Week Ten

Monday 2nd September:

September and still such lovely weather, it is said the British talk about the weather when there is nothing else to say but, in this case the fine weather is really is something worth celebrating!

This morning I participated in a 'video conference call' with the other members of the Rotary International in Britain and Ireland (RIBI) Environmental Sustainability Group, part of the RIBI Community Resource Group (Committee). I still find it really strange seeing the other members sitting in front of their computers, just like me, participating in the meeting. Such meetings are part of RIBIs ongoing measures to reduce the costs of running the organisation. They are really an effective way of conducting business as long as the Groups concerned know each other and occasionally meet face to face, and are of course run by a good Chairman such as ours. This meeting was very interesting exploration of all things Environmental (one of my passions) as applied to Rotary's Work and Projects. Rotary as an organisation really has a long way to go to match the best in the world in this aspect. I am proud to be a member of the Group who are striving to exert some influence within Rotary and one of the things announced today at the meeting, was we had been given an award for our work by an organisation called "The Green Organisation" under the heading of THE GREEN APPLE ENVIRONMENT AWARDS for Promoting Environmental Sustainability & Encouraging Carbon Reduction. This award will be presented to the President of RIBI Nan McCreadie and the Chairman of our Group Gabrielle Back, at the House of Commons on 11th November.                                                

Monday Evening, the first Charter of 2013-14 Rotary year, that of the Rotary Club of Alfreton and a prestigious one at that, celebrating 75 years of incredible Rotary Service! I was accompanied to this event by my Club President Andrew Smart.
The Charter was held at the Riddings Community Centre, Riddings, Derbyshire. Just outside of Alfreton. I would like to give credit to all those who organised the event and especially to the catering staff who very professionally and in a creditably short time served a three course meal and coffee to all the 88 guest present with the minimum of fuss and disturbance.

Wow, what enraptured Listeners!!

The Programme followed a traditional Rotary Charter format commencing with Greetings from the fifteen Visiting Clubs.
The Toast to Rotary International was proposed by President Elect Nick Godrich to which I had the pleasure of responding.

With President Keith and Sheila

Toast to Rotary Club of Alfreton was proposed by the President of their Mother Club, Cheryle Berry with the response from Club President Keith Hardy.
Toast to the Visitors was by Vice President Dennis Fretwell.
With the response from the principal speaker Sheila Dibnah, wife of the late Fred Dibnah, with the sub title "Life before Fred".

Sheila in full flight!

At this point all Rotary tradition was thrown to the wind with a most amusing and interesting trip through Sheila's early life and upbringing in Bolton before her impressive and diverse career in show business, 'all before Fred!'
A most enjoyable evening in great company! At the conclusion Sheila signed copies of her book for us, before heading off back to home in Blackpool.

Tuesday 3rd:

President Ray receiving the
Clubs 2013-14 Theme Banner

PP John Dain drove Carol & I to the Rotary Club of Trent Bridge for the DGs visit to their home of Country Cottage Hotel, Ruddington. Club Council called so we were met by Founder Member Alan and members of the Club outside in the Courtyard where we partook of some amber refreshment in the warm evening air. President Ray, at the conclusion of Council business invited us into the dining room to join the Club Meeting.

PP Chris reminiscing

After the pleasant meal the evening commenced with pp Chris Hind talking about his early Rotary Career, a really interesting discourse.
After my presentation, the Club had a discussion about one of their Signature Projects, the fundraiser and annual Firework Display at Wilford, its future and how that can be guaranteed. A really good insight into the stresses and strains of real Rotary Club life as demographics start to bite!

Wednesday 3rd:

The Foundation Committee

I joined one of the important groups within the District this evening, a Meeting of the District Foundation Committee. A team of exceptional and dedicated people ably led by their Chairman Mick White.
During a full and productive evening the agenda covered, the interest shown in the 2013-14 New Grants Model and the resulting extraordinarily large number of diverse request for Grants under this scheme, some of which were discussed in detail the discussion then focussed on Peace Scholars, Global Scholars, Foundation Alumni and the ongoing exploits of our existing Ambassadorial Scholar in China the remarkable Rob Avery-Phipps.

In Action!

Annual Foundation Giving and its impact on our Districts future ability to meet the demand for grants from Clubs. The state of contributions to the Polio Plus Programme was also considered, the figures suggest some Clubs were too late with their last years money and it has been credited into this year. Clubs were urged not to delay such donations for this worthy cause, especially with the additional 'top-up' (£2 for every £1 from Clubs) available from the Gates Foundation for new donations.
The committee then reviewed planning for the Foundation Seminar, the prospect for a replacement for the traditional Link Evening in the Spring 2014 and the Foundation Stall at the 2013 District Conference Rotary Showcase.
A really productive and positive meeting. I was particularly pleased to see the interest, enthusiasm and participation by the significant number of new and recent additional members of the Committee. May I say a genuine "Thank you" all the committee for their contributions and hard work.


Thursday 4th:

District Executive

This evening I chaired the first District Executive meeting of this Rotary Year. We faced a full and detailed agenda with lots of interest and positive exchanges of views, perhaps what you would expect from the vibrant and forward looking group of District Leaders around the table. The outcome and actions from this meeting will hopefully be seen by Clubs in the near future as it is rolled out.
   


Friday 5th:

I was due to go on a Hot Air Balloon flight this evening. A Christmas present from my children. (Some of my District colleagues, or at least the wags amongst them, suggested the pilot would not need to use the burner much to keep it up if I was on board!!). Unfortunately the heavy rains forecast resulted in the cancellation of the evening flight. So until my trip is rescheduled, all I can say is watch this space!

Week Nine

Monday 26th:

A Public Holiday, even for a DG!!

Tuesday 27th:

Trying to catch up with the backlog of emails and other correspondence plus reading all the minutes and reports which seem to cascade onto my desk. I really should tidy up my desk but as a good friend once told me, if you know what you are looking for is in one of the piles it saves searching in the filing cabinet whilst trying to remember where you have filed it!

Wednesday 28th:

John Carr accompanied me to the Rotary Club of West Bridgford at their meeting place of the Country Cottage Hotel in Ruddington.
President Dennis was at a Council Meeting so we had the pleasure of socialising with members at the bar.  Dennis and the Council joined us at 7.20 and we all adjourned to the Dinning Room for a nice meal and chatty fellowship. I was sat next to Rtn Peter Hewlett, who to my astonishment lives in Gwynedd in Wales and had travelled to attend his Club knowing I was due to visit and wanting to hear what I had to say! What dedication, makes my journey from south Derby seem like a walk in the park.

Presenting President Dennis with
the Clubs 2013-14 Theme Banner

Peter enquired about my family name and what I knew about its origins, family names are of particular interest to him. Subsequently he sent me an email containing an interesting trawl of information based around the anglicised version of my name.

After my presentation club members joined me in a interesting question and answer session on Rotary and District issues. These visits are a constant source of very useful information for me and which I hope is two way exchange.


Thursday 29th:

I chaired the first District Team Briefing Meeting of 2013-14 Year at the Novotel in Long Eaton. It was meeting with a very full agenda, fortunate I was able to generate the interchange and exchange of ideas between the Team Members, the whole objective of such briefings, most of which was positive. I thank all the Team for their attendance and active participation, hey really are a great bunch! We broke up after 10pm with side discussions continuing well after that.


Saturday 31st:

Carols Birthday but, she insisted I go to the Derby County home match against Burnley and celebrate her birthday in the evening with the family. How I wished I had stayed at home, lost 3-0. Still Forest and Leicester fared no better, Burton Albion continued with their success, something to cheer about! The evening with the family did make up for the earlier disappointment, and Carol blew out the candles with the help of the Grandchildren. A relaxing and great night of celebration.

Week Eight

Monday 19th August:

Lunchtime meeting at Rotary Club of Long Eaton, they meet at Cleve Lodge in Long Eaton.
A most impressive place and a really huge airy room for the meeting.

Presenting the Theme Banner
to President Clive

President Clive and his members welcomed Carol, John Carr and me to the venue.
As it is a lunch Club, time is of the essence and the meal was served with courtesy and considerable efficiency by a fine and well trained team of staff. One thing I have never seen in a Rotary Club before, adjacent to the Presidential Lectern and Bell was a most
handsome clock, so he has no excuse for going beyond finish time!

Induction of Rtn. David Kent

After the meal I had the great pleasure of witnessing the induction of a new member into the Club, David Kent. Welcome to the world of Rotary, Rotarian David.
My presentation was well received and culminated in a few interesting questions covering some of the points I had raised.


Tuesday 20th August:

A regular 10am meeting of the District Strategic Planning Group at the Novotel, another worthwhile get together giving the 'G' Men a chance to talk through some pressing issues from around the District and the wider Rotary world. It must have been productive, or at least I like to think so as we finally broke up at 2.30pm.



Tuesday evening Carol and I accompanied by Rtn Geoff Brown and Linda returned to the Newark Show-ground, Cedric Ford Pavilion for the DGs visit to the Rotary Club of Newark Castle.
I was a little concerned as we approached the venue to see it signposted as leading to an Antiques Fair & Auction!
We were greeted warmly by President David and his members, he expressed his appreciation at having the DG & Carol visit his club twice less than two months (We attended his inauguration as President on the 2nd July).
I had the opportunity to have a short meeting with members of the Club Council, a most interesting and enlightening discussion ensued, demonstrating why this club is moving forward so well.

Following the very pleasant meal and a little urgent Club Business, I was invited to address the Club. At this point a member of the Club produced a brand new amplification system, still in its box, for me to use - the make of the system was called "MEGA MOUTH". I of course declined the kind and thoughtful offer!
After my presentation I invited questions from the members, we discussed District Conference, District Council, Polio and clubs working together. All round a very interesting and stimulation evening!

Wednesday 21st: Early morning found us travelling up to Scarborough with Conference Director David and his wife Sue to meet most of the Conference Organising Team at the Scarborough Spa Centre to discuss with the Spa Centre staff some of the detailed arrangements and logistics for the conference. We were pleased at the reception received and the keenness to please exhibited by all the various sections of the specialist Spa staff. It does auger well for a slick professional event.
The afternoon was spent at the Royal Hotel, (the Conference HQ) again the staff were exceedingly helpful and intent on making our Conference one to remember for all the right reasons! We finally adjourned to another hotel for a quick wash and brush-up before all heading off to a really nice Italian Restaurant for a relaxing evening with the rest of the team. A very pleasant evening with a great group of dedicated and able people!

Thursday 22nd: Morning we again visited both locations to tidy up some of the loose ends before heading back home in the afternoon, just on time to get ready to go to Rotary Club of Swadlincote for their evening meeting at Lakeside, Shortheath Water in Moira.

Shortheath Water

I was greeted by the President Elect Kim Coe and her Husband Rob the Vice President and all the members of the club. It was great to join them outside on the veranda of the Waterside Bistro overlooking the Shortheath Water, a private fishing lake, on this very warm evening, prior to the meeting commencing.
I do like returning to the Derwent Group Clubs and meeting old friends and in the case of Swadlincote, see how well they have transformed it into a much more vibrant club with so many new members and how the age profile has also decreased, all getting along so well. A real buzz.

The Team from William Allitt School

After a very nice meal the Club quickly covered urgent business, then a team from the William Allitt School the Club had helped to travel to Borneo to participate in community projects. A really interesting presentation from a group of young people who had obviously had an experience which had matured them into thoughtful caring young people. And who knows,  perhaps a future generation of Rotarians.

Swadlincote a group photograph!

As part of my presentation I asked Past President Ernie Sutton to talk about his early Rotary career, obviously of interest to me but also a bit of an eye opener for his fellow members too.
A really rewarding enjoyable and worthwhile evening spent with friends old and new!

Presenting the Theme Banner
to President Mike

Friday 23rd:
Lunchtime John Carr and I drove to meet the President Mike and the members of the Rotary Club of Chesterfield at their Hq The Olde House, Newbold just outside Chesterfield. We were welcomed and enjoyed some socialising with members prior to going into the dining room for the Club meeting. This is one of the largest clubs in District 1220 and they know the challenges they face. President Mike discussed these over Lunch and their plans to address them. I do wish him and the club well with these endeavours. A club with such a distinguished history has to survive and prosper!

Rtn Bryan White PHF

Rtn John Keeton PHF

After the lunch, President Mike asked me to present Paul Harris Awards to Rotarians John Keeton and Bryan White, it was indeed a great honour to carry out this presentation on behalf of the Club to these two worthy recipients.

We then had the pleasure of Past President John Heath talking about his being invited to the Club many years ago only to be, using his words, 'Black Balled" not once but twice when going through the membership process. He eventually was accepted into the Club some years later and found out the reason for his earlier refusal was because he ran a Public House which of course dispensed alcoholic drinks. The older worthies in the Club considered this to be an immoral occupation. John of course became an exemplary Rotarian and a credit to his Club rising eventually to President!