussions to the members.

Committees – club activities will be co-ordinated by the three committees:

International and Foundation

Community and Vocational

Youth Services

With the exception of the President and Secretary, all members serve on one of the three committees, and all members have confirmed their wish to remain on their current Committee during 2017/18. However the Club is increasingly aware of the need for concerted cross Club commitment to certain initiatives (currently reading in schools, fundraising, and in future possibly Dementia Friendly).

Committee meetings will be held regularly in the Wednesday morning programme, with exceptional additional meetings determined by the Committee.

Speakers – Each member of the club is asked to suggest a speaker for the coming year and the President will organise their attendance. We will continue to plan to have speakers on a twice monthly basis. Again members have been asked to consider a topic on which they could personally speak, or to approach/propose outsiders they consider could add to the broad interest of the programme.

Relationships with other clubs

There are a number of Rotary Clubs in Cardiff and we will where appropriate look to work in partnership with them. The President believes that strategic discussion amongst Area 4 Clubs about the future shape of Rotary in the area should be commenced.

Financial Support for Charities

We shall continue to support:

Rotary Foundation

Cancer Research Wales

The 5Cs

Shelter Box

The President’s charities for the year are Parkinson's UK, and sponsorship of the Cycle to India for Women v Cancer.

Club Administration

The club will continue to meet at Whitchurch (Cardiff ) Golf Club, Pantmawr Road, Cardiff, CF14 7TD on Wednesday mornings at 7.30 am with the 5^th Wednesday in the month designated as an evening meeting.

The Club will hold a SGM in November and the AGM in May. These meetings will be held in accordance with Rotary rules.

The Club’s finances operate through two bank accounts: the House account and the Charity account. Council members will be given regular reports on the account activity. The accounts will be examined by examiners approved by the Club members at the AGM

In conclusion

RCCB is a strong and vibrant club built upon a strong sense of service and fellowship and I look forward to my year as President.