General Meeting - Virtual on Zoom

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting online 24^th September 2020 @ 07.45am.

Present:        Margaret; Sue; Robert S; Lesley; Jean & Andrew M; Iain; Andrew B; Pat; Kathy; Hilary; David B; Dave C; Peter.

Apologies:    Godfrey is away.

General:       Kathy said it is a bit concerning that so many of our members aren’t joining us on zoom, especially in the light of renewed restrictions on face-to-face meetings.  Could all members reading these minutes please consider if they can possibly attend future meetings, please?

                   Interact.  Kathy said that she had thought that it would be difficult for Interact to happen this year.  She explained that Interact is for school students 14-18 years, and encourages them to be involved with community and fund raising projects.  Last year in her school they raised £20,000 by various means including cake baking and a bring-a-coin day.  They have had a meeting at the school so far and hope it will be able to carry on.

                   Shoeboxes.  Kathy has researched options, including the Rotary-run collection.  One problem is that they are all so far way for delivering the boxes; the Rotary collection point is in Oldham ‘oop North’.  There is a Chatspot this afternoon about the Rotary collection.  Dave C asked to forward the link to everyone (done).  One suggestion is that we simply make a financial donation.

                   Birthday.  Happy Birthday to Peter.

                   Car Parking.  Godfrey has circulated the new dates.  The next one is not until October.

                   Gardening.  Andrew reminded that this is happening this Saturday at the Whit & Tank hospital.  Apparently the rear garden is already done, but the middle garden is a jungle and the front garden needs some tidying up.  We can’t have the refreshment room, so please bring your own drinks and biscuits, as well as tools, gloves  and buckets.  Andrew said that the minutes last week mistakenly said we should mee at 10.00am.  Please note the meeting time is at 09.00am and more volunteers are needed.

                   Cancer Research.  Rachel is prepared to give an evening presentation.  Some concern about asking her to do this if we are only going to get a handful of attendees.  Perhaps we should schedule this for an early evening (6.00pm to 7.00pm) in November by which time might be fed up of the restrictions and more ready for an evening’s diversion.  One suggestion was to do two short presentations ie ask HERstay as well.  But could our members muster the required attention span?  Question for all members reading this – if we have an evening meeting as suggested above, who would attend?  Please respond.

                   Polio.  Sue said that Whitstable have brought the Playhouse on board, and St Alphege’s church may also be interested.  Kevin and Sue are working on a press release drawing the public’s attention to how that can make a donation.  Simon is away at the moment, but there will be a trial to see if the lights are effective.

                   Satellite Club.  Caroline Mumford who is trying to forward this is also the manager of the Umbrella Centre.  She wants to join us here in Chestfield.  There are already young mums groups which meet at the Umbrella.

                   Carers UK.  Nothing new to report.

                   HERstay.  Lesley will probably put them off until we know if we can get the numbers for an evening presentation. 

                   Age UK.  The idea about the Fiddle Cushions has been put to them, but apparently they were inundated with the things at the start of lockdown.  Ditto memory boxes.  They are going to think if there is any other way we can contribute.  Do any of our members have links with local care homes?

                   Membership Survey.  Lesley thanked all those members who responded.  It will be an agenda item next week to discuss how the club forwards the suggestions made.  Lesley will send Dave C the summary for re-circulating. 

Any Other Business:   Andrew referred to the idea floated in a recent Board meeting for a firework night on the beach.  The latest restrictions have probably put the kybosh on this.

                   Sue is due to see Gordon this week and will let us know how he is.

                   MacMillan Coffee Morning.  Iain’s suggestion that we could support this by getting together in groups of six, and linking up via zoom.  How many members would participate?  Can you let Dave C know, please?

                   David B gave some good news.  Herne Bay have been given a grant of $38,00 to support projects in Ethiopia.

Next Meetings:

                   Breakfast meeting next Thursday at 07.45am

                Board Meeting Wednesday 14^th October at 6.00pm