General Meeting - Live

ROTARY CLUB OF CHESTFIELD

Breakfast Meeting 07.30am for 08.00am Thursday 13th April 2023 @ The Plough

Present:               Andrew B, Chris, Dave C, David K, David M, Elaine, Hilary, Ian S, Kathryn, Maureen, Margaret, Nick, Paul, Pete, Reggie, Robert, Sue.

Apologies:           Andrew M, Gerri, Godfrey, Iain M, Jean M, Lesley, Myfanwy, Marian, Pat, Pippa, Spyros, Trevor, David B.

Guest:                  Stuart Neame from Herne Bay club

Grace:                   Paul

BREAKFAST

Business:             Nick welcomed our Guest, Stuart, and also welcomed back Hilary from her travels.

Fund Raising:  Very good day on Sunday at the car parking, which raised £799-11, plus £31-50 from the stall.  (David M has sent an email showing that we took £210-50 on the card machine - a record).  Paul said he has been offered an additional day on the Bank Holiday Monday 8th May.  There is a sheet in the events folder.  Sue said well done to Ian S who was thrown in at the deep end on his first car parking day.  Pete said there is more room at the bottom now the school have got rid of the old wooden structures down there.  Dave C said that Godfrey had wanted it to be acknowledged that he and Dave C would have been in difficulty just the two of them without the assistance of Diane as a helper.  Sue said that it was also very busy on the preceding shift.

David M confirmed that there will be a Race Night on Saturday 29th July at All Saints.  There is a sheet in the folder.

International:  TWAM is believed to be under control.  Andrew B said that there still needs to be a sheet in the events folder; we know Robert is manning the drop off point in the field, but it's not clear how many volunteers are down to help elsewhere.

Next Week:  Nick reminded everyone not to come here for breakfast as we have an evening meal and meeting instead.  This will be here at The Plough.  Andrew B said that we have agreed at Board to try other venues for some future evening meetings.. Chris confirmed that there will be a speaker - Peter from the Food Bank.

Stuart Neame:                  Nick invited Stuart to say a few words.  Stuart said he was impressed with our new venue, which was light and airy.  He complimented us on having maintained our membership; Herne Bay is down to 12 members, but they are hoping to confirm three new members - and younger ones at that.  They are still active; they have raised money for Ukraine and Turkey.  They still have the merry-go-round near the pier.  They meet lunch time once a week at The Heron, and also once a month in the evening at The Punch.  Stuart is due to meet with a couple of representatives from the council about Herne Bay's plan to have an event on the sea front on 14th / 15th July.  This would be to encourage community groups and clubs in Herne Bay to publicise themselves.  Perhaps our members would be able to help with the organisation (as well as having a stall ourselves?)

Any Other Business:        Sue asked if we can have Hilary as a speaker at a meeting sometime, so she can talk about her recent travels. 

                Sue also talked about the value of events for publicising Rotary and attracting new members, eg Harbour Day at Whitstable.  Apparently the reason this isn't happening nay more is that no one has stepped forward to organise it.  Is this something that the three local rotary clubs could organise between them?

Greetings from Other Clubs:        Stuart brought greetings from Herne Bay.  Hilary mentioned having come across Rotary clubs in Simla (India), Lake Tahoe (New Zealand) and San Diego (USA).

Raffle:                   Won by Nick

Master-at-Arms:              According to Nick, yesterday was World Hamster Day.  We are still in Adopt a Ferret Month.  On this day in 2013, Simon Berry set a record for running the fastest marathon while dressed as a fruit (a banana).

Final Toast:         Given by Hilary.

Next Meeting:

18.30 for 19.00 Thursday 20th April @ The Plough