Lunch Time meeting - Brian Johnson

On Thursday 10^th May President Lindsay Roy welcomed 21 Rotarians to the lunchtime meeting at Gilvenbank Hotel.

On reception were Peter May , Hamish Rothnie who said grace and May Ford.

5 apologies for absence were received.

Our speaker today was our Rotarian IPP Brian Johnson who gave a presentation about his recent trip to India where he participated in the End Polio Now vaccination programme. Rotarian Brian’s visit to India was to continue his support for the End Polio Now campaign. India has been polio free since 2011 but the campaign continues, and children aged under five will be immunised for the foreseeable future. Brian along with other volunteers helped by administering the necessary drops. He was fortunate to be able to help give the drops. They went to street booths with an Indian healthcare worker for a day and the next day went around to slum houses to immunise the children who had not been able to get to the booths. Although polio has not been seen in Great Britain since the 1980s, it is still endemic in three countries - Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Since 1988, Rotary International, with co-operation from other agencies, has reduced cases by 99.9 per cent with its global campaign End Polio Now. Polio mainly affects children under the age of five. There is no cure, but it is preventable with a vaccine. Mike Yates, National Immunisation Day co-ordinator for Great Britain and Ireland, said: “It is absolutely vital that high immunisation levels are maintained across the whole of India and the presence of visiting Rotarians at immunisation booths always increases the immunisation levels as the children come in large numbers to see them.” This was a great experience for Brian as he is very passionate about ending Polio and he thanked the club for supporting him on his trip.

The Rotary vote of thanks was given by May Ford.

The next meeting will again be a lunch time meeting to be held on the 17^th May 2018 at the Gilvenbank Hotel where members will be given an update from Council Chairs on their ongoing projects. Please meet 12.45pm for starting at 12.55 pm. On reception will be Peter May and Roy Francey who will say grace.

If you were interested in joining or 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.

The concert on Saturday past, 12th May when Cantamus performed songs from the shows and the American Songbook at St Columba’s church was a great night with approximately 100 guests leaving with smiles on their faces. Well done to SVP Anne Sampson and Wilna Roger in organising the event and the help of Rotarians and special mention to Rev Alan Kimmet for allowing us access to the church and his members of St Columbas church for their help on the night.