General Meeting - Live

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.45 am for 08.00am Thursday 6th October 2022 @ the Golf Club

Present:               Andrew B, Andrew M, Dave C, David M, Elaine, Gerri, Godfrey, Hilary, Jean M, Lesley, Maureen, Pat, Robert, Sue, David K

Apologies:           Chris, Marian, Iain, Kathy, Myfanwy, Margaret, Nick, Pete, Pippa, Spyros, Trevor, David B

Guests:                Fran from Red Zebra

                                Ian Small

Grace:                   Paul

BREAKFAST

Business:             Pat referred to last week's evening meeting at the Plough.  Pat said she enjoyed the talk by Gloria; she was made very aware of the harmful impact of plastics on the ocean.  Andrew B said he thought the food was only average.  Dave C said he likes their cauliflower cheese.

Social:                   The adventure golf at Quex park happened last week, but the turnout was disappointingly low.  Andrew B said it was very enjoyable.  Apparently he scored 4 holes in one.  Tonight is the evening meal and moonlight walk round Wildwood. 

Fund Raising:      The next car parking will be on Sunday 23rd October.  Paul confirmed that enough volunteers have put their names down.

                                The Quiz Night will be on Saturday 12th November.  The funds raised will go to Red Zebra and Crossroads.

International:    Andrew B confirmed that the district grant for Bhutan is all sorted.  A propos donations abroad, Hilary said that when she goes to India to help with the polio vaccination programme, it would be helpful to take a lot of small presents (pencils, india rubbers etc) to hand out to encourage children to come forward. David M propose that the club give Hilary £50 to buy items.  This was voted on and carried unanimously.

                                Pat reminded everyone about the Shoe Box appeal. Please return filled boxes at the Thursday meeting at the end of this month.

Any Other Business:        Lesley mentioned holding a Safari Supper in February. She will put a sheet in the events folder.

                                Robert thanked David M for sending round the very good pictures of the university in Ukraine.

                                Jean said she has a man coming round later this morning with tools for the TWAM collection.  This proves the power f advertising.

                                Andrew M asked if district are aware of the problems caused by the worsening drought and famine in Somalia?  This has been gradually getting worse over the past several years.  Unfortunately the civil war on the coast stops aid from getting through.

Speaker:              Fran gave us an outline of the work done by Red Zebra.  The goal si to help people improve their sense of well-being.  The most visible aspect of what they do is the work of the volunteer drivers who will take service users for health appointments and some social appointments also.  Service users who rung the office to book a trip are asked to contribute a £2 admin fee plus mileage.  This service is in great demand; they always need more drivers.

                                Other services include running a coffee morning once a month at the Waterloo Road Community centre in Whitstable.  Fran praised the efforts of Mel at the Plough; she cooks meals for round 20 people every Wednesday (and drivers deliver the meals to peoples' homes).  Some fish and chip shops also help.

                                Red Zebra also help with 'social prescribing'. A lot of people visit their GP for non-medical problems eg anxiety about bills, loneliness etc.  These can be referred to Red Zebra who will do an initial telephone consultation, then refer them on to appropriate sources of help. Red Zebra works with all ages from 18 years to 97.

                                The name by the way comes from a folk tale. If you are lost in the desert, a red zebra may come and guide you to a water hole.*

Raffle:                   Won by Gerri (who said she will be away for a couple of months and see us again at                          Christmas).  Also won by Jean and Maureen.

Master-at-Arms:              Godfrey took on the mantle of Nick this week.

Final Toast:         Pat

Next Meeting:

07.45am for 08.00am Thursday 13th October 2022 @ the Golf Club

*Where you will be eaten by crocodiles.