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!