Rotary Business.
The event was attended by 93 participants, from a wide range of clubs within the District. The following items of Rotary business were confirmed, with added comments from Zoom attendees.
DG Rory O'Donnell confirmed that while it is acceptable to meet for charity purposes, no face to face club meetings are allowed for conducting Rotary business. It is important that we as Rotarians, adhere to the spirit of this ruling by RIBI.
While there is no ban on Rotary Youth Competitions, provided they are carried out within government regulations at the time, there will be no national finals in this Rotary year.
RYLA. A final decision will be made shortly, but it is unlikely that it will happen with the current restrictions in place. Malcom Westgate added that a decision on Breakthrough, which is scheduled for 17th - 19th March 2021, will be made in mid December.
Michael Osborne and David Perkins have joined the Paul Harris Society (PHS) by committing to donate at least $1,000 each year to Rotary Foundation. .Well done to both of you.
Prior to the meeting a proposal had been circulated that, due to cost savings thought lack of travel and physical meetings during the on-going Covid-10 pandemic, District should release a further £10,000 for matched funding club's charitable projects. A maximum of £250 will be awarded to each club able to match fund a project. On a Zoom poll, 98% of those who voted, were in favour of this proposal. An application form will be distributed during the next few days.
Presentations
Habib
Saba President RC Beirut Cosmopolitan Rotary club made a presentation on the effect and difficulties in the aftermath of the explosion in August 2020. Some discussion followed about the possibility of raising funds and Rotary grants. For more information contact Stan Jones who is in regular contact with Habib Saba with regard to Global Grant funding OR
view video here .
Steve Cartright - Toy Box Initiative. Since Kids Out has not been possible this year, a project to give children toy boxes for Christmas is underway. Participating clubs will have their club name on the toy boxes. The cost is £25 per child and last date to order these is 1st December 2020. For more information contact Dot Cretney or
view the presentation here.
Membership, Ric Canham explained the different kind of Rotary clubs which are now being introduced including e-clubs, and a Rotary Global Hub is being setup by RIBI which will be launched shortly. for more information contact Ric Canham.
The Rotary Foundation, David Perkins. David explained the importance of Rotarians giving to TRF UK, in order that we have a big enough fund to provide grants for our projects in the district. If individual Rotarians give to the UK fund, Annual Fund, Polio Plus, or Endowment, then their donations are eligible for gift aid. Many clubs donate to TRF in the US and so this does not go the UK fund and also is not eligible for gift aid. He urged clubs to check to whom they are making donations, and to consider their policy on Rotary giving. For more information contact David Perkins.
Paul Hughes, Chairman of Taunton East Development Trust, gave an update on the District 1200 charity, which supports 6,000 residents in a highly deprived area of Taunton, characterized by unemployment, social isolation and vulnerability, sub-standard education standards, plus poor mental and physical health. The charity has continued to support resident needs during lockdown through a volunteer network, and has brought Barclays Bank and Avon and Somerset Police into its stakeholder base. DG Rory encouraged clubs to support the charity financially whenever possible, and Paul advised, in response to questions, that a 3-year commitment of £5,000 per annum would make a significant difference to the charity. Stan Jones also confirmed that the charity should be eligible for Global grants.