Plans for 2020 -2021

Committee activities in the 2019/20 year were impacted from early 2020 by the Covid-19 pandemic which will continue to restrict activities in the forthcoming 2020/21 year. Fortunately, another very successful annual International Charity Quiz took place just in time in late January and made a profit of £1,432. This in particular enabled the Club to meet its obligation to make a substantial contribution to the Rotary Foundation charity. There were a number of international emergencies during the year but with limited funds the decision was taken to respond to the Australian bush fire devastation and £500 was given to the Rotary’s local Australian Bushfire Appeal. The Shelter Box scheme which the Club has supported regularly with top-up donations relative to specific disasters has been discontinued and therefore in future other alternatives, recommended through the Rotary system, will be considered.

The KIVA loan scheme continues to be an inspiring vehicle to help individuals or small groups round the World to fund often life changing business projects. The Club, together with individual members, have inputted just over $900 over 6 years, but with the strong success rate of repayments the total loaned out by the Club is approximately $4500 (i.e. a 5 times multiplier), and amounts to 173 loans in 40 countries. The scheme can continue to run without further cash input this coming year.

The 2018 tree planting project in Mbale, Uganda (an area that the Club has supported through the charity PONT for many years) has resulted in excellent success rate of saplings grown to regenerate an area which had been previously rendered barren. The Committee intends to open discussions with PONT about whether a further major project (Global grant) or some minor ones (District Grant) could be identified, although the timing of this depends on the Covid-19 recovery and associated ability to restart fundraising activities..

We go into the new Rotary year uncertain about when our normal activities can restart and therefore need to be cautious about what can be achieved. However the incidence of emergencies around the World, whether natural events or the longer term impact of Covid-19, will be considered by the Committee to see what response is possible. A modest target of £500 for responding to one or more international emergencies is in the budget which it is hoped can be met by Club charity funds and perhaps some individual member donations. The Annual Quiz is still planned to go ahead early in 2021 and budgeted to make a profit of £1,200. This again will enable the Club to make a substantial donation to the Rotary Foundation. If social distancing frustrates the usual village hall venue format other alternatives will be considered although unlikely to make the same financial return.

The Committee is keen to find a new international project to lead and will continue to identify and evaluate options, with PONT or elsewhere, but will need to support with fundraising events which may be difficult until the pandemic restrictions are lifted.