Business Meeting at SCCC

45 members and visiting Rtn Martin Strauss, attended this Special Business Meeting, presided over by Colin Barrell. Its main purpose was to resolve the future policy on the frequency of Club Meetings. The proposal –“Following the trial period, The Rotary Club of Taunton Vale continues to meet on 2nd, 4th and 5th Mondays each month”.

An Amendment was tabled – “The Club confirms the meeting arrangements for 2nd, 4th and 5th Mondays, but in addition, the Club will meet on 1st and 3rd Mondays, [excluding Bank Holidays], without a Speaker, for the purpose of Fellowship and discussion of Club Business. There will be no attendance obligation for any meeting, and each Member has a choice as to how they manage their own attendance”. Those absent were invited to submit their vote to the Secretary by mail.

President Colin then invited comments from those who had not already contributed to the email debate. 4 or 5 then added their pennyworth, before the vote was cast for the Amendment.

This was supported by 29 votes to 25 against, so the Amendment Stands.

The logistics of moving to the new format were discussed at length before the President declared that a sub-committee comprising Jas Shorney, David Montgomery, Roger Mason, himself, President-elect Keith Bigwood and President nominee Kathryn Robinson-Burge, would meet and report back to the November 6th Meeting at SCCC, before implementing the revised Programme.

President Colin thanked the team that had organised the recent visit by District 3201, India. It was judged by our visitors to be “hospitality second to none”, - “Well done Alison Brown and Richard & Margaret Austin”, and the support they received from other members and partners.

International Charities – a full discussion on Club support for recent World Disasters Relief, resulted in agreement to send £1000 to Educade, Sierra Lieone, and for £1000 to be given to Aid for Bangladesh, via Alison Brown, who is District International representative. These countries were some of the poorest and would benefit the most, it was felt.

Phil Greenway, representing the Rotary Ironman team, then presented a cheque for £1100, our share of Car Parking revenues, which had been earmarked for Reminiscence Learning, it was thought, but the Treasurer was not present to confirm this.

Bill Tregillus reported that so far only 22 teams/ 112 walkers had entered for Moonraker, and urged everyone to push their contacts.45 Club Members have agreed to participate on October 14th.

Monday 25th September – Meet at 5.30pm at Merry Monk, Monkton Heathfield for Moonraker Test Walk with 35 members involved. Those returning after completing their leg would then partake of the Carvery. Meal apologies, plus any additional offers to take part to Bill Tregillus asap.

Ball Draw for £195 – wine only to Kate Taylor, the Joker is still wild.
Meal apologies for the next 4 weeks to David Janes, please as R Austin is away.