President Douglas - Valedictory Address

On demitting office I would like to record my thanks to all the club members for their support and efforts during the year.  We started the year on Zoom and resumed meeting back here at Keavil on 17 August. 

We trialed alternative meeting venues at The Inn at Charlestown and at the Adamson but it has been another tough year for everyone, especially on the fundraising front which is all important since we need cash to oil the wheels of our support.

Fund Raising has been bravely led by Brian Mitchell with two FTSE 100 competitions, a Strictly prediction contest, Reels for Rotary and a Race Night. The club also supported the Rotary Ride for Prostate Cancer back in September.

We needed someone to look after the cash and we are very grateful that the Treasurer vacancy created by the resignation of Martin King and Janice Sinclair has seamlessly taken over the important job.

Thanks too to are due to Robert Haig who as Secretary has recorded our Council meetings and kept the club running in accordance with what we and Rotary expect.

On the International front important support has been sent to Haiti, Cambodia and Ukraine.

Community service has included in Limekilns and Charlestown the Phone Box project, and War Memorial Wall. We contributed to the Salvation Army Christmas Toy Appeal and fuel cards. Valleyfield Community Club and West Fife Woodlands Trust were others included and we have been delighted to collaborate with two other local Rotary clubs in the New4U Childrens Clothing Bank.  It is fantastic to be part of a project that can be hands on for our members.

Youth Service has been a tremendous success for our new convenor Robert North who had a very hard act to follow at a time when access to schools during covid has been virtually impossible.  Our youth competitions engaged 8 schools, 331 entries, 70 odd at the celebration night.  Polishing off the success has been the selection of a RYLA candidate.

Protecting the environment was added as a new Rotary theme and the club has responded with involvement in the Great Nurdle Hunt, two Beach Cleans, two speakers from the Fife Coast and Countryside Trustand talks from conservationist Joanna MacFarlane and District chair, Malcolm Rooney.  The club was also successful in attracting entries in the Young Environmentalist competition.

It was not all work there was time for entertainment with the Festive Evening and Charter Dinner giving opportunities for friendships to be relit.  The Ken Forbes Trophy and the nine hole fun event involved half the club getting on to the golf course.  In September we visited Kirkton of Beath to see robots milking cows. There was a walk and lunch at Elie and an evening bowling at the Northern Bowling Club.

Increasing membership has not been so easy especially since we leaked six members two of which Ewan Archibald and George Primrose were elevated to honorary members.  It was a great pleasure to induct Robert Kirkwood as our newest member.

PR increased our followers on Facebook and Instagram by more than 50% and where we had newsworthy stories publicity was achieved in the Dunfermline Press.

We might have thought that Mark Todd had exhausted his list of contacts to provide for our programme but again under very trying circumstances, he came up with an interesting range of speakers.

Highlights - Jas Hepburn in Alaska, Community Police on terrorism, Allan Wells on Wind Turbines, Fraser Mackenzie on his rugby career. We have really have had butchers, brewers and cheesecakemakers!

Our programme is key to the club’s cohesion and attracting members to attend weekly. Without members attending we die and my sincere thanks to all present for ensuring that I have not been standing here on my own every week.

My final task before handing over the chain of office to Aileen tomorrow is to present the President’s Prize for Service Above Self. 

Really there were several very worthy candidates:- 
Youth Convenor for unprecedented success
Our Treasurer for stepping up
Community Convenor for tireless pursuit of needy causes 

All extremely deserving but this year for remarkably coming up with an extensive list of quality speakers, the Ken Young Plate goes to Mark Todd.

Thank you and Club Council for making my year as President memorable and as successful as possible. Hopefully you can give incoming President Aileen the same level of support and I congratulate her on becoming the very first lady to hold the office of President of this club. Best wishes Aileen.