Club Assembly 2023

Rotary Club of West Fife Assembly proposals 2023-24 

Community and Vocational Service Committee report for Club Assembly 20th June 2023 – Neil Spriddle

We have continued to seek opportunities to lend assistance throughout the whole of our catchment during the past year, again with limited success in some of the West Fife villages, however we have been reasonably active through the year. 

We intend to operate in a similar vein in the upcoming Rotary year, continuing our support of the Salvation Army, including their Christmas Toy appeal, the laying of Poppy Wreaths at Remembrance Day and sponsoring classes at the Fife Festival of Music. 

We also intend to continue our support of the Rotary 1010 Christmas Toy Box appeal. 

We will continue our support for the New4U Children’s clothing project, albeit we understand it is now intended for the project to become a standalone Charity rather than being run by the Forth Bridges Rotary Club, so we will review this position once further details emerge. 

We will continue our support of Fife Young Carers and the local Kids Out day, with full details of the Kids Out day to be confirmed. 

We have been approached for possible assistance with the proposed expansion of the Crossford Allotments to the rear of the Keavil House Hotel and we will be looking to see what we are able to do to assist the Ukrainian guests at the hotel in collaboration with our Youth and International Committees, along with Crossford Community Council. 

Our budget will allow us to consider any requests for assistance made to the Club in the new Rotary year. 

Thank you to everyone who has assisted with Community and Vocational works through the past year, and look forward to similar support running into the new Rotary year. 

Proposed Youth Activities for 2023-24 – based on this year’s successful program – Robert North

This year’s successful program is in a separate file attached to this e-mail, for Information.

The Club will participate in and support:
Young Writer
Young Photographer
Young Artist 
Young Environmentalist 
Young Film Maker
Young Musician
Primary Schools Quiz
Technology Challenge
RYLA

Fundraising 2023-24 – Brian Mitchell & Team

Proposed fundraising activities will include: -
FTSE100 competition
Strictly Dancing competition
Race night – probably 2
Concert
Major Quiz
Kilt walk

Possible other events
Sponsored walk – Preston Island
Mini Beer Festival

Foundation and International Committee – Proposals for 23-24 – Donald Mackay

The new committee has yet to have a full face to face meeting, however there has been some discussion regarding the new priorities for the upcoming Rotary year.

As always, a portion of the funding of the Committee will be held in reserve to be used in case of an international emergency. Regrettably there has never been a year when this has not been needed. 

Monies raised by members completing the Kiltwalk remain in the Club’s account. It is anticipated that this will be dispersed in the near future to our school in Kampang Tralach for which the funds were raised. 

The Club are currently considering completing an application for a District Grant to carry out work in Malawi. This is based on helping with the reconstruction of homes destroyed in a recent storm in an ecological fashion. In addition, there are plans to replant trees et cetera. District are likely to offer support to the value of £5000. 

Whilst we meet at the Keavil refugees from Ukraine are taking up residence.  A brief email correspondence with Neil suggests that Community and International may act together to see how the Club can support those placed in Crossford from Ukraine. Neil has been in discussion with the Crossford Community Council as they are currently taking this matter forward, as the lead group. 

Entertainment. Fellowship and sport – Robin Grant

Proposed events and activities 23-24:-
President's BBQ
Gavel challenge
Ken Forbes Quaich

Other successful events have been,
Ten pin bowling and meal
Lawn Bowls at Northern Bowling Club 
Fun golf night 
Six nation match and lunch at DRFC
An historic walk with Robin Sharp
A Club walk and quiz 
Visits to other Clubs
Theatre/Concert visit 
Visits to points of interest, Gardens, Horse Racing, Distillery, cruise on the Forth .
Car treasure hunt (quiz)

The choice and timing of events depends largely on what becomes available throughout the year, and some events have a dual role of also contributing to fund raising.

Membership, Recruitment and Communications (PR & Website)

People of Action - 

Although many people recognise Rotary's name, we know that too many prospective members and supporters don't understand who we are or what we do.

People of Action messages capture and reflect the essence of who we are. It’s a way of talking about ourselves so that people outside Rotary better understand what connects us as committed volunteers. Volunteers who channel our skills and expertise into taking action to solve problems in our communities and around the world.

The People of Action message provides a simple, consistent answer to the question "What is Rotary?" and rallies us around a single idea: telling — and showing — the world that we truly are people of action.

It is clear that making membership growth our club’s top priority is unlikely to be challenged and promoting Rotarians as People of Action should be used to attract new members. 

Attracting new members is the responsibility of every Rotarian and we know that new members are essential for the continuing good health of our club.  We need to make sure every member understands that. New members bring new energy to a club and mean more people to serve on committees, work on projects and events, and raise money. 

I urge you to talk about Rotary wherever you go – at work, family gatherings, neighbourhood get-togethers, coffee shops. 

And remember that if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Don’t be afraid of asking people to join Rotary, most people will be happy, maybe even honoured, to have been asked, even if they do decline.

In order to attract new members our Club should have projects and social events in place that new members and ones that existing members find worthwhile, we need to provide opportunities to help in the community that are not too onerous but grabs attention and enthusiasm while giving the opportunity to have fun.  Our service projects need to meaningful and respected and we need to raise our profile and attractiveness through them.

To achieve good PR we need to have good news stories so eye catching club projects are vital to our self-promotion. We will continue to use the Dunfermline Press and social media. We will continue to make good use of the Crossford Chronicle and investigate how to provide content for other community newsletters on our area.

We now have 645 Facebook followers, 180 on Twitter and 202 on Instagram.  Hopefully we can boost this during the next Rotary year too.

Our website will continue to be updated on a very regular basis with a view to maintaining a good online presence and continue to be a good example of how to make the best use of the RGBI Template. After all the first stop for most people wanting to find out more about Rotary will be Google. 

President Elect Brian's summary

Our main objective in the Rotary Year is to retain and grow our membership, and every opportunity to do so will be pursued, with special; focus on youth events