ABERAERON ROTARY NEW YEAR

On Thursday 20^th July Clwb Rotari Aberaeron Rotary Club A’r Cylch utilised their meeting for the delivery and sorting of donations for aid to Ukraine. The aid was then delivered to Jenny Jenkins at Penparcau the following day. The Club, in conjunction with Cymuned Pennant Community and people in and around Aberaeron, will continue to collect aid for Ukraine for as long as it is required.

This event marked the start of a very busy year for the newly installed Club President, Ian Lampert, the 20^th President of the Club 2023/24t, a founder member of the Club. He strongly believes in upholding all of the principles, values, by-laws and code of conduct that should be expected of any Rotarian and Rotary Club. He witnessed the hard work, compliance and the required dedication to set up a Rotary Club and become a member of a new Club in 2003. Members are made aware that no one person is bigger or more important than the Club. Integrity is paramount. This is not really evident now as the requirements do not appear to be fulfilled as they would have been in the past.

The President’s handover event was held at Pennant Community Centre with many guests attending to wish Ian well and congratulate him on his installation as Club President. The evening was a great success with a buffet and a great atmosphere of social interaction and fellowship.

There appears to be some confusion locally about Rotary in Aberaeron & District. The true Rotary Club operating in this area and representing all of the Communities for 20 years is Clwb Rotari Aberaeron Rotary Club A’r Cylch. This Club was established in 2003 as dual gender where everyone is equally valued. It has always operated as an open, transparent and democratic Club. We uphold all the principles, values, by-laws and code of conduct expected of any Rotary Club or Rotarian.

The Club is very progressive in challenging formality, elitism, structure and the cost to our members. We meet face to face as this affords the benefits in developing closer ties and trust. After COVID people need to physically meet and re-establish social contact. This is very important for physical and mental well-being.

It is widely accepted that people have suffered due to lack of contact, and this does not excluded former Rotarians. We aim, through the meetings and fellowship, to re-introduce ‘normal’ back into society. On-line meetings are impersonal and subject to control by others and are a reminder of the bad times of being locked-down and isolated.