Rotary club of Stirling, meeting of 25th May 2017
President Alan Rankin welcomed members and one visitor, ADG Alistair Spowage to our club assembly.
Alan reported on his presidential year, which he had enjoyed, but said this meeting was not about the past but looking forward to our coming year. He was pleased that in the past year we had contributed to 22 groups and individuals, the most recent Rock Talk. The Rotary club of Stirling was one of the first supporters of Rock Talk when it was established 35 years ago, and we are very pleased to continue helping them. Alan thanked his council members and conveners who then reported on their activities during the past year. Alan passed the meeting to incoming president Stewart Wilson. Most of our core activities will continue, but he hopes to increase our already rewarding involvement with schools. We will continue to look after the plants at Stirling station, and provide drivers for the Arion bus. In general Stewart would hope to increase our numbers, especially lady members to add to our already very active female Rotarians. Stewart also raised the possibility of starting a breakfast club which might fit in with current work patterns. ADG Alistair Spowage passed on the priorities of 1010 president elect Graham Archibald, including a raised awareness of our responsibility for the environment, with the suggestion that a tree should be planted for each of the 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide. The gender balance of Rotary is improving, albeit slowly, women now accounting for 22% of Rotarians. In an interesting development, the Alloa club, of which Alistair is a member, has formed a very direct contact with school children by founding a Rotakids club. The vote of thanks was given by JVP Sandy Farquharson.
There will be no Friday meeting on 2nd June as we will be involved at Gardening Scotland. The next meeting on 9th June will be a business meeting.
Ian Richardson