ROCHESTER ROTARY CLUB. Newsletter
January 2008
Since last Newsletter.
Recruitment Evening.
This took place at the Tourist Centre on Tuesday 5th October in the evening. It was attended by about 15 guests from along Rochester High Street who managed or owned business's and who were told about all aspects of Rotary by various members who attended. Jason arranged a feast of tab nabs and wine to keep us all going. It is planned to hold further meetings in the future so local business people will be acquainted with Rotary
Cote D’Opale
The President and 4 loyal acolytes disappeared down a huge hole near Folkstone on Monday 15th October and finished up in France. We were made very welcome at the restaurant “La Matelote” in Boulogne by President Gerard and all of the Cote D'Pale Rotarians. We had an excellent lunch with lots of fellowship. The club is in the process of getting ready for their Christmas activities which will include wine selling and the collection and distribution of Mistletoe. It was then back on the road with just enough time to fill the boot with wine and spirits before disappearing down the hole again..
That evening David Brake, Wally Field and I attended a seminar on the new District 1120 web site at the Holiday Inn It was very interesting and dealt with all aspects of setting up and maintaining club web sites. The Web Master David Kirsch- Mills. explained how phase 1 was complete and phase 2 was launched on September 11th. Club projects and diaries can be entered into website at www.rotary1120.org One has only to go to the Link on our own Web Site also to connect to district..
District 1120 Conference at Eastbourne
Once again our club was well represented and with a host of speakers and exhibits there was something for everybody. The Presidential Citation was once again awarded to Rochester Rotary and President Ruth went up to collect it from Penny Spiller, wife of District Governor Denis Spiller. It says something that just over 25% of clubs in the district achieved citations last year.
Ordinary Rotarians Doing Extraordinary
Things
One of the things to be considered by Rotarians for this year is nominations for any single Rotary member or small group of Rotarians who in one of five categories have done extraordinary things to promote and advance Rotary. The categories are,.
The Marketing and Membership Award.
The Working with other Organisations Award.
The Innovative Projects Award.
Working with Youth Award.
Volunteering Award.
Nominations should be sent to the RIBI Secretary.
At the RIBI conference in Blackpool in April there will be a presentation of a number of awards for the best projects. There will also be videos and interviews showcasing the work carried out often unsung within the RIBI family
OBITUARY
FRANK BROOKS-HILL.
18.02.1915 – 10.11.2007
With his beloved Norah alongside him, the pair of them put their hearts and souls into what they did. They did most things together throughout their 68 years of marriage ans sadly passed away within a week of each other.
Frank enjoyed a busy, profitable and illustrious life. His achievements and hard work always took him to the top of the leadership board. Just to mention a few.
He had an illustrious Hockey career at Gore Court in Sittingbourne. Team player progressing to County level and then the greatest accolade of all as Full International.
Also he played cricket to a very high standard. As a Banker he played and captained the United Bank before the 2nd World War. Following the end of the war he played for his home club namely Folkestone from 1946 – 86. He scored 10,000 runs in his career and retired from cricket aged 46.
He decided to take up Golf and became a member of the Rochester & Cobham Park Golf Club in 1966. He soon became a well established golfer with a single figure handicap. He forged ahead as expected to become a successful team player. Team Captain, Club Captain, Director and chairman 1980 – 86 and finally Vice President from 1988 until his death.
He was introduced and joined the Rotary Club of Rochester in 1967 with the classification of Banking. Soon he became Treasurer of the Club, a post he held from 1973 – 86. He was made a Paul Harris Fellow in 1999 and an Honorary member of the Club in 2004.
Frank served with the Royal Artillery in the 2nd World War and as always quickly rose from his position of 1st Lieutenant to major. He was decorated with The Military Cross in January 1944 for “Exceptional Services on the Italian Front”
Frank always listened carefully to all that was put before him, considered carefully and made his decision accordingly. Above all this he was a friend to each and everyone who came into his company whether at work, in his 40 years at Rotary or in any of the Team Sports he
participated in.
HE WILL BE MISSED.
I am indebted to Saifu Davoodbhoy for this obituary of Frank Brooks-Hill as I joined Rotary just to late to meet an what must have been an exceptional man.
School Governor Presentation
Mrs Jean Beattie, who has stepped down as chairman after 25 years on the governing body was awarded “The Governor of the Year” at the annual governor's conference. The mum of two said governor's played an important part in the running of schools. The award recognises the work we all do and I was thrilled to receive it. Jean Beattie still plays an important part on the Skinnner Street Primary School.
Foundation Auction.
This was held at the Rochester Baptist Church on Crow Lane on Saturday 10th November. A great deal of organising of the lots was required by Felicity, Jason and their team
These lots ranged from small pieces of silverware to electrical items, paintings to crockery, crystal to ducks All the lots were started to be laid out at 1300hrs ready for inspection at 1500hrs. The Auction was well attended and quite a few of the lots attracted a lot of interest.
The Auctioneer for the evening was David Sandon and it was due to his skill and tenacity that the total raised went to £2,162.86.
Dickens Winter Festival.
On Saturday and Sunday 1st and 2nd of December Rochester Rotary once again sold the best Mulled wine to be had in Rochester at the Dickensian Winter Festival,
The weather this year was very changeable with Sunday being the worst day with wind and rain but the Stall was so well frequented that at times almost at times seemed frantic. The unsung heroes were the brewers and heaters at the back who made sure that at all times the front were well supplied with Mince Pies and Hot Wine.. According to our treasurer's report the total raised for the two days was £5,207.02p. I wonder where the 2 pence came from?.
On a Christmas theme the Rotarians of “Halesowen and Regis” Club fell foul of the “ELF” and Safety Police.. Their annual sleigh rides which had been been going on for more than 20 years carrying children through the town was threatened with extra insurance costs unless Santa who never had an accident in all the years belted up with a full safety harness.
Lunch Time Guests
The GSE Team from Adelaide Australia were our guests in November and gave a fine presentation of their work and activities. We forgave them the cricket and they forgave us the rugby. We had a visit on the same day from 2 members of the newest Rotary club in district 1120, Minster on Sea. They were advertising their Charter night to be held at Ashford in March. RIBI President Alan Jagger will be attending.
Christmas Lunch.
The Christmas Lunch was well attended by Rotarians and partners. A lovely surprise was organised for a very special Lady. Mrs Peggy Bellingham was presented with the “Rotary Service Recognition Award” for her long and dedicated service on behalf of Rotary. We were also entertained by a barber shop quintet from Rochester Cathedral featuring David Sandon. This was courtesy of Felicity Osborne who bid and won their services at the Auction.
For Your Diary
February
1st Club Meeting. Club Affairs.
6th Club Council Meeting.
8th. Club Meeting. Open Forum.
15th No Club Meeting
15th - 17th Fellowship Weekend at the
Isle of Wight
22nd Club Meeting. Guest Speaker
John Clayton. Host Saifu Davoodbhoy.
29th Club Meeting. In House Speaker.
March
1st Youth Speaks. District Competition
Maidstone.
4th Club Council Meeting.
7th Club Meeting. Open Forum.
9th Club Ramble and Dog Walk
14th Club Meeting. Guest Speaker.
Jerry Howard. Host Bob Burge.
21st No Club Meeting. Good Friday.
28th Club Meeting. In House Speaker..
Membership
The drive for membership is on, Growth is very important to Rotary. Here are some of the reasons behind this:--
Membership growth will increase our capacity for service.
New Members bring fresh ideas, new interests and increased energy to the club.
The more members you have increases the volume of support for “The Rotary Foundation”
Different outlooks within the membership makes the club relevant to its community
New and younger members ensure the future of Rotary and its work.
Recruitment methods.
Inform:- Hand out information material, Our club is getting ready to distribute the small book of Rotary Facts to interested parties.
Wear your Rotary pin. You just might be asked about it and get somebody interested. Wearing your pin affords you more opportunities to advertise Rotary.
Membership Committees.
We have one and we can help extend their database with new names of possible candidates.
These candidates can be invited to lunch or some other activity. President Ruth at the last Rotary lunch put forward the idea of a special dinner for business and civic people who could be possible future Rotary Members.
Advertise.
We will be able to get a Rotary International grant to produce advertising material aimed at recruitment.
Magazines. Recycle your old Rotary magazines. Think about passing them out to friends or dentists, doctors waiting rooms etc.
Rochester Rotary 80 Years Old.
Rochester Rotary is now in its 80th year of being chartered. We may be able to use this to good purpose to increase our profile within the City of Rochester.
Future Events.
Sunday 27th January. At the Maths School, 3 courses and wine for £15.00, All home made
food and good company.
Sunday 9th March. Sponsored Family Ramble and Dog walk. Will start at the Esplanade and go round Rochester.
More Abbreviations and Acronyms
Here are a few more which can be obtained from the Rotary Global History Fellowship.
Knowing a lot of Rotary members play Golf I have been searching but as yet cannot find an acronym for them yet.
CATS Challenging Al To Succeed.
DICO District Internet Communication Officer
GETS Governor Elect Training Seminar.
IFCR International Fellowship of Cricketing
Rotarians.
RCP Rotary Code of Policies
|
