Club Assembly 2013
President Elect Ken Morrison led a full and detailed presentation of the service programmes for the forthcoming year 2013/14 at the Club Assembly Thursday 6 June 2013. He announced the theme for the year would be Engage Rotary-Change Lives and that the Rotary RI and RIBI Presidents would be Ron Burton and Nan McCreadie respectively; the District 1160 Governor would be Verity Swann. This is the first time ladies have held these offices.
He also announced his team for 2013/14 as:
President Elect - Ronnie McLean
Vice President - Claire Savage
Immed. Past President - Alan Rundle
Hon Secretary - Rosemary Simpson
Asst. Hon Secretary - Alvin McKinley
Hon. Treasurer - Ivan McMinn
Asst. Hon. Treasurer - John Williamson
Council: Arthur Boyd, Brian Ferguson, Brian Gillespie, Crawford McIlveen, Carmel Owens, Courtenay Thompson
He highlighted an analysis of membership indicated that there are many long standing members not all who have been Presidents. He stated his objectives for the year are to:
- Increase membership by net 2 at least (accepting that some changes need to be made to attract younger potential members)
- Reduce the cost of being a member
- Have more fun events including the Rotaractors
- Have fewer service projects but do them well and
- He asked all members to support the Service Chair Plans
Presentations on Service programmes and goals were made:
Membership – Maurice Brooks
ADG Maurice noted that under the strategic plan new membership categories had now been implemented and a Club booklet produced. He highlighted that the Club must address why two-thirds of new members have left over past 10 years and develop mentoring. He emphasised that the Club's future depends on members achieving this year's goal of a net 2 increase in members.
Community and Vocational – Brian Clements & Brian Gillespie
PP Brian Clements outlined the main areas of focus under Community would be: Mitchell House – though the future needs to be discussed with the principal; more supermarket fundraising in November/December aiming to limit volunteering time; expand Christmas Family Appeal; support Harmony Community Trust; arrange members' visits to see the SOSBus in action and support with a fundraising event. Under Vocational they would be to set up an interviewing & CV writing panel and a Members' skills and talent register.
International – Ken Taylor
Rtn Ken noted that there would only be 2 main projects: ShelterBox & Rombo. In particular, the Club will be supporting the District projects Ciara (building 3 water pipelines & 15 water kiosks) and Sand Dams (building a dam on a Keynan river).
Youth – Eric Rainey & Walter Rader
Rtn Walter stated that they would consolidate initiatives of past year – Youth Leadership Competition and Rotaract support and they would also: explore participation in RIBI Young Writer Competition, partner YouthAction in Get Set initiative, develop opportunities with FASA and Youth Action and develop a support pack for Operation Preparation.
Foundation – Derek Baxter
PE Ken, in PP Derek's absence due to ill health, detailed the significant changes to the Foundation programmes with the end of Ambassadorial Scholarships and Group Study Exchange and the introduction of a new grant and scholarship structures supporting the six Areas of Focus: peace and conflict prevention / resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, together with the opportunities to support the Fund financially.
Communications – David Boyd
Club communications would continue with the regular member communication of the weekly report and the at least weekly updating of the Club website which is now linked to the social media with Facebook. He emphasised that it was encouraging that most members read the report on day of issue. He encouraged this noting that it often contains updated information post the meeting. He noted that press releases would continue to be issued at every opportunity and emphasised that communications are member dependent asking all convenors to advise him of events, submit a note of what happened and take a photograph!
TABU – David Boyd
PP David advised that there will be an outgoing TABU visit to Chicago April 2014 and that District Grant Funding would be sought.
Fellowship – Doris Houston
Rtn Doris asked all members to support the social events and to suggest future events.
President Elect Ken concluded that he hoped that members would support the programmes attain the membership target whilst, of course, having fun!
ADG Garth Arnold made pertinent comments reflecting each of the presentations and congratulated PE Ken and his team on the excellent presentations and programmes for the year and passed on District's good wishes.