Club Assembly & Handover Meeting - First

Thu, Jun 24th 2021 at 7:30 am - 8:30 am

This will be our first return to normality with a "physical" meeting for all members in the evening to enable us to talk face to face again!


ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Notes of the Handover and Assembly Meeting

Thursday, June 24th 2021 at 6.00 pm for 6.30 pm

 

Present:               Lesley Robertson; Sue Vargyas; Paul Hooke-Overy; Marian Ahern; Pat McFarlane; Margaret Cox; Robert Sissons; Kathryn Wilson; Andrew Brealey; Andrew & Jean Martin; Nick Robinson; David Mann; David Kingham; Pete Thomson; Godfrey Brown; Trevor Scandrett; Hilary Brian; Dave Coupland; Iain Millet

 

Guests:                Neil Robertson; Kevin; Sharon Brown; Pat Brealey; Gill Sissons; Mary Robinson; Kevin Fielding; Mark Robertson.

 

Apologies:           David Bowley; Jackie Smith; Pippa & Spyros Zintilis; Maureen Rooney

 

Welcome             Paul Hooke-Overy welcomed members and guests.

 

Objects of Rotary:  These were read aloud by Robert Sissons, including the Four Tests.

 

Outgoing President:   Paul Hooke-Overy gave a brief final report on achievements in 2020/2021.  The year was of course dominated by the effects of the pandemic and resulting restrictions on meeting and socialising.  Despite the restrictions, the club has raised very respectable amounts for charities both in the UK and overseas.  One initiative Paul felt was especially worthwhile was that the club, jointly with the WI supplied local NHS establishments, including vaccination centres, with cakes, as a thank you to staff.

 

Handover to Incoming President:  Paul now formally handed over to our incoming President, Lesley Robertson and her Vice-President Godfrey Brown.  Paul handed the presidential regalia to Lesley and Godfrey.  2020/2021 was an unusual year in that the the club had three presidents, each serving for a portion of the year.  Lesley thanked each of them for their work on behalf of the club, and presented each of them with their ‘past president’ badges.  In addition Lesley gave each one of them a mug with a message on the side – ‘Another pointless zoom meeting. You’re on mute, social distancing before it was cool.’

                                Godfrey spoke briefly about his role as President-Elect.

                                Lesley reminded the meeting that because of the restrictions imposed early in 2020, there wasn’t a Handover Meeting last year, which meant that Sue as outgoing president never got to speak about her year.  Sue now spoke briefly about her year as president, including the charities she supported and the skydive she undertook with Pat.

 

President Lesley’s  Goals for 2021/22:  “You have all received my strategic plan which sets out what I hope our club can achieve.

                This is our club, not mine, not the boards but ours. I would ask you all as we hopefully next month begin to get back to normal to do whatever you can to make things happen. It doesn’t matter how small your contribution but please try to do as much as you can whether that be a little or a lot and come along to any events that are arranged.

Last year you requested more social and evening events and so the calendar has been planned with these requests in mind.

                David K has done a sterling job at getting together a speaker programme which is varied and interesting.  Please support this programme – you can bring your friends and family – make it worthwhile for the speakers.

                Pat is planning her social programme as far as she is able whilst restrictions are still in place – again please support these events.

                The Rotary International President has asked every Rotarian to bring in one new member each this year. That is a huge challenge – lets see how many we can come up with – look around at your contacts/ family/friends and bring them along – they might be surprised in what they see.

                This year it will be really important for us to get back into our local community – be seen to make a difference – we’ll continue with our regular activities but maybe we’ll also try new things – if you have any suggestions, please let us know.

                Finally, as you know I am still very new to Rotary compared to most of you. Though I have some anxieties I am looking forward to the challenge.  

I will do my best as your President – but I will need the help of all of you.

Thanks to Neil and Mark for their support.

Please raise your glasses – to toast the coming year!!”

 

                Lesley went on to introduce the Committee Chairs for the coming year:

a)       Foundation & Fundraising: - Sue Vargyas

b)      Treasurer & Website: - David Mann

c)       International: - Andrew Brealy

d)      Community:  -Kathy Wilson

e)      Social: - Pat McFarlane

f)        Membership: - Pete Thomson

g)       Youth Opportunities: - Margaret Cox

h)      Public Image: - Robert Sissons

 

Lesley said that the District Assistant Governor could not be with us tonight – he is currently stuck in Madeira, but he has sent message of greetings to the club:

                “Madam President Lesley, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Rotary Club of Chestfield,

                I have been honoured to be invited to address you at your Assembly this evening. I am delighted to do so, and I must say that I am sorry not to be with you all, although I am here in spirit!

                This past year has not been easy for anyone, let alone Rotarians. But your Presidents have been  stalwarts in leading you successfully through the difficulties. Well done to all of you, who have responded so well. You have really put Rotary on the map locally, by volunteering at the Vaccinations, etc., which have been reported so often in the press. All power to your Elbows!

                The Club Assembly is, I believe, the most important event of the Rotary Year, because it is there that the President and her team of Committee’s set out their programme, and the Goals and aspirations for the coming year. We all hope and pray that Covid will not be the dominating feature of life in the coming months, although I think that it will be with us for ever

in the same way as the Flu’ variant each year.

                I have been to so many Clubs on Zoom over the past weeks, and have come to a conclusion! It is not the size of the Club that matters, it is the size of their Heart that matters! The size of the beating enthusiasm, and community spirit that matters. This Club has that in abundance, and I do not only hope, but know that you will succeed in all you set out to achieve!

                I look forward to receiving copies your reports being given tonight. I can assure you that I will read them, and will reply suitably, in the same way as I would have been summing-up this evening if we were face-to-face.

                I know that you will enjoy your Assembly this evening. Please keep up the marvellous spirit that there is in your Club.

                It only remains for me to Thank You for the opportunity to address you this evening, and to wish you all and the Rotary Club of Chestfield every success in the future. I look forward to coming to see you all sooner rather than later!

                Kindest Regards to you all, Mike, ADG East Area.”

 

Any Other Business:        David M talked about the achievement of schools and individual pupils this year for Walk4Water.  Some individual children have raised considerable amounts of sponsorship – up to £250.  David believes the final total raised this year will be in the region of £4,500.  Just as important in its way has been the importance of the event to the children taking part.  Some of them have said that it was one of the best things they have done during the last (very difficult) school year. 

                                David went on to talk about the project which will be supported by the money raised.  He has been in touch with Tess from the organisers of the project in the USA.  The school project our money will support will be the Gimomoi school in Kenya.  David asked the club to indicate that they accepted this.  The proposal was voted and there was a unanimous vote in favour.

                                Lesley ended the meeting by saying a thank you to all the helpers who had set up the tables, chairs and gazebos.  Flowers were presented to Nick and Mary for hosting the meeting, and also to Paul and Lesley as incoming and outgoing presidents.

 

Toast to Rotary:                 Given by Andrew Martin

 

 

                                

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Fund Raising Committee

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Our Club President for 2013/14

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